ABOUT DURBAN 2 ABOUT DURBAN Durban is a naturally beautiful and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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ABOUT DURBAN

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ABOUT DURBAN

Durban is a naturally beautiful and culturally vibrant destination waiting to be discovered by the North American market. When planning South African travel packages for your clients, include several nights in Durban, giving them the opportunity to relax on the sun-swept beaches of Umhlanga Rocks, stroll the Golden Mile promenade, get a taste of the city’s diverse Zulu and Indian cultures, or jump off into the outdoor adventures of greater KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN).

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Durban is one of South Africa’s major centers of tourism thanks to the city's warm subtropical climate and sprawling shoreline, including the aptly named “Golden Mile”. A bustling harbor city and popular surfing spot, Durban is part of eThekwini Municipality (population 3.5 million), South Africa’s third largest urban area after Johannesburg and Cape Town.

ABOUT DURBAN

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DURBAN

LOCATION

Durban is located on the Indian Ocean on South Africa’s eastern coast and is easily accessible from the country’s other major cities and tourism destinations.

King Shaka International Airport is located just 25 minutes north

• f Durban’s city center and
• ffers convenient international

access, as well as domestic flights to all major South African cities. Opened in 2010 and awarded the prestigious Skytrax "Best Airport in the World Handling Under 5 million Passengers" title in 2013, 2015, and 2016, King Shaka International Airport is the third busiest airport in South Africa having served4.93 million passengers in 2015–2016.

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KING SHAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (DUR)

GETTING THERE

The flight time between Durban and Cape Town is two hours, and the flight between Durban and Johannesburg is just one hour. Taxis, airport shuttles, and car hire are all available upon arrival. Private aircraft and helicopters can also be chartered from the airport.

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DURBAN ATTRACTIONS

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The holiday resort village of Umhlanga Rocks is perfectly positioned for any leg of a South African adventure. It's just a ten-minute drive from King Shaka Airport, is situated on some

• f the area’s top beaches, and is home to a

number of luxury destination hotels. Umhlanga Rocks offers a wealth of entertainment, restaurants, and nature trails. The spectacular Gateway shopping center and Sibaya Casino are also key attractions. Ocean enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers enjoy surfing, deep-sea fishing, whale watching and dolphin viewing, scuba diving, and kite boarding on this wonderful stretch of

• coastline. Umhlanga is also a romantic

paradise – many people either tie the knot or spend their honeymoon here.

UMHLANGA ROCKS

The Golden Mile, Durban’s 3.7-mile long sandy beach and promenade, is one of the city’s most well- known attractions in the city. Swimming is good all year round due to the warm, subtropical climate. Surfing is prevalent, dozens of swimming and splash pools can be found along the promenade, and crafts can be purchased from seaside stalls. Exotic restaurants, nightclubs, and many hotels can be found oceanfront. Beaches are well monitored, and beachgoers are protected by underwater shark nets situated offshore.

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GOLDEN MILE

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Rickshaw rides are a uniquely Durban experience. This dynamic and fun mode of transport allows visitors to experience the wind in their hair and feel the sun on their face while taking in the stunning views of the Golden Mile. Each rickshaw and its driver bear a colorful patchwork of Zulu colors and patterns.

RICKSHAWS

A 40-acre theme park offering a water park, sea animal shows, snorkeling lagoon, shark cage diving, a reptile exhibit, shopping, beach activities, and myriad dining options, uShaka Marine World is divided into five distinct sections: uShaka Sea World, uShaka Wet 'n Wild, uShaka Beach, uShaka Village Walk, and uShaka Kids World. uShaka Marine World is located at the southern end of the Golden Mile.

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USHAKA MARINE WORLD

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With its iconic “arch of triumph”, Moses Mabhida Stadium is an engineering feat that provides Durban with its defining

• landmark. Built in 2009, the 85,000 seat

stadium played host to the 2010 World Cup and today is the site of large-scale sporting events and six other signature activities. Sports fans can play footballer for a day with a behind-the-scenes Stadium Tour that includes everything from the locker rooms to an up-close look at the pitch. City Segway tours originate at the stadium and free play areas for the kids, spacious walkways, and sidewalk cafes are conveniently located in People’s Park directly outside the stadium.

MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM

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For a 360º view of Durban, visitors can take a two-minute ride up the stadium arch in the SkyCar to a viewing platform nearly 350 feet above the ground below. Those without a fear of heights can attempt The Adventure Walk, a 500-step guided climb to the top of the arch. Adrenaline junkies can take off on the Big Rush Big Swing, the Guinness Book of World Records’ tallest swing, where the brave will free fall 722 feet into the stadium bowl while attached to a harness.

MORE ACTIVITIES AT MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM

Phansi Museum

More than 4,000 artifacts housed in a fully restored Victorian house in Durban represent one of the largest collections of African arts and crafts in the world.

Durban’s Old Courthouse Museum

The Old Court House is the

• ldest public building in the

central business district and bore witness to both the South African Wars and the Bambatha Uprising. It boasts two floors of exhibition space depicting aspects of the region’s early history. .

DURBAN MUSEUMS

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The KwaMuhle Museum

Former headquarters of Durban’s infamous Native Administration Department and the center of Durban’s harsh system of labor control, this historic building has been transformed into a museum that reflects Durban’s urban growth and the history of its residents from a range of perspectives.

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The buzz in this shopping, dining, and nightlife district starts in the early morning at the bustling sidewalk cafes and continues throughout the day at a wide range of boutiques, galleries, and more than 30

• eateries. Some of Durban’s most beloved

restaurants can be found here, offering up a diverse array of cuisines, including Durban’s famous Indian dishes like Bunny Chow, a loaf

• f white bread hollowed out and filled with a

generous helping of curry. After dark, the street’s bars and clubs come to life, earning Florida Road its reputation as one of Durban’s top spots for a night out.

FLORIDA ROAD

At Durban’s Victoria Street Market, the city’s unique Afro-Indian culture is on full display. The current Victoria Street Market was built at the beginning of the 1980s, replacing the famous Indian Market which dated back to 1910 but was destroyed by fire in 1973. Barrels of Indian spices, curry powders, and incense infuse the air of this extensive bazaar where men in their traditional kurtas and women in their saris sell their wares to locals and international visitors. Traditional South African crafts and beadwork can are also available for sale.

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VICTORIA STREET MARKET

Built inside an old Lee Jeans manufacturing plant and adjacent factory buildings, Station Drive Precinct is Durban’s first urban renewal district. Visitors can peruse shops operated by local designers and artists, imbibe in locally- produced beer and spirits at Distillery 031 and S34: That Brewing Company; enjoy The Morning Trade food market on Sundays; and take in the South African-inspired street art. Station Drive is also is homebase for the city’s First Thursdays evening event programming.

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STATION DRIVE PRECINCT

Inanda Valley, Zulu for ‘a pleasant place’, Is where the seeds of the country’s liberation were planted. Inanda is where Gandhi built his Phoenix Settlement; it is the spiritual home of the Shembe religion; the birthplace of John Dube – the ANC’s first president; and where Nelson Mandela cast his vote in the country’s first democratic elections.

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INANDA HERITAGE ROUTE

Mahatma Gandhi spent his formative years in South Africa where he developed his philosophy of satyagraha, a form of active yet peaceful resistance to political

• injustices. The Phoenix Settlement

encapsulating his vision for a community based on self-reliance. Those seeking a insider’s look at the site can arrange for a guided tour led by members of the Gandhi family.

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GANDHI’S PHOENIX SETTLEMENT

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Just a 30-minute drive inland from Durban’s city center lies the green suburbs of Kloof and Hillcrest, edged by the rugged Valley of 1,000 Hills. The area is aptly named as the land tumbles down to the Umgeni River Valley in thousands of hills dotted with traditional Zulu homesteads. The views are breathtaking, the nature reserves are teeming with game, traditional Zulu villages provide an inside look at the region’s rich heritage, and wildlife is abundant. The Valley of 1,00o Hills is a growing destination for adventure enthusiasts, with an array of activities on offer including rock climbing, quad biking, mountain bike trails, and more.

VALLEY OF 1,000 HILLS

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At PheZulu Safari Park, the Gasa clan gives visitors the opportunity to savor the taste and feel the rhythm of the Zulu culture. Inside traditional beehive-shaped thatched huts, visitors learn about the Zulu culture through song, dance, and handicrafts. The park also offers tours of a crocodile and snake exhibit and a 4X4 game drive into the Valley of 1,000 Hills where wildebeest, impala, blesbok, zebra, giraffe, and a variety of bird species can be spotted.

PHEZULU SAFARI PARK

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In the Valley of 1,000 Hills, visitors can dive deep into Zulu culture by visiting one of the traditional villages that dot the landscape. Tours guided by a knowledgeable local delve into rituals and traditions, allowing visitors to meet with the village spiritual healer in his home, have a drink at the local watering hole, and indulge in a traditionally prepared lunch. The Durban Green Corridor is the best spot to get adventurous and connect with nature. Canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, bird and watching can all be arranged.

ISITHUMBA CULTURAL VILLAGE DURBAN GREEN CORRIDOR

On August 5, 1962, police waved down a car on a lonely country road in KwaZulu-Natal. At the wheel was Nelson Mandela, posing as a chauffeur, and his arrest was the catalyst for a series of trials, resulting in his 27 –year imprisonment. Today this site is marked by an impressive sculpture designed by artist Marco Cianfanelli with the help of architect Jeremy Rose. The sculpture creates something of an optical illusion. From a distance, the 50 steel poles of varying heights simply look like a random collection of poles, but as you approach to within 35m of the sculpture, they merge to form an image of Mandela’s face.

MANDELA CAPTURE SITE

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Situated between the city of Pietermaritzburg in the east and the majestic Drakensberg mountains in the west, the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is a beautiful region filled with stretches of farmland, charming small towns, and picturesque scenery. Visitors can embark on the Midlands Meander by choosing one of four designated routes to explore art galleries, craft workshops, conservation areas, farms, restaurants, and more. Nottingham Road is known as the heart of the Midlands and features independent arts and crafts workshops and stores, cozy cafes, outdoor recreation, a wide range of accommodations, and a full calendar of local events. The Midlands region is located approximately 60 – 90 minutes by car from Durban’s city center.

THE MIDLANDS MEANDER

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BIG FIVE SAFARIS, WILDLIFE, AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

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KWAZULU-NATAL

The province of KwaZulu-Natal possesses a one-of-a-kind fusion of raw natural beauty, modern sophistication, cultural diversity, and pulsating energy – all in a breathtaking natural setting. From hiking in the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains to getting up close with stunning wildlife in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and the St. Lucia Wetlands, KZN offers remarkable outdoor experiences are conveniently accessible from Durban’s city center.

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The region boasts pristine beaches and the popular dive sites Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, both

• f which are frequented by large shark populations, with the latter ranked as one of the top shark

diving sites in the world. Birding and nature watching opportunities are abundant at numerous

• reserves. Golfers can enjoy eight courses including San Lameer, rated among the top in South

Africa. The South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, which stretches from Durban south to the start of the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast, oozes laid-back beach charm. Secluded coves, lagoons, and beach walks provide a relaxing way to enjoy its offerings. Its slow place is juxtaposed by some of South Africa’s most heart- pounding adventure activities, from shark diving to surfing, white water rafting, hiking, and bungee jumping the magnificent Oribi Gorge.

SOUTH COAST

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South Africa’s epic KwaZulu-Natal sardine run brings millions of fish near the coast, which in turn attract scores of hungry animals each June, along with divers from around the world. The sardines swim for more than 30 days from their spawning ground in the Cape to reach South Africa's east coast near

• Durban. Scores of fishermen join the

sharks, game fish, marine mammals, and birds that gorge themselves on the shimmering band of silver fish.

KWAZULU-NATAL SARDINE RUN

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Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park lies in the heart

• f the Zulu Kingdom, approximately

150 miles (a three hour drive) from Durban’s city center. Once the exclusive royal hunting ground of King Shaka, the Hluhluwe and iMfolozi Game Reserves were formally established as game reserves in 1895. The “Big Five” – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and both black and white rhino – can be spotted in the park, along with zebra, giraffe, impala, waterbuck, and

• more. The park is the birthplace of

rhino conservation efforts and is home to the largest rhino population in the world.

HLUHLUWE– IMFOLOZI PARK

ISimangaliso Wetland Park, also known as Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park, was declared South Africa's first Natural World Heritage Site on December 1, 1999. Located approximately 145 miles from Durban’s city center, a drive of about two and a half hours, iSimangaliso Wetland Park is South Africa's third largest park and is home to 174 miles of near pristine coastline. The park encompasses an immense mosaic of habitats ranging from marine systems and coastal forests to lush coastal plains and dry woodland areas. Some of the park’s most popular activities include boat cruises on the estuary to encounter hippos, crocodiles, and other wildlife; guided turtle walks, and kayaking.

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ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK (GREATER ST. LUCIA WETLANDS PARK)

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A number of luxury private game reserves can be found in the areas near Hluhluwe- iMfolozi Park and ISimangaliso Wetland Park including &beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve, and Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge.

PRIVATE GAME RESERVES

DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS

Located 110 miles northwest of Durban (a two and a half hour drive) , Drakensberg is a majestic mountain escape. UKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing the cultural legacy of ancient African rock art painted by Southern Africa's earliest inhabitants – the San people. Guided tours are available to explore some of the 20,000 individually painted rock art images. One of the world's most famous choir schools, The Drakensberg Boys Choir School, is based in the central Drakensberg area, and visitors can attend

• ne of their regular concerts. Other popular activities including hiking, white water rafting,

helicopter rides, the visiting the Falcon Ridge Birds of Prey Centre in Champaign Valley.

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Durban and its surrounding areas

• ffer a wide variety
• f accommodation

types to meet the needs of all market segments.

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MARKETING & PR SUPPORT

PHG Consulting builds “buzz” for Durban Tourism through proactive PR and travel trade campaigns, making it easy for you to market Durban to your North American clients. PHG Consulting provides:

• ngoing proactive media outreach
• media FAM trips
• events & roadshows
• tradeshow representation
• industry association representation

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MEDIA COVERAGE

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A S T H E N O R T H A M E R I C A N R E P R E S E N T I V E O F T H E D U R B A N T O U R I S M B O A R D W E LO O K F O R WA R D T O W O R K I N G W I T H Y O U T O B U I L D C U S T O M I Z E D I T I N E R A R I E S T H AT M E E T Y O U R C L I E N T S ’ I N D I V I D U A L N E E D S

Sasha VanDenBosch Account Director PHG Consulting + 646 465 9786 durban@phgconsulting.com