Durban

wamukelekile eThekwini

Durban is blessed with warm weather all year round. Durban welcomes visitors to a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle where beaches, barbecues, seafood and curry restaurants.

Clubs and up-market accommodation establishments provide everything an out-of-towner could wish for while on holiday in South Africa. Durban’s harbor is the busiest port in South Africa and counted among the busiest in Africa.

Durban is South Africa’s self-styled ‘playground’, where year-round warm weather encourages visitors to make the most of the province’s outdoor lifestyle.

Also known as ‘Surf City’, Durban is renowned for its magnificent bathing and surfing beaches, which stretch along the city’s beachfront from Durban harbor in the south to the up market suburb of Umhlanga in the north.

An expansive paved promenade offers access to the best of these beaches – the Golden Mile – where joggers, cyclists, dog owners, surfers, body boarders and walkers enjoy early-morning and late-afternoon exercise.

Visitors cannot miss Durban’s striking Moses Mabhida Stadium, host venue to top-notch sporting events, Segway tours, a city-viewing SkyCar and bungee swing.

Closer to the harbor, uShaka Marine World, a world-class water park, aquarium (fish, dolphins, seals, penguins and others) and restaurant complex overlooks the ocean and offers hours of entertainment for the whole family.

Culturally, Durban exhibits a mix of Indian, Zulu and post-colonial influences, reflected in the city’s architecture and cuisine. Curries, seafood and fusion food are popular at beachfront restaurants, Wilson’s Wharf, and at the gourmet hot spots and coffee shops that line Florida Road and Helen Joseph Road.

The art deco-style Sun coast Casino complex, flanking the promenade, houses seafood and curry restaurants, movie theaters, a casino and coffee shops – with secure on-site parking and semi-private beach access.

Shopping is best enjoyed at Durban’s out-of-city malls: the Gateway Theater of Shopping in Umhlanga; the Pavilion in Westville; and the Galleria in Amanzimtoti. An overwhelming choice of shops in air-conditioned comfort makes spending money a most enjoyable pursuit.

Half an hour inland from the city, the Valley of a Thousand Hills promises a taste of African culture, while further into the countryside the Midlands Meander features about 150 art-and-craft outlets for city-dwellers in search of fresh air and home-made fare.

Adventure activities are well catered for in and around this coastal city, with deep-sea fishing charters, dolphin viewing, jet-skiing, shark cage-diving, quad biking, scuba diving, hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, boat cruises and much more readily available.

History of Durban

KwaZulu Natal Durban has a fascinating history. The timeline of human habitation in Durban goes back to long before the advent of recorded history in the region.

While some of the earliest remnants of humanity are found in the nearby Drakensberg, it is now established that prior to the arrival of the Nguni people and subsequent European colonialists, the area was populated by the original people of Southern Africa – now collectively called the Khoi/San.

Then, several thousand years later, on Christmas day in 1497, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama passed the mouth of Durban Bay and promptly named it Rio de Natal (Christmas River), presuming that several rivers flowed into the bay.

Back then, before the intrusive advent of industrialisation, the Durban bay was separated from the sea by a sandbar, where crocodiles, hippopotamuses and flamingos spent their days in the vast waters of the bay while its swampy edges were densely populated with mangroves.

Beyond the bay lay a ridge of hills which was home to elephants, hyenas and lions until about a century ago, and now houses Durban’s suburbs.

European Influence in Durban

Over the subsequent years, Rio de Natal came to be a popular stop-off point for explorers and traders, mainly because the Durban bay offered one of the few protected anchorages on the southern coast of Africa.

In 1823, the first European settlement arrived on the vessel the Salisbury under the command of Lieutenant James King with the aim of trading up and down the South African coast.

While inclement weather forced the Salisbury to shelter in the roadstead off Durban, her accompanying ship, the Julia, sailed over the sandbar and surveyed the bay.

King immediately recognised the importance of the bay and returned to England to try and garner support for an English settlement.

Despite his efforts he was unsuccessful, and so he returned to Port Natal as it had come to be called by the Europeans.

King befriended King Shaka Zulu who granted him land around the bay, and sent him to England with two of his chiefs.

But the party got no further than Port Elizabeth and King returned to Port Natal once more, moving to the Bluff across the bay, where he died of dysentery in 1828.

This rough, uncertain life frequently had lethal results and at one point the number of settlers at the bay was no more than six.

At a meeting in 1835, attended by the full complement of settlers at the time – 15 in all – a town was proclaimed, and named in honour of the Governor of the Cape, Sir Benjamin D’Urban.

Despite initially grandiose plans, little development took place in the early settlement.

Dwellings were of rudimentary mud and wattle nestled in the coastal bush, and a full 12 years after the proclamation, there were still no streets in the settlement.

Although the settlers maintained cordial relations with the powerful founder of the Zulu nation to their north, matters changed for the worse when his successor Dingane took over.

Dingane showed open animosity and aggression, while Shaka instructed his citizens to live in peace with the white settlers.

Natal was regarded by the Zulus as their own territory and they tolerated the white settlers, whose trading habits had become useful to them.

The Voortrekkers in Durban

In 1838 the Voortrekkers arrived from the Eastern Cape, already having laid claim to the territory, despite the fact that several columns of wagons had been massacred by the Zulus along the way.

Later that year at the battle of Ndondakusuka, a number of British traders lost their lives, along with hundreds of Zulus, and were forced to flee.

The British sent a force in 1842 to maintain order in the area, and were promptly besieged by the Voortrekkers. It fell to Dick King and his Zulu servant Ndongeni to ride to the British Garrison in Grahamstown to get help.

King earned a legendary place in local history by riding the 960 kilometres in 10 days, past the Voortrekkers and through wild, uncharted territory, crossing more than 120 rivers.

A month later the besieged British were relieved. (King, seemingly always on the side of the underdog, also walked from Durban to northern Natal to warn the Voortrekkers there of the massacre of Piet Retief by the Zulu king Dingane.)

Durban After 1884

In 1844, the British annexed the southern portion of Natal to their already existing Cape Colony.

This annexe was significantly boosted in the early 1850s, when several thousand settlers arrived courtesy of an Irishman named Byrne, who had once visited Durban, and who hoped to make money by shipping in settlers to this difficult paradise.

In 1860, finding the Zulus to be uncooperative labourers, the British imported the first of several thousand indentured labourers from British India to take up work in the sugar cane fields.

Along with them came “passengers”, Indians who were not indentured, and who were free to engage in business.

It took a young immigrant named George Cato to lay out the town properly with three main streets, each 100ft wide – enough to turn a wagon and 16 oxen (the reason why city centre roads in South Africa are so wide).

In 1860, a railway linked the harbour with the small town, and within 30 years, it reached all the way to Johannesburg, as the town of Durban began to expand from the swampland to the cooler hills of the Berea.

The discovery of gold was a major boost to the port, and the discovery of coal in Dundee resulted in many ships using the port for bunkering.

The progress of the port led finally to the troublesome sandbar at the harbour entrance being removed.

As a result of the increased use of the harbour, many marine-related industries such as ship building, stevedoring and chandelling were established in Durban, along with a dry dock.

The 20th Century Durban

By 1900, the town had a sewerage system, hardened roads and water reticulation. The expansion of the railways also had the effect of attracting people from the Transvaal, who wished to vacation in the town.

This established Durban as a major tourist destination, a position it retains over a century later. During the frequent conflicts in the colony, Durban was also the major disembarkation point for British troops.

In 1932, a number of satellite suburbs were incorporated into the town and in 1935, Durban was granted city status.

In the years after World War II, the history of Durban was defined largely by the implementation of apartheid, and the struggle for equal humanity that ensued.

Today, this legacy has resulted in the construction of extensive shack settlements throughout the region.

As the Group Areas Act got under way, the City Council decided to build more formal communities, and large townships were constructed to house African workers both north and south of Durban.

In 1994 South Africa had its first democratic election, which changed forever the tone and flavour of Durban.

In 1996 Durban was further enlarged to become the Durban Metropolitan Region, or Durban Metro, by including large areas both north, south and west of the city.

Four years later, a further expansion resulted in the inclusive Durban Unicity.

Things to Do in Durban

Durban, is a vibrant coastal city located along the country’s eastern coast. It is a popular holiday destination, especially with locals, thanks to its alluring golden beaches, warm Indian Ocean waters and temperate climate.

The city’s official slogan is “the warmest place to be,” and this captures the city in a nutshell.

Although the Durban area was occupied by hunter-gatherers from over 100 000 years ago, the city was officially founded by British settlers in 1835, when it was named after Sir Benjamin D’Urban, who was the Governor of the Cape Colony at the time.

A recent global survey listed Durban as the most underrated African gem. Be sure to add it to your itinerary. Here are the best things to do in Durban.

The Golden Mile

Durban’s beachfront is known as the Golden Mile, although it actually stretches across 6 kilometres. It is lined with palm trees, sandy beaches and playgrounds as well as beachfront hotels and restaurants, all combining to create a holiday atmosphere.

Take a walk along the promenade and look out for the talented beach artists creating innovative sand sculptures. Do take a walk along the pier too, where you may spot stingrays, sharks and other marine life in the sea.

uShaka Marine World

Situated at the Southern end of the Golden Mile, this is one of Africa’s largest marine parks, and a fun outing for the whole family.

It is home to Africa’s largest aquarium, which contains many species of marine life from the Indian ocean, including sharks, penguins, rays and starfish.

Kids will love the water park, which contains Africa’s highest water slide, super tubes, and a collection of pools. uShaka also has a dolphinarium, a reptile centre and several restaurants and stores.

For a special dining experience, visit the Cargo Hold, a fine dining restaurant in the stern of the reconstructed shipwreck, with stunning views of the shark tank and the ocean.

Rickshas

This unique mode of transport can be found along the Durban beachfront. It consists of two-seater vehicles decorated in elaborate local designs, which are hand-drawn by ricksha-pullers in colourful cultural dress and headgear.

The rides only last for 10-15 minutes but are quite entertaining. Rickshas were first brought to South Africa from Japan in 1893, and by the 1930s, in their heyday, there were more than 1000 of them.

Their popularity declined as conventional motorised vehicles became more widespread and there are now only around 20 of them left.

Mini Town

Mini Town was opened in 1969 and still attracts visitors from all over. Kids will love this non-profit park, which comprises a miniature city featuring many of Durban’s landmarks and buildings scaled down to a twenty-fourth of their actual size.

A miniature railway line runs through the city, as well as an airport with aeroplanes and a harbour with ships and boats travelling through it. It’s a great place for a photo shoot.

Moses Mabhida Stadium

This stadium was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and some key matches were played there at the time however it has been creatively repurposed since then.

One can leap into the stadium on the Big Swing, ride the Sky Car over the 106-metre high steel arch for panoramic views of the city, get a great workout with the 500-step adventure walk to the top, or glide on a segway around the stadium.

The Big Swing is the only stadium swing in the world as well as the tallest swing in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records, and it is bound to get your adrenalin pumping.

uMhlanga Rocks

uMhlanga is a popular town north of Durban, and the uMhlanga Rocks coastline is its crown jewel. Holiday resorts and 5-star hotels line the beachfront where you will find the red and white lighthouse, and the whalebone pier which was once named the most beautiful pier in the world by CNN.

It’s an ideal place for an evening stroll as the sunsets here are magical. From the beach, one can enter the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve, a wildlife and birdlife sanctuary with scenic nature trails that will take you across a lagoon and through a dune forest.

Victoria Street Market

One of the oldest markets in Durban, the Victoria Street Market, is a fusion of African and Indian influences with more than 200 stalls and vendors.

It was originally established in the late 19th century but closed for a while after a tragic fire in 1973. The market officially re-opened in 1990 and is a great place to shop for Indian spices, African crafts, traditional clothing and jewellery, incense and brass ornaments.

It even has a seafood and meat market where you can buy a wide variety of fresh produce!

Durban City Hall

The Durban City Hall is a grand building with a central copper dome and four smaller domes featuring Neo-Baroque Edwardian architecture.

It was constructed in the early 1900’s and its design was based on that of the Belfast City Hall in Northern Ireland.

The building’s interior is equally impressive with stained-glass windows, marble pillars, wrought-iron balustrades and classic arches.

Apart from the mayoral and municipal chambers, the Durban Art Gallery, Natural Science Museum and public library can be found here.

Durban Botanic Gardens

Dating back to 1848, these are the oldest existing botanical gardens in Africa.

While most of South Africa’s other botanical gardens focus on indigenous species, the majority of plants and trees in these gardens have been gathered from around the world, and they form a fascinating collection of botanical wonders.

One can see the world’s rarest cycad, a tree that changes colour and the “walking tree”—a banyan fig tree from India that spreads rapidly, killing other plants in its path.

Do a guided African safari tour on the golf cart to get the most out of your visit and take some time to have a picnic at the lake.

Umgeni River Bird Park

This bird park is situated in a lush tropical landscape dotted with waterfalls, and is home to over 800 birds, from more than 200 species.

Some are native to South Africa while others are exotic birds from other countries and continents.

Some endangered species can also be found here. There’s a free-flight bird show on most days, showcasing birds from around the world.

Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve

This mangrove swamp forest at the mouth of the Umgeni River has the most mangrove trees in the Durban area. Spanning 76 hectares, it was proclaimed as a nature reserve in 1977.

The complex natural estuarine ecosystem is home to three protected mangrove species, and one can explore it through elevated boardwalks.

The birdlife is prolific and there is a rustic bird hide where the birds can be observed discreetly from. The reserve is only open on the third Saturday of every month.

Eat a bunny chow

The bunny chow is one of South Africa’s most iconic culinary creations and it first originated amid humble beginnings in Durban, during the apartheid era.

It consists of a half-loaf of hollowed out bread, filled with a spicy curry and topped with the scooped-out bread. Be like the locals and eat it without cutlery – it’s good, heartwarming comfort food.

Gateway Theatre of Shopping

Durban’s largest shopping centre with over 380 shops, the Gateway Theatre of Shopping offers much more than retail therapy.

Some of its other attractions are an indoor climbing arena with 11 different challenges, go-kart racing on the rooftop, a snow wonderland with year-round snow, a skatepark and a bowling avenue. If you prefer more relaxing activities, there are theatres and cinemas.

Gandhi’s House

Mahatma Gandhi spent 21 years in South Africa, during which he developed his philosophy of satyagraha (a type of passive resistance to injustices) in the Durban region.

He also established a self-sustaining communal living system in Phoenix, a township north of Durban in 1903, and lived there for 10 years with his family.

The settlement is still in existence and comprises Gandhi’s house (which is now a museum), his son’s house and the local tourism office.

Inchanga Choo Choo

25 km from the Durban city centre, you will find Kloof, a picturesque suburb. This is where the Inchanga Choo Choo departs from.

This steam train will take you back in time, as it travels through the Valley of a Thousand Hills, a stunning part of the province with rolling hills and green valleys.

At Inchanga, you will find arts, crafts and food galore, and you can spend some time there before boarding the train back. The trains operate on one Sunday a month so time your trip to take advantage of it.

Boat Cruises

A leisurely boat cruise or catamaran ride is a wonderful way to admire Durban’s coastline from the sea. Cruises often depart from the Durban Marina, providing stunning views of the city skyline, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, and the vibrant beachfront.

Along the way, one may spot dolphins, whales (in season), and a variety of seabirds. Many cruises also provide informative commentary about Durban’s history and landmarks, enhancing the overall experience.

Land of the Tswana

There are so many places that you can visit in Botswana but there are some other attractions that stand out more than others and are worth visiting during Botswana Safari. These make the list of the top Tourist Attractions In Botswana.

There are many tours that you can do in Botswana and the most common is the overland tour, where you can drive around to most parts of the country in an overland truck. Most common tours include a Botswana Wildlife Safari, Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park package, Desert tracking, Premium safaris and 5 to 10 day safaris.

• • Exploring ancient ruins, historical landmar.

• • Immersive cultural experiences, local.

• • Hiking, trekking, extreme sports, and out.

• • A romantic destination like Paris, Venice.

• • Kid-friendly activities, theme parks family.

• • Premium accommodations, gourmet.