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Durban Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Durban
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Durban Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Durban - Delightful Durban is the largest city of the
vast and varied Kwa-Zulu Natal province of South Africa. A coastal
port with a more than equable sub-tropical climate and wide golden
beaches washed by the warm Indian Ocean, Durban is a holidaymaker's
paradise and gateway to the dozens of seaside resort towns of the
coast to the south and north of the city. The 'Golden Mile' central
beach area, flanked by numerous high-rise hotels, stretches for
four miles (6km) and is fronted by promenades and entertainment
facilities, flea markets and colourful traditionally clad Zulu
rickshaw pullers. A fleet of 'tuk-tuk' type three-wheelers has
augmented public transport in the city.
Although
much of Durban is characterised by British colonial architecture,
the city is actually an exciting mix of cultures. There is a large
Indian community, descendants of indentured labourers who came to
work on the Natal sugar estates in the 1850s and who provide the
city with an intoxicating oriental flavour enhanced by their
shrines, bazaars and tantalising curry restaurants. There are also
the Zulu people, whose proud warrior ancestors inhabited the
province before the coming of the European colonial powers. The
heritage of the amaZulu is very evident in the region north of the
Tugela River, known as Zululand, where legendary King Shaka once
ruled supreme and today is where most of Kwa-Zulu Natal's game
parks are to be found. Durban is the gateway not
only to the coastal beach resorts of the province, but also to the
rolling hills and plains of the Natal Midlands and their backdrop,
the majestic, jagged peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains, which
border the province in the west.
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Durban
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Francis Farewell Square
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What is it? This historic square in the middle of Durban
is the spot where the city originated as a tiny settlement of
itinerant traders and hunters in the early 19th century. It is
named for Henry Francis Flynn, one of the prominent inhabitants of
the time. Around the square are some interesting sights,
particularly the 1910 City Hall on the south side, which is an
exact replica of the City Hall of Belfast, Ireland. On the first
floor of the City Hall is the Natural Science Museum with an
interesting insect section; on the first floor is the renowned
Durban Art Gallery. Various musical, song and dance performances
are held on the City Hall steps every Wednesday at 1pm. Alongside
the City Hall is Durban's local history museum housed in the Old
Court House, which was the first public building ever erected in
Durban, in 1866.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. uShaka Marine World
1 Bell Street
www.ushakamarineworld.co.za |
What is it? In January 2004 Sea World closed its doors to
the public and reopened as uShaka Marine World, which has become
the largest marine theme park in Africa. The park is tastefully
themed with African imagery and has five zones offering
entertainment, dining, a retail village, water slides and access to
uShaka Beach. The Sea World zone incorporates an aquarium,
dolphinarium, a seal pool and penguin rookery, as well as
interactive activities in the dive tank, snorkel reef and touch
pool, while Wet 'n Wild offers heart-stopping, adrenalin-pumping
rides as well as water-based activities for the less
adventurous.
Hours of Operation: Sea World: Daily 9am to 6pm, closing at 5pm in winter
(Island activities closed Mondays). Wet 'n Wild: Wednesday to
Sunday 9am to 6pm, until 5pm in winter; open daily on public
holidays and during government school holidays
Phone:031 328 8000 |
3. KwaMuhle Museum
130 Ordinance Road
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What is it? The notorious building that was once the
'Department of Native Affairs' where every black South African in
Natal was required to register in the days of Apartheid, now houses
a museum dedicated to tracing the history of racial laws in Durban,
including memorable video and photographic exhibits. Despite this
the building is known to all as KwaMuhle, meaning 'place of the
good one', the name honouring a white man who ran the department
but did his best to fight the system within its
constraints.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 4pm; Sundays and public
holidays 11am to 4pm
Phone:031 311 2237 |
Durban
holidays - Top Events
1. Music in the Mountains
From 2007-04-01
To 2007-04-30
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What is it? The annual Music in the Mountains festival
draws lovers of music and nature to the Drakensberg Boys' Choir
School where the exceptional voices of the world famous Drakensberg
Boys' Choir are showcased. Besides the choir there are also
performances by selected South African popular artists, and stalls
selling unique handmade products.
Where is it? Drakensberg Boys' Choir School, Champagne Valley, Central
Drakensberg |
2. The Sardine Run
From 2007-05-01
To 2007-07-31
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What is it? Every year along the shores stretching from
the Cape to Kwazulu Natal, millions of sardines migrate from the
cold waters heading to the subtropical temperatures in an awesome
underwater spectacle. Comparable only to its land equivalent, the
Wildebeest migration in the Serengeti, this amazing occurrence is
one of the most unforgettable experiences for those brave enough to
get in the water with the predators, including dolphins, seals,
sharks and whales, that come out to feed on them. The best way to
view the Sardine Run is to get in touch with the many scuba diving
companies along the South African coast.
Where is it? |
3. Comrades Marathon
From 2007-06-17
To 2007-06-17
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What is it? The world's greatest ultra-marathon, the
Comrades is a gruelling test over 56 miles (90km) between Durban
and Pietermaritzburg every year. The race alternates between the
uphill run from Durban and the downhill from Pietermaritzburg, and
is a real test of physical endurance. The winners usually take
about five and a half hours to complete the course. In 2007 the
race will start in Pietermaritzburg and finish in
Durban.
Where is it? |
4. Vodacom Durban July
From 2007-07-07
To 2007-07-07
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What is it? Usually held on the first Saturday of every
July, the annual Durban July is South Africa's equivalent of the
Royal Ascot in the UK, with superb thoroughbreds, but also high
fashion, fine cuisine and elegance. It is the premier horseracing
event in the country where the rich and famous go to be seen and is
the most talked about social gathering among racing
enthusiasts.
Where is it? Greyville Race Course |
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