.....about Durban
South Africa's favourite playground and the busiest port in Africa, Durban began life as a remote trading outpost. Today, the sunny city is a popular year-round holiday destination, prized for its balmy climate and superb surfing and swimming beaches.
Although shopping, restaurants and nightlife are geared for the holidaymaker, Durban is now positioning itself as the conference capital of South Africa - with the International Conference Centre (ICC) ranking amongst the top conferencing facilities in the world.
Never mind big business, this subtropical city is synonymous with the sea and many of Durban’s key attractions follow an oceanic theme. UShaka, the southern hemisphere's greatest marine theme park, is a must on any tourist agenda. The theme park follows a shipwreck theme and there is something for everyone. However, if you'd like to get really personal with marine life, The Natal Sharks Board (in nearby Umhlanga) runs weekday boat tours for visitors to watch shark-nets being cleared. The Sharks Board also runs whale and dolphin-watching tours – not to be missed.
Shopping is high on Durban's list of priorities and there's plenty to choose from. The Gateway Theatre of Shopping offers a grand combination of shopping and entertainment. The Pavilion also offers an exceptional shopping experience in a Victorian-style building, and The Workshop complex is another great shopping spot (created in the shell of Durban's original railway workshop).
For a taste of ‘real Durban’, there's the Victoria Street Market, offering African and Indian wares. The Warwick Avenue Triangle is where herbalists and street vendors sell anything from traditional medicines and food to Zulu artwork, and Grey Street is a fabric buyer's mecca.
No visit to this sunshine city is complete without exploring the Golden Mile. This beachfront stretch is where you can catch a rickshaw ride, buy curios or enjoy a seafood meal with a view of the sea.
Durban is heaven for hedonists, where all year is holiday season.
Although shopping, restaurants and nightlife are geared for the holidaymaker, Durban is now positioning itself as the conference capital of South Africa - with the International Conference Centre (ICC) ranking amongst the top conferencing facilities in the world.
Never mind big business, this subtropical city is synonymous with the sea and many of Durban’s key attractions follow an oceanic theme. UShaka, the southern hemisphere's greatest marine theme park, is a must on any tourist agenda. The theme park follows a shipwreck theme and there is something for everyone. However, if you'd like to get really personal with marine life, The Natal Sharks Board (in nearby Umhlanga) runs weekday boat tours for visitors to watch shark-nets being cleared. The Sharks Board also runs whale and dolphin-watching tours – not to be missed.
Shopping is high on Durban's list of priorities and there's plenty to choose from. The Gateway Theatre of Shopping offers a grand combination of shopping and entertainment. The Pavilion also offers an exceptional shopping experience in a Victorian-style building, and The Workshop complex is another great shopping spot (created in the shell of Durban's original railway workshop).
For a taste of ‘real Durban’, there's the Victoria Street Market, offering African and Indian wares. The Warwick Avenue Triangle is where herbalists and street vendors sell anything from traditional medicines and food to Zulu artwork, and Grey Street is a fabric buyer's mecca.
No visit to this sunshine city is complete without exploring the Golden Mile. This beachfront stretch is where you can catch a rickshaw ride, buy curios or enjoy a seafood meal with a view of the sea.
Durban is heaven for hedonists, where all year is holiday season.
