DLINZA FOREST BOARDWALK

"From a bird's eye view"
Visit South Africa's first and only aerial boardwalk-within the enchanting Dlinza Forest Eshowe. Here visitors experience the unique 250 ha indigenous coastal scarp forest from a bird's eye point of view.

Built of natural timber, the boardwalk takes you 125m through the forest understory to the 20m high viewing platform which emerges above the canopy of the trees.From here you will experience the panoramic view towards the Indian Ocean, over the tops of magnificent Flat Crown, Giant Umzimbeet and Forest Ironplum, yet still smell sweet blossoms and watch butterflies sip nectar at close range. Take notice of things like the textures of bark, twisted vines, roots of strangler figs, epiphytic orchids and birds nests in the boles of trees, hidden in clusters of leaves or the great stick platforms of crowned eagles.Let the boardwalk reveal for you magical birdlife, indigenous trees, busy insects and precious flowers.

Exploring the Dlinza Forest
The best time to visit is early morning when the bird calls echo across the vallys. There are currently two marked trails in the forest, starting at the Visitors Centre, with a deviation to Bishop's Seat. Trees are labled on both trails.

The Impunzi Trail (1.3kms)
This is an easy 20 minute round trip from the Visitor Centre and takes you past majestic Fluted Milkwoods, Giant Umzimbeet and Wild Plum.

The Unkonka Trail (1.8kms)
This trail takes you deeper into the forest and is an easy 30 minute walk joining the Impunzi trail near its end. Along the way you will cross the origin of the Mpushini River where you may see the spoor of the Blue Duiker, or the Green Banded Swallowtail sipping from a pool. Look for blooming Clivia miniata from September onwards. Weave your way under great gnarled stems of vines, while listening carefully for the Trumpeter Hornbills or Chorister Robins as they search for food amongst the abundant fruits, flowers and insects of the forest.

The Dlinza Forest is home to more than 65 species of birds, including the endangered Spotted Thrush, the rare Delegorgue's Pigeon, Magnificent Purple Crested Lourie and Narina Trogon to name but a few. Crowned eagles are frequently seen from the viewing platform as they soar high above the forest.
It is a popular birding destination and is part of the Zululand Birding Route. In addition there are over 80 species of butterfly and many more moths, the tiny Clifden's Centipede Snail found only in Dlinza Forest, millipedes, frogs and chameleons-in fact a host of interesting animal life.