|
In and Around Durban
Durban's warm tropical climate; diverse mixture of African, Indian and European cultures; varied topography; and central location ensures that visitors have plenty to experience, savour and absorb: from cultural tours to sporting activities and events; international conferences to nature reserves and mountain hikes.
· Diary of Events at KZN Tourism website
· Weather forcast information
The navigation below links to information on this page:
Sporting & Leisure Activities | Day trips | Cultural | Restaurant Guide
Sporting and Leisure Activities
Scuba diving
Rated amongst the best in the world, with good diving conditions all year round (best in Summer from November to May), Natal has three popular dive spots each one a unique experience. Sodwana, meaning "little one on its own" in Zulu, is about a 4 hour drive from Durban with over 12 000 identified species of fish. .
Aliwal Shoal is a 40 minute drive from Durban and is well known for its shark dives, where the migrating ragged tooth shark can be observed from July to November. A fossilised sand dune forms the shoal about 5km from the coastline and is covered in a variety of sponges, hard and soft corals and inhabited by an abundance of cold water and warm water reef fish. A wreck dive of a Norweigen freighter can also be done on Aliwal shore at 30m below sea level.
Protea Banks, about 2 hours from Durban, is for the more adventurous diver. At 25m below sea level divers can expect to see pelagic fish and the larger sharks such as the Zambezi, Tiger and Hammerhead in summer and the Ragged tooth shark in winter months.
Microlighting
Microlighting flights over Valley of a thousand hills and Umdhloti coastline are a spectaular way of seeing our golden coastline, rural villages, deep valleys and beautiful landscape.
Find more info at: Dolphin Coast Microlighting
More Adventure Sports
For the young at heart and adventurous visitors Natal has a variety of adventure sports to show off all that it has to offer. Hikes, treks, mountain biking and 4x4 safari's are a great way to experience the mountainous regions of the Drakensberg, a World Heritage (WH) Site and wild coast in the Transkei. Whilst sea kayaking and rafting adventures explore the lower regions of Natal in Kosi bay and the WH site of St Lucia wetlands.
Find more info at: 180 Degree Adventures
Golf
Durban is a golfer's haven, with 12 challenging courses in and around Durban, some known for their beautiful surroundings. Right in the centre of Durban is the Durban Country Club's course which is listed amnong the top 100 in the world. Some of the more scenic courses are found along the coast south of Durban, known as the Golf Coast.
Find more info at: SA Venues golf courses of Kwazulu-Natal
Yacht trip
A pleasurable and surprisingly inexpensive way to experience Durban's coastline is on board a yacht for a champagne breakfast with dolphins at the bow.
Day trips
Valley of Thousand Hills
Situated only 35km from Durban, the Valley of a Thousand hills has lots to offer: magnificent country side, diverse African culture, meandering reserves, wildlife, arts and crafts - that can be viewed on foot, car, train or micro light, something for everyone.
Find more info at: KZN Tourisim website
Zimbali
Zimbali Lodge is one of Durban's newer developments. A Colonial style Boutique hotel and restaurant offers delicious meals overlooking a lagoon flowing into the sea, surrounded by indigenous forest. The beautiful surroundings can be enjoyed lazing by the pool, in the restaurant, at the elevated bar or whilst playing golf. Tennis and squash courts are also available for the more active visitor.
Nature trails can be explored through indigenous coastal forest where a strict conservation programme which has been put in place. Zimbali is a naturelover's wonderland waiting to be enjoyed - home to a wide variety of wild life, small antelope, butterflies, birds and marine life.
Find more info at: Dolphin Coast website
Midlands Meander
Only an hours drive north from Durban central, the Natal midlands are a welcome break from Durban's humid coastline. A rich farming area, with gentle rolling hills, deep forests and lush pastures, renowned for its country hospitality and creativity. Take a drive along its well developed art and craftts routes and enjoy its dozens of curio shops, quaint country hotels and restaurants, workshops and studios where well known and talented artists open their doors to visitors.
Find more info at: The Midlands Meander website
South Coast
The Natal South Coast, from the Umkomaas River to Port Edward, is enjoyed for its beaches, halfmoon bays, lagoons and of course its golfing. Visit Oribi Gorge which boasts amazing views of majestic mountain trails, its valley and river with the longest commercial abseil in the world. For keen hikers there is the Igoso trail near Margate, and for a cultural slant local historians take tours along a widing footpath into the Zulu hills to learn about the traditions, customs and cuisines of the local people.
Further South, past Ramsgate the coast becomes more rugged with deep forests and nature reserves. The Wildcoast Sun offers nightlife and gambling entertainment.
Find more info at: KZN Tourism website
North Coast
Also known as the Dolphin Coast, due to the frequent sightings of bottle nosed dolphins that play in the warm waters; attracted here by the relatively clear and shallow coastline which allows them closer to the coastline to feed. The dolphins can be seen from the shore, by microlight or boat charters. The North Coast stretches beyond the Tugela Northwards from Durban, here you will find long stretches of golden beaches, lagoons and some of the largest thickly forested coastal dunes in the world.
Visit the Natal Sharks board in Umhlanga for tours, shark dissections and lectures in one of the leading facilities worldwide for research into the habits of these powerful, misunderstood creatures.
Find more info at: The Dolphin Coast website
Game Reserves
Natal has three main reserve areas: Hluluwe-Umfolozi Park, and the world heritage sites of the Greater St Lucia Wetlands and the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park; as well as countless other smaller gems offering rewarding ecotourism experiences to suit everyone's budgets.
Find more info at: KZN Tourism
Cultural
Philharmonic Orchestra
The only permanent philharmonic orchestra in South Africa, the Natal Philharmonic attracts musicians from around the world, a definite must see for music lovers.
Find more info at: Natal Philharmonic Orchestra
Historical Cultural Tours
Natal's colourful mixture of diverse cultures: African, Indian and European makes it an exceptionally cosmopolitan Province. Learn about the Anglo-Zulu wars, Zulu-Boer wars, Indian indentured labour and the backgrounds of these diverse cultures. Hindu temples and shrines are dotted all around Durban and the Natal region; Zulu villages and rural townships make for interesting day excursions. See the colourful and aromatic Indian markets for a taste of the East or the Warwick triangle where over 300 thousand people pass through a day, for an eye-opening view of 3rd world African bustle.
Find more info at: The Places website
Restaurant Guide
Find more info at: Dining out website
|
Virtual Tour
Photo Gallery
|
|
Gallery Options
« click on link below to view thumbnails left
|
|
