When to fly
Durban has a humid subtropical climate with hot, rainy summers and short warm, frost-free winters. In the summer months of December to February temperatures range from 28 degrees to 35 degrees making it a popular time to visit; In winter the average temperature is between 20 and 23 degrees and cheap flights to Durban are easier to find. The city is occasionally affected by tropical storms and cyclones from mid-November to late April. Trying to avoid these storms is the Prickly Pear Festival in February which is hosted in Nelson Mandela Bay and is a celebration of traditional South African food and drink and draws in large crowds annually.
Durban’s subtropical weather makes it a year-round flight destination. The mild winters (June to August) mean sea temperatures stay warm and the hot summers will not disappoint sun lovers. If you are a horse racing fan, why not book cheap flights to Durban and visit the South African equivalent of the Royal Ascot at Greyville. The Vodacom Durban July is Durban’s most prestigious horse racing event in the horse racing calendar which sees over 50,000 spectators gather to watch first class horse racing, enjoy fine cuisines and admirer national and international fashionistas that are out in full force.
Destination Overview
South Africa’s third-largest city, beachside Durban is a lively, year-round holiday destination. While the beach is certainly the focus for most visitors, the city’s shopping malls, bars and restaurants manage to draw travellers inland.
Dubbed the largest ‘Indian city’ outside of India, Durban fuses African and subcontinent cultures to form a unique sensory experience. Colonial and Art Deco buildings also reflect the South Africa’s European influence.
Located on South Africa’s east coast in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, travellers taking cheap flights to Durban will find even more stunning scenery just beyond the city’s limits. To the north is the bustling coastal town of Umhlanga and to the south the Sapphire Coast, an endless sub-tropical paradise.
In the west you’ll find the Valley of 1000 Hills with its nature reserves and cultural villages. A little further afield lie Big Five game reserves and the mighty UKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park.
Durban is the perfect combination of urban and coastal, providing a holiday with something to surprise everyone. World-famous for stunning beaches like the Umhlanga Rocks, the Golden Mile and the Sapphire Coast, Durban caters for all seaside activities from surfing and kiting through to volleyball and just watching the world go by. If walking on the beach sounds too tame, it is possible to walk across the ocean floor, wearing breathing apparatus. Alternatively, real daredevils might like do a spot of shark diving at uShaka Marine World.
Safety Tips
As with any other major international city, travellers should take sensible precautions. For example, keep valuable jewellery, cameras, smart phones and so forth concealed, especially at night. When travelling in vehicles, keep windows closed and doors locked, with valuables out of sight.