Top Durban Day Trips

Explore two countries in one day, without the hassle of planning logistics, on this 4x4 day trip into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Set out from Durban and pass through the exquisitely preserved Victorian city of Pietermaritzburg en route to the World Heritage Sani Pass, a steep pass rising 9,429 feet (2,870meters) above sea level. Once crossing the border (bring your passport), visit a traditional Sotho village filled with huts built around a central area filled with livestock.

Get a comprehensive overview of Durban's highlights and landmarks, with transportation in between, on this full-day tour. Listen as your guide delves deep into the history, culture, architecture, and environment of this South African city. Stops include the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Umhlanga Rocks Promenade, Ushaka Village Walk, City Hall, Victoria Street Market, Durban Botanic Gardens, and others.

Discover the best that Durban, South Africa has to offer on this sightseeing tour through the city. In just a few hours, visit the city’s top sights including the Victoria Street Market, Moses Mabhida Stadium, the botanical gardens, and city hall. You also get free time to purchase a meal or walk around the uShaka Village Walk shopping mall.

Learn about Durban’s history and get great city views at the same time with this luxury boat trip on the Durban Point Waterfront Canals. The tour reveals views of top attractions, and interesting facts about Durban and its famous residents—yet without the hassle of being stuck in crowds. Conveniently, the trip is capped at 12 travelers—which means ample space to sit back, relax, and enjoy the views.

Soak up the magic of Durban’s waterfront by night as you glide down the canals in a Venetian-style gondola. Let the glittering lights of Durban Point Waterfront, one of South Africa’s most celebrated new developments, slip by as you slide below bridges and down elegant waterways. Escape the bustle of the city for half an hour, with plenty to do once you return.

This day safari takes you to KwaZulu-Natal, a coastal province known for its beauty and diverse array of wildlife. The tour has two stops: the African Raptor Center, with over 100 birds of prey, and the Tala Private Game Reserve, home to kudu, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, eland, and other big game animals. Cover both sites in just half a day, a difficult feat to do on your own.

Cruise the Durban Point waterfront on an African gondola. One of South Africa’s most dynamic property development and investment projects, the waterfront is home to  A-list residents, upscale shops and boutiques, and scenic views. Look for marine life in the canal and the many bridges along the route, which make for great photos.

This tour includes 3 nature reserves, Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve, Durban Botanical Gardens and Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve which are 3 gems with different types of bird life and picturesque views, if you are a bird watcher and you are around Durban this is the tour for you.

Step back in time to the days when the British and Zulu were warring against each other on this day trip from Durban. Visit the Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana battlefield sites to learn about the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War that changed the course of South African history forever. You also learn about the events that led up to that war for a better understanding of the country’s history.

Visit the Isandlwana Battlefields, where South African and British Colonial history was made in a major battle, on this full-day tour from Durban. With an historian guide to lead you, you'll learn about the great battle between the Zulu warriors and British troops in 1879. Stop at Rorke's Drift to visit the museum, as well as Buffalo River for lunch and refreshments. Entrance fees and round-trip transportation included.

Spend the day immersed in Zulu culture and African wildlife on this full-day tour from Durban. With round-trip transportation provided on this multi-stop tour, you'll skip the need to rent a car and be able to focus on the scenery during the drive. Stop first at the Tala Private Game Reserve, where you'll see and learn about African wildlife on a game drive. Head next for the Zulu Cultural Village and Reptile Park to learn about Zulu culture and reptile wildlife in South Africa.

Wherever you are in the Zulu Kingdom you are no more than 3 hours from Africa’s iconic Big 5. Today, however, you shall be a whole lot closer. It is a 05h00 start. As you know wildlife, especially predators, are most active around dawn and dusk. The Big 5 Bucketlist Safari gives you the best chance to see the Big 5 on a day tour within KwaZulu Natal. Enter into a Premier Private Game Reserve and meet your knowledgeable ranger. Listen to a briefing on game drive etiquette before you start your 3 hour morning safari. Your ranger will track wildlife while keeping tabs on sightings throughout the reserve giving you the best chance to be in the right place at the right time. This reserve only permits travellers staying at their luxury lodges to traverse the park, unless you’re with us of course. Time for lunch. After lunch we’re heading deeper into the reserve. Embark on another 3 hour game drive focusing on different game. At approximately 16h00 we will depart for Durban.

This comprehensive tour offers an excellent overview of the KwaZulu-Natal region. Stops include the Gandhi statue and City Hall in the capital city of Pietermaritzburg (the largest brick building in the southern hemisphere), the Nelson Mandela capture site statue and Apartheid Museum, and Howick Falls. You will also take a lengthy hike in Kamberg Nature Reserve to view ancient sandstone rock art.

Durban Point Waterfront is known for its canals—which are protected as they are home to over 30 different species of fish. With this pedal boat adventure, get out on the water, exercise, and most importantly—have fun. You can go at your own pace and enjoy an activity that’s great for couples and families alike, as each boat can accommodate two adults and two children.

Spend a day exploring the 19th-century Anglo-Zulu battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. Learn about the history of the battles that took place on 22 January 1879 and then see the landscape on which the fighting occurred.

This is a tour of a lifetime. A 4 x 4 experience up one of the world's most famous passes. Our Sani Pass tour snakes up the mountain and takes you through a scenic valley along a crystal clear river, making for a breath-taking experience. Your personal Tour Guide will fill you in on all you can learn about the history of the pass and the surrounding area. Feast your eyes on the natural landscape that is dotted with many species of wildflowers, creating splashes of vibrant colors.

Townships are part and parcel of life for many around South Africa and Durban has one of the oldest townships of all, the KwaMashu township. What makes this tour so unique is you will have an opportunity to learn about what makes a township and how modern South Africa is dealing with townships today. While visiting the township, you will get to visit the Phoenix Settlement established by Mahatma Gandhi during his time in South Africa, as well as visit the Ohlanga Institute where Nelson Mandela cast the first free and fair election vote in South Africa. Time permitting, you will also have an opportunity to visit the 1860 Museum that records and celebrates the arrival of the Indians in 1860 and learn about how they changed life in Durban for the better!

Today is all about context, immersion and relevance. We will start where all things should, at the beginning. Meet the dancing curator of Phansi Museum who will introduce you to a vast collection of indigenous art and crafts before sampling Pan African Cuisine. Time to head to Isithumba — a living Zulu cultural village. A local resident will help you to explore the village on foot as you begin to understand a different way of life. If the ancestors are kind you may even meet the village chief or the local spiritual healer for an immersive exchange. The Markets of Warwick are our final stop. This curious quarter represents the beating heart of indigenous culture. Meet the Lime and Imphepho Gogos (female elders) and watch them create their goods before you witness the culture shock that is Muthi Bridge or as we like to call it — “Sangoma Central”. Unlock this mysterious place and get a feel for where the culture is heading.

Durban and its surroundings have a lot to offer, but it can be difficult to see without a car. Book this full-day group tour and see the city's key sites plus the PheZulu Cultural Village and Reptile Park. Experience Zulu culture, including a traditional Zulu dance performance, and see crocodiles and snakes. Then visit some of this busy port city's main highlights, including the bustling Victoria Street Market, the KwaMuhle Apartheid Museum, and the Durban Botanic Gardens.

Escape the city and embark on a journey into the rolling hillsides of South Africa's Natal Midlands. You'll venture into the Tala Game Reserve, where you'll have a chance to explore the privately-owned eco estate known for its wildlife and birds. It's the perfect way to enjoy spectacular scenery and African wildlife in a close-top safari vehicle.

Forget the ocean, let’s hunt some vistas. Road trip inland towards the Maloti-Drakensberg World Heritage Site before arriving at the rich emerald Giants Castle Nature Reserve. Meet our Anthropologist, Dr Jeremy Hollmann, who’ll help you unlock this mysterious and interesting place. Dr Hollmann will guide you through the rugged terrain to the Main Caves and delve deeper into the anthropology of the SAN people. At Main Caves you will have a chance to take in the exhibit which depicts SAN/Bushman as they are thought to have looked and lived. Tuck into lunch at the Nottingham Road Brewery (own cost) before journeying along the Midlands Meander. Visit to the internationally acclaimed Ardmore Ceramics where you can expect an exhibition of creativity. Finish the day with an iconic stop at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site for a peek into South African notorious history and a bucketlist photograph.

Take a hassle-free day trip to Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KawZulu-Natal province, on this small-group tour from Durban, limited to 11 people or fewer. Visit the site where Nelson Mandela was captured, learn about traditional Zulu culture, and more on an 8-hour excursion from the city.

Enjoy a half day tour focusing on KwaZulu-Natal’s diverse wildlife. Only a 50 minute drive from Durban the tour is a relaxed day tour for the Safari enthusiast who doesn't want to travel too far. Your local qualified tour guide will share their knowledge and experience, educating you about South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal.