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Durban — travel, stays & events guide
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Durban city overview
Durban is a city in South Africa shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Airport baseDurban King Shaka (DUR)
Known forDurban, Key city in South Africa, Durban planning base 3, Durban planning base 4
Population~595kcity context
RegionSouth AfricaSouth Africa
Time zoneAfrica/Johannesburglocal time
Founded100historical origin
City history
Archaeological evidence from the Drakensberg mountains suggests that the Durban area has been inhabited by communities of hunter-gatherers since 100,000 BP.
He named the area Natal, meaning "Christmas" in Portuguese. Abambo people In 1686, a ship from the Dutch East India Company named Stavenisse was wrecked off the eastern coast of South Africa.
On 28 October 1689, the galiot Noord travelled from Table Bay to the Bay of Natal to fetch the surviving crew of the Stavenisse and to negotiate a deal for purchasing the bay.
A formal contract was drawn up by Laurens van Swaanswyk and signed by the chief of the Abambo people, with the crew of the Stavenisse acting as translators. First European settlers By 1822, James.
On a return trip to the Cape in 1823, they were caught in a severe storm and decided to risk the Bar and anchor in the Bay of Natal.
The modern city of Durban thus dates from 1824, when the settlement was established on the northern shores of the bay near today's Farewell Square.
During a meeting of 35 European residents in Fynn's territory on 23 June 1835, it was decided to build a capital town and name it "D'Urban" after Sir Benjamin D'Urban, who was the governor.
The force arrived on 4 May 1842 and built a fortified camp that was later known as The Old Fort.
On 4 May 1843, Britain annexed the Natalia Republic after prior negotiations with Voortrekker leaders, annexing Natal eight days later.
In 1844, Natal became a district of the Cape Colony under a lieutenant-governor. Durban's historic regalia When the Borough of Durban was proclaimed in 1854, the council had to procure a seal for official.
The crew became fluent in the tribe's language and witnessed their customs.
Farewell & Company entire and full possession in perpetuity” of a tract of land including "the port or harbour of Natal" and land extending 16 km (10 mi) south of the Bay, 40 km.
Only six of the original eighteen would-be settlers remained, and these six can be regarded as the founders of Port Natal as a British colony.
Zulu-Voortrekker tensions led Governor George Thomas Napier, fearing the loss of Port Natal, to dispatch a force under Captain Thomas Charlton Smith to establish British rule in Natal.
Worth seeing
Durban
Durban is a practical Durban planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Key city in South Africa
Key city in South Africa is a practical Durban planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Durban planning base 3
Durban planning base 3 is a practical Durban planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Durban planning base 4
Durban planning base 4 is a practical Durban planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Durban planning base 5
Durban planning base 5 is a practical Durban planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Durban planning base 6
Durban planning base 6 is a practical Durban planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Durban before booking Durban hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Durban by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Durban, South AfricaFlights & airports
Durban King Shaka (DUR) arrival plan
- Durban King Shaka (DUR)Durban King Shaka (DUR), Durban
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Rental cars
Durban day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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