ABOUT DURBAN 2
ABOUT DURBAN Durban is a naturally beautiful and culturally vibrant destination waiting to be discovered by the North American market. When planning South African travel packages for your clients, include several nights in Durban, giving them the opportunity to relax on the sun-swept beaches of Umhlanga Rocks, stroll the Golden Mile promenade, get a taste of the city’s diverse Zulu and Indian cultures, or jump off into the outdoor adventures of greater KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN). 3
ABOUT DURBAN Durban is one of South Africa’s major centers of tourism thanks to the city's warm subtropical climate and sprawling shoreline, including the aptly named “Golden Mile”. A bustling harbor city and popular surfing spot, Durban is part of eThekwini Municipality (population 3.5 million), South Africa’s third largest urban area after Johannesburg and Cape Town. 4
LOCATION DURBAN Durban is located on the Indian Ocean on South Africa’s eastern coast and is easily accessible from the country’s other major cities and tourism destinations. 5
KING SHAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (DUR) King Shaka International Airport is located just 25 minutes north of Durban’s city center and offers convenient international access, as well as domestic flights to all major South African cities. Opened in 2010 and awarded the prestigious Skytrax "Best Airport in the World Handling Under 5 million Passengers" title in 2013, 2015, and 2016, King Shaka International Airport is the third busiest airport in South Africa having served4.93 million passengers in 2015 – 2016. 6
GETTING THERE The flight time between Durban and Cape Town is two hours, and the flight between Durban and Johannesburg is just one hour. Taxis, airport shuttles, and car hire are all available upon arrival. Private aircraft and helicopters can also be chartered from the airport. 7
DURBAN ATTRACTIONS 8
UMHLANGA ROCKS The holiday resort village of Umhlanga Rocks is perfectly positioned for any leg of a South African adventure. It's just a ten-minute drive from King Shaka Airport, is situated on some of the area’s top beaches, and is home to a number of luxury destination hotels. Umhlanga Rocks offers a wealth of entertainment, restaurants, and nature trails. The spectacular Gateway shopping center and Sibaya Casino are also key attractions. Ocean enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers enjoy surfing, deep-sea fishing, whale watching and dolphin viewing, scuba diving, and kite boarding on this wonderful stretch of coastline. Umhlanga is also a romantic paradise – many people either tie the knot or spend their honeymoon here. 9
GOLDEN MILE The Golden Mile, Durban’s 3.7 -mile long sandy beach and promenade, is one of the city’s most well - known attractions in the city. Swimming is good all year round due to the warm, subtropical climate. Surfing is prevalent, dozens of swimming and splash pools can be found along the promenade, and crafts can be purchased from seaside stalls. Exotic restaurants, nightclubs, and many hotels can be found oceanfront. Beaches are well monitored, and beachgoers are protected by underwater shark nets situated offshore. 10
RICKSHAWS Rickshaw rides are a uniquely Durban experience. This dynamic and fun mode of transport allows visitors to experience the wind in their hair and feel the sun on their face while taking in the stunning views of the Golden Mile. Each rickshaw and its driver bear a colorful patchwork of Zulu colors and patterns. 11
USHAKA MARINE WORLD A 40-acre theme park offering a water park, sea animal shows, snorkeling lagoon, shark cage diving, a reptile exhibit, shopping, beach activities, and myriad dining options, uShaka Marine World is divided into five distinct sections: uShaka Sea World, uShaka Wet 'n Wild, uShaka Beach, uShaka Village Walk, and uShaka Kids World. uShaka Marine World is located at the southern end of the Golden Mile. 12
MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM With its iconic “arch of triumph”, Moses Mabhida Stadium is an engineering feat that provides Durban with its defining landmark. Built in 2009, the 85,000 seat stadium played host to the 2010 World Cup and today is the site of large-scale sporting events and six other signature activities. Sports fans can play footballer for a day with a behind-the-scenes Stadium Tour that includes everything from the locker rooms to an up-close look at the pitch. City Segway tours originate at the stadium and free play areas for the kids, spacious walkways, and sidewalk cafes are conveniently located in People’s Park directly outside the stadium. 13
MORE ACTIVITIES AT MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM For a 360º view of Durban, visitors can take a two-minute ride up the stadium arch in the SkyCar to a viewing platform nearly 350 feet above the ground below. Those without a fear of heights can attempt The Adventure Walk, a 500-step guided climb to the top of the arch. Adrenaline junkies can take off on the Big Rush Big Swing, the Guinness Book of World Records’ tallest swing, where the brave will free fall 722 feet into the stadium bowl while attached to a harness. 14
DURBAN MUSEUMS Durban’s Old The KwaMuhle Museum Courthouse Museum Phansi Museum Former headquarters of The Old Court House is the More than 4,000 artifacts . Durban’s infamous Native oldest public building in the housed in a fully restored Administration Department and central business district and Victorian house in Durban the center of Durban’s harsh bore witness to both the represent one of the largest system of labor control, this South African Wars and the collections of African arts and historic building has been Bambatha Uprising. It boasts crafts in the world. transformed into a museum that two floors of exhibition space reflects Durban’s urban growth depicting aspects of the and the history of its residents region’s early history. from a range of perspectives. 15
FLORIDA ROAD The buzz in this shopping, dining, and nightlife district starts in the early morning at the bustling sidewalk cafes and continues throughout the day at a wide range of boutiques, galleries, and more than 30 eateries. Some of Durban’s most beloved restaurants can be found here, offering up a diverse array of cuisines, including Durban’s famous Indian dishes like Bunny Chow, a loaf of white bread hollowed out and filled with a generous helping of curry. After dark, the street’s bars and clubs come to life, earning Florida Road its reputation as one of Durban’s top spots for a night out. 16
VICTORIA STREET MARKET At Durban’s Victoria Street Market, the city’s unique Afro -Indian culture is on full display. The current Victoria Street Market was built at the beginning of the 1980s, replacing the famous Indian Market which dated back to 1910 but was destroyed by fire in 1973. Barrels of Indian spices, curry powders, and incense infuse the air of this extensive bazaar where men in their traditional kurtas and women in their saris sell their wares to locals and international visitors. Traditional South African crafts and beadwork can are also available for sale. 17
STATION DRIVE PRECINCT Built inside an old Lee Jeans manufacturing plant and adjacent factory buildings, Station Drive Precinct is Durban’s first urban renewal district. Visitors can peruse shops operated by local designers and artists, imbibe in locally- produced beer and spirits at Distillery 031 and S34: That Brewing Company; enjoy The Morning Trade food market on Sundays; and take in the South African-inspired street art. Station Drive is also is homebase for the city’s First Thursdays evening event programming. 18
INANDA HERITAGE ROUTE Inanda Valley, Zulu for ‘a pleasant place’, Is where the seeds of the country’s liberation were planted. Inanda is where Gandhi built his Phoenix Settlement; it is the spiritual home of the Shembe religion; the birthplace of John Dube – the ANC’s first president; and where Nelson Mandela cast his vote in the country’s first democratic elections. 19
GANDHI’S PHOENIX SETTLEMENT Mahatma Gandhi spent his formative years in South Africa where he developed his philosophy of satyagraha, a form of active yet peaceful resistance to political injustices. The Phoenix Settlement encapsulating his vision for a community based on self-reliance. Those seeking a insider’s look at the site can arrange for a guided tour led by members of the Gandhi family. 20
VALLEY OF 1,000 HILLS Just a 30- minute drive inland from Durban’s city center lies the green suburbs of Kloof and Hillcrest, edged by the rugged Valley of 1,000 Hills. The area is aptly named as the land tumbles down to the Umgeni River Valley in thousands of hills dotted with traditional Zulu homesteads. The views are breathtaking, the nature reserves are teeming with game, traditional Zulu villages provide an inside look at the region’s rich heritage, and wildlife is abundant. The Valley of 1,00o Hills is a growing destination for adventure enthusiasts, with an array of activities on offer including rock climbing, quad biking, mountain bike trails, and more. 21
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