Mitchell Park

Did you know that Mitchell Park in Durban started as an ostrich farm? Yes that’s right. In 1910 it was all about ostriches. But the business wasn’t very successful. So they added other animals. Mitchell Park became Durban’s only zoo. It quickly became a popular place. People loved it. They came to see the amazing animals. One very special animal was Nellie the elephant. She was a gift from the Maharajah of Mysore in 1928. Nellie was incredibly talented. She could play a mouth organ and even crack coconuts with her feet. Can you imagine that? Nellie was a huge star. She brought joy to thousands of visitors. However over time the zoo changed. Today Mitchell Park is home to a variety of smaller animals. There are playful monkeys. There are also colourful birds. The largest animals are now Aldabra giant tortoises. One of the tortoises is named Admiral. He is incredibly old. He’s over a hundred years old. He’s a legend in Durban. Mitchell Park is more than just animals. It has a wonderful children’s playground. It also boasts a beautiful walk-through aviary. You can enjoy a relaxing picnic. The Blue Zoo tea garden is a perfect spot to unwind. You can have tea and cake. You can also have a wonderful picnic on the large lawn area. The park is next to Jameson Park. Jameson Park was once a pineapple plantation. Mitchell Park holds a special place in Durban’s heart. It’s a place for family fun. It is a place filled with history. It’s a place to create wonderful memories. Come explore this special place. Discover the charm of Mitchell Park. Let’s create some special memories.