Durban at a glance
Durban lies on South Africa's east coast in KwaZulu-Natal, on the Indian Ocean. The climate is subtropical. The main city stops are the Golden Mile beachfront, uShaka Marine World, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Botanic Gardens on the Berea and the Victoria Street Market, which stands on Bertha Mkhize Street, the former Victoria Street. Umhlanga to the north has its own promenade and lighthouse.
This guide covers the city and the trips you can make from it: the Drakensberg, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, St Lucia and the Valley of 1000 Hills. It is an independent site. It is not run by Durban Tourism, the eThekwini Municipality, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife or any tour company. Prices are in South African rand (R), as published in 2026, and they change. Check the current timetable and price before you go.
Our picks: Durban tours
A market walk, Sani Pass in a 4x4 and a day in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and iSimangaliso.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and iSimangaliso day tour
A guide, entrance fees and hotel pickup and return are included. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are not.
Check availability →
Sani Pass, Lesotho and a Basotho village
Hotel pickup, an air-conditioned transfer to Himeville, a 4x4 drive up the pass and a Basotho village visit. Water, tea or coffee with a snack and Basotho bread are included; tips are extra.
Check availability →
Markets and culture walking tour
Five hours with a guide, minibus rides to the market and on to the promenade, and lunch. Drinks with the meal, tips and personal spending are extra.
Check availability →Durban tours and day trips
Safaris, Drakensberg and Sani Pass trips, Valley of 1000 Hills and city tours from Durban, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
Start with the city, the coast and the practical pages.
Things to do in Durban
Twelve experiences, from the Golden Mile to the Botanic Gardens and the museums.
Tours compared
Safaris, Drakensberg and city trips: length, what is included and what to check.
Durban beaches
The Golden Mile, uShaka and Umhlanga, with flags, nets and water quality.
Umhlanga
The promenade, the lighthouse, the lagoon path and the Sharks Board.
uShaka Marine World
Sea World, Wet'n'Wild and the aquarium, with 2026 ticket prices.
Is Durban safe?
What the German, UK and US travel advice says and how to plan around it.
Where to stay
The beachfront, Umhlanga, the Berea, Morningside and Ballito compared.
Day trips and arrival
Mountains, game parks, wetlands and the airport.
The Drakensberg
The Amphitheatre, park fees and the Sani Pass border rules.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Park fees, gate hours and how far the park is from Durban.
St Lucia and iSimangaliso
Boat trips for hippos and crocodiles, Cape Vidal and the World Heritage name.
Valley of 1000 Hills
PheZulu, Zulu dancing shows and a short wildlife drive, with 2026 rates.
King Shaka Airport
Shuttles, taxis, car rental and transfer prices into town.
Weather and best time
Monthly temperatures and rainfall, and which months are wetter.
Costs at a glance
Published prices in 2026. They change, and some attractions have peak rates.
| What | Price in 2026 | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Moses Mabhida Stadium tour | R70 per person | R80 at peak times |
| uShaka Sea World | R267 adult, R216 child or senior | Wet'n'Wild costs the same; a combined ticket is R399 adult |
| Durban Botanic Gardens | Free entry | Donations are welcome |
| KwaMuhle Museum | Free entry | Opening hours are listed differently by two sources |
| PheZulu wildlife drive | R320 adult, R220 child | About 1 hour, minimum 2 people |
| Drakensberg park entry | R160 adult per entry | Royal Natal, Didima and Monks Cowl; tariff to 31 October 2026 |
| Airport transfer to Durban or Umhlanga | R770 for 1 to 3 people | R1,150 for 3 to 7 people by minibus |
Good to know before you go
Where older guides and old web pages are out of date.
The city centre
The German Foreign Office advises against visiting the Durban CBD at any time of day (advice of 21 October 2026, in force since 22 September 2026). That includes a walk to the Victoria Street Market. Plan the visit with a guide or a pre-booked driver.
Safety advice →Beach status
A beach status page that shows an old date is not a green light. Swim only at guarded beaches between the red and yellow flags, and check the day's status. Shark nets are not a closed barrier.
Beaches →uShaka tickets
Sea World, Wet'n'Wild and the Shipwreck Aquarium are separate products with their own hours. Outside the peak season the water park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
uShaka Marine World →Moses Mabhida Stadium
The stadium tour is the product you can plan around, at R70 or R80 at peak times. Older guides list a SkyCar, an arch walk and a swing at the stadium. Confirm that any of these is running before you plan around it.
Things to do →Park fees
The Ezemvelo tariff for 2025/26 runs to 31 October 2026. Its figures for Hluhluwe-iMfolozi differ inside the same document: R300 and R320 for an adult per day. Ask at the gate. The St Lucia site is now listed by UNESCO as iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Maputo National Park, after a boundary extension in 2025.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi →Electricity
Eskom reported on 16 October 2026 that there had been no national load-shedding since 16 May 2025, but local load reduction still affected parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Ask your hotel what backup power it has.
Where to stay →Durban: frequently asked questions
Is Durban safe for tourists?
Official advice is cautious. Germany advises against visiting the city centre at any time of day, the UK lists robbery, carjacking and violent crime, including at tourist sites and transport hubs, and the US advisory is Level 2, exercise increased caution. Risk is higher after dark. Use pre-booked transport and read the safety page.
Can I swim at the Golden Mile?
Only at guarded beaches, and only between the red and yellow flags. Nets and drumlines do not form a barrier, and a beach can close because of swell, currents, damaged equipment or a shark sighting. See the beaches page.
How do I get from King Shaka Airport into town?
Shuttle buses stop outside the international arrivals terminal, taxi companies work at arrivals and several car rental firms are on site. There is no airport train. One 2026 price list shows R770 for 1 to 3 people to Durban or Umhlanga. See the airport page.
Which day trips can I make from Durban?
The Valley of 1000 Hills is about 35 km from the centre. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is roughly 280 km and 2.5 to 3 hours north. The Drakensberg and St Lucia are longer days, and many Sani Pass tours start in Underberg, not in Durban. See tours compared.
Should I worry about power cuts?
Eskom reported no national load-shedding between 16 May 2025 and 16 October 2026, but local load reduction continued in parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Ask your hotel about backup power when you book.
Is visitdurban.org the official tourism site?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to Durban Tourism, the eThekwini Municipality, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, uShaka Marine World, the stadium or any tour operator.