Wolf Moon lights up Umdloti’s first full moon hike of 2026

Hikers from across KZN turned out for the year’s first Umdloti Full Moon Walk through the Sibaya Coastal Forest Reserve on Saturday.

Led by veteran hiking guide Roland Smith, owner of Durban Hiking and Adventures, the group of 17 set off at dusk to experience January’s striking ‘Wolf Moon’. For nature lovers eager to explore Umdloti’s coastline after dark, the Full Moon Walk offers an accessible, guided entry into the magic of night, where the forest comes alive, the beach feels new and the moon steals the show.

The 6km route winds through one of the province’s last protected indigenous coastal forests before spilling onto the Umdloti shoreline, where the full moon casts a soft yellow glow over the surf. The colour shift is due to Rayleigh scattering a phenomenon that deflects bluer wavelengths while allowing redder tones to pass through, giving the moon its warm hue shortly after moonrise.

Launched three years ago, the Umdloti Full Moon Walk is a guided night hike designed to offer something completely different on the local outdoor scene, explained Roland.

Beyond the spectacle of the moonlit coastline, the walk offers a touch of adventure. With a bit of luck, hikers may spot buck, search for scorpions and spiders using torches and UV lights, and chase ghost crabs skittering across the sand. When conditions allow, the evening concludes with a lantern-lit beach picnic, a highlight that has made the event especially popular with families and couples seeking a memorable night out.

“Our aim is simple, encourage a more active lifestyle, getting people outdoors, connecting with nature and away from screens, TVs, and YouTube,” he said.

The walk takes place monthly, beginning at 6.30pm and lasting about three hours. Tickets cost R199 per person, with discounts for children under 13, and are available via Quicket.

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