South African beach city with enjoyable water sport facilities, well-maintained tourist services and active city life available, Durban is one of the major attractions of South Africa. Thanks to the diverse zoological attractions of the city, and the scenic nature and cultural villages found in its surroundings, Durban offers plenty of things to see also for the lovers of nature-based tourism.
The most popular sports in Durban are swimming, surfing, snorkeling and diving in Durban. Golf in Durban is another popular outdoor sport that is widely available. Also sightseeing in the city has some specific facilities available, as there are helicopter tours offered for sightseeing around the city. Facilities for shopping in Durban are good, with large shopping malls available as well as traditional markets. Spas in Durban offer you a good place for relaxing in between your holiday activities.
One of the major attractions in Durban is uShaka Marine World, which is a huge aquarium offering you water fun and showing you wonders of the marine world. Animal lovers will probably enjoy their visit to Durban also because of the city zoo and the popular snake park outside Durban. Those wanting less exciting natural attractions might want to admire the wonders of local Botanical Gardens full of examples of sub-tropical nature. If you are prepared to drive a little bit further away from the city, you might also enjoy the possibility of admiring the Valley of Thousand Hills, which offers you not only breathtaking views and hiking trails, but also some fascinating cultural villages to explore. These villages represent the Zulu culture, for which Durban is the central place.
Durban, South African beach city with cultural and natural attractions
Durban is one of the main tourist attractions of South Africa. The city is most of all famous for its excellent beaches, which form the popular Golden Mile around the city center. The beaches of Durban are popular places for all sorts of water sports, and there are also popular theme parks around.The most popular sports in Durban are swimming, surfing, snorkeling and diving in Durban. Golf in Durban is another popular outdoor sport that is widely available. Also sightseeing in the city has some specific facilities available, as there are helicopter tours offered for sightseeing around the city. Facilities for shopping in Durban are good, with large shopping malls available as well as traditional markets. Spas in Durban offer you a good place for relaxing in between your holiday activities.
One of the major attractions in Durban is uShaka Marine World, which is a huge aquarium offering you water fun and showing you wonders of the marine world. Animal lovers will probably enjoy their visit to Durban also because of the city zoo and the popular snake park outside Durban. Those wanting less exciting natural attractions might want to admire the wonders of local Botanical Gardens full of examples of sub-tropical nature. If you are prepared to drive a little bit further away from the city, you might also enjoy the possibility of admiring the Valley of Thousand Hills, which offers you not only breathtaking views and hiking trails, but also some fascinating cultural villages to explore. These villages represent the Zulu culture, for which Durban is the central place.
Practical information for your trip to Durban
Located by the western coast of South Africa, Durban is reached by air mainly from domestic airports, with flights to Durban best available from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Photo: Marc Forrest, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
For getting around in the city, there is an efficient bus network available, and also taxis serve tourists at reasonable prices. Car rental in Durban is another good way of moving in and around this large city with 3,5 million inhabitants, and rickshaws are offered to tourists in the beach area. Hotels in Durban have no problem accommodating tourists with different expectations, and also the many restaurants in Durban suit many tastes and serve the highly rated South African wine.
Weather in Durban is warm all year round, with average monthly high temperatures rising to 30 degrees in the summer, and rarely dropping below 20 degrees in the winter. Although Durban is a year-round destinations, the peak high season for tourism is between October and April, which is the summer period of South Africa.
Safety. South Africa is not one of the safest countries of the world. AIDS and Malaria are quite common diseases in South Africa, and precaution procedures for these should be taken care of. Although the years of apartheid are long gone, also crime causes danger to tourists in big cities like Durban. However, much of the problems can be avoided with caution procedures such staying away from the city after dark, avoiding moving around alone, and keeping your car doors locked and valuables hidden. You should also stay away from particularly dangerous areas such as the Point, which is located between the port and the city center.
