Pigeon Valley

Pigeon Valley is a protected nature reserve in Glenwood, Durban, covering about 10 hectares of land. The site hosts more than 110 native tree species and provides habitat for many forest birds.

The area was established as a critical conservation zone in KwaZulu-Natal province to protect rare species like the Natal elm. This protected status has allowed the forest and its bird populations to be safeguarded over many decades.

The valley takes its name from the rock pigeons that have roosted here for generations. Visitors can watch how these birds nest on cliff faces and shape the living landscape around them.

Visitors can walk the 400-meter Natal Elm Trail, which starts at the main entrance on Princess Alice Avenue and is open daily. The path is well-marked and lets you experience the various habitats and tree types throughout the forest.

Between March and September, endangered spotted ground-thrushes seek refuge here to escape colder conditions in their home regions. This seasonal migration makes the valley an important shelter for this rare bird species.