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Population: 3 064 624
Area: 2 291 square kilometres
Language: 11 Official Languages but English is used by all businesses as well as tourism establishments.
Electricity: 220 Volts
Currency: South African Rands
Holidays: January 1, March 21, March 29, March 30, April 1, April 27, May 1, June 16, August 9, September 24, December 16, December 25, December 26
Times: GMT/UTC plus two hours
Climate: The climate in the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal is subtropical. In summer, temperatures often rise above 30 degrees. The height of the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal, results in moderate temperatures. Winters are dry and pleasantly warm during the day.
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If you would like a hard copy of our Explore South America Booklet, please send us an Email Request. |
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Durban is a big subtropical city in the north-eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal. It has been a major port since the 1850s and is home to the largest concentration of Indian-descended people in the country. Today the city is better known as a holiday-makers' fun parlour with a happening nightlife. The weather (and the water, thanks to the Agulhas current) stays warm year-round drawing the crowds to Durban's long string of surf beaches.
Apart from the sandy strip, 'Durbs' has a fair bit to offer. The impressive city hall houses an art gallery which has a good collection of contemporary South African works and a natural science museum. Also in the city centre, the local history museum has interesting displays on colonial life and the African Art Centre features exciting work by rural artists.
The Indian area, to the west of the city centre, has a bustle and vibrancy that's missing from most commercial districts in South Africa. The Victoria St Market is the area's focus, but other must sees are the Juma Mosque, the largest in the southern hemisphere, and the Alayam Hindu Temple, South Africa's oldest and biggest.
Marine Parade, fronting the beach, is Durban's focal point. Most places to stay and eat are on the parade or in the streets behind it, and much of the city's entertainment is here as well. At night, most people head to the restaurants in the northern suburbs, or the big hotels and clubs along the beachfront. Durban has an international airport, and is well serviced by buses and trains to all of South Africa's major cities.
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 St Lucia Wetlands Umhlanga Rocks
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| St. Lucia Wetlands |
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The Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Reserve comprises a river mouth about 60 km long, which forms a lagoon parallel to the coast. The lagoon is separated from the sea by a ridge of dunes. Where seawater and fresh water mix, there is an abundance of nutrition for countless species of fish and an equally impressive variety of birds. Another attraction is the chance to see numerous hippos and crocodiles. With about 1,500 specimens, the crocodile population in the St. Lucia lake is the biggest of all the animal parks in South Africa.
(I just found these pics so if you want to include these or other nicer ones it will be fine)
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| Umhlanga Rocks |
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One of the most popular tourist destinations on the Natal North coast. Safe swimming in the warm Indian Ocean. Umhlanga Rocks became an independent borough in 1970 and incorporated la Lucia two years later. The Natal Sharks Board is situated here and the first shark net on the Natal coast was also hung here in 1962. Nowadays more than 400 nets at 46 beaches over 350 km are serviced by the board. The Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve protects a small part of the coastline and at the mouth of the lagoon the remains of a seashell midden dating from the Stone Age could be found. There is also an environment education centre at the Beachwood Mangrove Nature Reserve on the banks of the Mgeni River.
So if it is sun and surf that you want, this is definitely the next destination for you.
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