Where to Find the Wild Ones Near Durban

If you find yourself along KwaZulu-Natal’s coastline in June or July, keep your eyes peeled – the shore might just sparkle silver as massive shoals of sardines make their grand northward journey in the famous Sardine Run.

This underwater parade doesn’t go unnoticed; it attracts a lively crowd of predators, from sleek bronzies to great white sharks and speedy gamefish to playful Cape fur seals and dolphins. 

Sometimes they’re teaming up for the chase, sometimes chasing each other.

One of the best clues that the Sardine Run is in full swing? The sight of dolphins darting along the South Coast. Onshore, crowds gather to watch traditional seine netting, while tour operators offer boat trips that put you right in the heart of the action. 

This swirl of sardines, diving gannets, and orchestrated hunting techniques of dolphins, whales and sharks is the stuff of nature documentaries. It’s a spectacle worth experiencing at least once in your life. 

Time Out Fun Fact: Sardines live fast and die young. They grow quickly, reaching just under 20 cm in length and achieving sexual maturity within two years, but seldom survive beyond three years.

Vervet monkeys are native to KwaZulu-Natal and can be found in a wide variety of habitats throughout the province. With their grizzled silver-grey coats, long tails, and expressive black faces trimmed with white around the eyes and eyelids, they’re easy to recognise – and hard not to stare at (though we’ll explain later why that’s not a great idea).

Males are particularly colourful, sporting a bright blue scrotum and a red penis – a unique identifier if ever there was one!

While vervets may look adorable with their big, curious eyes, they’re known for getting up to a bit of mischief. Raiding dustbins, sneaking into homes, and helping themselves to fruit and veggies in gardens are all part of their regular antics.

If you encounter vervet monkeys nearby, it’s best to stay calm. Avoid making direct eye contact (they might see it as a challenge), don’t try to feed or provoke them, and slowly back away while keeping an eye on their movements. Most importantly, make sure your food, rubbish, and compost are securely stored – because if it’s accessible, they’ll likely find it!

Umsizi Umkomaas Vervet Monkey Rescue Centre plays a vital role in supporting both the monkeys and the local human community, who frequently share the same urban environment.

Time Out Fun Fact: Vervet monkeys rarely drink water, thriving instead on a mostly vegetarian diet.

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal is a conservation pioneer. Just three hours from Durban, this park is home to the largest population of white rhinos on Earth and has played a vital role in protecting the species from extinction.

White rhinos, which are actually more grey than white, are the second-largest land mammals after the African elephant. They are easily recognised by their broad, square upper lip, unlike the black rhino, which has a more pointed, triangular one. This wide lip is perfectly adapted for grazing, helping the white rhino crop grasses efficiently. 

Despite their calm, plant-loving nature, they can charge at speeds of up to 40 km/h. In other words, admire these hefty herbivores from a safe distance. Sadly, they are frequently targeted by poachers due to the high value of their horns.

Time Out Fun Fact: Female white rhinos are called cows, while the males are known as bulls.

We’d probably skip kissing this particular frog to find your prince. Tiny, secretive, and lightning-fast, the Pickersgill’s Reed Frog is a master of hide-and-seek among the dense reed beds tucked into the shrinking wetlands of coastal KwaZulu-Natal.

First discovered in Durban in 1978, this amphibian is now critically endangered, with its natural habitat disappearing at an alarming rate. Officially recognised as a specially protected species, the Pickersgill’s Reed Frog has hopped to the top of conservation priority lists.

In fact, it’s made history as the first threatened frog species in South Africa to be part of a dedicated captive breeding programme, led by the National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria, the Johannesburg Zoo, and SAAMBR in Durban. Hopefully, with a little help (and no kisses), this elusive little frog will get its fairytale ending.

Time Out Fun Fact: The eggs of the Pickersgill’s reed frog come in a two-toned design. Their undersides are pale and white, just like the bellies of the frogs themselves. It’s a clever bit of camouflage that helps both eggs and frogs stay hidden from fish and other underwater predators with an appetite.

As its name suggests, the KwaZulu dwarf chameleon is native to KwaZulu-Natal, and if you're lucky, you might even spot one in the garden of your short-term rental or while out and about in Durban’s Botanic Garden! This small, brownish chameleon may look unassuming, but like its cousins, it’s a master of disguise, capable of changing its colour and pattern to blend into its surroundings.

These adaptable little reptiles are found in a wide range of habitats, from reedbeds and tall grasses to bushes, trees, and even urban gardens. Though they’re completely harmless, they aren’t shy about defending themselves. A startled chameleon may deliver a surprisingly sharp nip, so it’s best to admire them with your eyes, not your fingers.

Sadly, many of these charismatic creatures fall victim to road traffic or garden pesticides. So, if you spot one on the move or in your flowerbed, give it a helping hand (figuratively!) by keeping it safe and chemical-free.

Time Out Fun Fact: With a lifespan of about 3 to 5 years, the KwaZulu dwarf chameleon packs plenty of charm into its short but colourful life.

When you think of Africa, chances are lions, elephants, and giraffes are the first animals that come to mind. Luckily, Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal region are home to numerous incredible parks and reserves where you can spot these iconic creatures, especially the giants of the animal kingdom.

Just five hours from Durban lies Tembe Elephant Park, home to some of Africa’s largest elephants. This is one of the few places on the continent where you can see a rare ‘Tusker’ – an elephant with tusks weighing over 100 pounds. In fact, eight of the world’s remaining 30 big tuskers live right here at Tembe.

You’ll often find these gentle giants cooling off at the waterhole, splashing in the mud, or having a lazy afternoon swim.

When out on safari or a game drive, remember to keep things safe and respectful: maintain a good distance, watch their behaviour, and steer clear of sudden movements or loud noises. And always give way.

At Tembe, the elephants are familiar with the guides, and the feeling is mutual. This unique bond means the elephants are calm around vehicles, offering guests magical, up-close moments with some of nature’s most majestic creatures.

Time Out Fun Fact: There’s truth to “An elephant never forgets”. They have a bigger and denser temporal lobe, the part of the brain that handles memory, than humans do. No wonder the saying stuck!

If the word ‘Africa’ instantly brings Hakuna Matata to mind, you’re not alone. Lions and leopards – two of the legendary Big Five – are the sleek, stealthy predators that often steal the show on safari.

South Africa is one of the best places in the world to witness lions in their natural habitat. These powerful cats can reach speeds of up to 81 km/h, and male lions develop impressive manes, which can grow up to 16 cm long as they mature. These flowing locks aren’t just for show; they signal strength and dominance. Interestingly, not all male lions sport a mane. In some parts of Africa, “maneless” males are more common – an evolutionary tweak that helps them keep cool in hotter climates.

Then there’s the leopard, the second-largest of Africa’s big cats. Covered in rosette-shaped spots, the leopard is as striking as it is elusive. Agile and fast, it can reach speeds up to 58 km/h, often melting into the landscape before you even realise it’s there.

Tucked away in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, just three hours from Durban, Nambiti Private Game Reserve offers a front-row seat to these wild beauties. With expert guides leading the way, you’ll have every chance to spot these majestic animals up close.

Time Out Fun Fact: Lions are capable of devouring up to 40 kgs of meat in just one meal. Meanwhile, some leopards exhibit a rare genetic trait called melanism, giving them a sleek black coat. These striking animals are often referred to as "black panthers."

The charming village of St. Lucia, located within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 1999, has quickly become one of our most popular travel destinations. 

Tucked away in the northern reaches of KwaZulu-Natal – just 2.5 hours north of Durban – this small town boasts something truly unique: the largest population of hippos in South Africa.

With an estimated 800 hippos roaming the area, don’t be too surprised if one decides to stroll past your front door, or even share your jogging route. (Yes, this is the rare exception to our earlier claim that we don’t have wildlife wandering our streets.)

That said, hippos are wild and potentially dangerous animals, so it’s best to admire them from a safe distance. For a closer – but secure – look, hop on a two-hour boat cruise along the scenic St. Lucia Estuary. It’s a fantastic way to see hippos, crocodiles, mangrove swamps, and a rich variety of birdlife, including the striking African fish eagle and giant kingfisher.

Time Out Fun Fact: Do hippos sweat blood? It might look like they do, but nope, no horror movie here! Hippos secrete a reddish oily substance that works as a built-in moisturiser, sunscreen, and germ-fighter. The red tint makes it seem like they’re sweating blood.

Staying within the Simangaliso Wetland Park, there are few places in Southern Africa as magical, especially when it comes to witnessing one of the planet’s oldest natural rituals.

For millions of years, female leatherback turtles – the largest sea turtles on Earth – have made their way from the ocean onto these shores to lay their eggs.

St. Lucia Turtle Tours offers a chance to experience this unforgettable, bucket-list event during both the nesting and hatching phases. 

At specific times during this nesting process, visitors can observe and even photograph these incredible creatures without disturbing them. After the female turtles lay their eggs, incubation lasts around 65 days, depending on the nest temperature. During hatching season, guided tours venture out with soft lighting along the beach, keeping a careful lookout for tiny hatchlings making their first journey to the sea. Turtle tours begin in November, marking the start of the nesting season.

Time Out Fun Fact: Did you know that leatherback sea turtles are the only species of sea turtle considered warm-blooded?

*This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content.