Our most recommended things to do in Durban

From Durban: Half-Day Safari Tour

1. From Durban: Half-Day Safari Tour

Your first stop is Natal Lion Park which is home to a variety of wildlife including African and Asian Elephants, Rhinos and lions. After a drive around the park you will enter the Lion’s enclosure to marvel at size and beauty of these great cats. Finally visit Tala Game Reserve, a wildlife sanctuary spanning over 3000 hectares. It features over 380 bird species and a variety of wildlife that includes Rhino, Giraffe, Kudu, Hippo and Eland in a beautiful, relaxing setting. You will then be returned to your preferred drop-off location in Durban.

Durban: 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf

2. Durban: 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf

Indulge in a leisurely journey aboard one of our boats, including a catamaran, for an unforgettable cruising experience. This activity has gained immense popularity among locals in Durban who seek a taste of the high life. It is a public cruise. As you embark on your adventure, soothing music will accompany you from the back of the boat, creating a pleasant ambiance. Our knowledgeable crew members are readily available to provide detailed explanations about the harbor if approached. Many passengers take pleasure in dancing onboard, adding to the lively atmosphere. Immerse yourself in a tour of Durban, joining us as we explore the city from a unique vantage point on the Indian Ocean. Along the way, keep an eye out for pods of dolphins, enhancing your journey with their playful presence. As we navigate through the port, you'll pass by colossal container and cruise ships, offering a glimpse into the bustling maritime activities. Admire the picturesque beachfront from a fresh perspective on the water and discover Wilson's Wharf, a delightful hidden gem that houses an array of restaurants and entertainment options. To ensure your comfort, our boats are equipped with a semi-covered section, shielding you from the sun while allowing you to enjoy the scenic views. Please note that in unforeseen circumstances where the main boat for this cruise is unavailable, we reserve the right to utilize an alternative vessel. Rest assured, we will make every effort to ensure that the advertised boat is accessible. Certain cruises do not have a specific boat assigned to them, as we rely on a selection of available vessels to accommodate fluctuations in weather, seasonal passenger numbers, and planned maintenance. While specific boats cannot be guaranteed for every cruise, we guarantee that you will still enjoy the same exceptional cruise experience on a different vessel.

Durban: Durban: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

3. Durban: Durban: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

Embark on an exhilarating 2-hour expedition into the Indian Ocean, where you'll have the extraordinary opportunity to witness the majestic humpback whales up close. Join a qualified whale tour guide who will provide fascinating insights into these magnificent creatures and other local marine life. Upon arrival at the meeting point, you'll be warmly greeted by your guide. Step aboard the 11-passenger boat, which has been registered with the South African safety authority as a suitable Whale and Dolphin Watching vessel since 2012. It proudly holds one of the limited whale watching permits in Durban. Set sail onto the deep blue ocean, navigating towards the Mozambican current, and settle into your front-facing seats with the skipper and crew positioned behind you. Between June and November each year, keep a lookout for the awe-inspiring displays of the whales breaching the surface as they make their migratory journey from the Southern Oceans to warmer tropical waters for mating and giving birth. Witness the whales in their natural habitat, marveling at their inquisitive nature. If luck is on your side, you may witness remarkable moments such as a mother nurturing or playing with her calf, or older calves engaging in playful jumps and interactions to seek the attention of the adults. In addition to the whales, this tour offers the chance to observe dolphins frolicking in the ocean swells and, on occasion, catch a glimpse of turtles emerging from the crystal-clear depths to feed on surface delights. Prepare to be captivated by the diverse local wildlife, ranging from birds and fish to the colossal humpback whales themselves, which can reach lengths of approximately 15 meters (49 feet) and weigh around 30 tons. Occasionally, you may even encounter orcas, manta rays, and formidable killer sharks. Please note that cruises do not have a dedicated boat and rely on a selection of available vessels to accommodate fluctuations in weather, seasonal passenger numbers, and planned maintenance. While you may not be guaranteed a specific boat for your cruise, rest assured that you will still enjoy the same remarkable cruise experience aboard a different vessel. Important information: - This activity is not wheelchair-friendly. - It is not recommended for toddlers (parental responsibility). - The cruise route is subject to weather conditions.

Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

4. Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

This tour will take you on an unforgettable trip around Durban. Durban Harbor is the biggest and busiest harbor in the southern hemisphere. The harbor tours are especially educational for kids, as the boat takes them to points of interest in Africa’s largest harbor and shows them the route through which ships enter the harbor, discharge cargo, and exit. The skipper will teach the passengers about the port and its operation. If the weather conditions are favourable, the boat may go further out from the shore. The skipper is in close contact with the passengers and will give you a comprehensive guided tour. The trip will either take you down the Maydon Wharf Channel or to the City and Cor Container terminal.

From Durban: Sani Pass and Lesotho by 4WD Vehicle

5. From Durban: Sani Pass and Lesotho by 4WD Vehicle

Benefit from pickup at a location of your choice in Durban, and then make your way to the historic city of Pietermaritzburg, capital of KwaZulu Natal. Take a short sightseeing tour to see the statue of Mahatma Gandhi by City Hall. Then, venture into the Drakensberg Mountains on the amazing Sani Pass into Lesotho. Travel along the 33-kilometer gravel road that straddles the sheer cliffs in a series of tight zig-zag curves. Marvel at the dramatic landscape as you head from the Sani Pass Hotel, 1,566 meters above sea level. Be amazed as your 4WD Land Rover navigates the narrow road across the border post with Lesotho. Get spectacular views of the rolling hills and endless sky. Reach the top of the Sani Pass, 3,240 meters above sea level. Enjoy a hot lunch at the highest pub in Africa, and then meet the native Basotho people in a local village to learn about their everyday lives. Make your way back down the mountain to cross the boarder back into South Africa.

Durban: Luxury Canal Cruise

6. Durban: Luxury Canal Cruise

Marvel at the iconic Durban skyline from a unique perspective on a 30 minutes circular journey around Durban point canals. Relax aboard a luxury pontoon boat, which features comfortable luxury seating and a professional tour guide. Pass by Durban’s historic and impressive attractions from the comfort of your boat. Cruise and sail through the canals and take in a unique atmosphere. See historic, impressive, like uShaka and Ithala Trade Centre. Enjoy a relaxing way to do sightseeing in Durban and escape the traffic noise and congestion. Explore the open decks that allow you to feel the cooling river breeze and see the city from many points that offer perfect photo opportunities.

Durban: Half Day City Tour

7. Durban: Half Day City Tour

The 4-hour tour begins with a pick-up at your hotel, and you’ll then embark on a scenic tour of Durban to see a variety of landmarks that highlight the city's diverse history and culture. On Victoria Street you’ll see traditional Zulu attire and traditional healers offering different kinds of umothi (Zulu medicines). This is a popular area for local residents to meet for shopping and lunch. After, your tour guide will show you around the exterior of the Moses Mabhida Stadium and explain its history, use and significance. You will be given time to go to the sky platform by an elevator called the Sky Car for an additional fee. The tour also includes a visit to uShaka Marine World’s Village Walk on the famous Golden Mile Beachfront on Durban’s or Tambo parade. There you will be given time to shop and have lunch. Visit the Kwa-Muhle Museum and learn about the history of apartheid in Durban. It also houses a very interesting HIV / Aids exhibition which educates the public on the South African HIV/ Aids situation. Relax at the Botanical Garden and listen to the lovely melodies of different species of birds. Admire the many varieties of South African flowers as well. Afterwards you’ll be taken on a drive to the Durban’s City Hall, Durban Harbour and Umgeni Hindu temple. This is where your tour ends, and you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Drakensberg World Heritage Tour

8. Drakensberg World Heritage Tour

The Bushman cave paintings are almost as old as humanity itself. They date back 2,000 years and are a fascinating look into the history and culture of the Bushmen or San people of South Africa. This full-day sightseeing heritage tour goes through the Drakensberg mountain range, a full 3-kilometer round trip hike. The cave paintings can be seen in the World Heritage Site Giant’s Castle. After the hike enjoy a hearty, well-earned lunch, which is included in the tour. On the return to Durban, visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, a significant monument that marks an important moment in South African history. Today it is commemorated as a world-class sculpture, in memory of Nelson Mandela and his heroic role in the struggle against apartheid.

From Durban: 2-Day Lesotho Guided Trip with Lodging & Meals

9. From Durban: 2-Day Lesotho Guided Trip with Lodging & Meals

It’s the perfect mix of nature, culture and history; enjoy Lesotho’s natural flora and fauna, driving past Lesotho’s highest peak, dive into the culture of the Basotho people in this historical trading post and take a peek into history by getting to see the beautiful old buildings that pack lots of history into this small village. Lesotho is the only country in the world that is in its entirety above 1000m in elevation, making this an experience that you cannot enjoy anywhere else in the world! This tour ticks all these boxes – nature, culture and history – all in Lesotho, all in one day. 6.30 AM We pick you up from your accommodation in Durban. 2 9.00 AM We arrive in Undeberg, grab a coffee and head up into Lesotho for the day. 3 9.00 AM We head up to the highest pass in South Africa, Sani Pass. We travel through Himeville to the World Heritage Site of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, following the Mkomazana River up the scenic Sani Valley to the South African Border Post (border formalities) and the Lesotho Border. 4 10.30 AM After the Lesotho border formalities at the top of Sani Pass, we climb even further into the Lesotho highlands, all the way to the top of the Black Mountain pass. 5 11.00 PM At the top of Black Mountain Pass we get a chance to leave our vehicle, climb a short distance to a beautiful viewpoint of Thabana Ntlenyana. 6 12.30 PM We arrive in the town of Mokhotlong and enjoy lunch together 7 1.00 PM We visit a cultural Basotho village OR go horse-rinding into the Lesotho Highlands 8 2.00 PM We make our back to Sani Pass. 9 5 PM We watch the sun go down on the top of Black Mountain Pass before making our way to overnight accommodation DAY 2 1 8.00 AM After a hearty breakfast, we join up with you again for day two’s activities. 2 8.30 AM Choose between a visit to a cultural village, a hike at the top of Sani Pass or Come back down the pass to explore the villages of Underberg and Himeville and its museum. 3 12:15 PM We arrive back in Underberg, in time for lunch, if you aren’t in a hurry we’ll choose the best spot in Underberg to have lunch together. 4 13:15 PM Head back to Durban.

From Durban: Exclusive Big 5 Safari with Transfer

10. From Durban: Exclusive Big 5 Safari with Transfer

Immerse yourself in nature as you traverse a premium Big 5 private game reserve in an open safari vehicle 4x4. Bring on the big cats! Our Big 5 Bucketlist Safari is designed to give you the best chance of seeing Africa’s iconic Big 5 on a day tour within KwaZulu Natal. Enter into a premier reserve and meet your armed ranger who knows the reserve like the back of his hand. Kick it off with a 3 hour morning safari. Your ranger will track predators and big game while keeping tabs on sightings throughout the reserve to ensure that you are in the right place at the right time. This reserve only permits travellers staying at their luxury lodges to traverse the park, unless you’re with us of course. Time to stop to enjoy your packed lunch (excluded) at a scenic spot on the reserve. Discuss conservation and get a deeper understanding of Africa’s wildlife and ecology. After lunch you’ll jump back into the game drive vehicle and explore more of the reserve. Embark on another 3 hour game drive in a different part of the reserve. At approximately 15h30 we will depart the reserve and head back to Durban.

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Maloti-Drakensberg Park

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What people are saying about Durban

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 857 reviews

really amazing Trip! Our Tourguide Phindi was really nice and informative and supplied us with a really nice lunch, cold drinks and some wine. she drove to spot some hippos and gave us snorkelling masks and towels to have a swim at cape Vidal. totally would book it again

It was nice, I really enjoyed it, our boat driver was also very nice, the only problem was the hear, it was too much

I had a great experience although I was scared in the beginning. I got used to it and it was enjoyable

The person who took us on the cruise was friendly and taught us a lot about the sea and boats.

Was nice experience just wish we can have a say on choose the boats for our selves