Cosmos Country
Vhembe
Blythedale Beach
Salt Rock
Sheffield Beach
Zinkwazi Beach
Virginia Bush Trail
3km from Umhlanga
-29.7702, 31.0468
+27 83 631 9278 www.durban.gov.za
Easy to moderate difficulty; Suitable for children
The Virginia Bush Nature Reserve is bisected by Newport Avenue, a fairly busy road, but you don't hear the traffic once you enter the bush. The 38-hectare reserve consists mainly of coastal bush and is open from 7am to 4pm.
Turn right as soon as you enter the gates into the upper section of the reserve. After a short distance, you pass a small dam, where you keep right again, and then the trail meanders slowly uphill on a sandy path. A few low wooden poles have been laid across the path to prevent mountain-bikers crashing through this pristine forest, so watch your step or you may find yourself airborne.
Many of the trees are labelled, with wild hibiscus, several huge Natal figs and milkwood trees dominating this section of forest. Continue and then take the third track to the left, which goes to the upper section of the reserve, crossing a small section of grassland from where there are great views all the way to the ocean.
The reserve is rich in birdlife and is also home to a few small mammals, so keep your eyes peeled for red and grey duiker, spotted genet and dwarf mongoose. Purple crested loerie, green twinspot, Natal robin, boubou shrike and the flycatcher are frequently seen along the trail.
The path then cuts back into the forest and heads downhill, crossing a few bridges and boardwalks before rather suddenly popping out back at the start.
There is limited parking at the gates off Newport Avenue. The reserve has a maze of trails crisscrossing through it, so if at any stage you want to shorten your walk, just take a left turn and head downhill. All the paths return to the gate.
Umhlanga Lagoon Trail
In Umhlanga
Ballito to Salt Rock Trail
In Ballito
Stretching some 110km from Umhlanga to the Amatikulu River, the North Coast is as diverse as it is spectacular. The old North Coast Road is the best way to access the region. It follows the edge of the Indian Ocean, crossing the lagoons and estuaries of the Umhlanga, Umdloti, Mvoti and Tugela Rivers. It then weaves through fields of sugar cane and patches of indigenous forest.
Over the years, the North Coast has changed from a few sleepy little towns of local farmers' beach cottages to a hugely popular tourism centre. It draws hundreds of thousands of annual visitors and offers something for just about everyone.
The towns range from Zinkwazi, as relaxed and serene as anywhere on the entire South African coast, to the bustling Umhlanga with its big-town feel. In-between is Ballito, a holiday destination par excellence where tourists are welcomed and entertained. A host of other towns each have their own attractions.
As you'd expect, it is the beaches that are the biggest drawcard to the area and around which most of the action is centred.
Ballito in particular is a surfing mecca and hosts regular surfing competitions.
Other beaches all along the coast offer surfing, swimming and angling. Scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and boat trips can also be organised at most popular tourism towns, as can microlight flights.
Don't for a second think that the North Coast is simply a beach and party destination. Nature is ever-present and many of the towns are surrounded by beautiful coastal bush or are close to nature reserves. Birdwatching is excellent and diverse, while blue duiker can even be spotted from the Umhlanga promenade.
Fascinating history also pops up when you delve a little deeper. King Shaka, that South African Napoleon, once ruled from a kraal in the area of KwaDukuza. A visitor's centre, memorial and museum all celebrate and explain his life and reign. Another great Zulu man, this time a man of peace, grew up down the road in Groutville. Albert John Luthuli would later play a major part in the struggle against apartheid and would become the first African to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
The North Coast has always been the trendier part of KwaZulu-Natal's long and spectacular coastline. It's more developed, the hotels are bigger and it just feels like there is more on the go. There is an incredible amount to do, things to see and places to stay.
Mount Moreland – every year an estimated three million barn swallows spend the South African summer at a wetland on Mount Moreland, not far from the coastal town of Umdloti. From around October to April, this huge concentration of tiny birds can be viewed coming in to roost en masse. Take a few drinks or a picnic and your deckchairs and have a sundowner while this immense flock fills the sky.
King Shaka Heritage Route – King Shaka forged the Zulu nation and ultimately shaped the future of South Africa. On this route you can find out a bit more about this fascinating character. You can visit spots such as Observation Rock, from where he watched his impis train. You can also see the pool where he bathed, the site of his burial, and the tree under which he is reputed to have been assassinated.
The Gateway Shopping Centre - on the other side of the scale is Gateway, a huge shopping centre in Umhlanga that caters for absolutely everyone. Rainy days can be spent watching movies, rock-climbing, bowling, driving go-karts and much, much more. There are obviously also plenty of shops and restaurants.
The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board – offers interesting insights into these denizens of the deep. Educational tours are held, as are regular shark dissections.
Birding – the North Coast is home to an estimated 460 bird species, including rarities such as finfoot, green twinspot, bat hawk and black coucal. It's not necessary to visit nature reserves to spot them either, although you will have better luck at places like the Zinkwazi lagoon or the Harold Johnson Nature Reserve.
Adventure – scuba diving (or learning to scuba dive) is great for family bonding. The North Coast has a number of operators who offer this. Other chances for adventure include excellent mountain biking, quadbiking, paintball and horse riding.
Microlight flights – and helicopter flips give wonderful perspectives of this long and beautiful coastline. You'll see how urban spread has affected the cane and bush, as well as just how much remains intact. Whales and dolphins are often spotted on such flights.
Dining decadence- be it high tea or a curry buffet at the sensational Oysterbox, a prawn feast at the Amatikulu Prawn Shack, or the Ballito Prawn and Jazz Festival.
Hawaan Forest Walk
Nightjar Travel 9:30am 3 Mar
On the edge of Umhlanga Rocks lies a mystical forest full of breathtaking archways, vines and hidden alcoves. I had high expectations when I heard of the Hawaan Forest Walk,­ all of which were completely exceeded when I experienced it in real life. As soon as I stepped into a world that surely was a home to magical forest creatures, I realised I had found a new favourite Durban activity. If you are planning a romantic day for your other half, then this is the way to win them over even more. The best part is that you can follow the forest trail all the way to the beach, and spend the rest...
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