Discover Gillitts

When looking for a hotel in Gillitts, the question of which character of place suits you can be the deciding factor. iPhithi Nature Reserve provides a specific point of reference for nature, while Gillitts Station represents a chapter in the area’s history. This offers two distinct ways to get a sense of Gillitts before you choose accommodation for your trip.

Nature at iPhithi Nature Reserve

iPhithi Nature Reserve is a 12-hectare natural area in the suburb of Gillitts. It features bushland, a forest stream, young forest and wetlands. This combination brings several distinct habitats into focus and gives the nature theme a tangible form. For your trip planning, these habitat types can serve as a guide if you would like to take nature into account when choosing a destination.

The habitats in the reserve are being rehabilitated, with invasive and other non-native plants being removed. An update from the Conservancy dated 4 February 2026 reported that grassland in the southern part of iPhithi Nature Reserve, below Edward Road, is recovering after camphor and tibouchina seedlings were removed. The Kloof Frog (Natalobatrachus bonebergi) is a flagship species of the reserve.

Trails and planning your visit

The trails in iPhithi Nature Reserve allow visitors to experience the various habitats and their flora and fauna at close range, while keeping the impact on nature as low as possible. This brings together the experience of nature and a considerate approach to the area.

According to the visitor information, the gate is kept closed at all times for security reasons; subscribers are granted automatic access. Non-subscribers and day visitors are charged R10 for entry and exit; payment is made via a Zapper QR code at the gate. Check the current access conditions and fees before your visit.

Gillitts Station and local history

Gillitts Station served as a military and civilian transport hub during the Boer War. This gives the station a different focus from the reserve’s nature theme: here, the emphasis is on a historical transport role, while there, it is on habitats and their rehabilitation. If you are weighing nature and history when choosing a place, this comparison offers two clearly distinct points of interest.

Durban Metro as the broader setting

The broader destination of Durban Metro includes other themes that are distinct from Gillitts’ local nature and history. eThekwini’s municipal museums include the Durban Local History Museums, covering cultural and historical heritage; the Durban Art Gallery, featuring visual art; and the Durban Natural Science Museum, focusing on scientific aspects of heritage. The Local History Museums comprise 19 sites, all managed directly by the Municipality; the number of sites may change.

uShaka Sea World is also part of the broader destination of Durban Metro. It is an aquarium offering dolphin shows, seal viewing and penguin presentations. As the programme may change, check the latest information in advance if a particular presentation is important to your plans. uShaka Wet n Wild is a water park. The eThekwini Municipality stretches from cosmopolitan coastal areas in the north to rugged valleys in the west.

Discover more destinations: Kingsburgh, Chatsworth, Tongaat, KwaMashu, Craigieburn, Umdloti, Durban North

Back to the broader travel overview: Durban Metro.