Travel Guide To Durban, South Africa

Durban (from itheku meaning 'bay') is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in the country. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism because of the city's warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches. The municipality, which includes neighbouring towns, has a population of almost 3.5 million,[1] making the combined municipality the biggest city on the east coast of the African continent.

Durban was originally called Port Natal, and was founded by British settlers. Indian workers were brought in to work the sugar cane plantations, making this one of the largest population centers of Indians in South Africa. Zulu and English are the most common languages in Durban.

Durban is characterised by a mild subtropical climate with warm wet summers and mild moist to dry winters, which are frost-free. However, due to large altitude variations, some western suburbs get slightly chilly in the winter. Durban has an annual rainfall of 1,009 millimetres (39.7 in) The average annual temperature is 21 °C (70 °F), with daytime maxima peaking from January to March at28 °C (82 °F) and the minimum is 21 °C (70 °F), dropping to daytime highs from June to August of 23 °C (73 °F) and the minimum is11 °C (52 °F).

Durban and its suburbs are hilly, with very few flat areas, except for locations in and around the central business district and the harbour. The western suburbs off Hillcrest and Kloof are significantly higher above sea-level, reaching up to 850 metres (2,789 ft) in the community of Botha's Hill. Many gorges and ravines are found within the metropolitan area. There is almost no true coastal plain.

Getting there and getting around

Durban can be reached in from around 28 locations in UK and Ireland with airlines such as British airways, Emirates Airlines, IBERIA, Virgin Atlantic, British Midland International and Air Mauritius.

King Shaka International Airport services both domestic and international flights, with regularly scheduled service to Dubai, Swaziland,Mozambique, and Mauritius. The airport opened in May 2010, replacing all operations from Durban International Airport, which handled four million passengers in 2005, up over 15 percent from 2004. King Shaka International Airport was constructed at La Mercy, about 36 kilometres (22 mi) north of central Durban. All operations at Durban International have been transferred to King Shaka International as of 1 May 2010; with plans for flights to Singapore, London and Australia.

Other modes of transport include train, bus, taxi, boat and car with various economical choices and packages.

Places to see

Some of the must-see places in / around Durban are Durban Botanical Gardens, Berea, City Hall, The Golden Mile, Crocodile Creek, Mahatma Gandhi Settlement, Durban North Japanese Gardens, KwaZulu Natal National parks, Suncoast Casino, Nature Parks, Zimbali Golf Estate, Shark Institute, uShaka Marine World, Skydive Durban, Calypso Dive n adventure Centre, GreyVille Race Course, African Arts Centre, EssenWood Craft market, Victoria Street Market and Historical Compensation Sugar mill.

Food & Drink

The renowned eateries in / around Durban include, but are not limited to, Vintage Resturant, Roma Revolving Resturant, Wilson's Wharf, Spiga doro, Spice and Bean Bag Bohemia.

When it comes to drinking Durban has got even more to offer. E.g. Zacks, Joe Kool's, The BAT Centre, Firkin, Tilted House, Cool Runnings and Burn.

Entry requirements

You must supply a yellow fever certificate issued at least 10 days before arrival in South Africa if you have travelled from a country with yellow fever. If you do not have a valid certificate, you will be denied entry to South Africa.

Entry Requirements - Visas

British nationals visiting South Africa on holiday for less than 90 days do not require visas. After entry, extensions of stay may be sought from the Department of Home Affairs. If you have overstayed without authority you may be required to pay a fine, either on exit or at the nearest South African mission on your return to the UK (or elsewhere). Re-entry to South Africa will not be permitted until the fine has been paid in full. However, serious overstayers may be arrested on departure and detained before appearing in court. In such cases you may face a very substantial fine and then be deported at your own expense.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for no less than 30 days after the end of your intended visit. South African authorities state officially that only one blank passport page is required for entry. However, visitors have been refused entry and sent back to the UK as some officials are insisting on two blank pages. We advise that you have two blank pages in your passport on arrival.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

South Africa, Durban, British Council

Address:
British Consulate General
15th Floor, Deneys Reitz House
8 Riebeek St
Cape Town

Postal Address:
British Consulate General
PO Box 500
Cape Town 8000

Phone:
(27) (21) 405 2400

Fax:
(27) (21) 405 2455 - Political, UKTI
(27) (21) 405 2447 - Consular
Website: http://www.ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk/en

Office Hourse:
Local:
Monday-Thursday: 0800-1230/1315-1630
Friday:0800-1330

Consular queries(Local):
Monday-Thursday:0900-1430
Friday: 0900-1200
UKTI(Local):
Mon-Thu: 0800 - 1630
Friday: 0800 - 1330
GMT:
Monday -Thursday: 0600-1030/1115-1430
Friday: 0600-1130

Consular queries(GMT):
Monday - Thursday: 0700-1230
Friday: 0700-1000

Country	South Africa
Province	KwaZulu-Natal
Time Zone	South Africa Standard Time (UTC+2)
Post Code	4001
Area Code	031

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