Durban Warnings Or Dangers

By international standards, there is never a bad time to visit Durban. However, there are certain times of year when it is less advisable to visit - either because of the heat and humidity, or because of pressure of numbers which drive up transport and accommodation prices, as well as contributing to major traffic congestion.

The first guiding principle is to try and avoid Durban during school holidays, when it is besieged with local tourists. Consult the following website for details, but particularly aim to avoid the long summer holidays over the Christmas period (from 16th December to the first week in January) :http://www.kwathabeng.co.za/travel/south-africa/destinations.html?lh=http%3A//www.kwathabeng.co.za/travel/calendar/school.html

Secondly, Durban hosts the Comrades Marathon - the world's biggest ultramarathon, which takes place on 16 June each year (see my travel tip). The town is absolutely packed with lunatic sports fanatics over this period, so best to steer clear unless you intend to participate or feel obliged to collect the mortal remains of your loved one at the finish line!

Climatewise, the heat and humidity in Durban is at its worst during January and February. I can't comment objectively on this, as this is my absolute least favourite type of weather, and I cope very badly with this particular combination, but I am reassured by friends and colleagues that even by their (more robust) standards, Durbs is not at its best over this period.

I have met many European tourists who seem to think that the area by Ushaka and Happy Hippo ,because it is better lit, is safe. THIS IS NOT TRUE. Just a block away there was a murder of a man from Johannesburg and I know many people who have had close calls with muggers. A serial rapist who has terrorized Durban frequented the Ushaka area looking for women who were alone or in pairs. You probably think that the whole crime thing in Durban is exaggerated. I thought so as well until locals corrected me. PLEASE-Don't take any chances, take a Taxi back to your accommodation at night and don't wander around alone or in unfamiliar areas. A taxi will cost you less then a trip to the ER because someone aggressively mugged or attempted to rape you. If you play it safe, you're Durban experience will be great!

Whilst each traveller/tourist is their own individual person with their own comfrot zones and security consciousness, I would advise to avoid Durban city centre.

Most tourists I have spoken to have felt very vulnerable in this area as it can be very overwhelming. I visit Durban reasonably regularly as my father lives just outside Durban near the Valley of a Thousand Hills and we never go to the city centre as such.

The only time we go to Durban is to visit the flea market at the amphitheatre on the sea front which is well worth a visit, otherwise, we stay well clear of the city centre.

I have heard so much of the danger in South Africa and in particular in Durban. Well, I guess it is mostly true, in our case our local host inform us exactly where we can go and where it is relatively safe. In short, if you do not know where you are going, stay inside and don’t go look for adventures here.

Before going to South Africa (Umhlanga, Durban) I looked on the net as South Africa seemed to have a very bad rep and I was to be honest quite worried so now I have been I thought I would post my thoughts.

I loved it.

I stayed in Umhlanga which is a nice place just outside Durban. I am 25 and I was with my partner and we stayed with her gran.

We hired a car and I felt extremely safe driving, I did keep the doors locked but I didn’t feel threatened.

People do sell stuff at traffic lights but I just waved them on to the next car.

A lot of people say about withdrawing cash at the ATM’s but I didn’t have any problems with this, but would advise people not to do it at night and usually people can tell which areas would seem dodgy and what wouldn’t. Perhaps leave it until you are in a shopping mall.

Everything is reasonably priced and there are car guards to watch your cars when you go to restaurants etc, just pay them about 2-5 rand (so about 50p-£1).

We did venture to North Beach in Durban and to Ushaka Marine World in Durban and again it’s a bit down market from where we were staying but still I didn’t feel unsafe. The roads are busy and there are many lanes, just pay attention.

My main tips are to be vigilant but DO NOT WORRY! Have a good time.

When you take the bus from the airport to downtown, as soon as you step out of the bus you will be mugged. Get ready for it. When you go to the beach, the "beach kids" will sweat you then mug you. Be ready. The beach areas are very nice but just be ready for that mugging

We were recently (August 2007) in Durban for an international conference. Our hotel was on the south beach and we were warned by our hotel porters not to walk anywhere. Being skeptical we walked the 6 or seven blocks to the ICC (convention center) several days with no problem. Then on a Sunday morning at 9:30 am, as three of us were waiting at an intersection for a light to change, out of nowhere my husband was jumped by a young black guy who knocked him to the ground and tried to get his wallet. As my husband takes the precaution in big cities to keeping his wallet in a front pocket giving the pocket a twist, the guy could not get the wallet out. In the meantime, I was yelling and hitting and kicking at the mugger and my husband was trying to hit and push him off. Fortunately a man came out of his shop and pulled the guy off and he and his two companions who were waiting nearby for him to toss the wallet all ran away. There were at least 10 or 12 people...all black Africans who stood around watching the mugging and made no move to help. Later we learned that at least 9 or 10 conferees had also been attacked during the week in the vincinity of the beach hotels and the ICC, some at knifepoint! After our attack, we took conference shuttle busses and taxis everywhere and felt like prisoners in our hotel and the ICC. We will never go back to South Africa.

as a mother of 2 teenage boys,2000 after relocating from cape town,i have had lots of trouble keeping these girls of my boys soon as we arrived in durban.luckily i had made them aware of all these natural thing since an early age.and THANK GOD they listened .now naturaly ud say thats what all mums do BUT.
BE WARNED.these girls here no matter what race,are all just out to get ur money.some even have the odecity to come up straight n tell u they pregnant just to trap the boys/men.once u fall 4 the trick u end up paying maintenance 4 some1 else kid n u have endless problems with her entire family.this specialy happen in the indian communities.the girls are not allowed 2 go out with diff races but its ok 4 them 2 screw up ur life long as the entire family benefit.they are taught 2 beg from a early age if the family is poor.some of them even work as escorts in brottles or 4 the nigerian on the street.all just for drugs being full of aids sleeping around.
drive down victoria embankment or city centre (specialy the wheal area )at night n ull see plenty hanging around (ALONE)but beware the druglord/pimp are watching u.those little sweetheart at home are either daddys young wifes or involved with a married man.some mothers/daughters even have affairs with the same man.so be carefull all tourist.take a hint.
1.DO NOT GET INVOLVED WITH THESE NICE SWEET LOOKING THINGS.U WILL BE VERYYYYYYYYYY SORRY THE NEXT DAY WHEN UR ROBBED,STABBED,GANGRAPED & DRUGGED UP IN SO ALLEY,SO BAD ULL NOT KN UR NAME.THATS IF UR ULL LUCKY 2 BE ALIVE.