Mitchell Park Zoo

Mitchell Park is a small municipal park and zoo in Morningside, on the slopes of the Berea above the city centre, and it has been a favourite family outing in Durban for more than a century. It began in 1910 as an ostrich farm. When that proved unprofitable, other animals were brought in, and over the years it became the city's only zoo. Its most famous former resident was Nellie, an Indian elephant presented by the Maharajah of Mysore in 1928.

Today the zoo is modest in scale and concentrates on smaller animals and birds rather than big game. The largest residents are Aldabra giant tortoises, and you will also find blue duiker, small South American monkeys, raccoons and a variety of parrots. The bird collection is a highlight, with Indian peafowl, grey crowned cranes, black swans, silver pheasants, Nicobar pigeons, scarlet ibises and other species, many of them in a walk-through aviary that lets children get close. Next to the zoo lies Jameson Park, which was once a pineapple plantation.

The park closed in April 2025 for refurbishment after flood damage and years of overdue maintenance, and it reopened in late 2025. The upgrades included new playground equipment, renewed fencing and pathways, restored picnic lawns and braai areas, improved enclosures and better access, with wheelchair-friendly routes. The Blue Zoo tea garden in the grounds is a popular spot for breakfast or lunch, and the large lawn is used for picnics.

This is an outing for young families above all: it is compact and easy to walk around in an hour or so, and the playgrounds give children somewhere to let off steam. It also suits anyone staying in Morningside who wants a short, gentle break from sightseeing. Opening hours are limited to the daytime, so arrive in the morning, when it is cooler and the animals are more active, and check the municipality's latest information before you go, as hours and access can change after works.

Mitchell Park is in Morningside, the same suburb as Florida Road and its restaurants, cafes and bars, so it is easy to combine a visit with a meal. Most visitors arrive by car or ride-hailing app; the beachfront and Moses Mabhida Stadium are a short drive away.