Durban, South Africa - Tropical Vacation

UShaka Marine Park, Cultural Tours and Great Surf in a Buzzing City

Feb 17, 2007

Durban is a cosmopolitan city, custom made for tourism, conferences and sport with perfect tropical vacation weather.

Durban, South Africa is many things to many people. It is a prime conference and tourist destination and a vibrant economic growth point on the African continent anda perfect setting for a tropical vacation.

Cosmopolitan Durban, is the hub of the Kwazulu-Natal province’s business and industry. This city of 3.5 million pulses with all the energy of a major port city. The gracious City Hall dominates the center of town and luxury hotels abound on Durban’s beachfront. Plenty of accommodation is available up and down the coast from backpackers and campers to rentals and chain- and boutique hotels.

Durban Has Near-perfect Holiday Weather

Durban, South Africa's Playground, is blessed with perfect holiday weather for a tropical vacation and plenty of sunshine all year round, making it a perfect holiday paradise (the Indian Ocean temperature hardly ever drops below 18C). So hang out on the beaches and catch a tan or learn to surf. Why not be very adventurous and try some kite boarding?

Down the southern end of the Golden Mile on the beachfront visitors are awed by uShaka Marine World – Africa’s largest Marine Theme park – a stunning aquarium, water rides, restaurants, shops, dolphin and penguin shows – a great way to spend a day.

Township Tours in Durban, South Africa

But Durbs isn’t only about sun and sand and surf. There's lot's of other stuff to do. One of the best things about this city is that you can have plenty of fun without spending too much money. The many Nature Reserves only charge a small entry fee and the art galleries and museums are all open to the public at no or little charge. Public parks and gardens like the Botanic Gardens and Mitchell Park on the Berea are great places to visit for no charge. Check out Tourist Junction in the Old Station building near the City Hall for walking tours of the city and also for Township Tours.

If you have a strong stomach, do something one can only do in Durban, watch a shark being dissected at the Natal Sharks Board.

Mahatma Gandhi had a profound influence of the South African liberation movements with his passive resistance philosophy Satyagraha. Visit his home and his printing press at the Phoenix settlements in Inanda 30 minutes to the north of the city.

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Durban is a perfect kick -off point for day trips or excursions into KwaZulu-Natal to the Game Parks in the north like Umfolozi,Mkuzi and the St Lucia (iSimangaliso) Wetlands Park or inland to the Drakensberg for some hiking or the Anglo Boer War Battlefield sites. As they say, Kwazulu-Natal is the province that has the big five and the big four - Beach, Bush, Berg and Battlefields.

East Meets West in Africa in Durban

Because of the mix of Eastern, Western and African cultures, Durban (eThekwini) is a very laid back city. Go straight from a symphony concert by the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra to a Bhangra bash without missing a beat!

Want a tropical vacation or just a break with cool jazz joint’s, hot clubbing, inspired food? Durban has a nightlife that ranges from black tie to shorts and flip flops.

And for travelers who are into shopping - from Indian silks and cottons and spices to African arts and crafts - come to Durban - this city has something for everyone of every age and persuasion. Many people come for a holiday and start looking for property after a few days.