Things to Do in Durban

The Golden Mile is where Durban dips its feet into the rolling surf of the Indian Ocean. The wide expanse of sand which gives the stretch its name is one of the most popular playgrounds of South Africa, known particularly as a surfing centre but also a great place for sunbathing and year-round swimming.

There are numerous attractions nearby, including uShaka Marine World, the Surfing Museum and Mini Town, a miniature replica of Durban. Numerous nearby shops compete for your rand, though if you’re looking for souvenirs the Zulu craft market offers great value and variety.

The undulating terrain of “The Valley of 1,000 Hills” lies within easy reach of Durban and offers year-round diversions, making a particularly welcome summer getaway from the humid coast. A typical visit might find you eating exotic crocodile steaks, watching a Zulu ceremony or taking tea in the lush tropical garden of a Catholic monastery.

The heritage steam train known as the “1,000 Hills Choo Choo” departs from the town of Kloof and lets you experience the region much as it was in the 19th century after English settlers opened it up as a trading route. Horse-riding is another popular activity here, and for the particularly energetic, there are two annual marathons – the ultimate outdoor step class.

Zulus form the largest ethnic group in the Rainbow Nation of South Africa, and the province of KwaZulu-Natal (formerly Zululand) is their heartland. Shakaland is an open-air museum, or “cultural village” providing a first class introduction to Zulu culture. It tells the tale of its namesake, the famous warrior king Shaka, who fought both tribal rivals to finally become the area’s uncontested ruler, as well as later Zulus who fought colonial aggressors.

But it’s not all spears and battles. Shakaland gives an overview of all aspects of Zulu culture, including tribal social structures, music, dances and ceremonies. You’ll also see how the distinctive colorful Zulu beadwork is made, as well as traditional beer, an important component in festivities. All of this in an authentic village, in what is still very much a vibrant, living community of Zulus, supervised by the local chief.

With space for up to 5,000 worshippers, the Jumma Mosque (also known as the Juma Masjid) is the largest mosque in the southern hemisphere. It is also one of its oldest, its impressive minarets having dominated Durban’s Indian Quarter for over a hundred years, its sheltered ground floor-level shops forming an intercultural dialogue with the rest of the city.

The building is a fascinating mix of Mughal Indian and colonial South African styles, distinguished by the archways and decorative plasterwork of the off-white exterior and the serene marble of the surprisingly spacious interior, which offers an oasis from the bustling commercial activity of the area.

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, in the north of KwaZulu-Natal state, is the oldest in South Africa, drawing visitors for over a hundred years. Careful conservation ensures an amazing array of wildlife such as rhinoceroses (including the rare white rhinoceros), elephants and Cape Buffalos, as well as big cats including lions, leopards and cheetahs.

The landscape ranges from flat savannah to steep hills, criss-crossed by rivers and dotted with water holes, where you may well spot the Nyala, or South African antelope. There is also a huge range of birdlife, with many species unique to this area.

Whether it’s zipping down a water slide at the Wet N’ Wild park, or experiencing marine life underwater from a viewing platform at Sea World, uShaka Marine World is one of the largest attractions on Durban’s Golden Mile. Visit the world’s 5th largest aquarium to find dolphins, reef fish, and sharks cruise through waters designed around sunken shipwrecks, and to fly down a water slide, relax on uShaka Beach, and watch as penguins waddle around on the rocks all in an afternoon.

You can also upgrade your ticket to include snorkeling in the lagoon, or travelers with young children can visit the touch pool to feel slippery starfish and sea cucumbers. Although Viator tours do not include these activities, you can purchase separate tickets to dive in the shark tank, feed the rays, or encounter a dolphin or seal.