Things to Do in Durban

Amanzimtoti's mega-size shopping centre features 12 movie houses, an ice skating rink, indoor putt-putt, sea view restaurants and Woolworths flag ship. With the launch of The Galleria, the beachfront Water World and Fun Land, Amanzimtoti is proving to be the new destination of choice. This popular holiday spot offers amazing beaches, good old-fashioned fun entertainment for families and affordable accommodation.

An integral part of protecting the vibrant tourism industry, the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board has been protecting popular KZN beaches from shark incidents for over 40 years. KZNSB boats launch each morning to patrol the coast and clear the shark safety gear of any catches. At least once a month each net is rotated ensuring that every net in the installation is removed and repaired before being placed back in the water. Marine growth as well as wear and tear can cause damage to the nets and it is only through the regular maintenance of equipment that an efficient and cost-effective service can be delivered to the local authorities. The public are given a unique opportunity of being able to view firsthand the servicing of the nets off Durban’s Golden Mile from the KZNSB Tour Boat. These two hour trips leave Wilson’s Wharf at 06:30. After witnessing the meshing operations, there is the chance of opportunistic viewing of wildlife including seabirds. Trips are weather and sea conditions permitting. Bookings are essential – call 082 403 9206. Cost – R250 per person (as at August 2010). The boat trip can be followed up by an excursion to the KZNSB Headquarters in Umhlanga at 1a Herrwood Drive. An audio-visual presentation is followed by a fascinating shark dissection on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 09:00 and 14:00. Sunday afternoon dissections take place at 14:00. Cost – adults R35, children or pensioners R20 (as at August 2010). Tips for your safety at the beach from KZNSB: Swim at protected beaches Obey the lifeguards on duty Avoid swimming in dirty water (river in flood) Avoid swimming at night (between dusk and dawn) Avoid swimming alone Remember: Alcohol and seawater make a lethal cocktail – to be avoided at all times.

The 1000 Hills Bird Park offers an enchanting experience with rare and exotic feathered friends. The riotous chorus of calls, colourful plumage and character of these birds is a magnet for kids and adults alike. Visitors can admire their spectacular paint-box colouring and quirky antics, either from outside contained aviaries or strolling in walk-through aviaries, landscaped gardens and paddocks. An exciting new feature is the 150-metre zip slide. Bring your own picnic basket or order a snack hamper two days in advance. Braais facilities are available. Open Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays 08:00 – 16:00.

Just a five-minute drive from Durban on the N3, The Pavilion Shopping Centre provides a premier shopping and entertainment experience. Something of a Durban fashionista hot spot, the mall merges fun, food and fashion under one roof and there’s plenty to keep you busy.Offering over 230 shops and more than 40 restaurants, the centre has one of the widest choices in KwaZulu-Natal. With 14 jewellery outlets, it’s the perfect place to pick out gifts and curios for loved ones.And there’s no end of entertainment to keep kids amused at the Amusement Area, skate park and 12 cinemas. Over 6 000 covered and open parking bays have direct access to the centre and are protected by state of the art security.So whether you're looking for a cool place to escape Durban’s hot summer or you have to watch the latest movie after a good Indian or Italian dinner, the Pavilion is an obvious choice in the greater Durban area.

Get in touch with your wild side with the luminous feathered inhabitants of Umgeni River Bird Park. Tumbling waterfalls, lush semi-tropical vegetation, lively birds singing and squawking, walk-through aviaries and open paddocks contribute to make this a renowned bird paradise. View dazzling macaws, parading flamingoes, stately cranes, and comical toucans. And you’ll see loads more – witness how some of the world’s rarest birds live and breed. Make your way to the 'baby room' viewing window and follow the activity in the nursery where plump little chicks are reared by loving foster-parents. Don't miss the Free flight Bird Show with critically endangered species like the Wattled Crane, owls, storks, hornbills and a Cape Vulture in free unrestricted flight. It's highly educational but also loads of fun. Free flight Bird Shows take place at 11am and 2pm every day.

Superbly situated on 48 hectares of coastal highland, with 360 degree ocean and hinterland views, Sibaya combines spectacular elements inspired by traditional Zulu architecture with state-of-the-art technology, distilled from extensive research across the globe into the latest concepts in casino-resort entertainment.This magnificent gaming and entertainment complex has brought a significant capital injection as well as employment opportunities to the province’s coastal belt north of Durban. It has also offered an unprecedented experience of the vibrant multi-cultural background of KwaZulu-Natal, infusing elements of fantasy to create a richly rewarding entertainment environment.Central components of this grand-scale fantasy environment are the outstanding casino facilities. These include the innovative use of smart cards for the convenience of all players, and 1001 slots and 37 tables available in three areas, a Main Casino floor, a Smoking Casino and the exclusive Royal Court Privé. The Privé is the most sophisticated in the country and houses smoking and non-smoking slots and tables, and also boasts views of the Indian Ocean.The Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom incorporates the Royal Sibaya Hotel, a luxury hotel with 12 suites and 24 rooms for exclusive use by top end gamers, as well as the Sibaya Lodge, a 118 room limited facility hotel catering for the leisure and conference market. Complementing these world-class hospitality facilities is an imaginative and comprehensive spectrum of restaurants and bars.These include A2A a deluxe buffet featuring food from African to Asia; Aqua a speciality seafood restaurant; the Royal Court Grill a fine dining steak house, Sondela Tavern serving African fusion food, an exclusive MVG (Most Valued Guest) Lounge; a number of elegant bars, Gabbiano & Co Coffee Shop offering beverages, coffee and a light menu; and a fast-food court featuring three different food options Steers, Debonairs and Nando’s.Other amenities include a sweet shop, as well as family amusement facilities, the Magic Company a children’s entertainment centre and a crèche.Krakatoa, Sibaya’s ‘volcanic eruption’ three-tier show bar is an experience in sensory dazzlement. This night life venue, named after one of the most famous volcanos in history, is one of the most happening nightspots in town. The spectacular venue is split into three hospitality levels and is used all year round for product launches events and parties as well as being a nightclub on Fridays and Saturdays.The 592 thatched iZulu Theatre which opened with the internationally acclaimed African Footprint and over four years has seen major productions grace its stage including Umoja, Bounce, Tap Dogs and Bollywood Crush.Experience true African pampering based on traditional African healing therapies and indulgent royalrituals for men and women at the award winning Mangwanani Private African Day Spa at Sibaya. The spa is set in a spectacular authentic Zulu village overlooking rolling green hills with breath-taking views of the warm Indian Ocean.Traditional and contemporary Zulu designs and themes recur throughout Sibaya. Exquisitely designed water features echo the tranquility of the nearby Ohlanga River in the complex’s lushly landscaped, scenic surrounds.

Hip, hot and always happening, Wave House is the coolest place for youngsters to hang out in Durban. Conveniently located at Gateway’s Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga, it’s also a fantastic spot for a family outing, offering an awesome fusion of boardsport cultures.Choose an experience from mild to wild. Get n-n-nervous on the mighty D-Rex, the first of its kind double-point break standing wave. The two beach-break Flow Riders are suitable for beginners and family fun. Skaterats will enjoy the 4 000 m² Skate Park designed by 10-time world skating champion, Tony Hawk.And if all that action makes you hungry and thirsty, there are fully-stocked bars and a restaurant featuring a wrap-around deck overlooking the extreme sport action. Regular entertainment ranges from live bands to amazing events. Durban’s ultimate attracts numerous visitors including international board sport stars.

The Heritage Market provides a unique shopping experience in the Hillcrest area. As Durban shopping centres go, the outdoor atmosphere of "The Heritage" stands alone. Situated in the 1000 Hills Tourism route, Heritage Market caters for the whole family, locals and tourists. Shopping at the Heritage caters for all interests, with shops ranging from jewellery, health, beauty, clothing, sporting and convenience stores to specialist stores not found in your average mall. The Heritage Market offers you the trendiest restaurants, décor shops, and a wide range of entertainment. Apart from restaurants, coffee shops, regular live music and markets, the Heritage Market boasts the Highway area’s first supper club, the Heritage Supper Theatre. Need to know? Trading hours:Monday - Friday: 9 am - 4.30pmSaturday: 9 am - 4 pmSunday: 9 am - 3 pmPublic Holidays: 9am - 3 pmClosed - Christmas Day and New Year's DayOptional Trading - Good Friday and Family Day*Please note: Service shops and restaurants may operate outside of these hours. Ample parking for over 700 free parking spaces is available for patrons.

Also known as the Umdoni Bird Park, the Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary is well worth a visit. A large expanse of shimmering water is flanked by rolling lawns and lush plantings on the one end and indigenous forests on the other. Picnic spots and pleasant 30 minute self-guided trails meanders through the forest. The sanctuary is a haven for birdlife and visitors have the chance of spotting many of the 150 bird species including resident spurwing geese, white faced duck, greenback heron, giant kingfisher, brown-hooded kingfisher and hamerkop. Look out for Narina trogons and the endangered spotted ground-thrush. Rare blue duiker and Cape clawless otter also frequent the park. +27 (0) 31 903 7498 Umdoni Road, Amanzimtoti.

She's pear-shaped but a winner! The Greyville Racecourse surrounds the Royal Durban Golf Club's Championship course, which provides a picture of green grass and foliage throughout the year framed in the background by the many hotels of Durban's Golden Mile. This right-handed track has a circumference of 2 800 metres, and a run-in of 500 metres and no straight for sprints. Unusual features are the golf course in the centre of the track, the Drill Hall which obscures the 1600 metre start and two subways. The construction of these subways resulted in the course having an uphill section from the 2 400 metre post up to the 1 800 metre position, thereafter a gentle downward slope for about 800 metres, followed by an uphill section from the 1000 metre mark into the straight. In 1996, history was made when it became the first track in the country to successfully install floodlights, enabling the course to accommodate night racing at all its midweek meetings.

Situated on the eastern slopes of the Berea ridge, Durban Botanic Gardens is renowned for the rarest original specimen of a plant in the world – a cycad named Encephalartos woodii. Initially the garden grew experimental tropical crops but today the extensive offerings include the herbarium, orchid house, cycad collection, a garden for the blind and a tea garden. Along with an extensive collection of South African cycad species, a highlight is the Orchid House, best viewed during spring. Guided tours are on offer but it’s essential to book well in advance. The charity tea garden is open from 09:30 – 16:15 daily.

SUNCOAST Casino & Entertainment World's setting is idyllic – surrounded by waving palm trees and right on Durban's beachfront along the ‘Golden Mile’.Durban’s largest casino offers entertainment heaven for anyone inclined to gaming. Gamblers can choose from 1 330 slot machines, 50 gaming tables and the exclusive 77 Ocean Drive for higher limit slots and tables.Along with the astonishing array of gaming on offer, the Miami South Beach Art Deco style complex houses plenty of shopping and entertainment options. There is mega fun for the whole family with 12 restaurants and fast food outlets, kids entertainment, eight cinemas and a dance bar.

Built right on Catalina flying boats' Control Tower on Wilson's Wharf, Catalina Theatre's theme and decor reflect the ambience of a creative and dramatic flying machine! Catalina Theatre is the dream of Durban thespian, director, producer and performing arts personality, Themi Venturas. New productions are staged every two to three weeks and vary from comedy and the classics to drama and rock music. At Catalina there is a seat in the house to suit every artistic taste and personality. Bar staff are funky, the drinks are cold and the harbour view is breath taking. Say no more!

Durban's stadium, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, played host to one of the 2010 Fifa World Cup semi-finals. This brand new stadium lies next to the Mr Price Kings Park Stadium, providing seating for up to 80 000 fans. The entire area is extensibly developed and incorporates Olympic-standard football, athletics and swimming facilities. The vibey and colourful semi-tropical city of Durban has strong eastern ties. It's a truly multicultural city with a strong emphasis on the beach. Pack your boardshorts or bikini, sunglasses and skimpy evening gear and revel in Durban's endless summer – it averages 320 days of sunshine a year. Needing some action? The surfing's great in the heart of the city and up or down the coast, there's awesome diving with sharks on the South Coast and beautiful coral reefs up in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, along with fantastic wildlife viewing there and at Hluhluwe/Umfolozi. Durban is KwaZulu-Natal's holiday Mecca and there's a wide range of beachfront accommodation to suit all pockets along the coastline.

Home turf of The Sharks, official rugby team of KZN, ‘The Shark Tank’ is a stadium in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct neighbouring Moses Mabhida Stadium in Stamford Hill, Durban. Kings Park Stadium, officially known as Mr Price Kings Park Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is also endorsed as The Shark Tank and was previously known as the ABSA Stadium. Durban’s Premier Soccer League football clubs often use the facility, which has a seating capacity of 55,000. Kings Park Sporting Precinct, Jacko Jackson Drive, Stamford Hill, Durban

Amanzimtoti Main Beach is very popular for swimming and family beach holidays. The sandy beach offers life guards all year round, lots of parking, pubs, restaurants and shops. Holiday beach activites for kids are offered during peak seasons.

Visit the Old Court House Museum, one of Durban's oldest buildings bearing a fascinating and varied past.The building was loop-holed during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879; it bore witness to both the South African Wars and the Bambatha Rebellion, and more recently acted as a recruitment centre and canteen during both World Wars. It was here that African men were given sanction to enter the city or were denied access, and had to pay the mandatory Poll Tax. Here too, at the beginning of his legendary vocation as an activist, Gandhi was asked by the judge to leave the court for wearing a turban! The museum features a number of collectables in the foyer, including an extensive miniature car collection. The Daphne Strutt Costume Room features fashion from throughout the 20th century, interesting accessories such as cigarette cases, bags, shoes, jewellery and hats enhance the display. A number of rare Art Deco and Nouveau pieces make this exhibition a must for aficionados. The 'Movers and Shakers' exhibition features miniature figurines relating to KwaZulu-Natal's history. A touch screen computer display introduces visitors to a broad overview of the province's history through the lives of these personalities.The Durban Room features the city's progression in lifestyle, wealth and means of production, from the colonial era to the post-colonial era.The Durban Room features four unique exhibits - the David SB Anderson Pharmacy, Henry Francis Flynn's Cottage, Clairmont Sugar Mill (showing developments in the production of Natal's most lucrative resource) and the Miss Fann Fancy Repository with a display of the fine imported fabrics, haberdashery and luxuries available in Durban at the end of the 19th century.  Need to know? Visiting Hours are Monday to Saturday: 8:30 to 16:00; Sundays and Public Holidays: 11:00 to 16:00; closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

The breathtaking Valley of a Thousand Hills is an awesome holiday destination that offers unspoilt nature, wildlife, magnificent scenery, wining and dining, and warm country hospitality just a half an hour's drive from the centre of Durban.It is named for the countless hills which tumble down to the mighty Umgeni River that flows from the distant Drakensberg Mountains to the temptingly warm Indian Ocean.Starting at Botha's Hill, the historic Valley of 1000 Hills stretches through to Drummond, Assegay & Shongweni. It is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque and scenic areas of KZN, offering lots of fun, entertainment and shopping.Dense forests, plunging waterfalls and vast pristine wilderness attract an abundance of birds and wildlife to the area. The Valley of 1000 Hills is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the country and really shouldn't be missed on your trip to KZN.The arts, crafts, galleries, coffee shops, candle makers and antiques available along the route will ensure there's something for those who are born to shop!Nature Reserves in the 100 Hills area include Alverstone Conservancy, Clive Cheesman Nature Reserve, Crestholme Nature Reserve, Glenholme Nature Reserve, Inanda Resort Reserve, Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, Madwala Conservancy, Misty Mountain, Nagle Resource Reserve, Phezulu Safari Park, Shongweni Resource Reserve and Springside Nature Reserve.

Leave your shoes at the door and walk into a colourful Hindu sanctuary. The spacecraft-like exterior belies the opulent interior of marble tiles, gold-tinted windows, crystal chandeliers and lavish decorations. Ceiling frescoes and statuettes pay tribute to the divine couple, Radha and Krishna. Entrance is free and people of all faiths are welcome to spend time here meditating, praying or just to soak up the contemplative atmosphere while wandering around the lush garden and peaceful environment. Underneath the temple is a wonderful restaurant run by devotees serving scrumptious vegetarian fare to eat there or take away. +27 (0) 31 403 3328

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre at Gateway is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.