The Durban Green Corridor describes itself as "the service point for eco tourists looking for authentic, unique and exciting nature projects within the city of Durban".The conservation project, supported by the eThekwini Municipality, offers a range of outdoor activities including hiking, cycling and nature walks.Most of the activities take place in some of the best natural hotspots of Durban - the Umgeni River, Inanda Dam and Valley of a Thousand Hills.Cognisant of the summer heat and ever curious about the river, I booked the uMngeni Mangrove Trail which promised a two-hour, guided nature trail on the boardwalks through the mangroves, with fascinating birds and a rich history lesson of the area.Unfortunately, when we arrive at the Green Hub, the project's headquarters, there's some confusion because our guide has suddenly called in sick. The organisers come through and offer us their eNanda Adventure, a two-hour guided nature trail along the shores of the Inanda Dam, and so my friend and I pack up and make our way to Inanda, a large township, just past Hillcrest, which boasts a rich history of housing political legends such as John Dube and Mahatma Gandhi.Our guide, whose family had to relocate when the Inanda Dam was built in 1989, guides us along the water's edge. He tells us about the history of the area and points out unusual plants and birds, and once even stops us as a giant black snake slithers across our path."Mozambique spitting cobra," he whispers. We hang back, preparing to shut our eyes at quick notice if need be. He shows us where the cycling tours and canoeing take place, and because I'm unable to do either, I shamefacedly look away.The dam is huge, almost 595m long and so blue that at some point in the 5km hike it feels like we are walking along the sea. If you're up to the extra walk, you can visit the mysterious Rastafarian Caves - a hollow tucked away near the Mzinyathi Falls where a group of Rastafarians live and worship. All in all it's a great initiative and a very timely one to invigorate the blooming east coast. The Green Corridor offers informative, unique and reasonably priced eco tours, and full packages with tours, picnics and walks all with Durban's natural surroundings in mind.Eco tourism is exactly what Durban needs right now.Contact: www.durbangreencorridor.co.zaOffers: Mountain biking, canoeing, bird watching, picnics, cultural tours, hiking trails and 4X4 experiences.Head outAll trails are two hours, at 9am and noon daily. Booking essential.The uMngeni Mangrove TrailWhere: Umngeni BasinFitness: EasyCost: R115 per personeNanda AdventureWhere: Inanda DamFitness: Reasonable levelCost: R85 per personiSithumba Adventure Hiking TrailWhere: Valley of a Thousand HillsFitness: Reasonable levelCost: R85 per person..