Durban
©
Durban is a large subtropical port in KwaZulu/Natal, 530 km southeast of Pretoria. Most locals refer to it as 'Durbs'. Mohandas Gandhi arrived there as a laborer in 1893 and it still has South Africa's largest concentration of Indian-descended people. Most people visit the city to have some sun and fun. Durban is South Africa's major holiday destination for Vaalies (people from Transvaal) and has the country's warmest weather all year round, as well as some of its best beaches.
These beaches are exactly Durban's prime attraction. There is a long surf and the water is generally warm as a consequence of the Agulhas current. The beachfront promenade is called Marine Parade and most of Durban's activity is concentrated there. The liveliest part of the promenade is near the end of West Street. A chairlift provides good views over several parts of the city. Nearby is the aquarium of Seaworld where you can also watch dolphin shows. Snakes can be seen in the Snake Park, which is also on the seafront.
City Hall is on West Street, 1Å km from the beach. Inside are the natural science museum and an art gallery, where you can see contemporary South African works. Interesting works from rural artists can be seen in the nearby African Art Center, on Gardiner Street. The local history museum is next door to the town hall. It has exhibitions on life in colonial times.
West of the city center is the Indian area, a busy part of the city that has all the bustle and vibrancy that you don't find anymore in most other South African cities. The Victoria Street Market is close to the Berea Road Railway Station. On the other side of the station is an interesting fruit market. In front of the railway station is a minibus station and further east, on Grey Street you'll find the largest mosque in the southern hemisphere, the Juma Mosque. The nearby Alayam Hindu Temple is the oldest and largest in South Africa.
Durban is a major tourist destination, so there is a wide variety of hotels, hostels, pensions, apartments and dormitories to choose from. There are many restaurants, bars and nightclubs in town, but the area around the beachfront is the liveliest. Most of the city's nightlife seems to take place in the northern suburbs. Durban has excellent bus, minibus and train connections with all major cities in South Africa. The main railway station is on Umgeni Street, close to the Greyville Racecourse, while there are several bus and minibus stations throughout the city, depending on the direction you want to travel in. The international airport is south of town.
Around Durban
There are several good beaches and interesting towns around Durban.
South of Durban you will find the towns of Amanzimtoti, Park Rynie, Port Shepstone and Margate. Inland from Park Rynie is the Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve and inland from Port Shepstone is the Oribi Gorge.
North of Durban you'll first come to Umhlanga Rocks and further north are the towns of Tongaat, Stanger, Mtunzini and Richards Bay.