If you are looking for the best things to do in Durban then you are in the right place. Durban is one of the most popular cities for travel in South Africa, along with Johannesburg and Cape Town. The city, which is the heart of KwaZulu Natal, is located along the eastern coast of South Africa. Durban is highly popular with South Africans at year-end. The city is on the coast of the Indian ocean so the waters are warm and ideal for swimming and surfing.
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List of Best Things To Do In Durban
There are many activities that you can get up to and a lot of South Africa’s history lies in Durban. We have listed some of the best things to do in Durban below.
uShaka Marine World
uShaka Marine World is easily the most popular choice for best things to do in Durban. The theme park is located along Durban’s Golden Mile and has a list of fun activities that is too long to mention here. uShaka is made of 8 different sections with different activities to suit all different tastes. uShaka Sea World is the on-site aquarium and is the fifth largest aquarium in the world. You can sit bank and enjoy dolphin show or view the marine life from behind the glass. If you are really adventurous, you can get up close and personal in an “animal encounter” such as shark diving or walking of the aquarium with an ocean diver.
uShaka Wet ‘n Wild is the water park at uShaka marine world. It features several slides which include “The Drop Zone” which is the highest slide in Africa at 18 metres. Other sections in the theme park are Chimp & Zee, uShaka Beach, Ushaka and uShaka Dangerous creatures, most of which are self-explanatory. uShaka Village walk is the shopping section, with a range of restaurants, cafes and shops. Most of the theme park attractions are open daily from 9:00 until 18:00, with restaurants being open until late. For more information, visit the official website of uShaka Marine World.
Big Rush Urban Adrenaline
One of the more unique activities in Durban is the Big Rush Urban Adrenaline. The extreme sports attraction offers harnessed pendulum swinging from the stadium rooftop at Moses Mabhida Stadium. This one is not for the faint of heart but if you are up for a shot of adrenaline, this is the place to go in Durban. The 60 metre free-fall ump will have you accelerating at over 120 km/has you swing over the soccer pitch.
All jumps are recorded and relayed live to the Base Café in the Big Rush Stadium Shop. You will then be able to watch your jump on video. The videos are also available for purchase.This is certainly one of the best things to do in Durban if you are an adrenaline junkie and want to partake in an event for some good memories.
There is no cash or cheque payment so make sure to remember your credit card or make provisions for online payment. You can book a jump online at the Big Rush website.
Phezulu Safari Park
No list of things to do in South Africa is complete without a safari experience. Phezulu Safari Park is an exciting tourism destination situated on Bothas’s Hill. The scenic park has some of the best views of the Valley of a 1000 Hills. At Phezulu Village, you can visit the famous Gasa clan and experience the true rhythm of Africa. Visitors are treated to tours of their traditional huts and various artifacts and rituals are given, where you will gain insight in to the world-famous Zulu culture. There are 4 daily shows with the impressive Zulu dancing in traditional garb making for an unforgettable experience.
On the wild side of things, you can take a 1-hour game drive where you will get to see wildebeest, impala, zebra and other animals, while you learn about medicinal plants in the area. Phezulu Safari Park has a Crocodile and Snake park where you can take a tour with knowledgeable guides. For your meal break, The Boma Restaurant serves a wide variety of dishes, from traditional Zulu meals to tasted sandwiches and burgers. To cap off the experience, there is an onsite curio shop where you can buy mementos to take home with you. For more information on ticket prices and operating hours, you can visit Phezulu Safari Park’s official website.
Umgeni River Bird Park
The Umgeni River Bird Park is located on a lush tropical landscape and houses a collection of more than 800 birds from 200 species. Some of the species are rare and are the only ones of their kind in Africa. If you want to get extra close to the birds, you can buy nectar and pellets with which to feed them. The park has an amazing variety birds with amazing colors. Kids in particular will be very fond of the places. At 11am and 2 pm there is a bird show which is very informative a delight to the eyes. The climax of the show is a free-flight displace, as birds glide by in full and unrestricted flight.
In addition to the birds, the park is in a beautiful environment with lush green plants and a natural water fall with an indigenous face on the one side of the property. There is a restaurant It’s an education and inexpensive outing with the family that is well worth the 2 hours that it usually takes to see everything. In between your exploration, there is the Cockatoo café where you can get a bite to eat or enjoy an ice cream. Entrance fee at the time of writing is R50 for adults and R30 for children over 4 years of age. The park is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
Valley of a 1000 Hills
If you want to escape from the city and experience the scenic countryside of KZN, why not book an excursion to see the Valley Of A Thousand Hills. There is something for everyone at the location. Unspoiled natural landscape, wildlife and wining and dining are there for you to enjoy. The valley is an expansive gorge between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, where the Umgeni and Msunduzi Rivers meet. You can revel in the breathtaking natural beauty that consists of spectacular greenery and an ideal backdrop for photographic opportunities.
The folding hills of the valley extend beyond the horizon as far as the eye can see. You have a choice of places to see and things to do along the route, many of which can be found on the 100 Hills Tourism website, which has a directory of businesses with services that will help you make the most of your tour of the Valley. Enjoy a craft beer and tasty meal at the 1000 Hills Brewery and Yes Chef Deli, or go on a steam train tour through the stunning scenery of the valley with Umgeni Steam Railway NPC.
Durban Botanic Gardens
The Durban Botanic Gardens is a feast for the senses, with it’s collection of indigenous plants and sprawling lawns. It’s not just nice to look it, the botanical garden is a five of botanical knowledge and you can learn more about the world of plants while you are there. If you are with the family, the gardens are the ideal place for a picnic. The Gardens are spread out over a 15 Ha plot and are the oldest surviving botanical garden in South Africa. If you want to take the scenic route around, you can book a golf cart tour or organize a personalized walking tour.
The collection of plants includes cycads, palm trees and orchids, laid out in a collection of gardens within one major garden. For refreshments, there is a Tea garden on-site where you can get light refreshments, scones and toasted sandwiches. For a coffee on the go, you can get one from the Gourmet Café Card that is located at the Visitors Centre. The Durban Botanic Gardens are open daily from 7:30 until 17:30. Entrance into the gardens is free but if you want to donate, those are accepted.