Durban

Featured Destination - Durban

Durban's area represents the history of South Africa in all its intricacy; there are elements of colonialism, deep links with King Shaka and the Zulu People, as well as the heritage of the Indian community and the formative years of Mahatma Ghandi. A visit to the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts (KZNA Gallery) (http://www.nsagallery.co.za/) and the African Art Center (http://www.afriart.org.za) are musts for any first-time Durban visitors.

If you’re into sports and adventure, Durban will not let you down. The balmy weather certainly contributes to the outdoor activities in the area which range from mountain climbing and hiking to water sports to spectator events.

Local attractions include the Durban Botanical Gardens (where visitors on Saturdays are treated to a mixture of cultural weddings, all having their pictures taken at scenic spots throughout the park), the African Art Center (http://www.afriart.org.za), the Mahatma Gandhi Settlement and the Durban North Japanese Gardens (leave your money at home, this one’s free!).

As the largest city in the KwaZulu-Natal province, Durban is the perfect city to base your excursions into this spectacular area. Home to two World Heritage sites, KwaZulu-Natal abounds in natural beauty and cultural heritage; The Valley of 1,000 Hills, The Midland Meanders and uShaka Marine World (http://www.ushakamarineworld.co.za/) - the biggest theme park in Africa - are all worth a visit.

Durban boasts one of the largest Indian populations outside of India itself. Not only is this evident as you walk your way thru the bazaars of Victoria Street Market (http://www.southafrica.net), but the dining options in the city include some of the best Indian food you will find anywhere. Durban Curry is a popular dish that ranges from mild to fiery, but most famous of all dishes is “Bunny Chow”… While the name may be misleading as there is no rabbit to be found in this dish, the taste is sure to tantalize your taste buds when you dig into the a hollowed out, quarter loaf of bread filled with the most amazing curry you can imagine and is sure to leave you wanting for more.

Like the food choices, the Durban nightlife has something for everyone. As in any metropolitan city, hot-spots tend to come and go, but some local favorites have survived and still pack ‘em in night after night. Asking a local for suggestions is the thing to do, and it’s not for nothing that the city is referred to as South Africa’s “Miami Beach”.

SAA serves Durban with multiple daily non-stop flights from both Johannesburg and Cape Town. The new King Shaka International Airport (http://www.acsa.co.za) set to open on May 1st, with its 2 mile long runway, 72 check-in positions and 7 million passengers per year capacity, will serve the city well as it further develops it tourism infrastructure.

While there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Durban, it is, in the end, the residents that make this city such a popular destination. The friendly, laid-back attitude of the people, coupled with the culture, art and environment are what make Durban so unique. There’s really nowhere else quite like it.

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