There’s nothing better than spending a day relaxing outdoors with family and friends. These great picnic spots in Durban promise gorgeous scenery, space for kids to play and a dose of relaxation amidst the everyday hustle.

Paradise Valley

The Paradise Valley Nature Reserve, 100 hectares of coastal and remnant grassland, boasts one of the two national monuments to be found in Pinetown – The Umbilo Waterworks, which were built in 1887. All four of the trails in the reserve start at the Interpretive Centre and head down through the picnic area. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the waterfall and another half an hour for the return. There are picnic areas, braai facilities, toilets, self-guided walks, birding, a conference centre and boma.

Open from 7:30am to 4pm
Address: 10 Oxford Rd, Pinetown, Durban, 3610
Entrance Fees:
Adults R13 per Person
Children Under 15 R10 Per Person
Organised Educational Groups R8 Per Person
http://paradise-valley.co.za/

Palmiet Nature Reserve

This 90 ha reserve with a meandering river flowing through it, has peaceful and quiet resting spots with an amazing view of the cliffs hanging over the river. There are cemented trails to accommodate disabled people (for wheel chairs) who wish to visit the reserve. Braai facilities are available to book, and picnic sites are available around the reserve.

Open from 7am – 6pm
Address: Edgecliff Rd, Dawncrest, Westville
Entrance is free
http://www.durban.gov.za/City_Services/ParksRecreation/pnature/Pages/palmiet.aspx

Durban Botanical Gardens

Flowering every season of the year, KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden is a garden with grandeur and charm, offering visitors an experience of nature’s authenticity with the striking Plane Tree Avenue, Natural Forest, Insect Hotel, Clivia Dam and theme gardens.

Address: 9A John Zikhali Road, Berea, Durban
Open from Monday – Sunday
1 May-30 Sept: 09h00-17h30
1 Oct -30 Apr: 09h00-18h00
Entrance Fees:
Adult: R37
Student: R27
Pensioner: R27
Child: R15
Botanical Society Members with valid membership Card: Free
https://www.sanbi.org/gardens/kwazulu-natal

Durban Green Corridor Picnic Spots

Durban Green Corridor is a conservation project that manage various locations in and around Durban. They have a host of picnic spots that they manage. Your support of their locations assists their conservation efforts. For those looking for new picnic spots in Durban to simply relax and have a day out, Durban Green Corridor manages amazing spots with incredible, scenic and special destinations right here on your doorstep like the Valley of A Thousand Hills. The perfect, safe venues to get out for the day, bring your picnic basket, simply relax and enjoy the sunshine and natural beauty.

To book a picnic spot please contact 031 322 6026/7 or  073 088 9874
https://durbangreencorridor.co.za/

Krantzkloof Nature Reserve

This nature reserve is the spectacular meeting place of two river gorges, the Molweni and Nkutu. There are two picnic areas in the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve – the main Kloof Falls site and the Nkutu site in Valley Drive. Both picnic areas offer an area to relax with the family while enjoying the babble of the nearby streams. A gate entrance fee is payable at both picnic areas.
Braai facilities are provided at both picnic sites. Should you prefer to bring your own, the braai must be at least 50cm off the ground to prevent damage to the lawns.

Address: 152 Kloof Falls Rd, Kranskloof, Kloof, 3624
Open from 6am to 12pm for hiking. Picnic sites are not currently open due to Covid regulations.
Entrance Fees:
R50 per adult (12 years and older) and R20 per child (under 12 years) – CASH ONLY
https://kknr.org.za/

NB: Prices and operating times are subject to change.

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