Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve

Location Spotlight: Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve

Durban Film Office | Filmmakers’ Location Guide

A Hidden Wilderness with Colonial Elegance and Untamed Terrain

Located in Yellowwood Park, south of Durban’s CBD, the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve is one of the city’s most diverse and visually captivating film locations. It combines dense indigenous coastal forest, open savannah grasslands, natural wildlife, and the haunting beauty of Coedmore Castle—a 19th-century stone manor frozen in time. It’s a location where romance, fantasy, history, and nature meet.

Coordinates

📍 Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve (Main Entrance):
Decimal: -29.899716, 30.937732
DMS: 29°53'59.0"S 30°56'15.8"E

Why Kenneth Stainbank is a Must-See for Location Scouts

🏰 Coedmore Castle – Period Film Perfection

• Built in 1885, this Gothic-style stone homestead is set within the reserve and features original furnishings, stained glass, and antique charm.

• Perfect for historical dramas, period romances, haunted house thrillers, or royal/fantasy sequences.

🌿 Ecological Variety in One Location

• Offers dense indigenous forest trails, savannah grassland, marshy wetlands, and rocky outcrops—all in one protected setting.

• Ideal for nature documentaries, survivalist storylines, or character journeys that require shifting environments.

🦓 Wildlife Backdrops Without Leaving the City

• Home to zebra, impala, duiker, and rich birdlife, the reserve provides controlled wildlife access within Durban limits.

• No dangerous predators make it safer for filming.

🧭 Scenic Trails & Open Fields

• Multiple walking and cycling trails with natural clearings, forest tunnels, and river crossings perfect for tracking shots or symbolic journey scenes.

• Picnic sites and hideouts can double as bush camps or casual family spots.

Ideal For

• Period films, fairy tale sequences, or Gothic thrillers

• Fantasy or magical realism scenes set in nature

• Survival stories, eco-documentaries, or wildlife features

• Romantic scenes in serene or historic backdrops

• Coming-of-age dramas or spiritual journey arcs

Quick Facts

• Location: Yellowwood Park, Durban South

• Distance from Durban CBD: ±20–25 minutes

• Permit Required: Yes – via Durban Film Office & Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

• Key Features:

  • Coedmore Castle (filming access by request)

  • Forest, grassland, and small animal species

  • Public restrooms, picnic areas, cycling and hiking trails

• Best Time to Film: Early morning for soft light and misty forest mood; golden hour for open grassland

• Access Tip: Some roads are narrow; scout with crew vehicles beforehand

Explore Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve

From its mystical woods and open plains to the timeless elegance of Coedmore Castle, Kenneth Stainbank offers a diverse, secure, and visually compelling natural setting for productions of all genres. It's the perfect escape within city limits—and one of Durban's most underutilized cinematic gems.

Contact the Durban Film Office today to plan your scout visit, secure filming permits, and bring your vision to life in this extraordinary reserve.