I think this may be one of the most common questions I get asked on any tour; so, what else is there to do in Durban? It’s a question I love to answer because there are so many activities you can do in Durban, so many that I wrote about them here. But today I’m going to share my tips on 8 day trips from Durban.
Quick Links
- Visit the famed Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve.
- Spend a day hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains.
- Explore marine life on the south coast.
- Cruise the St Lucia estuary.
- Visit the Kingdom of Lesotho.
- Walk the battlefields of Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana.
- Experience the extreme zipline at Lake Eland.
- Visit Tala Game Reserve and enjoy a Zulu dance show.
All of the day trips listed here, you can do mostly by yourself; so if you happy driving on the left-hand side of the road and navigating our roads, then by all means, get out and explore but if you would prefer the convenient services of a tour guide, then get in touch.
*Please note that at most sights you will need to pay an entrance fee, please have cash as not all sites have the ability to process credit/debit cards, and the trip into Lesotho will require a visa.
The Detailed List: 8 Day Trips from Durban
Here is the detailed list on 8 day trips you can do from Durban, there are of course many more excursions you could arrange, these are just to whet your appetite.
1. Visit the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve
The oldest proclaimed game reserve lies just 2,5 hours north of Durban. Jump into the car (or book a safari day tour with us) and take the N2 north.
Leave early, like around 6am and stop on route for breakfast. You should be arriving at Nyalazi Gate at around 9am. Spend the day viewing animals in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve until it’s time to leave; in summer that would be at 7pm and in the winter months, 6pm.
Take it easy on the roads to and from the gate as there are often cows, goats, dogs and children. Lunch can be enjoyed in the park or pack a picnic and enjoy at a picnic bench.
2. Spend a Day Hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains
At over 180 million years old, the Drakensberg Mountains (uKhuhlambe in Zulu) offer spectacular views and even wildlife viewing opportunities for the fit and even almost-fit.
Roughly 2,5 hours west of Durban lies the town of Underberg. Here, two easy to get two sites offer great hiking opportunities; there are the trails at Cobham which form up part of the Giants Cup Trail, as well as Giants Cup Reserve and Garden Castle Reserve.
Further north you can enjoy hiking with a purpose and walk up to the Bushman Paintings, there are two options here, either easy walk to the Main Caves at Giant’s Castle or you can slog it out to the Battle Cave at Injusthi; either of these options can be booked with me as well.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure you pack for all types of weather and you inform everyone where you’re going and when you think you’ll be back – far to many people get lost in the mountains every year to take a chance.
3. Explore the Marine Life on the South Coast
The meaning of a “safari” is a journey to view animals in their natural environments. Well thanks to a coastline that stretches around 3000km (1800 or so miles), not only can you view land based animals, you can also check out the aquatics as well.
Head south of Durban for around 45 min and you’ll end up at the picturesque seaside town of Umkomaas (named after the nearby river)where you can book a trip out to Aliwal Shoal and swim with the sharks.
Yes, I did say swim with the sharks. Whilst swimming about Great Whites is not a great idea, you can swim around many other species without coming to harm. Don’t believe me? Well not only have I done, but I still have all my appendages as do 10’s of thousands of swimmers over the years.
Not only will you get to check out species such as Tigers, Hammerheads, Zambezi’s and more, but you’ll also have a chance to see Giant Turtles, Sting Rays, possibly even lumbering whale!
There are a number of dive operators that offer this experience so get in touch with me and I’ll assist you in booking.
4. Cruise the St Lucia Estuary
This is another of those day trips from Durban that you could easily self drive but going with guides will make life a little easier.
Leave Durban nice and early (7am at the latest) and head north on the N2 – there are 3 tolls so make sure you have cash or a credit card. About 2 hours later you’ll see the turnoff to St Lucia and about 30 min later you’ll be in this small holiday town.
Take a drive into town and book yourself a 2 hour estuary cruise with one of the many tour operators in the town and enjoy an amazing cruise on the estuary viewing hippo, crocodile and birdlife.
Once done, head to the crocodile park for a stroll around this prehistoric looking beasts and then head into town for lunch at one of the many restaurants. Finish the day off with either a stroll on the boardwalk to the beach or do a late afternoon game drive through one the game reserve.
This day is a full 12 hour day or so, but worth every minute.
5. Visit the Kingdom of Lesotho
This is an amazing day trip from Durban that does require that you take a passport and possibly arrange for a visa. This trip can be a self-drive to the pass, but you will need to 4×4 to ascend and descend the pass and a fair amount of experience; this is one of those times that it’s best to book with a tour operator.
Leave Durban at 6am and head west of Durban for around 90 minutes and then take the “Underberg” turnoff before Howick. Then it’s an hour from there; stop for coffee at Boston and check out their delicious pies (seriously, they are the best I have ever had).
Once in Underberg, transfer to an official tour operator and begin the exciting 4×4 climb into Lesotho. Cross into the country and get that passport stamp and then enjoy a tour of the nearby Basotho village followed by lunch at the highest pub in Africa.
After lunch head back down, you’ll be dropped off back in Underberg at around 3:30pm and then take a nice easy drive back to Durban.
Please note that depending on your nationality you may need a visa and you certainly should book with a tour operator (we like Roof of Africa).
6. Explore the Battlefields of Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana
Heading out to the battlefields of Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana is really for the enthusiast (check out our tour options). It’s a 4 hour drive from Durban (which is still closer than from Johannesburg) but it does take you through some of the most beautiful landscapes you’ve ever seen!
Depart north along the N2 from Durban, it’s best to get going by 6am. Take the Eshowe turnoff (R66) and keep going until you get to Melmoth. Stop for a comfort break and fill up with fuel here. Then back on to the road and turn off onto the R68 which will take you the rest of the way.
There is an entry fee to both sites, but it’s really affordable at around R120pp depending an age and nationality; it’s best to take cash as often the card machines can’t pick up a signal.
Lunch can be had at the Rorkes Drift Cafe (take cash) but personally I would take a picnic and then buy drinks for the cafe. It’s a fantastic day out driving along beautiful landscapes that not many people in South Africa get to see all that often.
7. Zipline at Lake Eland
Head down south of Durban to Oribi Gorge where you’ll find Lake Eland and the “x-treme” zipline. I did this in March of this year and it was an amazing experience.
On arrival you’ll pay your entry fee and then take a short drive where you can check out some Zebra, Wildebeest and Impala on the way to the zipline start.
Pay your money, receive your safety briefing and then get strapped into your safety gear. After that you’ll hook up onto the zipline and begin your 4.5 km zipline race to the lake. It is such a thrill!
Once done you’ll be driven back to the top where you started but before you go, take a drive about 500m meters past the zipline start and take a walk on the suspension bridge for the requisite selfie (I did).
Though not one of our established tours, you can get hold of us and we’ll together some options for you.
8. Visit Tala Game Reserve and PheZulu
So this is one of the most popular tours we offer, especially during cruise season when guests are looking for shore excursions.
Head west of Durban on the N3 and look for the Camperdown turnoff. Turn left onto the R603 which will take you directly to Tala Game Reserve.
This is small reserve but it punches above it’s weight with fantastic views of the landscape and the wildlife. No big 5 animals here (except for the African unicorn) but loads of smaller antelope as well as hippo and giraffe.
Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it at the picnic site, if it’s hot then you can take a dip in the swimming pool as well. After lunch head on out back to the Valley of a 1000 Hills to PheZulu Safari Park.
4 Times a day the local Zulu performers put on an energetic dance show depicting the traditional courtship of the Zulu people. There are specific show times so it’s best to check out the PheZulu website.
After the show take a tour of the crocodile and reptile park and then you can head back to Durban, a full day ticked off!
That’s All Folks!
So that’s my recommend 8 Day Trips from Durban. There are still many more options for visitors in Durban, from checking out Rain Farm, Monkeyland, microlight picnics, ballooning the list really does go on and on.
Durban is one of the best places to visit in South Africa so make sure you spend some time exploring all there is to do in Durban.