Durban Walking Tour

Durban Walking Tours

Registered tour guide Alison Chadwick operates walking tours in and around the city of Durban. “Living in Durban is a privilege for me, and one I don’t take for granted,” says Alison. “I am passionate about this city and love to share my knowledge with others. Sometimes the things closest to home are the best, and as they say ‘local is lekker’!”

Alison worked in the Point area for 12 years. “Often after work I’d drive around the area and take photos of various buildings, and then go home or to the Don Africana library in town and research the buildings,” she says. “I soon became fascinated with the history right on our doorstep and started to delve further and further into research.”

In May last year Alison invited a friend to join her on a walk and shared her knowledge with her, and that’s how it all started. “I qualified as a tour guide for the City of Durban in October last year,” she says. “I think the most rewarding thing for me is the interest I have created in the city, not a day goes by when someone doesn’t contact me to ask if I know about this or can I share more information on something.”

Alison’s walking tours are very unique as they have an element of surprise. “I try not reveal everything upfront, I have lots of quirky and interesting information to share and I take folk to places off the beaten track,” she smiles. “I love how communities have embraced my walking tours – often an owner of an establishment will invite us inside to visit, be it an art gallery, private home, a surf shop, a restaurant – I am overwhelmed at the support I have received.

“My head spins continuously as I am always coming up with new ideas and new places to visit. I currently have five different walking tours and many different destination walks – which include about 5 kms of exercise and visitingsomething interesting and learning,” says Alison. Her tours take two to three hours, with a minimum of six people and a maximum of 24.

“I love doing research and my bedside table is piled high with books – I have a keen interest in the bygone era,” says Alison. “I made the decision this year at the age of 57 to follow my heart and my passion, so after working for accountants for 10 years I decided to quit my job and become a full-time tour guide.”

Due to Covid things have slowed down, but Alison is starting up again with just a handful of people. “I am confident that my new venture will be back up and running soon, as I think people will be doing a lot more local travel.”

FOR MORE INFO: 082 777 7073; durbanwalkingtours@outlook.com; www.durbanwalkingtours.co.za