Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve

Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve

Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve lies just next to Yellowwood Park in Durban, an extension of the D'Moss green lung in the south western parts of Yellowwood Park. The 253 hectare Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve is regarded as one of the finest coastal / riverine forest and bush clump / grassland mosaic areas remaining in the greater Durban area. It is held by locals as not only a wonderful space in which to do walks along trails that give you up to four hours' worth of walking, but also great for birding and picnics.

The land was a bequest from a man named Kenneth Stainbank, hence the name, and aside from the wonderful plant life, you also get to see zebra, bushbuck, reedbuck, impala, blue, red and grey duiker, vervet monkeys, mongoose, bushbabies and dassies or rock hyrax. There are even night drives that one can arrange.

Over and above the 13 kilometres of nature walks there is also a 10 kilometre mountain bike trail, regarded as moderately challenging – in other words, a good weekend ride that won't see you exhausted, and Durban's mountain bikers enjoy the reserve as a refuge.

A handicapped trail leads into the forest from the car park, and although the variety of birds along this trail might not be as good as deeper in the reserve, you can still hope to spot the grey cuckoo shrike, tambourine dove and the white-eared barbet.

The dam area is where you'll find more water birds, including the red-chested flufftail, whilst a climb into the forest area, where it is quieter and you need a little more patience, will give you access to the narina trogon, olive woodpecker, lemon dove and yellow-bellied greenbul.

The reserve is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and there is no accommodation within the reserve, but see Yellowwood Park Accommodation for the closest options or see below for accommodation in other suburbs nearby. Entrance times vary but you can usually bank on between 6am and 6pm.