Durban combines the “fun” atmosphere of the nation’s premier beach resort with the restlessness of Africa’s busiest seaport.
DURBAN TOURS AFRICA
South Africa Tour
Durban combines the “fun” atmosphere of the nation’s premier beach resort with the restlessness of Africa’s busiest seaport. It started life in1823 as a tiny British trading post and today is the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, a province that offers game reserves, the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, the temperate Midlands and a subtropical coastline.
Durban is blessed with balmy weather all year round, making it a perfect holiday paradise and many of the facilities demanded by holiday makers can be found here – great restaurants, shops & touring options. The city is justifiably proud of its beautiful parks, which include the Durban Botanical Gardens, a Japanese Garden and the Jamieson Rose Gardens, in which some 200 varieties of rose bloom in springtime.
More Indians live in Durban than any other city outside India and they have brought the exotica of their homeland – mosques and temples, colourful saris, markets packed with Oriental curios, tropical fruits and spices. The heart of Durban’s Indian business district, around Grey Street, is a colourful spot to explore. Shops selling delicacies and jewellery, saris and European fashions occupy the arcades of the Great Mosque. The Indian Market in Warwick Street, a few hundred meters west of Grey Street, offers the tourist a sampling of the romance and mystery of the east.
The mighty Drakensberg Mountains, with its 3000m peaks, forms the north-western border of KwaZulu-Natal. Wildlife seen in this area includes antelope, baboons, small mammals and reptiles. The whole area is a bird sanctuary inhabited by an abundance of diverse bird life, including sugar birds, kingfishers, storks and eagles – and the endangered lammergeyer. Plant life varies widely with altitude – proteas flourish on the slopes while cycads, ferns and yellowwoods are found in the sheltered gorges.
West of Durban is the breathtaking Valley of a Thousand Hills and the pulsating rhythm of PheZulu Village, a living Zulu museum. The quaint villages of Kloof and Hillcrest are also worth a visit. Take a stroll down the tree lined garden avenues and browse charming country hotels and shops. Every now and again you will come across a viewpoint overlooking the valleys in the area.
