Green Corridors

Green Corridors is a social-purpose, impact-focused organisation that develops and runs outdoor tourism sites in and around Durban, and its experiences are a good way to see the green, hilly hinterland of the city while supporting local communities. It reports welcoming more than 6,000 tourists a year across its network of adventure sites.

Each site has its own character. eNanda Adventures, on Inanda Dam a short drive from the city centre, offers canoeing, a pump bike track and guided mountain biking on the water's edge. iSithumba Adventures in the Valley of a Thousand Hills combines mountain-bike trails and hiking with cultural tours of the local community. uMgababa Adventures includes Mnini Dam, where you can canoe, cycle and fish, while Matata Adventures has added a new hike and Lower Molweni offers nature trails on the edge of Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. At the Mqeku picnic site there is a natural bum-slide into a calm pool. Closer to the coast, the GreenHub near Blue Lagoon offers canoeing, and visits to the Beachwood Mangroves can be arranged on selected days.

You can self-drive to most sites or join fully guided outings, and many sites offer shuttle tours in air-conditioned minibuses with qualified guides, which is the easiest option for visitors without a car. For an overnight adventure, Green Corridors also arranges fully catered pop-up camps. Each site charges a modest entrance fee, with activity and camping fees varying by location.

The experiences suit active travellers, families with older children, birders, hikers and anyone who wants to combine outdoor activity with meeting the communities who live in Durban's rural fringes. Because the sites are spread out, contact the front desk by phone or email before you go to confirm what is running, book guides or shuttles and check conditions, as activities on the water depend on the weather and river levels.

The organisation's website was being revamped at the time of writing, so phone or email is the most reliable way to make arrangements. Bring sun protection, water, a hat and closed shoes, and expect to get wet on canoe trips. If you only have one free day, eNanda Adventures at Inanda Dam is a short drive from the city centre.