Local Attractions
City Overview: Durban was discovered by Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama in 1497. Currently, Durban is the third largest city in South Africa and is part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Known for having the busiest port in South Africa, Durban is also the largest city in the province KwaZulu-Natal. The city’s warm climate fuels its tourism industry, with beaches being a focal point of the city’s attractions. Durban’s population is approximately 3.5 million. Durban's land area of 884.9 square miles is comparatively larger than other South African cities, resulting in a population that is spread out over long stretches of land. In addition to being a tourist destination for its weather and beaches, Durban is also a gateway to the national parks and historic sites of Zululand and the Drakensberg.
The Golden Mile: The Golden Mile is the name given to the popular stretch of beachfront in the city of Durban, that is a primary tourist attraction for visitors to this area. The Golden Mile runs roughly from South Beach (where the uShaka Marine World is located) to the newly-constructed Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World in the north. It runs parallel to the business district of the city to its west. The Golden Mile contains a number of world renowned beaches and the area is especially popular with surfers. More Information
uShaka Marine World: uShaka Marine World is a theme park located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The Marine World is comprised of four sections that include: uShaka Sea World, uShaka Wet 'n Wild, uShaka Beach and uShaka Village Walk. Located between the beachfront and the harbor, this park was the first phase in the redevelopment of the tourist industry in recent years. Marine World is the fifth largest aquarium in the world, boasting 32 tanks that contain 17,500 cubic meters of water. The animals found in the aquarium range from smaller animals like sea horses to larger animals such as sharks and dolphins. The dolphin stadium has the capacity to seat 1,200 visitors and the seal stadium can seat around 350 guests. The aquarium contains a number of restaurants and cafes. More Information
