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A day out

Durban

A short drive north brings you to Durban: a perfect day out with children, whatever the weather.

Entrance to uShaka Marine World, Durban

uShaka Marine World

A big aquarium, water slides and sea life up close. Plan a full day.

Durban beachfront and promenade

The beachfront promenade

A long walkway by the sea for scooters, bikes, ice cream and people-watching.

Shady avenue in the Durban Botanic Gardens

Durban Botanic Gardens

Shady lawns for a picnic, ducks to feed and room to run.

Want more ideas, events and opening times? See Cabana Mio's map of KZN and its area guides.

Plan the day in Durban

Durban is about half an hour up the N2. Leave after the morning traffic, park once, and choose one big outing and one small one rather than four.

uShaka is a full day on its own; the aquarium side is a good plan for a rainy day. The Natural Science Museum and the Botanic Gardens are free, and Mitchell Park has a small zoo and a playground.

Older children can try a beginner surf lesson at Addington Beach, and the Victoria Street Market's spice stalls are an outing in themselves. The Umgeni River Bird Park, north of the city centre, has exotic birds in walk-through aviaries.

Pack a cooler bag, hats and a change of clothes, and aim to be home before the late-afternoon traffic heading south.

Open the family map

Drive times from your duplex

  • uShaka Marine World
    Aquarium with a shark tunnel, Kids World and a water park. Good with children · Animals & nature · Rainy day    25 min · 30 km
  • Durban Botanic Gardens
    Lawns, a lake with ducks and space to run. Free. Good with children · Animals & nature · Free    24 min · 28 km
  • Durban Natural Science Museum
    Dinosaurs, a dodo skeleton and African animals, free, inside City Hall. Good with children · Rainy day · Free · Animals & nature    23 min · 27 km
  • Mitchell Park
    Small zoo, aviaries and a new playground in a garden park. Good with children · Animals & nature · Free    27 min · 30 km
  • Umgeni River Bird Park
    Exotic birds from around the world in walk-through aviaries; daily guided tours. Good with children · Animals & nature    28 min · 34 km
  • Victoria Street Market (spices)
    Durban's Indian market: spice stalls downstairs, crafts and fabrics upstairs. Rainy day    21 min · 26 km
  • Surf lessons (Addington Beach)
    Beginner group and private lessons with approved instructors on Durban's gentle beach. Good with children    26 min · 30 km

By road, without traffic. Each place checked as open in October 2026; check opening times before you go.