Attractions Nearby Durban, Day Trips and Excursions

(Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

Whilst there's no shortage of attractions within Durban itself, many visitors quite rightly are tempted to travel about the wider KwaZulu-Natal region. The area, which extends from Lesotho in the south and Mozambique in the north, boasts a number of attractions, highly suitable for day trips from Durban

These include nearby nature reserves, beautiful seaside resorts and historic sites of interest - all of which make for a great day out. The Elephant Coast Wetlands Park is a particularly popular excursion and easily reached from Durban, while the seaside attractions within the Ballito resort tend to be based around its beautiful beaches and optimum surfing conditions.

Ballito

Some 40 km / 24 miles north of Durban is the coastal resort of Ballito. With qualified lifeguards on duty during the day, visitors can enjoy safe swimming and surfing. There are also some delightful rock pools to explore and a promenade.

Elephant Coast Wetlands Park

Stretching from St. Lucia to the border with Mozambique, the Elephant Coast Wetlands Park covers a vast area of subtropical forests, coral reefs, mangroves, grassland and wetlands. As well as opportunities to view wild game, there are a colourful array of exotic birds and beautiful lakes to admire. The coastal section of this area also offers snorkelling and diving as well as boat fishing trips. Hiking trails allow visitors access into the countryside.

Margate

Just south of Durban is the nearby seaside resort of Margate. As well as being a popular place to swim and surf, Margate has plenty of further attractions, such as shops, restaurants and clubs, which keep its visitors entertained. Founded in 1919, Margate is one of the oldest resorts of its kind along the coast and is named after a well-known English seaside town.

Kranzkloof Nature Reserve

Around 30 km / 18 miles from Durban, Kranzkloof Nature Reserve boasts some 43 hectares of beautiful, unspoiled scenery, fauna and flora. The attraction has become a popular haunt for rock climbers, as well as hikers, and is well known in this part of South Africa for its plentiful recreational activities and beautiful scenery.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discount available for children under 12 years old

Inanda Dam

Situated in the evocatively-named Valley of a Thousand Hills and nearby the Kranzkloof Nature Reserve, is the Inanda Dam. As well as offering boating and other water sports facilities, the dam is perhaps best known for its bass fishing. It's also the perfect place for visitors to enjoy a picnic in beautiful natural surroundings.

Isandlwana and KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields

Nearby Isandlwana may look a peaceful place to visitors today, but in the 19th century, it witnessed one of the most famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu War. It was here that the British troops were attacked by the Zulu army in 1879. A short distance away is Rorke's Drift, a battle which earned its soldiers no fewer than 11 Victoria Crosses and which became the subject of the film 'Zulu'.