Things to see in Durban
Attractions
Durban City Hall
Durban City Hall is one of the city's most distinctive colonial landmarks. Built at the turn of the 20th century, the Edwardian building is a valuable cultural and historic attraction and is said to have been inspired by the design of Belfast City Hall in Northern Ireland. It also houses a public library, auditorium, the Durban Art Gallery, which contains collections from Europe, Asia and Africa dating from the 15th century to the modern day, including Zulu arts and crafts. and the small but interesting Natural Science Museum.
Address: , Church Street, Durban,Telephone: (031) 311 2264/9 (gallery) ; 311 2256 (science museum).
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0830-1600, Sun 1100-1600.
Website:Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
uShaka Sea World
A large saltwater aquarium complex featuring sea life from both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, offering both indoor and outdoor entertainment and exhibits. It also has what is claimed as Africa's largest dolphinarium. The underground section is entered through a huge 'shipwreck'. There are also some thrilling experiences to be had from diving with sharks, walking the ocean amid fishes and rays, plus dolphin and seal encounters. The main attractions are: dolphins, seals and penguins, but there are also birds.
Address: , 1 King Shaka Avenue, Durban,Telephone: (031) 328 8222.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1700.
Website: http://www.seaworld.org.zaAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Durban Botanic Gardens
Established in 1849, the gardens feature a variety of plants but the main collections are cycads, orchids, bromeliads and palms, plus 80 heritage trees, some of which are more than 100 years old. Highlights include an orchid house, a herb garden, a sunken garden and the garden for the blind. The Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra performs at a lake on selected Sundays throughout the year.
Address: Berea, 9A John Zikhale Road, Durban,Telephone: (031) 309 9240.
Opening times:
Daily 0730-1715 (winter); daily 0730-1745 (summer).
Website: http://www.durbanbotanicgardens.org.zaAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Kwa Muhle Museum
Housed in the notorious former Native Administration Department, from which Durban's labour control system was administered in apartheid times, this museum tells the tale of darker times, and aims to offer an unbiased interpretation of life for ordinary South Africans under the old regime. Ironically, the building itself it something to admire with its arch lined verandag and copper-covered entrance doors.
Address: , 130 Ordnance Road, Durban,Telephone: (031) 311 2237.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0830-1600.
Website: http://www.durban-history.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=66Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
The Campbell Collection
Although open by appointment only (the best way to see this museum is as part of an organised tour) this is well worth the effort. It includes the Mashu Museum of Ethnology, a major collection of native cultural items, and a major photographic and literary archive.
Address: Berea, 220 Marriott Road, Durban,Telephone: (031) 260 1722.
Opening times:
Mon-Tues and Fri 0900-1500.
Website: http://campbell.ukzn.ac.zaAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Old Court House Museum
Once a Court House and now a museum, this is the oldest public building in Durban which survived both the South African Wars and the Bhambatha Uprising. In the 21st century, it was a canteen and recruitment centre during the two World Wars. The building was often visited by MK Gandhi as a young Durban lawyer, who went on to challenge life under colonial rule. Now, the largest history museum in the city, it features the "Durban Room", an early pharmacy and a haberdashery store.
Address: , 77 Samora Machel Street, Durban,Telephone: (031) 311 2229.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0830-1600, Sun 1100-1600.
Website: http://www.durban-history.co.zaAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Umgeni River Bird Park
Home to a 800-strong collection of exotic bird species from all over the world, the 3.5 hectares (9 acres) features free daily flight shows in a specially constructed arena, which take place at 11am and 2pm from Tuesday to Sundays. There is a lovely tea garden in the centre of the park The park is situated in a landscaped former quarry.
Address: , Riverside Road, Durban,Telephone: (031) 579 4600.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1700.
Website: http://www.umgeniriverbirdpark.co.zaAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Sugar Terminal
One of the biggest such facilities in the world, with storage capacity of 500,000 tonnes of sugar, the South African Sugar Terminal is open for guided tours focusing on the sugar production and refining industry. Tours take place four times a day on weekdays.
Address: , Maydon Wharf, Durban,Telephone: (031) 365 8153.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0830-1630.
Website: http://www.sasa.org.zaAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board
The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board is responsible for ensuring beach protection, but its headquarters are open to visitors, who can view displays about sharks and rays, an audiovisual presentation, and then watch a dead shark being opened up in a dissection demonstration and discussion that can be viewed from a curved, tiered seating arena. You'll need a strong stomach for a visit here. There are also photographs, shark replicas, reconstructed skeletons, sharks' teeth and mounts of different species. For those looking for souvenirs of their visit, the Fathoms curio shop sells branded clothing and shark-themed mementoes.
Address: Umhlanga, 1A Henwood Drive, Durban,Telephone: (031) 566 0400.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0800-1600. Dissections take place between Tues-Thursday at 0900 and 1400, plus the first Sunday of the month at 1300 and 1600.
Website:Admission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Durban Tourism
Address: , 90 Florida Road, Durban,Telephone: (031) 322 4164.
Opening times: Website: http://www.durbanexperience.co.za
