RURAL communities near Durban are benefiting from green tourism initiatives where they play a crucial role in ensuring great experiences on various hiking trails.
If you want a local adventure this holiday, Durban’s Green Corridors has just opened a new Waterfall-to-Waterfall hiking and camping trail through some of the most breathtaking rural scenery the city has to offer.
It offers an overnight trekking experience for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers right on your doorstep. The added bonus is there’s a fully catered, slack packing option for the three-day adventure.
The three-day, two night hike starts at Overock in Lower Molweni, treks through pristine valleys to the eNanda Adventure Park on the Inanda Dam, and then up through the Inanda Valley to Amatata Adventures on the top of Inanda Mountain.
The trail has been pioneered by three of Green Corridors tourism operators who are also trained and experienced guides: Mlu Mthembu from Amatata Adventures, Rasta Reuben at the Overock Rasta Camp and Gabi Ngcobo from eNanda Adventure Park.
The fully catered option includes camping equipment, stretchers, meals, guiding services, camping fees, and transport from and back to Durban. The camps are set up for you prior to your arrival so there is no need to carry all the equipment from site to site.
“This trail is just the beginning,” said Mthembu. “We plan to expand into three-day trekking experiences with additional package options. Beyond providing memorable adventures, we are aiming to empower local school-leaving young adults to become active in the tourism industry, by training them on these treks. They will be responsible for setting up and dismantling camps, performing night watch duties, giving them a chance to contribute meaningfully to the experience. It will also help them and foster new ideas for tourism innovation in their own communities.”
“We are looking forward to welcoming guests on this new trail,” said Reuben. “We have long spoken about the potential for such a trek and much planning has been done to create the route, cut trails and work with rural communities. This is a brilliant way to combine adventure with sustainable community impact.”
Green Corridors offers a number of outdoor activities that support local eco and community initiatives.
To book, call Mthembu on 067 614 0283 or Reuben on 072 569 9409. For all Green Corridors sites mail [email protected] or call 081 572 2514.
