KWAZULU-NATAL TOP ATTRACTIONS

Durban Nightlife

Durban has an exciting mix of nightlife, since it attracts countless locals and tourists who enjoy fun in the sun as well as after-dark revelry. Here you will find almost everything on offer from hip nightclubs pounding out a grooving to techno beat, smooth jazz ensembles, romantic restaurants with candlelit dinners, to a choice of movies and live theatre or simply grabbing a brew at a local pub. Durban’s population is wonderfully eclectic giving each pub, club, café and restaurant its own distinctive brand of enjoyment.

Durban is also renowned for its classic jazz offerings. Several venues in the city offer a good meal and soul-satisfying jazz music throughout the week. The Rainbow Restaurant and Jazz club, although outside the main city, is an old standard jazz club and a perfect example of toe-tapping Afro-Jazz.

International Convention Centre

The world-class International Convention Centre in Durban has hosted an historic line-up of events including conferences of a global scale. It is one of the most advanced conference facilities in the world. Flexibility and versatility were key factors in the design of this state-of-the-art technology-driven centre.

For more information about this KwaZulu-Natal conference venue:  http://www.icc.co.za

Moses Mabhida Stadium

With its "arch of triumph", the Moses Mabhida Stadium is a defining Durban landmark similar to Sydney's Opera House and The London Eye. The stadium is an internationally acknowledged engineering feat with its multi-disciplinary aspect. Its unique design allows the stadium to host a wide range of sporting and cultural events, putting it on a par with international venues such as the Stade du France and Wembley Stadium.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium has changed the way we view sporting venues in South Africa. A stadium may be honoured as the scene of many an epic clash... but often they only come alive on "match day" or when the members of the band plug in their guitars. By contrast, the Moses Mabhida Stadium with its many facilities is not only a tourist attraction in its own right, but also the centrepiece of the King's Park Sporting Precinct. As such it supports a wide range of sporting, commercial, cultural, retail and leisure activities seven days a week, 365 days a year!

ABSA Stadium

The ABSA stadium, home of the Sharks rugby team, has a proud history and for over 40 years has hosted many memorable events.

Sahara Stadium Kingsmead

Kingsmead staged its first Test match in 1923 and hosted the Timeless Test in 1939 – a match that ended (after 10 days) only because the England players had to catch a ship home. During its time Kingsmead has witnessed some of South Africa’s finest cricketing moments. Since the 1980s, the ground has been extensively redeveloped with new stands at the Umgeni and Old Fort Road ends. The old main grandstand still stands today as a proud reminder of past glories. The pitch is laid slightly below sea level and local folklore has it that when the tide comes in of an afternoon, the water table rises offering unexpected movement to seam bowlers.

Greyville Racecourse

This famous thoroughbred racecourse sports a 2,800 metre pear-shaped track consisting of several gradients. It is run uphill from the 2,400 metre mark to the 1,800 metre mark, after which it slopes gently downward for approximately the next 800 metres then uphill again into the nearly flat 500 metre homestretch.

The Racecourse hosts the prestigious Durban July Handicap and in August the Greyville Gold Cup. Both of these are Group One races and draw the best horses from around the country.

The track's infield is home to the Royal Durban Golf Club's Championship golf course.

Subtropical Climate & Beaches

Being a coastal city, Durban is affected by the warm Mozambique current that washes its sandy shores. Not only is swimming a favourite pastime but surfing, too, is hugely popular with both locals and visitors alike. Safe swimming areas are clearly signposted. Durban also attracts angling and boating enthusiasts from around the globe.

The weather in Durban is moderate all year round with highs of about 35ºC in summer and lows of about 12ºC at night in winter. The summer months stretch from November to March, autumn begins in April, winter in June and spring in September. The rainy season is late November through December extending into January. The windy season starts about August and can last right through to January.

Durban Golf Tours

Beachwood Golf Course in Durban North is one of the finest links courses in the country, the municipal Windsor Park Golf Course is just on the other side of the Umgeni, and a few kilometres from there is Durban Country Club Golf Course which often hosts the SA Open. And you’ll find Royal Durban Golf Club's Championship golf course conveniently located in the heart of Greyville Racecourse. It offers members an easy-to-reach destination from anywhere in Durban, making it the ideal place to play a few holes during lunchtimes or to meet with clients while playing a few rounds. Contact us about our excellent golf tours and vacation packages.

Durban Walk-about (3- 4 Hours)

Explore the tapestry of Durban’s past with a fascinating walk taking in the City Hall, Playhouse Complex, Vasco Da Gama Clock, and Farewell Square. You’ll also visit the Old Station Building, Old Court House, KwaMuhle Museum, Jumma Musjid Mosque, Emmanuel Cathedral, Grey Street, Muti Market and the Victoria Street Market. And the pièce de résistance is, of course the magnificent new Moses Mabhida Stadium with its 165m high sky-car!

Township Tours (3 to 4 Hours)

Culturally rich and diverse township tours are a must on every visitor’s agenda. They include tours of Umlazi (South Africa’s second largest township after Soweto), Inanda with Mahatma Ghandi Phoenix settlement, the School at Ohlange (founded by John Dube, first President of the ANC) and the Shembe Church at Ebuhleni (which has over 2 million members). Last but not lease is a tour of Cato Manor with a Heritage Centre that perfectly captures the history and the spirit of the local people.

Ushaka Marine World (Half Day)

Fronting on the Indian Ocean, this is Africa’s largest marine theme park. It incorporates a unique shipwreck-themed aquarium, a 1,200-seater dolphin stadium, penguin rookery, as well as an interactive shark tank. There is also a snorkel lagoon, wet-‘n-wild water rides and even an interactive dolphin zone.

Valley of a Thousand Hills (Half Day)

Drum beats echo as Zulu warriors perform their time-honoured dance and cultural show at Phezulu Safari Park. Here visitors can sample traditional African cuisine while browsing original arts and crafts. Adventure seekers can enjoy micro-light flips, horse trails and mountain climbing. While jet skiing and water skiing are all on offer at the nearby Inanda Dam.

The Southcoast (Day Trip)

Popularly known as the “Golf Coast,” this is home to South Africa’s finest golf courses and extensive golden beaches. Catch the “Greatest Shoal on Earth” during the Sardine Festival in June/July when millions of sardines migrate northward followed by sharks, dolphins and seabirds. This trip also takes in the Aliwal Shoal, which is a world famous dive site offering depths of between 6 to 27metres and inhabitants that include the Ragged Tooth Shark, Loggerhead Turtle and Ribbon Tailed Ray.

Midlands Meander (Day Trip)

An eclectic mix of arts and crafts, restaurants and homely comforts together with a range of sporting, environmental and historical pursuits this trip the true flavour of the Kwa-Zulu Natal midlands. The area is host to several of South Africa’s biggest sporting events including the Comrades Ultra marathon, the Duzi Canoe Marathon, Amashovashova Cycle Race and the Midmar Mile open water swimming event.

Ukhahlamba - Drakensberg

This majestic and dramatic mountain range incorporates the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. Hikers and nature-seekers, anglers and birders, rock-climbers and mountain bikers, historians and art lovers… everyone is drawn to the mighty “Berg.” Cross the Sani Pass in a 4x4 and stand on the Roof of Africa with its magnificent vistas far and wide. Or see the mountain crags close-up by helicopter or hot-air balloon. Or simply relax and do absolutely nothing while drinking in the splendiferous quiet!

Zululand

This is the heart of the Zulu kingdom. Experience the rich cultural heritage, beliefs and customs of this great people. Step back in time to the world of Shaka, King of the Zulus, at Shakaland overlooking the Umhlatuze Lake. Visit the KwaZulu-Natal Cultural Museum and Emakhosini Cultural Heritage Park and take in the Valley of the Kings – burial ground of Zulu monarchs.

The Elephant Coast

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site at St Lucia is one of the largest protected areas in South Africa with the exceptional biodiversity, superlative beauty, unique ecology and some of the most pristine beaches in the world. Activities include whale watching, turtle spotting and scuba diving. See the Big 5 at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve where the white rhino was saved from extinction.

The Battlefields

Many fierce and bloodthirsty battles were fought here in the 1800s between the Zulus, the Boers and the English - each determined to stake their claim to this rich and fertile land. Here you can also enjoy game rides in reserves and private game parks or try your hand at paragliding, white-water rafting, horseback safaris, hiking and trail bike rides.

Shopping

Gateway Mall in nearby Umhlanga is a big attraction. Billed as Gateway Theatre of Shopping it offers an unequalled choice of world-class retail, recreation activities and fun for the whole family.

Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World

Set amongst towering palm trees and nestled against the beachfront along Durban's "Golden Mile," you will find 26 hectares of entertainment heaven in the Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World. The complex is a haven of sun and fun with its Miami South Beach Art Deco style architecture. It offers an array of gaming tables, one-armed bandits, and slot machines as well as great shopping and loads of entertainment for the non-gamblers.

Sibaya Casino & Entertainment KINGDOM

Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom basks lazily in the green hills just north of Durban. Conveniently situated between Umdloti and Umhlanga, it is the ideal getaway for those seeking all the thrills and spills, laughs and luxury that KwaZulu-Natal has to offer. With every convenience from state-of-the-art conference facilities to placid ocean views, Sibaya is a dream destination for those who want that bit extra from a holiday.

Virginia Airport

For those flying in by light aircraft or charter, Durban North boasts its very own Virginia Airport.

Dining in KwaZulu-Natal

Representing some of the best in local and international cuisine, this region offers a wide selection of restaurants to suit every taste, budget and mood. Pre-book for an Italian feast, enjoy the best of India, or for a more oriental flavour, visit one of the many outstanding Chinese restaurants. Perhaps you want to treat yourself at one of the more contemporary restaurants with fine-dining, great ambience and the best service. For a more informal outing just drop into a local pub and catch a bit of sport over a beer or two, or take the weight off at a trendy coffee bar or sidewalk café... there are plenty to choose from.

Discover a unique blend of sophistication, cultural diversity and excitement – in the most breathtaking setting imaginable. Discover Durban and KwaZulu-Natal with Forty-Two Travel. Call us on +27 (0)21 423 3850 to book tours, conference venues, vacation packages and much more.