Durban Travel Forum

I am thinking of coming to Durban for 4 or 5 days later in the year but i keep reading about crime there is it so bad ?

HI Graeme, the crime is as bad (or not) as in any city. Wherever I am travelling I am always cautious (try not to look like a tourist), dont go wandering about at night etc., and use my common sense. You will be fine, enjoy it! :)

Durban city centre can be quite daunting. Personnally, I'd look to stay somewhere on the outskirts of Durban. Well, when I go over, I stay at my Dad's which is in Waterfall and is on the edge of the Valley of a Thousand Hills which is really beautiful and there's plenty to see and do in that area. When travelling with my friend a couple of years ago, we stayed at a fantastic country house motel just outside Mooi River which is also quite near Durban (in the great scheme of things). Can't remember the name off the top of my head but it was a stud farm as well and had its own farm shop. We paid R250 for a twin room at the time. Umhlanga is really nice too.
As with many places in South Africa, the city centre is where the crime is at its worst (with Jo'burg being a no go city centre no matter whatever anyone says). Lived in the country for 10½ years, been back in the UK 14 years but visit SA every 2 - 3 years to see family and friends in Jo'burg and Durban.

Gilly, I studied for 4 years in Eloff Street at Wits Technikon and altho not somewhere I would frequent at night, and not recommended for tourists (unless with a guide), it is very interesting to see the city of Joburg culture and can be very interestng to visit. Just gotta keep your wits about you :)

Just got back to Cape Town after a week end in Durban - stayed at the Balmoral Hotel on the beach front and it was the first time in years that I've felt totally safe there. A few streets back from the beachfront might still be a problem but we avoided that as there was nothing that drew us there. There is a very visible police presence all over the beachfront area and they seem to have crime pretty much under control.
My biggest gripe is being harassed by people trying to get you to buy time share or whatever they call it nowadays. We were approached by no less than a dozen of these people in one day.
Yea - basically I think the touristy areas are okay but as mentioned earlier - be streetwise as you would be in most cities.

Hi,
Crime in Durban is not as bad as crime in Jo'Burg which is under reported by the western media.Whites are a clear target all over S.Africa.
parts of the landscape are ya like wow.
Just be very very careful,both in urban areas and in tje bush around townships where muti(murders for the obtaining of body parts is very much alive).The victims are usually animal but South Africa has about 200 cases of human deaths per year.
The victim has to be alive whilst the body parts-eyes,heart etc are removed.
Look it up on the web ..and please be very very careful.

crime is very very bad.if you are white be extra vigilant