Durban Travelers Recommend

With a bustling waterfront, a vibrant culture, and plenty of opportunities for water sports and safaris, Durban is an ideal vacation destination. With three days in the coastal hub, you can wander the city’s massive street markets, try its renowned Indian food, spot African wildlife at nearby game parks, and more. Here’s how. 

Day 1: City sights

Spend your first day getting to know Durban’s heritage and culture. Choose from a myriad of guided biking and walking tours, learning the stories behind attractions such as the Victoria Street Market, KwaMuhle Museum, Moses Mabhida Stadium, and Port of Durban. For lunch, delve into Durban’s Indian culture on a tour that visits local spice markets, teaches you how to make roti, and includes a traditional meal. 

Later, head to the waterfront. Cycle along the Golden Mile, or savor views of the city as you ride a Venetian-style gondola through the Durban Point Waterfront canals.

Day 2: Cultural villages or ocean adventures

Get out of the city on a tour of replicas of traditional Zulu villages, such as those at PheZulu Safari Park and Shakaland. Then, learn about the country’s tumultuous past at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and apartheid museum. 

Alternatively, get out on the water. Surf one of Durban’s famous breaks; go snorkeling; join a shark cage diving tour along the Aliwal Shoal. Or, just chill on a white-sand beach before wrapping up your day with fresh seafood and drinks at an open-air restaurant.

Day 3: A classic safari

Don’t miss the chance to go on an African safari. Tours take you to St. Lucia, then through the UNESCO-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park by boat—keep an eye out for hippos, crocodiles, and African fish eagles. Continue on to Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, and look for wildlife on a guided game drive. If you’re lucky, you may even see the “big five”: rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, and Cape buffalo.

Back in Durban, make the most of your last evening by checking out the nightlife on popular Florida Road. 

Two days in Durban give you enough time to explore the waterfront, experience local culture, and spot African wildlife at a game reserve. Here’s how to maximize 72 hours in South Africa’s beachfront gem.

Day 1: Get to Know the City

Morning: Start off your morning with a bike tour along Durban’s waterfront, which typically take you from the Port of Durban to the Moses Mabhida Stadium. As you pedal past seaside restaurants, high-rise hotels, and white-sand beaches, you’ll discover the city’s history, and receive recommendations from a guide.

Afternoon: Dive into local culture on a walking tour of Warwick Junction markets, famous for their spices, seafood, and souvenirs. Tours typically include lunch at the market—don’t miss the Durban classic of bunny chow —and admission to Durban's Botanic Gardens. After your tour, head back to the waterfront to visit Ushaka Marine World.

Night: Spend the evening exploring Durban Point Waterfront. Hop on a gondola for a Venetian-style trip through the Durban Point canals before indulging in fresh seafood at a seaside restaurant.

Day 2: See the Surrounding Wildlife

Morning: Depart from Durban early on a multi-part day trip that takes you to Africa’s must-see wildlife. Excursions typically start off with a boat trip through St. Lucia’s UNESCO-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park, home to hippos, crocodiles, and African fish eagles.

Afternoon: Following your morning boat safari, head to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. On a game drive through the reserve, keep an eye out for Africa’s Big 5, which refers to black and white rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, and Cape Buffalo. Alternatively, if big cats are your thing, book a tour of the Emdoneni Wild Cat Project rehabilitation center.

Night: When you return to Durban, treat yourself to a relaxing meal at a waterfront restaurant on the Golden Mile. Then, complete your Durban experience with drinks at the bars along Florida Road, a lively local hot spot.

While South Africa is a cultural mix with an impressive 11 official languages, the province of KwaZulu-Natal—and its largest city, Durban—is predominantly Zulu, and the cultural influence can be seen everywhere. Here’s what you need to know about experiencing Zulu culture in Durban.

• Spend a day at Shakaland visiting a traditional Zulu village, or kraal, eating a typical Zulu lunch, watching Zulu dancing, and learning about the Zulu people’s traditions of beadwork, basket-weaving, beer brewing, and pottery.

• Visit a sangoma, a traditional Zulu healer or shaman, for a consultation using methods like throwing bones to communicate with your ancestors.

• Explore South Africa’s Zulu heritage with a visit to Phezulu Cultural Village, where you’ll learn about spear-making and the typical beehive-shaped huts.

• Join in the festivities of the annual Zulu Reed Dance, a centuries-old tradition where some 30,000 young Zulu women in traditional dress gather to sing, dance, and celebrate their heritage.

• Tour the picturesque countryside of the Valley of a Thousand Hills while hearing stories of Zulu King Shaka, Zulu culture, rituals, and beliefs.

• Follow in the footsteps of brave Zulu warriors while touring the Anglo-Zulu battlefields from the 1879 Battle of Isandlwana.

Thanks to miles of golden sands and a rich mix of culture, Durban is a popular beach town on the east coast of South Africa. From waterfront bike rides to Indian cuisine, here’s how to get the most out of one day in Durban.

Morning: Explore the Waterfront

Orient yourself among Durban’s top attractions on a bike or walking tour that reveals the culture and history of the city. Traveling by bike or on foot lets you skip the city’s hectic traffic and see highlights—which include the Moses Mabhida Stadium and the Blue Lagoon—at your own speed. Plus, having a guide to lead the way means that you don’t have to worry about navigating an unfamiliar city alone. 

Afternoon: Embrace the Culture

Home to the largest population of Indians outside of India, Durban is renowned for its markets and fragrant spices. Sample some of the best flavors on a lunchtime tour, which tend to visit seafood and spice markets, and include an Indian feast for lunch. 

Then, see more of Durban on a walking tour; tours typically cover the Phansi Museum, Durban Botanic Gardens, and the Warwick Junction markets. Alternatively, visit Ushaka Marine World, sunbathe on one of Durban’s many beaches, or try surfing in the warm Indian Ocean.

Night: Experience the Nightlife

As night falls, see the city from a different perspective on a Venetian-style gondola ride through the canals of Durban Point Waterfront. After taking in the area’s flashy architecture and bright lights, grab a drink at a bar or restaurant that overlooks the ocean. 

Finish off the night on the Golden Mile—the beachfront promenade where you started your morning. There, you can party the night away in seaside bars that usually host a fun mix of locals and travelers.  

Nicknamed the Kingdom in the Sky, Lesotho is a peaceful and independent monarchy protected by the dramatic Drakensberg and Maluti Mountains. Towering over the South African lowlands, the landlocked kingdom is known for its stunning landscapes and unique culture. Here are your options for Lesotho tours from Durban, South Africa.

Highlights

• Traverse the steep Sani Pass in a 4WD and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Drakensberg Mountains as you cross the border into Lesotho.

• Learn about traditional Lesotho culture with a visit to a Basotho village.

• Tuck into a typical African lunch at the Sani Pass Top Chalet, “the highest pub in Africa.”

• Explore the Southern Drakensberg area and Sani Pass on a thrilling motorbike tour.

Things to Know

• Lesotho is the world’s highest-altitude nation, a dizzying 4,593 feet (1,400 meters) above sea level at its lowest point and 11,424 feet (3,482 meters) at its highest, Thabana Ntlenyana mountain.

• Lesotho’s capital, Maseru, is located around 373 miles (600 kilometers) from Durban in South Africa, so both full-day and multi-day tours are possible.

• Day tours typically last up to 12 hours, so prepare for a long excursion.

• Most full-day tours include hotel pickup, lunch, and round-trip transportation.