Durban

Durban (Zulu: eThekwini) is a city on the east coast of South Africa in the province of KwaZulu-Natal and in the municipality of eThekwini. It is the third largest city in South Africa and the busiest port in Africa. As of 2011, the population of the eThekwini municipality was around 3.4 million.

Durban was founded as Port Natal by British settlers. Indian workers were brought in to work the sugar cane plantations, making this one of the largest population centres of Indians in the world. Zulu and English are the most common languages in Durban.

• Durban Botanical Gardens, +27 31 201-1303. Visit on a Saturday and see a mixture of cultural wedding parties having their photos taken.
• Berea. This is a long ridge overlooking the harbor, city centre and beaches. Once covered with coastal forest, it is now completely built up.
• Moses Mabhida Stadium. The new landmark of Durban, built for the football World Cup 2010. Catch the Skycar or walk to the top of the stadium, where you will have a stunning view of downtown Durban and Berea.
• City Hall. There is an art gallery and outdated science museum inside, and a public library.
• The Golden Mile The Golden Mile, the nickname for the beaches near downtown that stretch along the Indian Ocean, is well known for its excellent surfing, occasional shark attack and wide sandy beaches. Visiting around the Christmas holidays ensures a crowded experience, complete with stations for missing children, but visit at the off season and you'll practically have the place to yourself, save the serious surfers. There are also play pools and playgrounds for children along the waterfront, hotel, bars and restaurants.
• Mahatma Gandhi Settlement. Tours available.
• Durban North Japanese Gardens, +27 31 563-1333. Free.
• KwaZulu Natal National Parks.
• Crocodile Creek. In the ‘sugar town’ of Tongaat (a few miles past Umhlanga) you will find Crocodile Creek, on the Tongaat river in sub-tropical bush. This creek is home to over 7000 Nile Crocodiles, alligators, caiman, snakes and other reptiles. The farm includes bush and hill trails, a waterfall, river plains and thatched buildings with tree top walkways. An awesome place to spend a day, refreshments are available and you can also browse through the shop which sells curios, crocodile leather goods and even croc dishes.

Durban Botanical Gardens, +27 31 201-1303. Visit on a Saturday and see a mixture of cultural wedding parties having their photos taken.

Berea. This is a long ridge overlooking the harbor, city centre and beaches. Once covered with coastal forest, it is now completely built up.

Moses Mabhida Stadium. The new landmark of Durban, built for the football World Cup 2010. Catch the Skycar or walk to the top of the stadium, where you will have a stunning view of downtown Durban and Berea.

City Hall. There is an art gallery and outdated science museum inside, and a public library.

The Golden Mile The Golden Mile, the nickname for the beaches near downtown that stretch along the Indian Ocean, is well known for its excellent surfing, occasional shark attack and wide sandy beaches. Visiting around the Christmas holidays ensures a crowded experience, complete with stations for missing children, but visit at the off season and you'll practically have the place to yourself, save the serious surfers. There are also play pools and playgrounds for children along the waterfront, hotel, bars and restaurants.

Mahatma Gandhi Settlement. Tours available.

Durban North Japanese Gardens, +27 31 563-1333. Free.

KwaZulu Natal National Parks.

Crocodile Creek. In the ‘sugar town’ of Tongaat (a few miles past Umhlanga) you will find Crocodile Creek, on the Tongaat river in sub-tropical bush. This creek is home to over 7000 Nile Crocodiles, alligators, caiman, snakes and other reptiles. The farm includes bush and hill trails, a waterfall, river plains and thatched buildings with tree top walkways. An awesome place to spend a day, refreshments are available and you can also browse through the shop which sells curios, crocodile leather goods and even croc dishes.

• Watersports. Swim, surf, canoe, snorkel, scuba dive
• Calypso Dive & Adventure Center. Scuba Dive at uShaka Marine World. PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center. Dive to wrecks, caves, offshore reefs. Offers 6-month "From Zero to Hero" career dive course.
• Skydive Durban, Pietermaritzburg Airport, +27 72 214-6040. Take a 25-minute plane ride, then 35 seconds of freefalling before the parchute opens, then a post-jump barbeque. Tandem jump: R1.350; DVD: R400.
• Suncoast Casino, Suncoast Boulevard, Marine Parade, +27 31 328-3000.
• uShaka Marine World, 1 Bell Street, +27 31 328-8000. To see the huge aquarium or ride more than eight different rides in the Waterworld.
• Glenholme trail for disabled & blind persons, Glenholme Nature Reserve, +27 31 705-5448. Caters for people who use wheelchairs or are blind with elevated walkway and guide rails and braille plaques.
• Nature parks - There are dozens of nature reserves in the suburbs, just ask around. Please remember to be safe, there are natural hazards like snakes, and criminals like the isolation for different reasons.
• Greyville Race Course. Horseracing
• Surf Artificial Waves. At Gateway Shopping Center Wavehouse.
• Shark Institute. Take a boat to see the shark nets that protect beachcombers from shark attack.
• Historical compensation sugar mill.
• Zimbali Golf Estate. 18 holes.
• Skydive Durban, Durban, +27 72 214-6040. Skydiving.
• Durban Tourism, 160 Monty Naicker Road, +27 31 3044-934. The city's official tourism body can provide you with maps, accommodation information and general guidance around your trip to Durban. Tour guides, registered tour operators and approved accommodation form part of Durban Tourism's extensive services.

• Durban Natural Science Museum, 234 Anton Lembede St.
• KwaMuhle Museum, 130 Bram Fischer Road, +27 31 311 2237. The history of Apartheid in Durban. Free.
• Durban Cultural and Document Centre, Corner of Epsom and Derby Street, +27 31 309 7559. The history of Indian indentured labour. Free.
• Old Court House Museum, 77 Aliwal Street. M-Sa 8:30AM-4PM; Su and public holidays 11AM-4PM. The museum features a number of collectables in the foyer, including an extensive miniature car collection.The Daphne Strutt Costume Room features fashion from throughout the 20th century, interesting accessories such as cigarette cases, bags, shoes, jewellery and hats enhance the display. A number of rare Art Deco and Nouveau pieces make this exhibition a must for aficionados. Free.

Durban Natural Science Museum, 234 Anton Lembede St.

KwaMuhle Museum, 130 Bram Fischer Road, +27 31 311 2237. The history of Apartheid in Durban. Free.

Durban Cultural and Document Centre, Corner of Epsom and Derby Street, +27 31 309 7559. The history of Indian indentured labour. Free.

Old Court House Museum, 77 Aliwal Street. M-Sa 8:30AM-4PM; Su and public holidays 11AM-4PM. The museum features a number of collectables in the foyer, including an extensive miniature car collection.The Daphne Strutt Costume Room features fashion from throughout the 20th century, interesting accessories such as cigarette cases, bags, shoes, jewellery and hats enhance the display. A number of rare Art Deco and Nouveau pieces make this exhibition a must for aficionados. Free.

• Poetry Africa. International festival of poetry. Early October every year.
• Time of the Writer. International festival of writing - March every year.
• Durban International Film Festival. International festival of film - July/August every year.
• Jomba! Contemporary Dance Festival. International festival of contempary dance - every year.
• Awesome Africa. World music festival - September every year.
• MTN Durban Fashion Week. For all fashion-lovers! June every year. For all fashion-lovers!
• Durban July. July every year. Africa's premier horse-racing event, with plenty of celebrities and walking fashion models to bump into.
• Hindu festivals - There are dozens of these and you'll have to ask around because they're not well publicised, but there's one in Easter in the Umbilo area where devotees walk on hot coals, and another sometime between February and July (it moves) called Kavady where the devotees pierce their backs with hooks and drag decorated portable shrines. Not to be missed!
• Umhlanga (Rocks) Festivals. Umhlanga is one of the most sought after beach holiday destinations in SA. It is popular with both local and international visitors. It sees a fair amount of internationals the world over who come to shop, unwind, party and have fun on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. It is located on the east coast of SA, 15 min north of the port city of Durban. Some of the best accommodation options with excellent holiday apartments, luxury hotels, lodges and guesthouses are dotted around Umhlanga. It is fast becoming an attraction with its winter and summer festivals, street cafe culture, restaurants and pubs. Its winter festival is held on the main beach and the summer festival on the main street where live jazz bands play out late into the evening. A must to visit.

Poetry Africa. International festival of poetry. Early October every year.

Time of the Writer. International festival of writing - March every year.

Durban International Film Festival. International festival of film - July/August every year.

Jomba! Contemporary Dance Festival. International festival of contempary dance - every year.

Awesome Africa. World music festival - September every year.

MTN Durban Fashion Week. For all fashion-lovers! June every year. For all fashion-lovers!

Durban July. July every year. Africa's premier horse-racing event, with plenty of celebrities and walking fashion models to bump into.

Hindu festivals - There are dozens of these and you'll have to ask around because they're not well publicised, but there's one in Easter in the Umbilo area where devotees walk on hot coals, and another sometime between February and July (it moves) called Kavady where the devotees pierce their backs with hooks and drag decorated portable shrines. Not to be missed!

Umhlanga (Rocks) Festivals. Umhlanga is one of the most sought after beach holiday destinations in SA. It is popular with both local and international visitors. It sees a fair amount of internationals the world over who come to shop, unwind, party and have fun on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. It is located on the east coast of SA, 15 min north of the port city of Durban. Some of the best accommodation options with excellent holiday apartments, luxury hotels, lodges and guesthouses are dotted around Umhlanga. It is fast becoming an attraction with its winter and summer festivals, street cafe culture, restaurants and pubs.

Watersports. Swim, surf, canoe, snorkel, [[Diving in Durban|scuba dive]]

Calypso Dive & Adventure Center. Scuba Dive at uShaka Marine World. PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center. Dive to wrecks, caves, offshore reefs. Offers 6-month "From Zero to Hero" career dive course.

Skydive Durban, Pietermaritzburg Airport, +27 72 214-6040. Take a 25-minute plane ride, then 35 seconds of freefalling before the parchute opens, then a post-jump barbeque. Tandem jump: R1.350; DVD: R400.

Suncoast Casino, Suncoast Boulevard, Marine Parade, +27 31 328-3000.

uShaka Marine World, 1 Bell Street, +27 31 328-8000. To see the huge aquarium or ride more than eight different rides in the Waterworld.

Glenholme trail for disabled & blind persons, Glenholme Nature Reserve, +27 31 705-5448. Caters for people who use wheelchairs or are blind with elevated walkway and guide rails and braille plaques.

Nature parks - There are dozens of nature reserves in the suburbs, just ask around. Please remember to be safe, there are natural hazards like snakes, and criminals like the isolation for different reasons.

Greyville Race Course. Horseracing

Surf Artificial Waves. At Gateway Shopping Center Wavehouse.

Shark Institute. Take a boat to see the shark nets that protect beachcombers from shark attack.

Historical compensation sugar mill.

Zimbali Golf Estate. 18 holes.

Skydive Durban, Durban, +27 72 214-6040. [[Skydiving]].

Durban Tourism, 160 Monty Naicker Road, +27 31 3044-934. The city's official tourism body can provide you with maps, accommodation information and general guidance around your trip to Durban. Tour guides, registered tour operators and approved accommodation form part of Durban Tourism's extensive services.

Popular items to buy are Zulu beadwork, wirework, wicker work - from baskets and sustainable conference bags to fantastic lights and furniture, Spices - anyone dare 'mother-in-law's revenge'? Fantastic!

• Gateway Theater of Shopping, a mall situated to the north of Durban along the M4 or N2 highways. Believed to be the largest in the southern hemisphere. Also offers a great range of kids' entertainment like a skateboard park and an artificial wave in the Wavehouse to test your surfing abilities.
• Victoria Street Market. Mostly oriental souvenirs. Haggle hard, beware of pickpockets.
• Essenwood Craft Market - For a true taste of South Africa look out for a guy selling biltong (South African jerky). A good place to buy curios, and don't be afraid to haggle. Only open certain weekends so please check local listings.
• The Pavilion - A large shopping mall with a good range of shops, in the Westville suburb of Durban.
• African Arts Center at Tourist Junction on West Street
• BAT Center on the harbor front

Gateway Theater of Shopping, a mall situated to the north of Durban along the M4 or N2 highways. Believed to be the largest in the southern hemisphere. Also offers a great range of kids' entertainment like a skateboard park and an artificial wave in the Wavehouse to test your surfing abilities.

Victoria Street Market. Mostly oriental souvenirs. [[Haggle]] hard, beware of [[pickpockets]].

Essenwood Craft Market - For a true taste of South Africa look out for a guy selling biltong (South African jerky). A good place to buy curios, and don't be afraid to haggle. Only open certain weekends so please check local listings.

The Pavilion - A large shopping mall with a good range of shops, in the Westville suburb of Durban.

African Arts Center at Tourist Junction on West Street

BAT Center on the harbor front

As Durban has one of the largest Indian populations outside of India, a Durban curry is a popular dish and can range from mild to very hot. There is also the Bunny Chow which is unique to the city, a quarter loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with a curry of your choice. Check out the Workshop restaurants for some of the best bunny chow in the city. Or head over to the Indian neighborhood near Victoria Market for more authentic Durban Indian food.

Good Indian dining is at Vintage Restaurant next to Bean Bag Bohemia - Windemere Road

Try the Roma Revolving Restaurant at the top of John Ross House on the Esplanade for Italian food and the best view of Durban.

Wilson's Wharf is a long pier built into the harbour. It hosts a wide selection of international restaurants and watch the busiest harbor in Africa's activity. Take in a show afterwards at the upstairs Catalina theater.

Try Morningside restaurants, along Florida Road, for trendy cafe sidewalk eateries including one Italian style, Spiga d'Oro, frequented so often by South Africa's notorious businessman, Schabir Shaik, that a dish is named in his honor 'Pasta a la Shaik'. Bill Clinton and Bill Gates ate at "Spice" set off the busy street in a quiet upstairs courtyard. And nearby, be nearly guaranteed to rub shoulders with the up-and-coming in-crowd at the Bean Bag Bohemia, Windermere Road, a restaurant that makes great dining an artistic event.

Definitely try some 'biltong' when you're in South Africa. It's South African-style jerky available in a whole range of flavors and textures.

• Zacks, at Wilson's Wharf on Victoria's Embankment, is a popular place to get thirst-quenching drinks and relax and enjoy the view of the harbour.
• Joe Kool's, on the beachfront, is also well known as the best place for a "sundowner" after a long day on the beach. Check out their roof-top deck for the best views.
• The BAT Centre, at the port, is also a good place for a quick meal or drink. There's free jazz most nights and other concerts, hip-hop and the occasional poetry slam.
• The Firkin is a micro-brewery on the top floor of the Pavilion shopping centre in Westville. It has some great ales and beers and good snacks at reasonable prices.
• Tilted house is a trendy place in the city centre in an old Victorian house. It has a VIP section, and it is open to the beautiful and the important.
• Cool Runnings is a reggeaton place with cheap beer and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Burn is a good concert scene for Metal and Rock music with club evenings every weekend. Durban is known for its pot and you will easily find it around the clubs, but beware that the police do care if tourists break the law and you can be thrown out of the country if you are caught with it.
• Florida Road 275, +27 31 312-3355. Definitely the happening street in Durban. Restaurants, bars, cafes, boutique shopping, in the happy friendly Durban hang-out. Durban's most interesting book shop, Book Base is at the top of Florida Road (275) and is open every day. Lots of interesting material of historical interest to be seen.

• The Origin, Glenwood. Club with focus on electronic dance music.
• The Winston Pub, Glenwood. Regular rock concerts and monthly drum & bass party

The Origin, Glenwood. Club with focus on electronic dance music.

The Winston Pub, Glenwood. Regular rock concerts and monthly drum & bass party

• Freedom Café, 34 St Marys Ave, Morningside. This hidden café offers great coffee, breakfast and lunch.

Freedom Café, 34 St Marys Ave, Morningside. This hidden café offers great coffee, breakfast and lunch.

Zacks, at Wilson's Wharf on Victoria's Embankment, is a popular place to get thirst-quenching drinks and relax and enjoy the view of the harbour.

Joe Kool's, on the beachfront, is also well known as the best place for a "sundowner" after a long day on the beach. Check out their roof-top deck for the best views.

The BAT Centre, at the port, is also a good place for a quick meal or drink. There's free jazz most nights and other concerts, hip-hop and the occasional poetry slam.

The Firkin is a micro-brewery on the top floor of the Pavilion shopping centre in Westville. It has some great ales and beers and good snacks at reasonable prices.

Tilted house is a trendy place in the city centre in an old Victorian house. It has a VIP section, and it is open to the beautiful and the important.

Cool Runnings is a reggeaton place with cheap beer and a relaxed atmosphere.

Burn is a good concert scene for Metal and Rock music with club evenings every weekend.

Florida Road 275, +27 31 312-3355. Definitely the happening street in Durban. Restaurants, bars, cafes, boutique shopping, in the happy friendly Durban hang-out. Durban's most interesting book shop, Book Base is at the top of Florida Road (275) and is open every day. Lots of interesting material of historical interest to be seen.

The beach strip is frequently patrolled by policemen, there are CCTV cameras and many lights at night. As everywhere else, there are several basic safety rules to follow. Avoid dark, deserted areas, and do not go out alone in the early hours of the morning. The promenade along the beach is safe to walk, but do not venture to the side and back roads of the hotels.

Avoid the Point Road (aka Mahatma Gandhi Road) area at all times.

At night, it is still a good idea to stick to the main streets and not go out at night unless you are very familiar with a particular area. Avoid the usually busy central business district, which is empty after dark. Above all, use common sense.

Remember, you're a tourist, not a celebrity. Dress down to blend in with the people in the CBD (keep the fancy stuff to a minimum).

The harbour area is quite safe, as are the shopping malls and higher residential areas.

The Point, the area between downtown and the port, is known for prostitution and cheap hotels has higher crime rate (although parts are undergoing a massive redevelopment). Avoid walking here alone or at night and take cars or metered taxis if you need to go to this area.

Street children can be a problem, and its best to keep clear of them. Many sniff glue, carry knives, and act quite unpredictably.

• Travel vaccines and general practitioner services available at Umhlanga Sports and Travel Clinic Umhlanga Hospital Helipad, 323 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga Rocks. +27 31 560-5569

• United States United States, Old Mutual Bldg, 303 West St, +27 31 305-7600.

United States United States, Old Mutual Bldg, 303 West St, +27 31 305-7600.

• Durban Tourism, 90 Florida Road, Durban, +27 31 322 4164.
• 5 Star Durban, http://www.5stardurban.co.za.
• eThekwini Municipality, +27 31 311 1111.
• Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, Tourist Junction Building, 3rd Floor, 160 Pine Street, Durban, +27 31 366 7500.

Durban Tourism, 90 Florida Road, Durban, +27 31 322 4164.

5 Star Durban, http://www.5stardurban.co.za.

eThekwini Municipality, +27 31 311 1111.

Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, Tourist Junction Building, 3rd Floor, 160 Pine Street, Durban, +27 31 366 7500.

• Umhlanga Nature reserve
• Go south along the Sunshine and Wild Coast through South Coast and to East London, Port Elizabeth and the Garden Route
• Go south along the Hisbiscus Coast through Port Shepstone, visit the Oribi gorge and blue flag beaches.
• Go up the North Coast and visit Ballito, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park or drive further on to Eswatini (Swaziland).
• Valley of 1000 hills , +27 31 736-2323. With breathtaking views, more than 10 nature reserves, hiking trails and cultural villages. This is an area not to miss when you visit KwaZulu-Natal