Top Tourist Places To Visit in Durban

Durban is the province in KwaZulu-Natal and the South Africa's third largest city. Durban surrounds the Durban Bay, Africa's busiest port. To the north of Durban is Zululand and Maputaland known for some of the world's best game reserves.The subtropical weather of this town makes it a perfect destination for holidays. Summer is mild and sunny but is winter is chilly. The sandy beaches washed by the warm pristine waters of the Indian ocean makes it an ideal place for water sports lovers.

Climate & Geography

Durban is characterised by a mild subtropical climate with warm wet summers and mild moist to dry winters, which are frost-free. However, due to large altitude variations, some western suburbs get very cold in the winter. Durban has an annual rainfall of 1,009 millimetres (39.7 in) The average annual temperature is 210C, with daytime maxima peaking from January to March at 28 °C (82 °F) and the minimum is 21 °C (70 °F), dropping to daytime highs from June to August of 23 °C (73 °F) and the minimum is 11 °C (52 °F). Sunrise in Durban is at 04h45 *(04h15) and sunset is 19h00 *(19h30) in summer & rise at 06h30 *(06h10) and set at 17h20 *(17h00) in winter. (* = dawn and dusk) The metropolitan area is topographically hilly, with very few flat areas, except in the immediate vicinity of the central business district and the harbour. The western suburbs off Hillcrest and Kloof are significantly higher above sea-level, reaching up to 850 metres (2,789 ft) in the community of Botha's Hill. Many gorges and ravines are found within the metropolitan area. There is almost no true coastal plain.

Transportation

By plane:- Durban International Airport (formerly Louis Botha Airport) is the main airport serving the city of Durban and is 15km south of the city center. It serves mostly domestic destinations and the only international flights are to/from Mauritius (Air Mauritius) and Swaziland (Swazi Express Airways and South African Express). All other international flights will enter the country through either Cape Town or Johannesburg. A new international airport is under construction 40km North of the city at La mercy and due to be operational in time for the Soccer world cup in 2010. See also Discount airlines in Africa.

By helicopter:- JNC Helicopters are able to offer VIP travel to and from any South African cities as well as an infinite number of tourist flight combinations, from 20min sight seeing flights to complete tours. We have flown many VIP's; from former South African presidents to film stars, government ministers, visiting international music stars and many corporate clients.

By bus:- All national carriers and the Baz Bus offer regular services to Durban. The city is the gateway to Kwazulu-Natal province & north eastern Eastern Cape province.

By train:- The central train station is in the city centre. Spoornet operates daily inter-city trains to Johannesburg and Pietermaritzburg, with a weekly service to Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Cape Town. You can also get to Port Elizabeth or East London by changing trains in Bloemfontein. MetroRail operates frequent commuter trains to various suburbs of Durban and towns nearby (such as Pinetown and the resort towns of both the south coast (eg. Kelso and Park Ryne) and the north coast).

By boat:- Some cruise ships dock in Durban, but generally there are no "one-way" entries by boat to Durban. In theory passage on a freighter might be arranged, but it's not widely advertised.

Shopping & Entertainment

Contact the Alpha and Omega Art Village with Patson Taona - well known all over Africa from Zimbobwe - for your geniune unique original artwork. We have wood, metalwork, wire creations, ethnic design cutlery, stonework (exclusive soap stone sculpture) and paintings. We are not Coca-Cola African Artists! We accept commissions - why not a geniune African Eagle for the entrance to your business in Delaware Texas? Gateway Mall, the largest in the southern hemisphere 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. Last time I was there I found some beautiful Zimbabwean soap-stone sculptures at a very good price. The Pavilion - A large shopping mall with a good range of shops. Crafts Zulu beadwork Wirework Wicker work - from baskets and sustainable conference bags to fantastic lights and furniture Clothing Note the crafts are designer quality 'collectibles' in the best shops - try the African Arts Center at Tourist Junction on West Street, or the BAT Center on the harbor front Food to bring home (subject to import regulations) Spices - anyone dare 'mother-in-law's revenge' ? Fantastic!

The Sardine Run is an annual event held at the southern side of KwaZulu-Natal coastlines of South Africa. It is a bonanza for the sea lovers and the scuba divers as you can see abundant variety of sea animals. You can also enjoy a day at the Durban amusement park.