Province of KwaZulu-Natal Travel Forum

Help please, does anyone know or stayed here ,it looks very good but there is very little info on the net about it so any info would be welcome.

In February we're intending to visit folks in Johannesburg following which we'd like to make our way to the Battlefields and do a safari. Would be glad of any help/suggestions of best way of doing this i.e. should we fly out to Jo'burg but return from Durban? Would the tourist train from J to D be a sensible option as not really keen to drive such a distance? We could take up to 10 days for this trip so should have time to take in another 'port of call' i.e. Durban or the mountains or anywhere else we should see while in this part of the world. Would car hire and booking own accommodation be a sensible option from Durban?
Many thanks.

Hi - we are thinking of flying into Richards Bay from JBurg this December in order to base ourselves there for a few days before driving down to Durban. Is anyone aware of this being an unusual way to get to Durban? Is it safe to drive down this part of the N2/are there any issues we might face driving to Durban?

Thanks in advance
Tamara

How would you rate this Hotel? Will it be too humid in January for a good holiday?

We are planning a 3 week holiday in Pennington in January/Feb 2010. Have heard that it is very wet and humid at this time of year, is this true and could we still have a good holiday?

Great news with the ticket application, I got 3 x tickets for 5 different matches in Durban. Myself and two friends will be staying in Durban for approx 2 weeks and I have a few questions.

1. I assume the city centre is a place to avoid, what suburbs or nearby places are safe? (for example, I've heard Umhlanga Rocks is the place to go??)

2. Is Durban getting any special activities etc to help entertain the 1000's of extra visitors?

3. Any pictures of the new stadium?

Thanks for your help. looking forward to it already.

Hi, I'm thinking about a trip to KwaZulu-Natal in October this year. I've enjoyed two previous trips to other parts of South Africa so have a little knowledge of the country. What I would like to know is, would October (or possibly stretching into early November dependin on when we can get flights) a good time to visit the area.

Any comments much appreciated, regards, robin

Hi,

Im hoping to travel to KwaZuku-Natal this october-november. I'll actually be working in one of the rural hospitals out there with another friend (also from england). Im really looking forward to it but then I've just heard so many horror stories about muggings, rape and being held at gun point. How common is this really? I dont want to cancel my trip but if necessary I will. Im from london which arguably is dangerous too but I dont want to be mugged or held at gunpoint. I will also be travelling along the east coast for a bit to and probably in and around durban.

Is there any advice from other travellers/locals?

Thanks

Hi, I am in Durban for 6 weeks. I have come alone from india officially. I want to see places like Durban city, Ushaka marine world, Drekensberg mountains, National parks, beaches etc. during the weekends. Are there any scheduled tours that allow single travelers? I dont want to take a cab and go alone as it would become expensive. Any help?

Hi, we are cruising to South Africa and one of our stops allows us to go to a game reserve for the day. The choices we have are Thula Thula game reserve and Hluhluwe-umfolozi park. Can anyone tell me the difference between these two parks or which one might be better. Thula Thula is more expensive to visit, is this because it is a private park or is it better? Any help would be appreciated.

Hi

Can anyone advise on reasonably priced hotels or B&Bs in Durban, preferably the Musgrave/Berea/Florida Rd area?

Thanks!
JJ1

Hello everyone,

I'm a female moving to Pietermaritzburg for 5 month starting February and I was wondering if there's a good gym in town.

Thanks!

My husband and I (both mid fifties)are thinking of travelling this July/August in the KwaZulu-Natal region - flying into Durban and then touring by car visiting such areas as the Drakensberg Mountains, the Zulu battlefields, the Game Reserves in the north of the region and the Wetland Parks to the east.
The big question is - is it safe for us to travel alone? I quite understand that Cape Town, and the Garden/Wine routes (where we have been before) are geared up for tourists and that travel elsewhere may be a different matter altogether! I have read some rather dubious reports of Durban, particularly the beachfront areas after dark and it would seem to be advisable to choose accommodation in the suburbs instead of the seafront.
Otherwise are we okay driving ourselves from the airport? Is it safe hiking in the Drakensberg mountains? Are we safe driving on the roads to the battlefield sites or Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Park? Or do tourists tend not to go to these regions unless on guided tours?
I know I seem paranoid but having read of car-jackings, muggings etc.+ having read some of the postings on this site I am beginning to have serious doubts! I would really appreciate some information on the advisability of our proposed trip.
We are both reasonably "streetwise", living in Brighton, England and both teaching in large comprehensive schools!
Thanks, Alison.

hi
Me and my friend will be doing a medical elective in one of the hospitals in durban from 22 june for 5 weeks. We will be requiring a place to stay for this period. Ideally near the city centre. As we are both students the cheaper the better... but also safety is important. Can anyone recommend anywhere and perhaps rough prices?
Thanks

Hello VT.
I am from europe and will spend in Durban the next week end, 12 to 14 of Dec, I've never been before in Durban and don't know nothing. If somebody like to stay with me in Durban to go around or take a beer pls contact me.

Hello!
I am a female American student who will be studying abroad in Pietermaritzburg, UKZN next semester. I am very excited to go but I am a little bit concerned about safety. I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on this issue. Do you consider Pietermaritzburg to be a safe place? What are some safety precautions that you recommend I should take take?

Also, any other information on what I should do in my free time, where I should eat etc. is welcome.

Thanks!

I have tried every number listed on every website link for Cheetah Coaches but they just ring. The e-mails I send are being returned. Have these guys gone out of business?

How about few drinks or even a VT meeting in July? Date is not set yet but I will let you know when it is all booked.

I am travelling alone to INDABA as a representative of www.oakgrovefarm.co.za and Overberg Tourism and Stanford Tourism from the Western Cape. I wish to meet up with travel and tour operators and any other interested parties. My personal focus is also on www.stanfordbirding.co.za with the Stanford region being accredited as an Important Birding Area.

I'm from the UK, looking to stay for 2 weeks near Durban with my mother & daughter; my mother is visiting her brother there but me & daughter will be holidaymakers. I've seen what looks like a great place to stay on the southern side of Umdloti; it's practically on the beach and me & my daughter think it looks fun. My mother says it will be dangerous, esp at night - she is thinking of muggings etc not snakes.

Pls can anyone let me know how realistic this view is? I've Googled the place & it looks quite sleepy; there are only 570 refs to "crime umdloti" compared to + 300,000 for "crime Jo'burg" & nothing for "car jacking". I think she's over-reacting.

help - I don't want to stay in a gated bungalow in Durban when I could be staying in a beach house on the Indian Ocean!!

thanks in advance
Siobhan

Are there in Durban's beach sunloungers and beach-umbrella for the tourist?
If yes in which part of Durban?In front of what?
Thanks

I'll be flying into Durban for the weekend of March 15/16, staying at a guest house in Musgrave. I was not planning to rent a car for this visit, since it just seems like more trouble than it's worth for such a short stay.

With no car, what kinds of activities could I think about for Saturday? I have read tons of VT tips, but I'm not sure what would be appropriate. The aquarium is a possibility, but I prefer to do more outdoor, wandering-around type stuff. Are there cool areas of Durban that I could grab a cab to and just walk around and sightsee? The Botanical Garden sounds interesting, but I don't know where it is or if I can get there with no car.

Also--it seems like I am getting there in the height of the rainy season. Should I be expecting massive rain on these days? If so I might just stay in my room! :-)

Follow our visit to the Hluhluwe Park we want to go to the Boar War sites around Ladysmith. From what I have read, they are difficult to find and a guided tour is recommended. Does anyone know if it is possible to join a group tour rather than do it on an individual basis. Thanks

Val

We are spending a week in the Durban area any suggestions which Safari Park is the best to visit and is it better to go on an organised safari or self drive?

Hi, I'm moving to Durban from the U.S. next week, and I'm wondering what sports bars, cafes, etc. I can go to that will show American football games (ESPN or such). I'm especially desperate to find somewhere to watch the Superbowl. I've searched the internet over and haven't found anything yet. Any advice?

Hi
Going to Durban in January...Any tips on what to avoid ie. food and places. Also, is there any poisonous insects/snakes to watch out for daily. Will also be going to Zulu land for 3 days, so any insects/snakes etc to stay away from or look out for?/

Thanks a mil!

Hi Guys, Travelling to Durban next week. I left SA with my mother in 1971 and in 2006 made contact with my Dad (and extended family) while visiting I would like to take them all for a meal. They live near Estcourt, any recommendations would be appreciated, there will be kids as well as grown ups. Thanks in advance, Mungo66

Hi Guys

I'm flying over on Saturday for 2 weeks what kind of weather am I in for.

Thanks

Mazza

After trawling the web for ages I have given up trying to find distance/direction guides. Any locals who can advise which way to go - ie is it best to go all the way back up N2, or is there a quicker way to achieve our journey?
Thanks

I've been reading all the questions posted here about life in Durban and South Africa in general and I saw that at least 80% are about: how dangerous it is?
this is my question also: How dangerous? can we live a normal life over there? I know we have to be realistic, nowhere is safe after all....but I read so many bad things...so many.....I am terified that my finace will decide to go and work in Durban and I do not know if we should go after all. Please give me an idea, because I am very conserned and I do not know where to turn to. Thank you so much.