Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve, as the name suggests, is at Umhlanga about 15 minutes from Durban on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The reserve is an excellent example of well-preserved coastal bush and lagoon. There is a nature trail on boardwalks from which you can view some rare trees and the many species of water and forest birds. There is also a picnic site with toilet facilities.
The reserve is a valuable area of pristine coastal forest with a small reed-lined stream and swamps with stands of bullrushes where you will find red bishops, weavers and reed warblers. The lagoon is closed to the sea but does open up after heavy rains.
Water birds such as herons, fish eagles, African rails and warblers are relatively easy to spot but the dense bush makes it a challenge to spot forest birds such as narina trogon, forest weaver, robins, purple-crested turaco, tinker barbets, trumpeter hornbill, sunbirds and shrikes.
Getting there: From Durban take the M4 going north on Stanger Street. After the first exit to Umhlanga take the Portland Drive exit and turn right under the highway. Take the first left into Newlands Drive to a yield sign. Turn left again, past the Breakers holiday flats. The entrance to the reserve is on the right.
More info on the town of Umhlanga | More info on the eThekwini area |