Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk
Articles
Press Release - May 2010
A Walk in the Clouds By Sandra McAllister
Articles
Press Release - May 2010
A Walk in the Clouds By Sandra McAllister
See Also
Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk
The Karkloof Crane and Conservation Centre
Ongoye Forest Birding Camp
Thonga Beach Lodge and the Mabibi Campsite
The Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve and Training Centre
Marutswa Forest Trail and Boardwalk
Southern KZN Birding Route
The Karkloof Crane and Conservation Centre
Ongoye Forest Birding Camp
Thonga Beach Lodge and the Mabibi Campsite
The Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve and Training Centre
Marutswa Forest Trail and Boardwalk
Southern KZN Birding Route
Location Info
Special thanks for images
Tim Neary
Tim Neary
Walking above the tree canopy of the ancient Dlinza Forest in Eshowe is an experience not to be missed. The 127 metre aerial boardwalk reaches 10 metres high and ends with a 20 metre high steel viewing platform. Gently undulating trails of under two kilometers wind through the forest to give a closer look at the undergrowth and creatures in it.
As well as the purely indigenous gigantic trees, and orchid clad vines, there are 65 bird species including the crowned eagle, albatross and spotted ground thrush, 80 butterfly species, lynx, large spotted genet, bush buck, bats, mongoose, bush pig, red and blue duiker, bush babies, monkeys, bats, porcupines, chameleons and 12 orchid species.
When the tree orchids flower and when the trees are in bloom being just above them, is pure magic. In 2001 there were few facilities at the forest site and very few visitors. Local farmer, Jane Chennells was walking in the forest and thinking that its magnificence should be honoured and shared more and decided that an aerial boardwalk would be a wonderful idea. A feisty, roll up your sleeves type, Jane enlisted the help of honourary parks board officer Denis Eckard, and parks board officer Glen Holland and the forest never looked back. They started out with two donations totaling R70000 which built a couple of metres of boardwalk, a start, but certainly not the whole dream.
When Jane heard that a WWF representative was in the area, she nabbed him in a pub and enthused wildly about the forest, the endangered species and the boardwalk. He politely mentioned that his brief was for wetlands only so Jane took him to a place in the forest where a little puddle constantly forms, pointed to it and said, "Look it's land, it's wet, it's wetland!" He was not brave enough to walk away and motivated for funding, and the Dlinza Forest received R927 000 funding through a SappiIWWF TreeRoutes Partnership. When the funds arrived the WWF representative did admit that he had had his doubts. During construction of this, the first aerial boardwalk in South Africa, only two saplings were harmed.
As well as the purely indigenous gigantic trees, and orchid clad vines, there are 65 bird species including the crowned eagle, albatross and spotted ground thrush, 80 butterfly species, lynx, large spotted genet, bush buck, bats, mongoose, bush pig, red and blue duiker, bush babies, monkeys, bats, porcupines, chameleons and 12 orchid species.
When the tree orchids flower and when the trees are in bloom being just above them, is pure magic. In 2001 there were few facilities at the forest site and very few visitors. Local farmer, Jane Chennells was walking in the forest and thinking that its magnificence should be honoured and shared more and decided that an aerial boardwalk would be a wonderful idea. A feisty, roll up your sleeves type, Jane enlisted the help of honourary parks board officer Denis Eckard, and parks board officer Glen Holland and the forest never looked back. They started out with two donations totaling R70000 which built a couple of metres of boardwalk, a start, but certainly not the whole dream.
When Jane heard that a WWF representative was in the area, she nabbed him in a pub and enthused wildly about the forest, the endangered species and the boardwalk. He politely mentioned that his brief was for wetlands only so Jane took him to a place in the forest where a little puddle constantly forms, pointed to it and said, "Look it's land, it's wet, it's wetland!" He was not brave enough to walk away and motivated for funding, and the Dlinza Forest received R927 000 funding through a SappiIWWF TreeRoutes Partnership. When the funds arrived the WWF representative did admit that he had had his doubts. During construction of this, the first aerial boardwalk in South Africa, only two saplings were harmed.
Eco-tourism = Community + Environment
2900 children from rural schools have been on outings to Dlinza and the historic and cultural/art museums in the area.. They spend three hours in the forest and learn to look and listen and leave with an understanding of the importance of the beautiful gifts nature has given us. They are served a hearty, healthy lunch and picked up and dropped off by buses.
Six field guides selected from the local community were sent for training courses and the two main guides, Nomusa Ntuli who has been there since 2001 and Manah Ntuli the bird guide, are always on hand and there is always a guard on duty, even though the forest is fenced and gated. There is a bird hide, a fascinating visitors' centre, curio shop and refreshment area and four delightful secluded braai and picnic areas, fronted by a large lawn, perfect for children's games.
Dlinza Forest is open every day except for December 25.
Summer - September 1to April 31, 6.00am to 5.00pm.
Winter - May 1 to August 31, 7.00am to 5.00pm.
Entry fee children R5, adults R5O. Schools and other groups are welcome.
Article: Sandra McAllister, The North Coast Courier, May 14 2010
Six field guides selected from the local community were sent for training courses and the two main guides, Nomusa Ntuli who has been there since 2001 and Manah Ntuli the bird guide, are always on hand and there is always a guard on duty, even though the forest is fenced and gated. There is a bird hide, a fascinating visitors' centre, curio shop and refreshment area and four delightful secluded braai and picnic areas, fronted by a large lawn, perfect for children's games.
Dlinza Forest is open every day except for December 25.
Summer - September 1to April 31, 6.00am to 5.00pm.
Winter - May 1 to August 31, 7.00am to 5.00pm.
Entry fee children R5, adults R5O. Schools and other groups are welcome.
Article: Sandra McAllister, The North Coast Courier, May 14 2010
