About Durban
 In Durban, the cuisine is as diverse as the population. You'll find Portuguese, Moroccan, Greek, French, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Italian, Mexican and German eateries, among others. But Natal curries are what this city is best known for, and no visitor should leave without tasting some of the local Indian delights.
Durban is said to have the largest population of Indians outside of India, and their presence has greatly influenced the local appetite. Curries can be mild, hot, very hot or "exterminator" hot, and unless you're accustomed to pungent foods, we suggest you tell your server "mild, please." While there, try breyani (a specialty offered at many restaurants), samosas (three-sided, deep-fried triangles with spicy curry fillings) and roti (a flat, round pancake-type bread).
If you're lucky enough to get invited to lunch or dinner at the home of an Indian family you know, definitely accept the offer. You will experience a feast fit for royalty, as Indians are known for putting on a big spread. And don't be surprised if your hosts eat with with their fingers: It's common.
"Bunny chow" is a favorite local dish, eaten with your fingers, and it's unique to Durban. As the story goes, bunny chow got its start during the apartheid era when blacks were not allowed to be seated inside restaurants, but could be served takeaways from a back window of restaurants. An innovative restaurateur got the idea to scoop out the middle of a half-loaf of white bread, fill it with curry and replace the inside as a lid. Today, bunny chow is a staple food of students, surfers and laborers, as it's tasty, filling and inexpensive. Bunnies come in halves and quarters and can be found at many takeaways.
Not surprisingly, fresh seafood features prominently on area menus, with langoustines and prawns from Mozambique among the most popular dishes offered. And in the past few years, several restaurants serving traditional African fare have opened in the city. Try pap, which is made from maize meal (Africa's staple food); mogodu (dumplings), umqushu (tripe), samp and beans, smiley's (boiled sheep's head), amadumbe (a potatolike tuber), morogo (African spinach) and always inyama (meat). |
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Bird Watching
Of the roughly 900 bird species to be found in South Africa, more than 600 are found in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Some of the particularly rare species include the mangrove kingfisher, Palmnut vulture and purple-crested lourie.
 Fishing
Durban has some of the richest coastal waters in the world for deep-sea, shore or pier fishing. Sharks, blacktail, barracuda and shad are just some of the types of saltwater fish to pit yourself against. For the freshwater angler, venturing a bit farther inland offers countless opportunities for amazing catches. Fishing is a protected activity and permits are required for both inland and sea fishing.
Once a year, around July, countless millions of sardines migrate north in gigantic shoals, followed by a frenzy of game fish, dolphins, sharks, sea birds and excited anglers, plus hundreds of Indian "aunties" who wade into the water, using the hems of their saris to haul the bountiful harvest.
Casea Charters
If your heart is set on deep-sea fishing in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, contact Casea Charters. Casea offers a range of fishing excursions, including trips that last from two to seven hours, and children age 5 and older are welcome. It costs about US$40 per person to charter a boat for two hours, and expect to catch barracuda, wahoo, kingfish and king mackerel, depending on the time of year. The maximum number of anglers per boat is five. Casea is located 15 minutes north of Durban in Umhlanga. Phone 561-7381.
Ice Skating
Ice World at the Durban Ice Rink
This ice-skating venue, which opened in 1955, is located less than a mile/kilometer from the Indian Ocean. During KwaZulu-Natal school holidays the rink is open daily 10 am-10 pm (Saturday and Sunday till 10:30 pm); open during the school term Wednesday-Sunday; and skate sessions are 10 am and 12:15, 2:30, 5, 7 and 7:30 pm. Skate sessions last two hours and cost R20 per person. 81 Sol Harris Crescent, North Beach, Durban. Phone 332-4597 or 368-3022.
Scuba & Snorkeling
Dive Nautique
Guided dives to famous wrecks and reefs, and one-hour trips to see dolphins, whales, sharks, turtles and marine birds are offered by Dive Nautique. Located on Umhlhanga Rocks, north of Durban, the operator's launches take place from Grannies Pool in Umhlanga. Prices vary. |
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 Zulu beadwork, baskets and artifacts, 18k and 24k gold jewelry, and intricately designed fabrics worn as saris are what you'll want to shop for in Durban.
The city is home to world-class shopping malls and upscale flea markets. At the BAT Centre, which overlooks the small craft harbor in Durban, you can see artists working in their studios. For great fabrics of all kinds, the best place to shop is along Grey Street in the city center. But don't go alone. This is an area that you'll definitely need a local to help you navigate, for safety reasons and because no matter how skilled you think you are at bartering, you're no match for the Grey Street merchants, many of whom have operated family businesses there for decades. Shopping Areas
Gateway Theatre of Shopping
The Gateway at Umhlanga is the largest shopping complex in the Southern Hemisphere. There, you'll find 290 retail stores, 24 cafes and restaurants, an IMAX theater, a performing-arts theater (the Barnyard), a 10-lane bowling alley, an interactive science center for children and adults, a 78-ft/24-m indoor climbing rock and an 18-screen movie theater. The Wave House is another big draw at the Gateway. It features the biggest stationary wave in the world, as well as the biggest skate park in South Africa, designed by nine-time world skateboarding champ Tony Hawk. It's a safe place to hang out at night, too. Monday-Thursday 9 am-7 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am-9 pm, Sunday and public holidays 9 am-6 pm. R20 for parking. No. 1 Palm Blvd. (Umhlanga Ridge New Towne Centre), Umhlanga Rocks. Phone 566-232. http://www.gatewayworld.co.za.
The Pavillion
With its Victorian-glazed domes as a familiar landmark, the Pavillion is one of the largest and most popular shopping centers in South Africa. It is visited by more than 1 million people per month. Monday-Saturday 9 am-6 pm, Sunday 9 am-5 pm. Jack Martens Drive (adjacent to the N3 near Westville), Durban. Phone 265-0556. http://www.thepav.co.za. |
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 Durban has a fair number of bars and pubs, dance clubs and music venues, particularly along the Golden Mile and in the harbor area. However, exercise caution: Some places are nothing more than seedy dives, particularly in the Point Road area.
For more upmarket nightspots that feature food, live music and dancing, head for Florida Road in the Morningside area of the city, or to the BAT Centre at the Durban harbor. In recent years, Florida Road has become a focal point in the city for restaurants, small theaters, boutiques, galleries and nightclubs offering live jazz, rock and other musical forms.
With continuing safety concerns about crime along the beachfront, the Morningside area seems to have emerged as a mecca for locals and visitors who want to hang out. |
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Fact FileEstablished: 1835
Estimated Population: 3,5
Ethnic Groups: Black 68.3%, Indian or Asians19.90%, White 8.98%, Coloured 2.82%,
Literacy: 84.6%
Government: Republic
Points of interest: Durban Waterfront is host to many events including the annual and prestigious Mr Price Pro Surfing Championship; City Hall which was completed in 1910; The old station which currently houses Tourist Junction and was built in 1892; Elephant House at 745 Ridge Road which is the oldest house in Durban having been built in 1850.
GeographyBeing situated on the south-eastern seaboard of South Africa in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban is adjacent to the Indian Ocean in the east, and is bordered by the Drakensberg Mountains in the west and to the south lies the Atlantic Ocean.
Durban Weather
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Durban, South Africa
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Temp:
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27°C
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Wind Chill:
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28°C
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Humidity:
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61%
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