Durban

The first known inhabitants of Durban arrived from the north around 100 000 BC. They lived in the central plains until the expansion of Bantu people during the middle of the last millennium. Not much is known about the first residents of the area as first written history dates back to 1497 when Vasco de Gama, the Portuguese explorer, sailed through while searching for a Europe to India route. The modern city of Durban dates back to 1824 when a party of British travelled from the Cape Colony to establish a settlement.

Situated on South Africa’s east coast, Durban has a mild subtropical climate with warm summers and mild moist to dry winters which are frost free. The city centre, which overlooks a long golden stretch of beach, is a multicultural hub of activity. Businessmen taking a lunchtime jog, cool teenagers out to impress, young families of every hue, men in traditional kurtas and women in their saris, tanned surfers and sangomas collecting sea water all share this laid back piece of Africa.

Durban’s beachfront is bordered by five star hotels and luxury apartments, all of which have wonderful views of the warm Indian Ocean. The waters, which are protected by shark nets and patrolled by life guards, are teeming with an abundance of magnificent tropical fish and coral reefs. Watersports such as surfing, body boarding, sailing and scuba diving are popular activities.

The Promenade stretches along the waterfront and is home to restaurants, hotels, shops, pubs and the uShaka Marine World aquarium. Durban is also home to the largest population of Indians outside of Asia. They are the descendants of labourers who were brought to the region to work in the sugarcane fields at the end of the 19th century. The Victoria Indian Street Market is an interesting place to visit with mosques, a colourful array of shops and delicious food stalls spread out over 170 stalls – an eclectic mix that is hard to resist. Outside the city centre is the Umgeni River Bird Park, inhabited by over 3000 exotic and indigenous birds. With four waterfalls it is a lush oasis.

Durban caters for everyone – from relaxing family outings to the wild beaches with fantastic waves that attract adrenaline seeking surfers. It is also the gateway to further exploration of the rolling hills of the midlands, the historic battlefields and traditional Zululand cultural villages.