Durban Holidays

Miles of golden beaches with shoreline entertainment and scenic day trips are more than enough to keep any Durban visitor entertained, and it doesn’t end there. Shop for spices, silks, and trinkets at Victoria Street Market. Sample authentic cuisine and see the southern hemisphere’s largest mosque in the Indian Quarter. Learn the history of apartheid at the Kwamuhle Museum. Taste bunny chow amid the galleries and boutiques of Florida Road.

Wander the heritage trees and exotic plants of Durban Botanic Gardens, relax on the shady lawns of Mitchell Park, and discover more than 200 species of rose in Jameson Park. Immerse yourself in birdlife among the waterfalls of Umgeni River Bird Park. After sunset, explore the varied nightlife of Morningside, Westville, Durban Harbour, and the Golden Mile.

Think South Africa isn’t a beach destination? Think again. Durban’s Golden Mile is a vibrant promenade of entertainment beside the warm waves of the Indian Ocean. Spend days basking on golden sands lined with shops, restaurants, and entertainment complexes. Surf, swim, fish, or stand-up paddle-board as baby hammerhead sharks circle beneath.

On the shore, visit the largest aquarium in the southern hemisphere at uShaka Marine World, feel like a giant at Mini Town, or ride the SkyCar to the roof of Moses Mabhida Stadium for incredible 360° views. A short distance north, the resort of Umhlanga Rocks marks the start of over 100 miles of beaches with Whalebone Pier, perhaps the most beautiful in Africa. Stay here to enjoy whale and dolphin watching, diving, golf, and shopping.

Along with the Drakensberg Mountains, the famous Battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift can be reached on a daytrip from Durban but are much better experienced on a tour which includes stopovers. That doesn’t mean Durban isn’t a great base for some of South Africa’s best days out. See the gold domes and lotus-shaped garden of the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Hare Krishna Temple, the largest in Africa.

Discover the Inanda township, where Mahatma Gandhi first developed his passive-resistance philosophy in 1904. Visit PheZulu Safari Park in 1,000 Hills for family wildlife adventures and Zulu cultural displays. Drive the Midlands Meander, a series of easy routes connecting more than 150 locations and attractions in the picturesque hills between Pietermaritzburg and Mooi River. You can even find Big Five safari just two hours from downtown Durban at Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, the oldest game reserve in South Africa.

With the right packing, Durban is an all-year destination. Winter offers the best weather with pleasant temperatures and dry days from mid-April to September. A short spring brings the year’s most consistent rainfall in late September and October but days remain between 13°C and 24°C and dry spells can be enjoyed.

South Africa’s summer lasts from late October to February with temperatures reaching up to 28°C, humid days, and occasional rainfall. February and March are known for afternoon thunderstorms but temperatures of up to 30°C mean any rain dries quickly.