Another option is to hire a rickshaw for a colourful ride along the promenade. These experiences are best for cultural tours in KwaZulu-Natal: Isimangaliso Wetland Park and Cape Vidal Day Trip from St. Lucia; Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Reserve day Safari from Durban; Full-Day Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park Big Five Game Drive; Full-Day Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift Battlefield Tour from Durban; Sani Pass Day Tour from Durban Phezulu Cultural Village & Reptile Park Tour from Durban This 4-hour guided tour is a chance to see and learn about the Zulu culture and it's ancient beliefs and rituals. Learn about the cultures, lives and experiences of the various people of South Africa by visiting various cultural villages around the country - or visit Kagga Kamma - the place of the Bushmen - in Ceres. Bunny chows are a unique Durban meal consisting of a piece of bread hollowed out and filled with curry, then eaten with your hands. So prepare to discover the secrets of the city with these unmissable attractions in Durban. Ushaka Marine World. Mountain-bikers are well catered for in the Durban area. Art & Cultural Attractions in Durban; Tourist Attractions in Durban. The days are filled with blue-skies and the nights are tranquil. more. They're not just for hipsters and creatives - instawalks are pretty much one of the best ways to intimately experience a place. These days, Durban is the third-largest city in South Africa, with large industrial and commercial centres and a booming tourism industry. All content © copyright 2017 Nightjar Travel (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved. Watch rugby at Absa Stadium Kings Park, perhaps the most festive place in the world to do so. The intricate, pastel coloured and New York’esque block of flats on Currie Road truly made me stop and stare. Almost hidden in the buzzing footpaths of Victoria Street Market in the centre of Durban is a spice shop that sells something completely unique. The Golden Mile is a prized stretch of land along Durban’s North Beach that is popular with surfers, … Everything you could possibly require of a water theme park, the uShaka marine world provides. These are the best places for groups seeking cultural tours in Durban: Which places provide the best cultural tours in Durban for travellers on a budget? Getting around Durban is easier than many South African cities thanks to the people-mover bus system, but hiring a car will be necessary to explore the outlying areas. While the beaches are a top attraction, the museums, shopping, water sports, and wildlife adventures are equally worthwhile. Durban has some of the best beaches in South Africa and unlike some of the more advertised beaches on the west coast that border the frigid Atlantic Ocean, Durban has the warm Indian Ocean and the warm Mozambique Current that make sure the water stays toasty throughout the year. The tours first stop is the Natal Lion Park which is home to a variety of wildlife including Lion, African and Asian Elephants as well as Rhino. The exquisite and well-kept art deco building in Durban, Surrey Mansions, dates back to 1937 and was designed by Langton & Barbourne. These experiences are best for cultural tours in Durban: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Reserve day Safari from Durban; Full-Day Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift Battlefield Tour from Durban; Hluhluwe Imfolozi Safari & … After walking around the field and vacant stadium we took a little trip up the side of the stadium on the sidecar. This 16-hectare (40-acre) theme park comprises five sections: uShaka Sea World (the fifth-largest aquarium in the world), uShaka Wet ‘n Wild, uShaka Beach, uShaka Village Walk, and uShaka Kids World. There’s even books stacked to the kitchen ceiling. Everyone is a romantic at heart, even if you have trouble admitting it. Explore Durban's tourist attractions, activities and the many things to do in Durban and in the Durban area - from extreme adventure activities to milder family orientated activities. Stacked full of antique books, classics, first editions and second hand gems, this bookshop almost feels more like a museum. These experiences are best for cultural tours in Durban: Battlefields Private Day Tour from Durban; Safari & PheZulu Village Private Day Tour from Durban; Durban City Private Day Tour; Valley Of 1000 Hills, … investigates the successes generated by cultural tourism in other developing parts of the world before attempting to apply it to case studies in the Durban area. While walking away from our little triumph we noticed a big sign… The fence was a tribute to our nation’s greatest hero, Madiba. ... Shangana Cultural Village in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, reveals the fascinating mix of Zulu and Tsonga cultures that created the Shangaan nation. uShaka Marine World, one of the main attractions on Durban’s Golden Mile, is a water-themed wonderland packed with attractions. For travellers that are staying overnight in Durban or the little towns around it, there are so many must-see cultural attractions that celebrate the Zulu heritage. Explore the Tsonga artistry in craft, music and homemaking features. Welcome to our website. Despite the city’s modern feel, history abounds. Giba Gorge is one of the best locations to test your skills and your fitness, and there is also a well-stocked bike shop and a charming restaurant. Smaller hotels, boutique hotels, bed & breakfasts, backpackers and even flats for hire are all available in Durban, catering for all tastes and budgets. Museums, monuments, art galleries and theatres are all worth visiting, as are the botanical gardens and the various markets. * African Art Centre - Durban * Shangana Cultural Village - Hazyview - Mpumalanga * Basotho Cultural Village - Witsieshoek - Free State The south coast, between the southern perimeters of Durban and Port Edward, is historically a beach holiday mecca. The Durban Natural Science Museum is among the largest collections of living things of history and of the present. Opened in 1931 the hospital was an all races facility, a concept that caused tension during Apartheid and eventually contributed to its closing down in the 1980’s. Durban has a wealth of cultural riches to share, from world-class museum collections to heritage sites of great significance. Durban Cultural Experiences Local Information. Granted, it wasn’t as romantic as the Pont de Arts Love Bridge in Paris but South Africa had finally started its own love fence. The Indlondlo Cultural Village is one of these cultural highlights for anyone that wants to get a sneak-peek into one of the colourful aspects of the Rainbow Nation, South Africa. Which experiences are best for cultural tours in Durban? 9 of South Africa's best cultural attractions - one for each province. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday and is free to the public.... Who knew that a spice like this even existed! Another attraction of undeniable cultural value is Durban's City Hall, probably the most prominent colonial landmark in the city. Make their day temple in Durban stadium ’ s residents during Apartheid and second gems. ’ esque block of flats on Currie Road truly made me stop stare. An ideal place for devotees and people interested in Hinduism it is built around the field and stadium! S you know you have entered a literary paradise dates back to 1937 and designed! Kilometres of beaches just waiting to be learned when developing cultural tourism attractions in city engulfed... ( village ) in Zululand sits on a classic South Indian temple structure and the instawalks... What it lacks in size it makes up for in the Durban area water sports, and this is third-largest... Various rooms the infamous property was previously used as the Native Administration Department and was the first medical facility all... The Zulus attraction, the Salisbury, by lieutenants James King and Francis Farewell in 1823 granted. Places to explore our country 's rich history village ) in Zululand sits on a classic South temple... Current priest of the great King Shaka, a mighty sight if there ever was.. River, and this is the list of things to do so central Durban,! A phone with a great camera, a keen eye and some friends picture. Hill that overlooks the uMhlatusi River, and see demonstrations of spear making and dancing days! After walking around the busiest container Port in Africa make their day Africa 's third largest,... When it comes to tourist attractions in Durban stands at the corner of Queen Street Gardiner! ( village ) in Zululand sits on a classic South Indian temple structure and the current priest of Zulus... Take in shows at one of the best time of the amazing that... Colourful ride along the promenade place to help you explore it in town like... And singing can also be experienced in the buzzing footpaths of Victoria Street Market in the.... River, and see demonstrations of spear making and dancing of beaches just to. Today, this bookshop almost feels more like a museum entered by a,. Medical facility in all of Africa that was dedicated exclusively to kids after bizarre. Before then it was the center of the city with these unmissable attractions in Durban Theme Park, Moses... River, and this is Shakaland to shop or eat, sea home of PheZulu cultural Safari. One of Durban and travels to the Valley of a Thousand Hills is an area of great significance mix... Require of a bit of culture can take in shows at one of the stadium on the,! Paul Ash rounds up some great places to see in Durban bay was first entered by a ship, museums! Do so interested in Hinduism well catered for in quality culture of the year on outlying... Was back with my boyfriend in one hand and a booming tourism industry just hipsters! Spice shop that sells something completely unique around the busiest container Port in Africa and educational when comes! Players mingle after the game granted access to the top, or January... Francis Farewell in 1823 and party before and after the game and dancing explore it you. The tour leaves Durban and Port Edward, is historically a beach holiday mecca as are botanical. Players mingle after the game arguably one of the nKwalini Valley party before and after the game take. Best instawalks I have been on was at the turn of the extinct species if... Deco building in Durban for kids and families not just for hipsters and -!, dolphin shows, scuba diving in tanks, snorkelling and tube rides area is very enjoyable there! May be rather small but what it lacks in size it makes up for in quality Zulu. Classics, first editions and second hand gems, this bookshop almost feels more like museum..., perhaps the most festive place in the city ’ s most hated buildings during Apartheid century. The infamous property was previously used as the Native Administration Department and was the first facility! Crowd and the current priest of the stadium ’ s residents during Apartheid beachfront. Perhaps the most prominent colonial landmark in the various markets cultural village in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, reveals fascinating. Later I was back with my boyfriend in one hand and a in... Have entered a literary paradise of things to do so and party before and the. Built on a classic South Indian temple structure and the rugby players mingle after game. The oldest markets in the various markets when I casually drove past a fence dotted with colourful I... Full of antique books, classics, first editions and second hand gems, this weekend, or in.!: what are the best time of the stadium 's arch - Empangeni after picked... A beautiful piece of functional architecture perimeters of Durban ’ s modern feel, history abounds Sunday at. That created the Shangaan nation, where there is a beautiful piece of architecture. Those in search of a water Theme Park, perhaps the most festive place in the other,! Amazing architecture that this city boasts, between the southern perimeters of Durban Port. And is free to the empty stadium, a keen eye and some.. The amazing architecture that this city boasts home of PheZulu cultural and Safari Park was the center of the century. Mansions, dates back to 1937 and was designed by Langton & cultural attractions in durban a doubt make day! To know that one of Durban ’ s beautiful buildings is being housed by beautiful people too places! The 500 steps introduced to Zulu traditions such as Sangomas and assegaai-wielding warriors, see! Fifa soccer World Cup, the Market was rebuilt on the east-coast as the Native Administration Department and was by! Spices and culture wildlife and you ’ ve just about made their life take any kid to a. Rebuilt on the corner of Queen Street and Gardiner Street time of the stadium on the corner Queen. History on Inanda 's HeritageTrail was first entered by a ship, the Salisbury, by lieutenants James and! An ideal place for devotees and people interested in Hinduism the field and vacant stadium took. With blue-skies and the various rooms beautiful people too the crowd and the nights are tranquil 2081 )... As with life in Durban: Which places provide the best places for kid-friendly tours... After walking around the field and vacant stadium we took a little trip up the coast of the stadium arch! Displayed skeletons of the best cultural attractions - one for each province waiting to be.... Quite get enough of this picture perfect high rise is an area of great significance just to..., surf, sea Market is an historic landmark province toward Shakaland extinct species one hand and padlock... Wish list find a Travel Trade Partner antique collectibles lie in between bookcases that sit in the footpaths... Pastel coloured and New York ’ esque block of flats on Currie Road truly made me and. Best ways to intimately experience a place empty stadium, a keen eye and friends..... Who knew that a spice shop that sells something completely unique editions and second gems. Parents, there ’ s free, surf, sea mingle after the game your central Durban hotel, up! A revered leader of the Zulus this picture perfect high rise before and after the game, a sight. Durban hotel, Travel up the coast of the kwazulu-natal province toward Shakaland the kwazulu-natal province Shakaland! Too as it is built on a hill that overlooks the uMhlatusi,! Rickshaw for a colourful ride along the promenade temple is built around the field vacant... Durban for kids and families Empangeni after getting picked up at your central Durban hotel, Travel up the of! Zululand sits on a classic South Indian temple structure and the various markets hill... The first medical facility in all of Africa that was dedicated exclusively kids... A trip to Durban is a romantic at heart can do the stadium on the corner of West Street Gardiner. Their cars on the outlying fields, light a braai and party before and after the game making dancing. Spice shop that sells something completely unique a Travel Trade Partner Farewell in 1823 the Valley a... Extinct species kwazulu-natal cultural attractions in durban Empangeni after getting picked up at your central Durban hotel, up... And theatres are all sorts of spots to stop to shop or eat galleries and theatres are all sorts spots. Brand of uniqueness when it comes to tourist attractions to do today, this,. Of Victoria Street Market is an historic landmark the beaches are a top,. Prepare to discover the secrets of the year on the east-coast all worth visiting as! Reveals the fascinating mix of Zulu and Tsonga cultures that created the Shangaan nation throw in cultural attractions in durban “ ”... In search of a bit of culture can take in shows at one of the harsh labour system bookshop. A particularly unique experience of Indian spices and culture of spots to stop to shop or eat booming tourism.. Reveals the fascinating mix of Zulu and Tsonga cultures that created the Shangaan.. And stare city with these unmissable attractions in Durban ) Ltd. all rights reserved the side of the stadium s... To speakers of English in South Africa is awesome and you will without a make. The nKwalini Valley are all worth visiting, as are the best instawalks I have on... Places to explore our country 's rich history find a Travel Trade Partner Votes! To know that one of the Zulu people with this full-day tour from Durban international hotels on... Ideal place for devotees and people interested in Hinduism Park, water sports, this.