Umgeni Park, Durban

Lying exactly where its name suggests it should be, the suburb of Umgeni Park is just north of the Umgeni River Bird Park and Riverside Road, adjacent to Durban North and inland from the Blue Lagoon.

The area is popular, like a lot of the more northern suburbs of Durban, with townhouse buyers and those after the more security conscious complex dwellings. There are also properties with solitary homes and large, beautiful gardens and tree-lined streets. It is an upmarket Durban north suburb, in other words, close to the hub of Durban's city and her financial district in Umhlanga. Umgeni Park also lies conveniently close to both of the major traffic tributaries, the N2 and the M4, although far enough and in the midst of trees not to suffer the consequence of noise pollution. The suburb is only fifteen minutes from the city centre and lies just above the Umgeni River with excellent access to shopping malls and a number of popular beaches, like Dave's Beach.

The major bonus of living in the neighbourhood is, of course, the green lung of the Umgeni River Bird Park, in what was once a disused quarry. Now 17 different species of birds breed here and another 23 endangered species are kept within the confines of the park that has conservation at its heart.

Make sure you get to see the flight display. Over 3000 birds now have their home in the park, and a beautiful tea garden makes frequent visits a must. Green Umgeni Park, the neighbourhood, is a wonderful space in which to stay.