Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve

Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve

Southern extension of the Ohlanga river lagoon
Map showing the location of Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve
Coordinates 29°42′33″S 31°05′51″E / 29.70917°S 31.09750°E / -29.70917; 31.09750Coordinates: 29°42′33″S 31°05′51″E / 29.70917°S 31.09750°E / -29.70917; 31.09750
Area 26 hectares (64 acres)

Umhlanga lagoon is a 26 hectares (64 acres) nature reserve on the shore of the Indian Ocean at Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa.[1] The reserve encloses the Ohlanga River's lagoon and mouth.[2] The forest forms a natural extension of the less accessible Hawaan Forest, of which the greater part lies inland of the busy M4 road. The reserve trails start at a car park at the northern end of Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga.

The reserve has picnic sites, the remains of a prehistoric shell midden[3] and walking trails,[2] with a walkway and pedestrian bridge that span the lagoon.

At the mouth of the Ohlanga lagoon there is a popular but unofficial nudist beach.[4][5][6] Increased use of the area by non-nudist walkers and families resulted in complaints about nudism and antisocial behaviour.[7] The area was at one time a ‘no-go’ area, due to a serious crime problem.[7] The use of this area by naturists is under threat as the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is planning a clamp down on nudity in Durban.[8]

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Bainbridge 2010.
  2. 1 2 Ballard 1998.
  3. ↑ Beater & Maud 1963.
  4. ↑ Steele 2012, p. 234.
  5. ↑ "Uncovering Umhlanga’s secret ‘Nude Beach’". Phoenix Sun. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
  6. ↑ "uMhlanga nudist beach, a possibility". Northglen News. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
  7. 1 2 Anthony, Lauren (26 February 2013). "Lewd beach behaviour exposed". News. looklocal.co.za. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  8. ↑ Savides, Matthew (21 September 2015). "Zip it up in Durban, or else". Times LIVE. Retrieved 2015-10-07.
  • Bainbridge, James (2010). South Africa Lesotho and Swaziland. Lonely Planet. ISBN 978-1-74220-375-1. 
  • Ballard, Sebastian (1998). South Africa Handbook. Footprint Handbooks. ISBN 978-0-8442-4966-7. 
  • Beater, B. E.; Maud, R. R. (Apr 1963). "The Occurrence of a Coastal Midden near Umhlanga Rocks, Natal". The South African Archaeological Bulletin (South African Archaeological Society) 18 (69): 21–23. JSTOR 3887491. 

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