Category Archives: Durban

5 Amazing Holiday Experiences in South Africa

With soaring mountains, barren deserts, dense woodlands, modern cities and incredible wildlife, South Africa is one of the most interesting countries of the world.

durban-Beach

Not surprisingly, millions of travellers fly to different parts of South Africa to unravel the many gems it holds. Take a look at some of the country’s most potent charms.

Wildlife

South Africa is home to over 230 different types of mammals, 175 endemic species of birds, and different reptiles and amphibians.

wildlife

The African elephant, lion, Cape buffalo, black rhino and leopard are the major draws in the country when it comes to wildlife. While most safari tours operating daily offer small excursions, a few guided tours take you deep inside the forest and allow you to spot wild creatures in their natural habitat.

Beach

With the Indian Ocean on one side and Atlantic Ocean on another, South Africa, unsurprisingly, boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Hobie Beach, Bloubergstrand, Durban North Beach, Camps Bay, Margate and Cape Vidal are among the popular beaches here. Apart from sunbathing or enjoying some quiet time on the beach, you can explore the underwater marine world and enjoy adventure water sports such as surfing. Mossel and Sodwana Bay are among the famous snorkelling and diving sites. The beautiful landscape in the background is sure to impress you as well.

Wine

South African wine is easily among its most famous exports. Owing to the perfect soil type and moderate climatic conditions, the country produces some of the finest wines in the world. Sémillon, White Blends, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir are among the popular wines produced here. In fact, South Africa has produced over 100 different types of wines over a period of 10 years. Wine tasting events, festivals and wine making tutorials and tours to the nearby farms and vineyards are organised regularly.

Cuisine and Delicacies

Much influenced by the indigenous herbs and spices, food in this tropical country is a delight that must be enjoyed. Biltong & droewors (a traditional South African beef snack), boerewors (sausages), Mala Mogodu (tripe served as a stew with hot pap), Bobotie (spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping) and Tomato Bredie (South African stew made with mutton) are among the must try dishes here.

Culture

Known for its cultural diversity, South Africa is home to numerous ethnic and tribal groups. Preserving a major chunk of the country’s history and heritage, these groups offer visitors a glimpse into their customs and traditions. The Zulu tribe and the Xhosa community are among the oldest ethnic groups here. For the ones willing to learn more about the ancient culture and practices, village tours and guided trips are organised regularly.

Spectacular Surfing Spots Across South Africa

sports

South Africa is a popular tourist destination for beach bums and surfing enthusiasts due to its nearly 3000 kilometre coastline famed for waters with great swells and waves. It has become a Mecca of sorts for the high adrenaline water sport – surfing! The fact that the sport has become an important part of its culture is an added advantage for surfers visiting the beaches to collect some great surfing memories. Some of the most stunning surfing spots across the country are mentioned below. So go ahead and book your flight to enjoy surfing.

Jeffrey’s Bay

Jeffrey’s Bay is a world famous surfing spot in South Africa. Surfers from all over the world visit the spot to surf on its consistent tubes and supertubes waves. The place also hosts the famous international surfing event, the Billabong pro surfing challenge at Supertubes every year.

Gansbaai

The popular fishing town of Gansbaai, which is located in Southern Cape, is a good and less crowded surfing spot in the country. Just watch out for the Great White Sharks. The waters around this town offer some big waves.

Dungeons

The Dungeons is a famous surfing spot for seasoned surfers. Beginners should best leave this spot alone! The spot offers huge waves and swells that categorises it as one of the ‘big wave’ spots in the world.  The swells and waves it creates can reach as high as 15-30 feet. Body surfing is another popular activity here.

Durban Cave Rock

This is the place to head to if you want to surf alongside the locals. This welcoming surfing spot comes alive with locals and foreign surfers particularly during the months of April to September each year. The place is ideal for experienced surfers and is frequented by the braver local surfers used to its swells and waves.

Eland’s Bay

This fantastic surfing spot, the Eland’s Bay, has everything to make it a surfer’s paradise. There are some reasonably priced hotels and guest-houses and a campsite for backpackers and picture-perfect beach beauty. Summer months are the best time to visit the place to surf on fine waves and swells. Only experienced surfers should surf in its waters.

Long Beach

The Long Beach is well-known to offer some of the country’s best and most consistent shore breaks. The beach is quite popular with surfers as at some spots it offers small to medium swells for beginners and less experienced surfers as well as huge swells for the more experienced and daring surfers.

Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty in Durban is a popular surfing spot, which offers waves and swells for all levels of surfers. The waves here are consistent on most of the days at most of the times. Surfers can choose a spot according to their comfort levels and enjoy world class surfing experience.

Witness Hilton Arts Festival – An Event to Celebrate Theatrical Treasures of Durban!

Witness-Hilton-Arts-Festival

Performing arts is an integral part of South African culture. For theatre lovers, September is the time to book flights to Durban and be a part of the Witness Hilton Arts Festival! Durban is celebrating this grand event since 1991, and in 2014, this four-day event is scheduled from 18th to 21st September at Hilton College. Take your pick from various genres – comedy, drama, cabaret and music – to name a few. Tickets for all shows are available on official website. Besides numerous theatre plays, the fest also boasts attractions and activities for various interests. Here are few prominent highlights of The Hilton Arts Festival.

The PerSPECtive Art Exhibition

This spectacular art exhibition is an incredible opportunity to admire captivating creations of 50 artists with varied specialties and skill set. You can take a look at magnificent oil paintings, pottery work, photography and wild life drawing. The artistic vibe of the event is enhanced by live music scene. From 19th to 21st September, you can listen to soothing melodies of popular bands from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of South Africa.

Craft Market

If you are looking for a prized memento, this market cannot be ignored. Around 150 crafters from various regions will sell high quality handmade products at this market. One can easily find numerous innovative Christmas gifts here. Craft Marquee is easily accessible from The PerSPECtive Art Exhibition and Bell Tower. Travellers with kids must spend some time at Topsy Turvy Kids Area. Hit Peanut Butter and Jam sandwiches whenever you are hungry! Few popular crafters that are participating in this Durban event are Ardmore Ceramics, Aladdin’s-De-Light Studio, Groundcover Leather Company and Sterling’s Wrought Iron.

Free Workshops

Every attraction of this event does not require tickets. There are several workshops where you can participate for free and learn several new things while mingling with people of various ethnicities. ‘Skills in Performance’ is a popular workshop for actors and musicians. This workshop starts at 1315 hrs on Friday. Travellers, who have already disembarked flights in Durban, can also consider being part of Every Little Step and The Difference between an Actor and a Pizza.

World’s Top Food and Wine Shows No Connoisseur Should Miss!

Food and wine are two things that complete the essence of a satiating gastronomic stint. Several food and wine shows take place in various parts of the world where epicureans get an opportunity to taste and appreciate the lip-smacking local delicacies coupled with well-aged wines. If a foodie resides in you, it’s time to explore the aromatic and scrumptious magnificence of these renowned food and wine shows.

Good Food and Wine Show, South Africa

Food-and-Wine-Shows

Cape Town, Gauteng and Durban are the three most notable cities for tourists booking flights to explore the grandeur of South Africa. And all of these cities host Good Food and Wine Show, every year. In other words, you get three chances annually to gorge on South African delicacies and sip wines of varied flavours. If you have missed the first two shows in Gauteng and Cape Town, you can still catch up with the exhilaration of the Durban Show. You just need to book flights to Durban for the month of October as this event is scheduled from 24th to 26th October, 2014.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

This is one of the most iconic food and wine events not only in Victoria but in the entire Australia. Since 1993, this annual festival is enticing several gluttons from across the globe. To experience the effervescence of this event book tickets aboard flights to visit in February-March. In 2015, Melbourne is celebrating this fiesta from 27th February to 15th March. The event features several international chefs representing their unmatched cooking and serving skills. Moreover, several plush hotels and snazzy restaurants participate in this event.

Food and Wine Classic

Food & Wine Magazine is among the most celebrated magazines for the gastronomes in the USA. Every year, in the month of June, the team of this publication heads to Rocky Mountains in Aspen, Colorado along with several foodies and wine experts. This event features several workshops, dinners, wine tasting competitions and a never-ending party. Yearning to be a part of this feast? Seek availability of tickets to be there at Aspen between June 19th and 21st, 2015.

Three of the Top Durban Attractions You Cannot Miss

What makes Durban one of the top destinations in South Africa; one that holidaymakers scramble hard to grab hold of flights’ tickets for? Well, being the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban has a smorgasbord of interesting things to perpetually keep its visitors engrossed. Whether it is the beautiful botanic gardens that are renowned for rich flora or the scenic valley of 1000 Hills, the city never fails to draw the attention of its visitors. Though Durban is brimmed with things to do and see there are few attractions that are a must visit for a perfect holiday. Here is a quick peek into just three of them.

The Valley of a 1000 Hills

The Valley of a 1000 hills is a magnificent place that can spellbind any kind of holidaymaker with its sheer beauty. Unexplored nature, scenic views, great hospitality at amazing places around to wine and dine – this place must not be missed on a trip to Durban. Steam train trips from Kloof station to Cato Ridge on the weekend is one of the most popular attractions here.

uShaka Sea World Aquarium

Sea-World-Aquarium

Are you on a family holiday with kids? There is no better place than the Sea World Aquarium to have a great experience with family. There are a number of water-based activities that are sure to delight you. If you have a love for ocean’s most ferocious creature – the shark, the Sea World offers a shark cage experience and you can feel the adrenaline pumping as you are lowered in an enclosed cylinder into the huge shark exhibit. Other attractions like Ocean-walker experience and Snorkel lagoon remain the hot favourite.

Moses Mabhida Stadium

Moses Mabhida Stadium by Mohammed Moosa / CC BY

Moses Mabhida Stadium by Mohammed Moosa / CC BY

Moses Mabhida Stadium is a must visit for those who are seeking adventure and fun. The thrilling Skycar ride leading to the top of the arch is your ticket to view Durban like you have never done! Walk five hundred fifty steps to the sky platform on the Adventure Walk or take a guided tour of the stadium for guaranteed and unmatched fun. Moses Mabhida Stadium takes your Durban experience to the next level and is simply loved by sport enthusiasts who wish to get the most out of their trip to Durban.

Ideal Time to Visit Durban – Gateway to KwaZulu Natal

Durban

Durban is one of the most popular holiday destinations in South Africa and visited by hordes of tourists every year from all over the world. Featuring exotic beaches, dense rainforest, historical lures, cultural museums, rich wilderness and fantastic scenic marvels – Durban entices many holidaymakers who reserve flights bound for South Africa, to take a visit here. Apart from the tourist attractions, the pleasant weather and the never-ending festive season of Durban add to the popularity of Australia flights arriving here.

Being a southern hemisphere city, Durban enjoys Christmas in summers and Easter in autumn. Foreign tourists boarding flights to enjoy a memorable holiday in Durban during summers i.e. from end of November to March are advised to make an early reservation on flights as well as hotels to avoid the last minute rush. Due to Christmas and school holidays Durban witnesses the maximum tourist influx during summer. Moreover, many holidaymakers, especially epicureans are found to search for lucrative deals on flights arriving in Durban, during February when Prickly Pear Festival takes place.

Food lovers are often found to struggle for good deals on flights disembarking at Durban in the winter months as well. The Good Food and Wine Show is one of the key reasons behind the high demand of flight tickets during May. Besides, most movie buffs purchase tickets aboard Durban bound flights in the month of July to participate in Durban International Film Festival. Additionally, the relatively cooler weather of the city allows sightseeing and other outdoor activities.

During the autumn and the spring months, i.e. from April to May and from September to November, Durban features a moderate climate. However, many culturally inclined tourists, especially people having an interest in poetry can reserve flights to the city in October for participating in the Poetry Africa Festival. If you enjoy music, drama, dance performances and other forms of arts, November is the ideal time to visit Durban. But, travellers contemplating holidays here during these months should keep in mind that the destination receives maximum rain shower in spring and autumn.

Book Cheap Flight tickets to Durban at https://www.traveltrolley.co.uk/flights/south-africa/durban/

Top 3 Cheap Eating Joints in Durban for Budget Travellers

Durban, the vibrant metropolis of South Africa is one of the most popular holiday destinations among nature lovers buying tickets on flights to this Rainbow Nation. But apart from the scenic beauty, Durban has a passion for food and this has been noticed in every nook and corner of the city. There is a wide range of restaurants scattered everywhere in the city, suitable for various tastes and pockets. Budget holiday makers’ spending money on tickets for flights landing in South Africa, will find numerous choices to indulge in its culinary offerings. Here is a guide to three of the most popular restaurants that promise fantastic eating experience without burning a hole in the pockets of the foodies.

Top-3-Cheap-Eating-Joints-in-Durban-for-Budget-Travellers

Max’s Lifestyle

Epicureans booking tickets on SA bound flights and visiting Durban with a desire of having the mouth watering barbeques would do well to visit Max’s Lifestyle. Located at Umalzi, this restaurant serves traditional dishes of South Africa at a reasonable price. Besides, locals as well as international tourists often visit here to enjoy the warm hospitality with a unique experience of traditional ‘Kaise’ (township culture). If you are a music devotee, drop in any Sunday to groove at the Sunday Session.

Taco Zulu

If you are a food lover as well as a party animal, Taco Zulu is the perfect place for you to head to. Located in the heart of Durban, this Mexican grill’s dishes not only satisfy your taste buds but also refresh your soul. Though it’s famous for Tacos and other Mexican dishes you will get pizza, salads, burgers and other options as well. This cost effective eatery offers great deals on orders throughout the week and organises various events to make the customers happier.

Beach Cafe

Not exactly a traditional café, located at the North Beach, this orange umbrella covered eating joint serves lip-smacking sea-food. A perfect place for shoestring travellers buying tickets on low-cost flights to Durban to visit this wonderful city in South Africa, the Beach Cafe perhaps offers the best snacks including fish and chips at the price.

Top 3 Museums That Draw Tourists to Book Cheap Tickets to Durban

Cheap Tickets to DurbanWith an avalanche of mesmerizing sights and inspiring modern amenities, Durban has always lured tourists from far and wide to book cheap flights tickets to this enchanting South African city. Durban is considered a heaven for shopaholics; it offers ample of opportunities for relishing in the best of retail therapy. Besides, this city has fascinating beaches galore and attracts beach fanatics to invest on cheap tickets to Durban all year-round. But if you think that this leading metropolis of South Africa has got nothing to offer to a historian, you’re clearly thinking on the wrong lines! Durban has panoply of intriguing museums that catch fancy of hordes of history-enthusiasts who grab tickets for cheap flights landing in the city.

Here is a quick check into the best museums in Durban:

Killie Campbell Africana Museum

Considered as one of the most visited museums in Durban, it houses the valuable heritage of Dr. Killie Campbell. There are scores of galleries that exhibit various books, photographs and pieces of Zulu art, and offer the visitors a virtual tour of the history of the Zulu’s and Natal. Stunning pieces of furniture and precious sculptures are also stacked here.

Opening Hours

Tuesday and Thursday – 8am to 11pm

Natural Science Museum

All those taking Durban flights and have a penchant for African wildlife and the desire to closely examine it would be left spellbound and completely amazed at this museum. It enjoys a hefty collection of animal taxidermies, stuffed birds and giant insect replicas, and gives the visitors who spend on cheap tickets to Durban a clear idea about Africa’s rich wildlife.

Opening Hours

Monday to Saturday (8:30am to 5:00pm, Sunday and Public Holidays (11:00am to 05:00pm)

Kwa Muhle Museum

This museum offers a picture of the troubled Apartheid era in South Africa and is a must-visit for all the history lovers making reservation for tickets on flights landing in Durban. It chiefly accommodates art objects and paintings, which describe the harsh life of the city during changing times.

Opening Hours

Monday to Saturday – 8:30am to 4:00pm, Sundays and public holidays – closed

Four Reasons for Tourists to Grab Flight Tickets to Durban

Durban, nestled on the magnificent Indian Ocean seashore in South Africa, is a city of poetic natural charms, rich appealing culture and awe-inspiring cosmopolitan delights. Its pleasant mix of attractions which range from fascinating beaches to excellent museums and grandiose colonial buildings to swanky hotels, never fails to charm travelers who reserve cheap tickets to Durban.

Cheap Tickets to Durban

If you too are planning to book tickets on flights to this leading metropolis of South Africa, here are 4 reasons that will make you gloat over your decision.

St Emmanual Cathedral

Situated in the heart of Durban, this magnificent edifice is a big draw for culture enthusiasts who grab tickets for Durban bound flights. It is one of the oldest and largest cathedrals in South Africa, and houses a number of treasured items from its past. Historical and religious significance of this place is highly coveted.

uShaka Marine World

This 16 hectare theme park leads you to a unique world of entertainment and excitement. Get up close with some of the most exciting marine creatures, touch and feed a dolphin and experience some great village cultures – it goes without saying that visiting the uShaka Marine World is an experience of lifetime for all those arriving on flights to Durban.

Durban Botanical Gardens

Another heart-warming attraction which is a big lure for travellers seeking flights with cheap tickets to Durban is the Durban Botanical Gardens. It stands out with its entourage of numerous fascinating and rare species of flowers and plants. The place is a heaven for bird-watchers too, as numerous colourful birds call the garden their home. Tranquillity and serenity are omnipresent at this fabulous place.

Kawa Muhle Museum

his evocative and graphic apartheid museum offers the best peek into local art, history and culture. Situated at 130 Ordnance Rd, Durban, this museum conjures up a vignette of the South African struggle against apartheid and showcases the culture/tradition of its indigenous people.