The Paradise Valley Nature Reserve is situated slightly outside of Durban, in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, and promises to be a total escape from city life and a celebration of utter natural beauty.
The self-guided walks offer excellent opportunities to see some very exciting birdlife, as well as bushbucks, blue duikers and dassies (or rock hyraxes).
The nature reserve consists of about 100 hectares of coastal forest and the grasslands that once sprawled over the region. The Umbilo River winds its way through the full length of the reserve. It not only provides an important source of water for the lush vegetation, but is also part of an important habitat area for many animal species, and the perfect place for a refreshing dip.
What to do when you encounter a snake
When hiking in the bush it is important that you do not pick up, poke or provoke any snake that you come across, even if it appears to be dead- some snakes such as the Rinkhals play dead, and can strike if disturbed. If you discover a snake, do not approach it closely. If you step on a snake or are very close to a Puff adder then move away quickly.
If the snake is only about a meter away, freeze at first and see the snakes reaction - it will likely look for an escape route. If it is cornered, back away slowly. If you move slowly you are not perceived as a threat and the snake is less likely to strike.
Observe the snake. If the snake stays slithering on the ground it will likely move away and not strike. If the snake rears up like a cobra and flattens its neck to form a hood then it is aggressive and is likely to strike and you need to act with caution. Pythons and adders move forward in a straight line, other snakes move using side-to-side undulations.
If you are bitten by a cytotoxic snake such as an adder
- Drink plenty of fluid unless you have trouble swallowing
- Apply a sterile dressing to the wound
- Never try and suck the venom out with your mouth
- Do not squeeze the bite
- Do not apply a tight bandage or tourniquet
If you are bitten by a neurotoxic snake such as a cobra or mamba
- Stay calm and breathe gently
- Immediately apply a crepe bandage firmly around the wound, as if for a muscle sprain. This will reduce the amount of venom entering the bloodstream but should not cut off circulation
- Do not apply a tourniquet
- Never try and suck the venom out
- Transport the person to hospital as soon as possible as these snakes have potent venom and anti-venom will be needed