Botanical Gardens
of Durban
Besides flowering trees and lush tropical vegetation, the gardens are notable for an orchid house, a collection of rare cycads and a special garden for the blind
Cruises
Deep sea cruises leave the Sarie Marais Jetty, weather permitting, every day. The operators, Sarie
Marais, also charter boats for parties, sundowners and lunches. Isle of Capri operates pleasure cruises daily, weather permitting, from Aliwal Street jetty.
Durban
's Golden Mile (A
Recommended Durban Tourist attraction)
Flanked by luxury hotels and apartment blocks,
Durban 's Golden Mile skirts the main beaches and the Indian Ocean. Attractions include an amusement
centre, paddling pools, paved walkways, gardens and fountains.
Funworld, with its bumper cars, roundabouts and hurdy-gurdy machines, is a firm favorite with the younger set. A ride in a cable car offers a birds-eye view of the
Durban beach front and the pools, fountains and lawns of the Ampitheatre Gardens. Water Wonderland keeps pre-teens amused for hours.
Fitzsimons Snake Park
Lectures and venom-milking demonstrations are held at this popular tourist attraction, inhabited by South African and exotic species. The park places a strong emphasis on education and the important role snakes play in their natural environment.
Seaworld / Dolphinarium
(A
Recommended Durban Tourist attraction)
In the heart of Durban ’s Golden Mile, the aquarium is linked by an underground tunnel to the dolphinarium where daily seal and dolphin shows are held, a major tourist
drawcard.
Umgeni River Bird Park
(A
Recommended Durban Tourist attraction)
Overlooking the Umgeni River, this park ranks among the world's best. Many varieties of brightly coloured birds, both indigenous and exotic, inhabit walk-in aviaries set in picturesque gardens.
Da Gama Clock
A memorial donated by the Portuguese community to commemorate the first sighting of Durban by the famous Portuguese explorer, Vasco de
Gama, on Christmas Day, 1497.
Durban City Hall
Designed in Modern Renaissance style and completed in 1910, the building closely resembles the Belfast City Hall. On the second floor, the Durban Art Gallery is the setting for international and South African art collections. Guided tours can be arranged. The Natural Science Museum focuses mainly on animals, birds and reptiles. Educational programmes and films are presented from time to time.
Juma Mosque
A visit to the largest mosque in the southern hemisphere provides insight into the Islamic faith.
Local History Museum
Housed in Durban’s original court house, the museum depicts the history of the early settlers, including a reconstruction of the city’s first white settler dwelling, a sugar mill featuring indentured Indian laborers, a post office, general dealer and an apothecary.
Muckleneuk
Formerly the home of a sugar magnate, today this beautiful building houses three important African collections. The Killie Campbell Africana Library comprises rare books, pictures, maps and unpublished manuscripts from all over the world.
The Mashu Museum of Ethnology contains artifacts relating to tribal culture, and the William Campbell Furniture Museum houses furniture brought to the province by the early English settlers. Guided tours are available.
Natal Maritime Museum
Two retired tugs are the main focus of the museum, which is also the setting of a minesweeper from World War II, and an amusing Pirates' Museum. The audio-visual Pirates' Show is held in a ship’s
hold.
Old Fort
The remains of a fort where British were besieged by Boer forces in 1842. A war museum is housed in Warrior's Gate. Formerly a powder magazine, the chapel of St. Peter in Chains is a war memorial and a popular venue for weddings.
Accommodation in Durban. Merle offers a great reservation service for accommodation and tours in Durban