Durban Green Corridor in Umgeni Park, KwaZulu Natal (original) (raw)

The Durban Green Corridor shares Durban's natural open spaces with visitors to the city. It offers a 'new' Durban experience; one that reaches beyond the traditional 'beach' holiday.

Did you know? Durban Green Corridor is a non-profit organisation that works closely with eThekwini Municipality and the Duzi uMngeni Conservation Trust to provide those after outdoor activities with a unique and exciting set of nature experiences within the city's parameters.

The project is twofold.

On the one hand it is a literal green corridor that extends from the uMngeni river mouth, up the Umgeni Valley as far as Inanda Dam and the Valley of a Thousand Hills, involving local communities who work as tour guides.

On the other hand it is also an environmental project to remove alien invasive species, like water hyacinth, to deal with the dumping of waste and offcuts from industrial polluters, to clean up the river and improve the water quality.

Activities on offer include: guided walks, mountain bike trails, canoe rides, a visit to the Beachwood Mangrove Forest, birding, cultural tours, camping and picnics.

To experience the green corridor is as simple as visiting one of the corridor's centres (the GreenHub, eNanda Adventure Park, KwaDabeka, or iSithumba Adventure Park) to meet their enthusiastic team members and to sign up for one of their affordable adventures.

Mountain Biking � book a tour, guided or self-guided, or bring your own to one of the corridor's parks to use trails to suit all fitness levels and age groups. The team is there to advise on the best trail to suit your needs.
Available: uMngeni estuary, eNanda Adventure Centre, iSithumba Adventure Park

Canoeing � paddle up the uMngeni Estuary for a whole new experience of the river mouth, or paddle across the Inanda dam, whilst taking in the bird life and scenery. Great family fun.
Available: uMngeni estuary and eNanda Adventure Centre

Hiking & nature walks � explore mangroves, valleys, and waterfalls on guided or self-guided trails at a number of locations.
Available: uMngeni estuary, KwaDabeka, eNanda Adventure Centre and iSithumba Adventure Park

Birding � follow the Finfoot Loop, a self-drive birding loop along the uMngeni River Valley and into the rural river gorges and cliffs of the Valley of a Thousand Hills (iSithumba Adventure Park), with an experienced local guide.
Available: at all sites

Cultural tours � visit the sacred Shembe village and Rastafarian caves close to Inanda Dam, or tour KwaDabeka and the Inanda Woza Urban Walk, for an authentic rural village experience.

Picnic spots & camping � the corridor has a list of parks between the uMngeni estuary, Inanda Dam and Valley of a Thousand Hills perfect for a day out. Camping is only at eNanda Adventure Centre and iSithumba Adventure Park (Valley of a Thousand Hills).

An example of an adventure tour: bird watching from kayaks on the Inanda Dam, followed by a mountain bike ride on the banks of the dam along single track maintained by the tour guides. Finish up with a meal at Ma Jabu's � putu, chicken and beef curry, madumbis and imfino.