Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve

Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve is situated in Yellowwood park in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. Here is a complete guide on how to get there, how much it costs and what to expect on your trip to Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve.

About

Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve is approximately 253 hectares in area and has a small population of wildlife in the reserve. The reserve was proclaimed in 1963 after Kenneth Stainbank donated land for this purpose. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife manages the reserve. The reserve is surrounded by the Umhlatuzana River on the north and west sides.

The reserve is surrounded by yellowwood trees. Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve offers coastal forest vegetation together with grassland for the wildlife. The reserve features indigenous plant life and animals like the zebra, bushbuck, reedbuck, impala, blue, red and grey duiker, vervet monkeys, mongoose, bushbabies and dassies or rock hyrax as well as over 200 bird species.

How to Get There

Travelling to the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve is simple. Take the M41 from Burnham Drive, Ridge Road and Armstrong Avenue. Thereafter take N2 to Solomon Mahlangu Drive/M7 in Umkumbaan, Durban. Take Exit 161 from N2. Continue on Solomon Mahlangu Drive/M7 to the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve in Yellow Wood Park.

There are no tolls on this route. There is only one entry gate at the reserve.

Here is a map of the route from Durban to Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve.

Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve Prices

Entrance Fees:

R40 per adult

Are you enjoying this, check out the previous post on the Tala Game Reserve, which gives you all the information you need to visit this reserve in Camperdown, KwaZulu Natal.

Things to do:

Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve has various activities available for the entire family.

Picnic

There are two main picnic sites at the Stainbank Nature Reserve and these are the Top picnic site, Lori picnic site and the Ituba picnic site. There are benches and bins available at these sites. Apart from these sites, there are also more secluded areas which also host tables, benches and bins which can be used for a picnic. For all these sites, you will have to get there early as they get very busy.

Dam

There is a dam located at the reserve which is filled with tilapia. It involves a bit of a walk to get there but the views once you do arrive there are spectacular. There are also benches around the dam depending on which route you take to get there which you can use to have a picnic. At the dam area, you will find more water birds, like the red-chested flufftail.

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Hiking, Cycling and Mountain Biking

The Stainbank Reserve offers over 13 kilometres of nature walks which enables people to amble through the forest. There is also a 10 kilometre mountain bike trail which can be classified as moderately challenging. The reserve also caters for handicapped individuals with a specially designed walk. Once a month, the reserve offers guided tours with different themes. Enquiries will need to be made with their offices for the next tour date. In addition, night drives are available and can be arranged with the reserve.

Castle

There is also a castle at the reserve which is a courtly old stone homestead. It is called the Coedmore Castle which was built by Dering Stainbank in 1885. The castle is only open to the public for pre-booked guided tours. Coedmore Castle contains many of the original household contents from the nineteenth century including, furniture, family portraits, and antique silverware. The castle can also be hired out for small weddings and functions and bookings can be made with the reserve offices.

Gate Times

There is one entry gate at the reserve.

Hours: Mon – Sun – 06:00 am – 15:00 pm

Recommendation

Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve is a beautiful and peaceful place. It’s an ideal venue for a day out with the family. So pack a picnic and head there and hopefully you will see some of the animals in the reserve.

Contact Details:

Address: Coedmore Ave, Yellow Wood Park, Durban, 4011

Phone: +27 31 469 2807

If you enjoyed this post, check out the previous post on Pilanesberg National Park with all the information you need to know before you visit.

Looking for more inspiration, check out the South Africa page which has other posts on things that you can do in this extraordinary country.

* Please note that all prices and contact information are correct at time of publication. Please check the venues websites as prices may change without notice. *