By Air

Durban International Airport is the main airport serving the city of Durban, and is just 16kms south of the city centre. Flights to and from destinations throughout the world are offered, although visitors commonly arrive at the airports in Cape Town or Johannesburg and then transfer to the city on a connecting flight. The journey time from London to Durban is 12 hours, 20 minutes.

By Rail

Durban can be reached by South African Railways, also known as Spoornet from Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique via Cape Town and Johannesburg. Shosholoza Meyl operates two long-distance passenger rail services to and from Durban Railway Station; a daily service to and from Johannesburg via Pietermaritzburg; and a weekly service to and from Cape Town via Kimberley and Bloemfontein.

By Bus

Durban is the gateway to the Kwazulu-Natal Province, and all the national carriers such as Intercape and Greyhound as well as and the Baz Bus offer regular services to the city from neighbouring countries. However, travellers are advised to check with local police about the state and safety of the roads from Mozambique, which have only recently been re-opened after a long war.

By Car

There are main routes from Botswana (via Ramatlabama), Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe (via Beit Bridge) to Durban along the N2, N3, M4, M7, M13 and M19 motorways. Getting to the city via N2 from Cape Town will take a little over 16 hours. The journey on the N3 from Johannesburg is a little less testing, with the trip taking about 6 hours.

Botanic Gardens, Umengi River Bird Park, uShaka Marine World, Durban City Hall, Francis Farewell Square

Botanic Gardens

Durban's Botanic Gardens are a must for every visitor. They lie on the slopes of Berea Hill, on the northwest of the city center In 20ha/50ac of gardens grow a great variety of plants and trees, including some very rare species. Some specimens are very old, the Botanic Gardens having been established as long ago as 1849. Particularly notable features are the majestic avenue of palms and the orchid house with its glory of tropical color. Other attractions are the herb garden and a special garden where blind visitors may touch the plants. Everywhere the twittering of birds is heard: at least fifty different species are permanent residents of the gardens.

Umengi River Bird Park

In the Riverside district, on the north bank of the Umgeni River, is the Umgeni River Bird Park On a network of paths running through the park visitors can observe a variety of indigenous and exotic (from Southeast Asia and Australia) species of birds, including lories, cockatoos and aras.

uShaka Marine World

uShaka Marine World has become the largest marine theme park in Africa. The park is themed with African imagery and it has five zones offering entertainment, dining, a retail village, water slides and access to uShaka Beach. The Sea World Zone incorporates an aquarium, dolphinarium, a seal pool and penguin rookery as well as interactive activities in the dive tank, snorkel reef and touch pool, while Wet ‘n’ Wild offers heart-stopping rides and water-based activities for the less adventurous.

Durban City Hall

The most imposing building in central Durban, between West and Smith Streets, is the City Hall, with its conspicuous copper-covered dome. Built in 1910, it was modeled on the City Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In addition to municipal offices it houses the Municipal Library and the Natural Science Museum.

Francis Farewell Square

This historic square in the middle of Durban is the spot where the city originated as a tiny settlement of itinerant traders and hunters in the early 19th century. It is named after Henry Francis Flynn, one of the prominent inhabitants of the time.

October - April

June - July -> 11(°C) - Spring
February - March -> 28(°C) - Summer

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