African Train Safari Destinations

Durban was once South Africa's busiest port. It is still the country's third largest city and principal port for general cargo. Built around a superbly sheltered bay and mile after mile (four in fact) of exquisite beachfront. the bay is the outstanding feature, a vast sweep of water, protected by the Bluff, a low wooded headland. The town is named after Sir Benjamin D'Urban, governor of the Cape Colony from 1842 -1847. The city is the centre of the country's Indian community, most of who are descendants of indentured labourers brought over from India to work on the sugar estates in the 19th century. When their contracts terminated they were given the choice of returning to India or staying on to farm here - most stayed. The city sprawl continues north up the coast, across the Umgeni River, to the resort town of Umhlanga Rocks and inland to the Berea Heights, a range of hills, with wonderful views of the city and surrounds.

Like the Zululand coast to the north, Durban Bay, and surroundings were also submerged 100 million years ago. The waters of the Indian Ocean eventually receded to reveal the bay and its two promontories, the Point to the north and the Bluff to the south. Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama sailed past this bay on Christmas Day 1497 and, to celebrate the occasion, named the region Terra do Natal ('land of the Nativity'). The first white men to walk the beaches, which centuries later would attract thousands of holidaymakers, were survivors of shipwrecks along the coast.

Durban has an English seaside feel about it too. Rickshaws on the Marine parade, superb shark protected beaches, a number of museums and cultural sights, the beautiful Botanical gardens are but a few of the city's many charms.

Durban, contrary to popular belief, is not the capital of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, although the biggest provincial city, and the third largest in South Africa, population approximately 3 million and growing.

Labels: African Collage, Durban Safari, Golf Safari