Dec
31
Durban Travel Guide
Filed Under South Africa
A trip to Durban
Durban is the second most populated city in South Africa and the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal. Durban is one of the top travel destinations in South Africa and is also the busiest port city in Africa. The city has developed the ‘Golden Mile’. This area was created specifically for the tourism industry and is overflowing with tourist attractions including a casino and an aquarium.
Durban enjoys a warm subtropical climate making its stunning beaches a favourite spot for locals and visitors. Sports are extremely popular here and the city will be a host city for the 2010 Football World Cup.
Flights to Durban
Durban International Airport is a large and efficient facility that sees over four million passengers each year. The airport offers regular flights to popular destinations such Mauritius, Swaziland and Mozambique and handles both domestic and international services. The airport serves as a major gateway for travellers to KwaZulu-Natal and the Drakensberg.
Since Durban is a major port city, sea transportation is also available. The city is well-served by its railway and a Metrorail that operates a commuter rail service. This runs from Durban Station and travels outwards. Durban has two kinds of taxis: metered taxis and minibus taxis, both of which can be caught from the airport or hailed throughout the city. During your stay in Durban, it is essential that you try at least once the famous Zulu Rickshaw pullers navigating throughout the city.
Sightseeing in Durban
The Golden Mile is undeniably the hottest spot for visitors and locals who flock to enjoy its many attractions. There is a large selection of restaurants and pubs on offer as well as fantastic shopping venues and jewellery stores. But the biggest draw on the Golden Mile has to be the beautiful white sand beaches. North Beach, Dairy Beach, the Bay of Plenty and Snake Park beaches are popular surfing beaches that are separated by the piers.
UShaka Marine World is home to a number of exotic marine species and the Dolphinarium houses the largest shark tank in the entire world. Another popular hangout and picnic area is the Blue Lagoon. If you want to see the youngsters defying gravity and logic, the Skate Park is situated in front of the Bay of Plenty and is a popular spot for skateboarders and roller bladders.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Durban has a vibrant and lively night life. There is a variety of clubs, bars, dance clubs and music venues sprinkled throughout the city. The Golden Mile has a popular concentration of hot spots that both tourists and locals enjoy.
The BAT centre is a major area for live music and theatres. The Gateway Mall is home to the charming Barnyard theatre and showcases wonderful local performances. The Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World is situated at the northern end of Durban’s Golden Mile and welcomes those who want to test their luck in a game of chance.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Durban has a plethora of shopping opportunities with everything from shopping centres and chain stores to factory shops and supermarkets on offer. KwaZulu-Natal has a fantastic variety of store and boutiques as well as some striking jewellery stores. The Golden Mile, which runs along the beachfront in Durban, has a great selection of shops selling local handicrafts, clothing, trinkets and souvenirs.
Daytrips
Durban is perfectly situated for exploring some of South Africa’s finest attractions. Set in the heart of Zululand, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve is home to animals such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, buffaloes and giraffes, to name a few. Visitors can take open or closed vehicle game drives through the park.
From Ushaka Marine World, visitors can take a boat ride on the Indian Ocean and witness the shark nets that protect Durban’s golden mile from sharks. View what was once the world’s largest land-based whaling station and catch a glimpse of some of the area’s reefs and wrecks. Watch out for whales, dolphins and rays among other beautiful marine life.
The fabulous Zulu Cultural Centre at Shakaland is an attraction not to be missed. Situated in the magnificent Nkwalini Valley, the centre is home to the largest Zulu kraal settlement in the region. Visitors can learn about the traditions and culture of the Zulus and watch the making of baskets, pottery and beadwork in process.
Must-see attractions
If you like Indian food then head to Grey Street, the heart of Durban’s Indian district and a great place to sample some tasty Indian cuisine. The majestic Juma Musjid Mosque dominates the landscape and shoppers can buy sweet smelling spices and richly coloured textiles.
Shoppers will love the vibrant Umkhumbane Flea Market, held every Sunday. Locals and tourists alike enjoy busking dancers and musicians and browse through traditional ethnic clothes stalls, African carvings and other crafts, ceramics, jewellery and beautiful textiles.
Located on the Berea Ridge, Durban’s Botanical Gardens are home to a colourful orchid house, a Cyad collection, a herbarium, a charity tea garden and a blind garden. Famed for holding the original specimen of an extremely rare Cyad, the gardens are a must-see for lovers of plants.
Best time to go
Durban enjoys a subtropical climate, with summer temperatures often soaring to over 30°C and humidity rising accordingly. Rain is recurrent in the summer months so most tourists visit in the more pleasant winter months between April and September, when temperatures average at 20°C and rainfall is low. The Indian Ocean is pleasant for swimming throughout the year.
Rainy day suggestions
With the rainy season stretching from October to April, it may well be a good idea to add some indoor attractions into your itinerary. The fascinating Kwa Muhle Museum documents the history of apartheid while the Maritime Museum houses an impressive collection of seafaring objects. A war museum can be found in Warrior’s Gate, part of the remains of an old British fort, and the chapel of St Peter in Chains is also worth a visit.
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