Durban

Description:

The third largest city in South Africa is Durban (known in Zulu as eThekwini) and forming part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality.

Durban is the busiest port in Africa and is a major centre of tourism due to the warm subtropical climate and open beaches.

Attractions are the Golden Mile which developed as a welcoming tourist destination in the 1970s and provide ample tourist attractions for people on holiday from in and outside South Africa.

The area has a rainfall of 1009 millimetres per annum with a average annual temperature of 21C.

The landscape is topographically hilly, with few flat areas. Immediately inland towards the western suburbs off Hillcrest and Kloof are significantly higher above sea-level, reaching up to 850 metres. Many gorges and ravines are found within the metropolitan area.

Durban is the economic driver in KwaZulu-Natal, contributing more than half of the province's economic activities, employment and income. In South Africa, Durban is the second most important economic complex after Gauteng. The region extend its development corridors northwards to Richards Bay and Maputo, and westward to Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg.

Nearby tourism attractions:


Durban Central
South Coast
Ladysmith & surroundings
St Lucia and surrounding wetland herritage park
Zululand to the north
Bergville & Drakensberg

Durban International Airport services both domestic and international flights. A second international airport known as King Shaka International Airport is currently under construction at La Mercy about 36 kilometres north of the Central Business district and will be operational from 1 May 2010.

The Port of Durban is the busiest port in South Africa, as well as the third busiest container port in the Southern Hemisphere.

Durban is well-served by railway lines catering for goods and passengers. The Shosholoza Meyl, is a daily rail service to and from Johannesburg, and a weekly service to and from Cape Town via Bloemfontein. Also there is the Metrorail to the outskerts of Durban City, a well developred commuter service in Durban and the surrounding area. The Metrorail network runs from Durban Station outwards as far as Stanger on the north coast, Kelso on the south coast, and Cato Ridge inland.

Durban is well linked by road onto the southern African continent with various bus operators serving routes within the central business areas.

There are metered taxis and minibus taxis. Metered taxis are not allowed to drive around the city to solicit fares but must be called and ordered to a specific location.


Durban is a sophisticated cosmopolitan city hosting over three million people, where east meets west.

Visitors can visit uShaka Marine World, Wilson's Wharf on the Victoria Embankment and the nearby BAT centre. Have good traditional dining, entertainment and shopping in scenic surroundings. Furthermore there are excellent entertainment on offer at the city's theatres and clubs or take a township tour.