Durban is the perfect vacation destination as it enjoys a glowing reputation for the warm, subtropical weather and vast, amazing beaches, which makes it a tropical paradise for relaxing days in the sun and exciting nights filled with bright lights, music, diverse cuisine and busy streets.
For residents and non-residents, these are the interesting and enlightening spots you must plan to see and experience.
- Ushaka Marine World, with 32 tanks, several restaurants and a dolphin and seal stadium, is the 5th largest aquarium in the world. Here you can meet dolphins, snorkel among fish, experience a breath-taking moment as you’re lowered in an enclosed cylinder into the water of the large shark exhibit or splash around in the fun-filled water park.
- Umhlanga Lagoon Hiking Trail provides you with a chance to take a hike through a superb coastal forest, crossing the Ohlange River to the beach and lagoon. It’s a sanctuary for over 200 bird species and other smaller mammals.
- The Bay of Natal, as it was known, is one of the very few natural harbours on the East Coast of Africa and for this reason European settlers set up permanent camp in this city. In 1840, the first harbour master of Port Natal was appointed and, since then, the harbour has grown to become Africa’s busiest container port and the 9th busiest harbour in the world, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- The Gateway Shopping Centre is the second largest shopping mall in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. Gateway Shopping Centre was modelled on the Mall of America, and has more than 350 stores and more than 70 restaurants, 18 movie theatres, 6 Nouveau cinemas, an IMAX theatre, a theme park, a 4000 square meter skate park (designed by Tony Hawk), the world’s highest indoor climbing rock and the highest fountain in Africa. It is situated in the northern suburb of Umhlanga.
- Essenwood Market is the place to be. Every Saturday this expansive market set under a glorious canopy of evergreen trees, offers arts & crafts, handcrafted jewellery, clothes, and diverse food and drink options.
- The Golden Mile allows you to surf until you drop, take a walk, or cycle along the promenade and explore the surf museum. With lifeguards watching over the ocean and shark nets for added protection, visitors can enjoy playing in the surf.
- Durban plays host to Africa’s greatest horse race – the Durban July, held annually on the first Saturday in July at Greyville Racecourse. While the first official horse race took place there in 1844, the first Durban July – then called the Durban Turf Club Handicap – was run in 1897. It’s been run every year since then and now attracts over 50,000 visitors to Durban over ‘July Weekend’
- Durban is home to South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site called the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This provides visitors with an opportunity to embark on an open game drive safari and search for Africa’s Big 5 game species and many other types of animals and birdlife.
- Shaka Zulu, the famous Zulu king, ruled the lands surrounding Durban. Durban’s international airport was named after him, known as King Shaka International Airport. To appreciate the Zulu culture better, you can visit the Shakaland and explore the village and open-air museum which is still supervised by the local Zulu chief. This attraction will afford you a chance to learn about Zulu culture and their customs, including the craftsmanship that goes into making spears, shields, and pots. Observe their skilled beadwork and pot-making and watch them build their huts, grind maize, etc.
- Durban city has the highest population of Indians outside of India. To appreciate this better, you can visit Indian District. ‘Little India’ is a bohemian dream with its delightful sights, sounds, and smells.
- Durban is also home to the huge glorious Juma Musjid Mosque.
- Every year in June or July, Durban finds itself in the middle of one of the greatest animal migrations called the Sardine Run, where billions of sardines travel up the coast line attracting sharks, dolphins, whales, birdlife, etc. If you’re planning a little Durban holiday during this time, be sure to keep an eye out for this phenomenon
Next time you visit Durban, the above sights and scenes are worth keeping in mind and possibly exploring. The good news is that with all the accommodation options available in Durban most of the attractions are close by no matter where you choose to stay.
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