Do Durban differently

No visit to Durbs is complete without the iconic experiences like the Moses Mabhida Big Rush swing ,a trip to the top of the stadium in the SkyCar, a Segway tour of the Golden Mile, and  a visit to uShaka. Also mandatory is a swim in the sea, a meal from Afro’s Chicken and a good bunny chow.

But there is more to Durban than what you see in the tourist brochures, check it out and get inspired to do Durban differently.

Beset Durban

Beset means engaged in Afrikaans and Beset Durban is run by a group of passionate locals eager to get people out and about in their city. Experience a Durban sunrise with a crowd of locals on a 5km run, walk or crawl along Durban’s promenade. Anyone can join in, meet at Bike & Bean on the promenade at 05h30am on a Monday morning. The best way to start your week and get insider tips from locals.

First Thursdays

First Thursday’s Durban style is a unique experience. Held in the Station Drive Precinct this event offers art exhibitions and flea markets, live music and if you are lucky there could be salsa sessions and Bollywood dance classes.

Plan your next visit to Durban around this monthly event. Details on the Station Drive Face Book page.

The Durban Point Waterfront

The rejuvenation of this area next to uShaka Marine World is an ongoing project, but locals and tourists alike are loving this space.

The Chairman is an upmarket Jazz Lounge and cocktail bar. They describe themselves as a place that stimulates the imagination and bends all rules and inventions. Proper trendy, this place is a must visit.

For a more casual outing and the best craft beer and burgers Robson Brewery is the place to be.

Ciao Bella is getting a reputation as the best Italian restaurant in town, booking is recommended.

Meet people from all over the world at the chilled rooftop bar at Happy Hippos

Feel the sounds of Africa

Let the music take over your soul as you create awesome bass beats on a Djembe drum at the African Drumshack.

The Drumshack is part of the Stables Lifestyle Market Complex, where you can enjoy a huge variety of food stalls, antique books, trinkets, coffee, tattoo parlours and almost anything else you can imagine.

Click here to see a full list of stalls available. Djembe Drumming Classes take place every Friday evening at 18h30 and 20h00 and on Sunday afternoons at 15h30 and 17h30.

Explore the past

Kwa Muhle Museum

Get an idea of the history of this town with a visit to the Kwa Muhle Museum . The building is a superb double story, union style structure built in 1928.

Exhibits include reflections of township life and the history of  trade unions and cultural organisations.

Embrace the ocean

Go deep with Aliwal Shoals Diving situated in Umkomaas, about 50 km south of Durban.

Learn to surf with Living the Dream Surf School. The Durban climate makes surfing an all year round activity and these guys say that if you can swim and do a push up, you can surf. They provide everything and you will have fun.

Retail therapy

Du Confidence Designs. Dudu is a very talented clothing designer. From 1st November she will be found at shop G03 at uShaka Village Walk . Presently you can find her garments inside Le Glam Luxury Hair Salon at 77 Musgrave Road. She also does pop up sales at various markets, find details on her Instagram.

Her clothes are designed to make real women of all shapes and sizes feel and look beautiful. She will even make to measure. Her clothing has a distinct African feel and she has a great eye for picking the best style for your shape. Trust her and try on whatever she suggests. Her clothing is well made and garments range between ZAR 200 and ZAR 600 offering real value for money. Dudu herself is a lively, inspiring woman, so do have a chat with her.

Did you know?

The international Mercer’s 19th Quality of Living survey ranked Durban as the best city in South Africa and 2nd best in Africa.

Check out the best hotels in Durban on SafariNow and discover this underrated beach city now.

Weather. The humid, sub-tropical climate sees the average daytime temperature at 24 to 28 degrees C with 70 -80% relative humidity.  The temperature drops to around 20 degrees at night.  Summer rains are welcomed as they do not last long and cool things down slightly.

Getting there.  King Shaka International Airport has daily flights from all major South African cities.

This post is a collaboration with Safari Now. Opinions as always, are my own.