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DURBAN - KWAZULU NATAL
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| Durban: Bustling Durban is
the hub of the province’s business and industry and pulses with all the energy of a
major port city. Luxury hotels abound on Durban’s beachfront, and this city is often
referred to as South Africa’s Miami Beach. Durban is one of the fastest-growing urban
areas in the world. Its port is the busiest in South Africa and also one of the 10 largest
in the world. Durban is blessed with balmy weather all year round, making it a perfect
holiday paradise. The beachfront is bordered by five star hotels and luxury apartments,
all of which have an idyllic view of the Indian Ocean. |
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The Central Business District, a hive of
activity, is within easy reach of all hotels and convention venues. If however, you wish
to travel further afield, there is a very competent public transport system running
throughout Durban, as well as an abundance of taxis. Durban is a major gateway to Africa
and is also the largest and busiest port city on the continent. Due to this, there is an
extensive road network leading to and from any destination in South Africa. Durban
International Airport, is only a 10 minute drive from the City and is serviced daily by
domestic flights, as well as international flights. The International Convention Centre,
centrally located, is an innovative, world class convention centre which can cater for
conferences of up to 5000 people.
Durban is a sporting paradise. The sunny climate combined with a wealth of facilities
makes for a year round sporting extravaganza. Watersports such as surfing, body boarding,
sailing and scuba diving are obvious favourites given Durban's proximity to the warm
Indian Ocean. Rugby, soccer and cricket are also very popular with Durban boasting world
class stadia for all major sports. |
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DURBAN ATTRACTIONS
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  ICC Durban has been voted Africa's Leading
Conference Centre for six consecutive years by World Travel Awards and in 2004 was
also ranked as one of the top ten conference centres in the world by AIPC. Its proven
track record is unrivalled in Africa. A focal point of Durban's Central business ... » ICC Durban
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 uShaka Marine
World in Durban is a world-class entertainment and tourism destination. At the end of
Durban's Golden Mile is the beginning of uShaka Marine World - spanning over 15 hectares
of prime beach front, uShaka Marine World is Africa's largest Marine Theme park. uShaka
... » uShaka Marine World
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 The Durban
Botanical Gardens are famous for the original specimen of a Cycad (Encephalartos woodii)
that is still widely acknowledged as probably the rarest plant in the world, as well as
for its extensive collection of South African Cycad species. A highlight of the Gardens is
the Orchid House ... Durban
Botanical Gardens
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 Durban Beachfront: Durban’s Golden
Mile, also known as ‘the mile’, runs the length of the beachfront in the city.
It includes the promenade and starts roughly at South Beach and uShaka Marine World ending
at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World to the north. It includes Battery ... Durban
Beachfront Info » |
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| Durban
Beaches |
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Durban's beaches are characterised
by soft, golden sand, palm trees and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The main beaches
are shark netted and patrolled from sunrise to sunset by trained lifeguards who have an
impressive track record in beach safety. The main beaches also have change and shower
facilities as well as an array of restaurants and bars. Those who crave seclusion can find
many remote beaches along the coast which are not patrolled.
Durban’s beaches stretch in a long line from Addington Beach to Country Club Beach.
Facilities include changing rooms, fast-food outlets, shark nets and lifesavers. The Bay
of Plenty is especially popular among surfers. Even in winter, the sea temperature rarely
drops below 17º C. |
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| Golden
Mile |
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| Flanked by luxury hotels and
apartment blocks, the Golden Mile skirts the main beaches and the Indian Ocean.
Attractions include an amusement centre, paddling pools, paved walkways, gardens and
fountains. Funworld, with its bumper cars, roundabouts and hurdy-gurdy machines, is a firm
favourite with the younger set. A ride in a cable car offers a birds-eye view of the beach
front and the pools, fountains and lawns of the Amphitheatre Gardens. |
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| Da Gama
Clock |
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| A memorial donated by the
Portuguese community to commemorate the first sighting of Durban by the famous Portuguese
explorer, Vasco de Gama in 1497. |
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| Cruises |
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| Deep sea cruises leave the Sarie
Marais Jetty, weather permitting, every day. The operators, Sarie Marais, also charter
boats for parties, sundowners and lunches. Isle of Capri operates pleasure cruises daily,
weather permitting, from Aliwal Street jetty. |
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| Durban's
Grey Street |
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| Grey Street is home to
Durban’s Indian district and is the best place to enjoy spicy local food. Here, you
will find the Juma Musjid Mosque and its gilt-domed minarets, the largest mosque in the
southern hemisphere. Wander around the area and the bazaars and buy some of the incredible
spices and textiles from local Indian vendors. |
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| Snake Park |
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| Lectures and venom-milking
demonstrations are held at this popular tourist attraction, inhabited by South African and
exotic species. The park places a strong emphasis on education and the important role
snakes play in their natural environment. |
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| Umgeni
River Bird Park |
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| Overlooking the Umgeni River, this
park ranks among the world's best. Many varieties of brightly coloured birds, both
indigenous and exotic, inhabit walk-in aviaries set in picturesque gardens. |
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| Durban
City Hall |
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| Designed in Modern Renaissance
style and completed in 1910, the building closely resembles the Belfast City Hall. On the
second floor, the Durban Art Gallery is the setting for international and South African
art collections. Guided tours can be arranged. The Natural Science Museum focuses mainly
on animals, birds and reptiles. Educational programmes and films are presented from time
to time. |
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| Museums |
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| KwaZulu Natal's rich history is
documented in a number of fascinating museums in and around the city. The development of
Durban into the city we know today can be viewed from a number of important perspectives.
The history of apartheid is found in the Kwa Muhle museum, seafaring memorabilia can be
found in the Maritime museum and the history of Indian indentured labour is shown in
photographic and document form in the Durban Cultural and Document Centre. |
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| Old Fort |
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| The remains of a fort where
British were besieged by Boer forces in 1842. A war museum is housed in Warrior's Gate.
Formerly a powder magazine, the chapel of St. Peter in Chains is a war memorial and a
popular venue for weddings. |
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« KwaZulu Natal Game &
Nature Reserves | South Africa Game
Reserves » |
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