Date : 22nd March 2025
Travelled : 120 NM from Richardโs Bay to Durban ย
Visited : Durban ย
Stayed : Holland Americaโs Zuiderdam
Walking into the crows nest this morning at the usual time to find the Zuiderdam has already berthed. So a few quick pictures of the Durban skyline and the port, pictured below. The weather is warm but the humidity has dropped a little.
It was only a relatively short sailing distance overnight from Richardโs Bay.
Durban is South Africaโs third largest city. Situated on the east coast in the Bay of Natal. Wiki tells us the city reflects its African, Indian and colonial heritage. Vasco da Gama spotted this section of coastline in 1497 naming it Natal.
Today we plan to visit the city with two other couples from Sydney. Apparently the local police visited the ship early this morning advising tourists to do their exploring of the city in groups, do not to walk alone. Very reassuring ! So over breakfast we formed our gang, having noted Uber works here in Durban weโll use that as required.
Having puts some flags on Google maps based on the โPort Talkโ we take our first Uber (cost A$9) to Saint Emmanuel Cathedral. We arrived to find the cathedral locked, asking a security guard he disappeared to reappear with a Nun who kindly let us in, some pictures below.
Literally just around the corner is Victoria Market, from apples to offal itโs the place to be.
The Victoria Market leads us into the Indian quarter and its surrounding streets lined with shops of every description almost all with a stall on the footpath, so itโs slow going.
Suddenly we emerged from the Indian district as the surroundings change leaving the crowds behind. The West Street Mosque and some street scenes pictured below. Note the vans on the corner.
Durbanโs public transport is based on mini-vans wizzing along the streets constantly sounding their horns. Doesnโt seem to be any rational on where theyโre going or how much it costs but people wave their arms and clamber in, so we presume it works.
Our next stop is Durban City Hall, with its green copper domes. Built in 2010 in the Edwardian style it is a virtually copy of Belfast City Hall. In the park fronting the hall a statue of Queen Victoria. Being Saturday, city hall is closed but the museum on the first floor is open.
The museum featured African art but we found the natural science museum fun. It was also cool and spacious and easy to wander. Anyway itโs the closest we will get to the big 5 on this trip.
Time for another Uber (A$4 this time) to Durbanโs beach front known as the โGolden Mileโ. By this time weโre all tired and hungry so itโs more about a late lunch and a relax. We spot a likely looking hotel with a bar overlooking the beach and there we settle.
Full of pizza we walk the beachfront for a kilometre. Apart from the surf, there are a series of swimming pools lining the beachfront as well.
The beach was patrolled which was a little surprising. The flags seemed very close together for the hundreds of people in the water.
Done with the beach itโs another Uber (A$3 this time) back to the Zuiderdam.
That was our day in Durbanโฆ
Michael + Pam
One thought on “Durban, South Africa ๐ฟ๐ฆ 2025”
Good friends of ours come from Durban way and live here in Esperance. When they went back last year they were very sad how everything is detiriating.
Great report
Safe travels Johannes โค๏ธ