About Durban

Why Visit Durban?

Nowhere else in the world will you encounter so many different cultures, city life and a beach resort feel all in one place. Every need a visitor has is catered for. This is where many South Africans from inland provinces come to spend their end of year holidays. The sea is warmed by the Indian Ocean currents and the average sea temperature in winter months is 18 degrees.

Durban offers the visitor a wide range of accommodation options; from 5 star to self cating, camping and backpacking.

Getting Here

Durban lies on the east coast of South Africa, 1600 kilometers from Cape Town and less than 600 kilometers from Johannesburg. The nearest airport is the King Shaka international airport, it is about 35 kilometers from the city centre.

History

Durban has an interesting history, click here to read a detailed overview from historic times to more recent events.

Cuisine

Whatever you crave, there is a restaurant nearby that will satisfy your hunger.  But, don’t forget to try a Bunny Chow while you are in town!

Transport

If you don’t have your own transport, use one of the pay taxi services – this is a big city to get around.  Or why not try something a bit different that will provide you with a memorable sight seeing experience?  There is the Umgeni Steam Railway, or more often called the 1000 Hills Choo-Choo, a vintage steam-train.  The Ricksha Bus will provide a fun experience and take you along the beachfront, uShaka, Emmanuel Cathedral, Victoria Street Market, Juma Musjid Mosque, City Hall, Kwa Muhle Museum, Burman Bush, Mitchell Park, Moses Mabhida Stadium and the Suncoast Casino.

What to Do…

Beaches

Visitors enjoy the beaches during summer and winter. There is Casino Beach where you can relax on the grass verges under an umbrella, New Beach where you can swim, play soccer or play volleyball, Addington Beach where parents take their young children to swim, Brighton beach that has big barrels on the right days and so the list of amazing beaches goes on…

Golf Courses

There are many golf courses to choose from when visiting Durban. The Durban Country Club course offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean and has been rated in the Top 100 Golf Courses of the World by Golf Magazine USA. The Royal Durban Golf Course is one of the most demanding championship courses in South Africa. The Kloof Golf Course may seem a little short, but the mature trees and good condition of the course makes it worth a visit. Other courses to visit are the Bluff National Park and the Camelot courses.

Nature Reserves & Parks

There are parks and nature reserves scattered across the city.  This is a bird watcher’s paradise.  If you just need to recharge your batteries, there’s a quiet spot deep inside a forest or overlooking grassland, just around the corner from where you stay.

The Durban Botanic Gardens should be on every visitor’s list of places to visit.  It is Africa’s oldest surviving botanic gardens.  Orchids, bromeliads, palms and cycads are the main collections of the gardens.  Another place not to be left of the to-do list is the Shongweni Dam, where you can practice your rock climbing, canoeing and mountain biking skills.

Durban is a friendly city and visitors are especially welcome. We hope to see you here soon!