About Durban
Getting Around Durban
Public Transport
Durban has a good public transport system. The Mynah buses that cover the central business district, the beach front and the Berea are cheap and frequent. However most routes are not operated after 7pm. To get to the ICC by Mynah bus, board at the beach front (North and South Beach) and alight on the corner of Smith St and Aliwal St. The ICC is a five minute walk from there. For routes and timetables phone +31 3095942.
Metered minicabs
These are easily available but at a higher price than the other forms of public transport. Mozziecabs can be contacted on 086 066943.
“Kombi taxis” or minibus taxis
These travel on specified routes. Fares are cheap, but the ride is not always that comfortable. Find out from local people about routes.
Steam Train
For those of you who are in Durban on Sunday 30th July before Congress starts, you could catch a steam train from Kloof Station to Botha’s Hill at 09.00 or at 12.15. Contact 082 3536003 for details and to make a booking. Or contact Computicket 083 9158000 to book.
Places to Visit In and Around the City
Durban Tourist Office
A good place to start if you want more information, is the Old Station Building at 160 Pine St, which accommodates the Durban Tourist Board, now known as Durban Africa (ph +31 3044934).
Areas to Visit
The Indian district is around Grey and Victoria Streets. The Tourist Board organises a two and a half hour “Oriental Walkabout” of this area, which includes a visit to the Victoria St Market and the muthi market (see below). Tours cost R50 per person and operate every morning at 09.30 and 13.30. Book by phoning +31 3044934.
An “Historical Walkabout” is also available of the City Hall and museums area, and the Victoria Embankment (see below for details of these sites). Book by phoning +31 3044934.
Brassware, baskets, spices and fish are to be found in the Victoria St Market, located next to the Warwick Triangle. The Warwick Triangle, west of the city, is the hub of taxis and buses for the greater Durban area. Adjoining the Victoria St Market is a “muthi market”, where traditional healers practice and medicinal plants and herbs can be purchased. It is advisable to enter the muthi market with a guide.
Places of Worship
The Juma Musjid Mosque in Grey St is the oldest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere. The historic St Emmanuel Catholic Cathedral is nearby in Cathedral Rd (ph +31 3063595).
The Umgeni Road Hindu Temple is one of the oldest and largest in South Africa (ph 3125069). The Durban Hindu Temple is in Somtseu Rd (ph +31 3022848), and the Gujurati Hindu Sanskruti Kendra Temple is in Sydenham Rd.
Museums and Art
The Kwa Muhle Museum in 130 Ordnance Rd, is devoted to South Africa's 20th-Century urban social history. The emphasis is on Durban and its own particular history of colonization, indentured Indian labour, and apartheid. If you only have time for one place to visit in Durban, then this should be it. The museum is a short ride away from the ICC, and is within easy walking distance, so a lunch-time visit should be possible. It is open 08.30 – 16.00 Mon-Sat and 11.00 – 16.00 on Sundays (ph +31 3112223).
Francis Farewell Square in the centre of the city has the City Hall, where the Durban Art Gallery is housed. The gallery has a good collection of black South African art.
The Port Natal Maritime Museum at Bay End, Aliwal St records the history of Durban as a port and houses local seafaring memorabilia and is open Mon - Sat 08.30 – 16.00 and on Sundays 11.00 – 16.00 (ph +31 3112231).
The Durban Cultural and Document Centre on the corner of Epsom and Derby St records the history of Indian indentured labour in photographs and documents (ph +31 3097559). The Centre is open every weekday from 08.00 to 16.30.
The Old Station complex, 160 Pine St, home of the Durban Tourist Board also accommodates the African Art Centre, a good source of authentic crafts (ph +31 3047915).
The Bergtheil Museum in Queens Ave, Westville, 20kms outside of Durban, records the history of German settlers who arrived in the area in the mid 1800’s (ph +31 2037107).
Townships and Settlements
North west of the city are the townships of Kwa Mashu, Inanda and Clermont. South west is Umlazi. Cato Manor is the closest township. See the section on Day and half day tours below.
The Phoenix Settlement in Inanda is where Mahatma Gandhi lived. His home has been restored. Near to Gandhi’s house is the Shembe Church at Ebuhleni. The Shembe Church, with its unique doctrine, was founded 100 years ago. It boasts over two million members. Up the hill is Ohlange, the school founded by John Dube, the first president of the African National Congress. John Dube’s grave is located next to the school. A tour of all three sites and surrounding area can be arranged by contacting Langa Dube (grandson of John Dube) on 082 2642556.
Nature Parks
The magnificent Botanic Gardens in Sydenham Rd are the home of a famous orchid collection as well as ancient cycads (ph +31 2011303).
The Fitzsimmons Snake Park is at 240 Lower Marine Parade (+31 3376456).
uShaka Marine houses an impressive aquarium, water theme park and extensive shopping centre. Great for kids if you’ve brought them along!
The Natal Sharks Board educational centre is based at Umhlanga Rocks just north of Durban (ph +31 5611001). The Natal Sharks Board has been at the forefront of research into sharks for many years.
The Umgeni River Bird Park, a riverside sanctuary with walk-in aviaries, is at 490 Riverside Rod, Durban North (ph + 31 579460).
The Harbour
There are various ferries that offer trips around Durban harbour and out to sea. Sea Marine Services operates scheduled harbour trips every hour on the hour from 10.00 till 16.00 every day except Monday, as well as scheduled and special-order deep sea cruises. The company operates from next to the Café Fish at the Yacht Mole and is contactable on +31 3011953.
Places to Eat
Although the beach front restaurants are plentiful, and many are very good, it is worth going further afield in search of good food and interesting experiences - as recommended by real local people!
Fish and shell-fish
- Café Fish in the Yacht Mole on the Victoria Embankment is moderately priced. Ph +31 3055062
- The Famous Fish Co. at the end of Point Rd, on north Pier has a wonderful view over the harbour entrance. Ph + 31 3681060
- Coimbra at Hillier Rd, Glenwood is mid-priced. Ph: + 31 2055447
- O Pescador at 52 Albany Grove is a moderately priced Portuguese restaurant specialising in sea food. Ph +31 4644127
Thai and Japanese
- Baan Thai specialises in Thai food. 138 Florida Rd, Morningside ph +31 3034270.
- Green Mango specializes in Thai, Sushi and Japanese food. Avondale Centre, 9th Avenue, Morningside ph +31 3127054
Italian
- Marcos in Windemere Rd, Berea ph +31 3033078. Also Mama Luciano next door (same kitchen)
- Spiga D’Oro in Flordia Rd, Morningside ph +31 3030511
Indian
- Silveranis at Silvervause Centre, Silverton Rd, Musgrave ph +31 2015088
The Grey St and Queens St area also has a number of very cheap but excellent day-time Indian restaurants
- one is to be found at 86 Queens St (Aangans)
- one at 56 Cathedral Rd (Manjras)
- one at Patel's Vegetarian House, Rama House, Grey St.
Durban is the home of the “bunny chow”, a fast food created by digging the centre out of a half loaf of bread and filling it with a delicious curry. “Bunnies” can be bought at most small independent fast food shops.
Modern eclectic
- 9th Avenue Bistro at the Avonmore Centre, 9th Avenue, Greyville ph +31 3129134
- Hemingways in Davenport Rd, Glenwood ph +31 2024906
- Café 1999 in the Silvervause Centre, Silverton Rd ph +31 2023406
Crafts
Mass produced but nevertheless good crafts can be found on the beachfront.
More artistic and expensive crafts can be found at the BAT Shop at the BAT Centre on the Esplanade, at the Tourist Junction Shop at 160 pine St, and the fair trade Durban African Art Centre (+31 304 7915)
Swimming
The Indian Ocean averages a temperature of 19 degrees celcius in August, and the surf is safe for swimmers on most days. Clear signs will indicate if it is not safe. Always swim between the beacons so as to be protected by life-guards. All beaches are protected with effective shark nets.
The Rachel Finlayson Olympic sized sea water swimming pool can be found near North Beach.
Live Music and Poetry
Zacks, at Wilson’s Wharf has “Jazz on the Wharf” every Saturday from 10.00 to 12.00 and Sundays from 14.30 (ph +31 3051677).
The Centre for Jazz and Pop Music at the University of Kwa Zulu Natal holds free jazz sessions at 17.10 every Wednesday (ph +31 2603385).
The BAT Centre on Victoria Embankment, near the yacht mole holds poetry sessions every Wednesday from 17.30 to 19.30. The BAT Centre also hosts jazz every Friday from 18.00 to 20.00 and Sundays from 15.00 to 17.00 (+31 3320451 or 3320804).
Jazz is also found on the ship at uShaka Marine every Thursday night (+31 3288068); at Yozzis in Davenport Rd on Wednesdays at 19.00 (ph +31 2010090); and at St Tropez at 199 Essenwood Rd on Fridays and Saturdays at 17.00 (+31 2019176).
Day and half-day tours (including township tours)
The Durban Tourist Board promotes various “Durban Experience” personalized tours run by small, socially committed operators.
Jikeleza Tours offers tours of Clermont township and the incredible Valley of a Thousand Hills. Arrange by phoning Clifford Dlamini on 082 3500792.
Tutuka Tours, run by Langa Dube, the grandson of John Dube, provides tours of Inanda and the Phoenix Settlement which has a strong association with Mahatma Gandhi. Mr Dube can be contacted on 082 2642556.
Mkumbane Tours, operated by Vincent Thabethe, provides tours of Cato Manor. Mr Thabethe is contactable on 082 6721191. Tours of Cato Manor can also be arranged by contacting Zola Bhengu at the Cato Manor Tourism office 750 Francois Rd, Cato Manor (ph +31 2618657). See section on places to visit for more details.
Umlazi Tourism offers tours of Umlazi township and surrounds and is operated by Mr T Xaba ph 083 2404311.
A wide range of day trips to the country areas are possible from Durban. Round trips lasting about 12 hours are available to the game reserves of northern Kwa Zulu Natal, to the impressive mountain range known as the Drakensberg, and to the Great Zulu War and Anglo Boer War battle sites. Guided day trips cost in the region of about R1000 per person, but with the help of a decent map, the trips can also be done easily by hired car. Details of guided trips can be sought from your hotel or by logging on to www.city-discovery.com/durban.
Closer to Durban than the big game reserves, is Tala Game Reserve, just 45 minutes west of Durban. Call +31 7811045 for details.
Security tips
Durban is not especially known for high levels of street-crime, however muggings and pick-pocketing do occur on the beachfront and in the city. So, as with any urban centre today, you should take care not to wave your camera around or expose your wallet, and do be alert. It is advisable to walk in groups. The beachfront is well policed and also well lit, and you can walk in the area in the evenings so long as you take the stated precautions.
If you have any concerns or wish to seek security advice, please approach a Satawu official.
Suggested guidebooks, further reading (English only)
- Durban in a Nutshell by Jessica Nicholson
- Durban’s Heritage Explored – Walks and Drives by Peter Johnson and Cynthia Naidoo
- Durban: Impressions of an African City by Paul Weinberg and Gcina Mhlope
These books are available at local bookstores and the Durban Tourist Board at the Old Station Building.
We hope this information is useful to you.
Have a lovely stay in eThekwini!
