Around Durban

December 1957 was known as Black Week. On the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, there were seven shark attacks, five of them fatal.

The consequence of these attacks was the formation of a body to research sharks and to develop measures to prevent a recurrence of the attacks.

There are more than one hundred species of shark in the waters around South Africa, from the pygmy shark to the whale shark and including the great white.

Want to know more about these feared denizens of the deep? Visit the Sharks Board, the only organization of its type in the world. Every day there are demonstrations, talks and shark dissections.

There is an audiovisual show and a curio shop (08.00 - 16.00). The Board is just up the hill from the centre of Umhlanga. Don't miss it - educational yet exciting.

You can also book to go out with the Sharks Board boats at dawn when they check the shark nets that keep Durban's beaches safe.

Despite the efforts of the Board, around 80 dolphins end up in the nets each year and the Board is actively engaged in developing shark deterrents other than nets, possibly electromagnetic.

The Sharks Board also run morning tours to watch the humpback whales that migrate to these waters. Contact them for details (see Beachfront)
Open: Mon - Fri: 08.00 - 16.00
AudioVisual Show Times: Mon: 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00
Tues Wed Thurs: 09.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00 15.00
Dissections after 09.00 and 14.00 shows. First Sun of month: 14.00 (incl. dissection).

Apart from the 7000 crocs that the farm is home to, you'll discover snakes, caimans and other reptiles. There are also bush trails, treetop walkways, croc shop and a restaurant that serves croc steaks.

The reserve is located on the largest remaining pristine swamp near Durban. Feeding takes place on Sundays at 15.00. Children may hold a snake or feed the duiker.

PheZulu means 'high up' and the safari park is high up the hills above the Valley of a Thousand Hills.

Only 30 minutes from Durban, step into the heart of Zulu traditions. In a typical Zulu village of beehive huts, you can experience the Zulu way of life, watch sangomas (witchdoctors and traditional healers) and watch Zulu dancing.

There is also a traditional lunch available for visitors. Show times: 10.00, 11.30, 13.30 and 15.30.

Hundreds of great Nile crocodiles, snakes and other reptiles. There is a curio shop and a restaurant where you can partake of traditional African cuisine.

For more on the Thousand Hills Tourism route, go here.

Feed small animals, ride a pony and go on a tractor. There is also a playground and a tea area.

Find yourself in traditional Zulu rural countryside only 40 minutes form Durban. Nagle Dam is located underneath Table Mountain at the bottom of the picturesque Valley of a Thousand Hills.

The road to the dam winds down the side of the Valley through pretty countryside (especially when the aloes are in bloom (June). The road is effectively a cul de sac but there is a dirt road at the dam that will take you to Wartburg.

There are toilets, picnic and braai facilities at the dam. Well worth a visit.

The Dam is being developed as a 3500ha wildlife reserve and currently houses zebra, impala and duiker.

On a peninsula on the dam Msinsi Lodge is a six bed self catering lodge. There are also sundowner cruises on the dam. There is also a conference centre.

The dam is north of Durban near Verulam and offers facilities to enjoy watersports, both internal combustion driven and wind driven.

There is a nature trail, toilets, plenty of shady trees, room for the kids, braai stands and zebra and widebeest. There are also 22 caravan and camp sites.

Chug along from to Inchanga with a picnic stop at Kloof.