KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP

Durban Walking Tours Registered tour guide Alison Chadwick operates walking tours in and around the city of Durban. “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’!” says Alison. 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. “At the end of the walk she said to me: you have to take this passion further!” So Alison invited a whole bunch of friends on another walk, and the word soon got out and she became inundated with requests to lead more walks. “I think the most rewarding thing for me is the interest I have created in the city.” Alison’s walking tours are very unique as they have an element of surprise. “I try not to reveal everything upfront, I have lots of quirky and interesting information to share and I try and take folk to places off the beaten track,” she smiles.

“I currently have five different walking tours and many different destination walks – which include about 5kms of exercise and visiting something interesting and learning,” says Alison. Her tours take between two and three hours, with a minimum of six people and a maximum of 24.

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“I love doing research and have a keen interest in the bygone era, especially the history and architecture of Durban,” says Alison, “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 slowed down, but Alison is starting up again and is confident her new venture will be back up and running soon.

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