Luxury Durban Tours made for you
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A multicultural coastal city with a sub-tropical climate
The largest city in the KwaZulu-Natal region, Durban is a cosmopolitan hub on the east coast of South Africa. Here, you can ride the waves at world-class surfing spots. Unwind on sandy beaches lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean along the Golden Mile. Admire Art Deco architecture, visit modern art galleries, and stroll around Africa’s oldest surviving botanical gardens.
The city has a rich Zulu heritage, which you can learn about on a private tour with a local guide. Durban is also home to the largest concentration of people of Indian descent outside India. This influence is evident in both its culture and its world-renowned Indo-African cuisine. Visit Victoria Street Market – the oldest in the city – to browse a wide variety of African and Indian artwork, crafts and street food.
As well as being a destination in its own right, Durban is a convenient gateway to the wider province of KwaZulu-Natal. Head out of the city to explore the towering basalt buttresses of the Drakensberg Mountains. Listen to a local guide bring history to life at the Battlefields. And go on safari to see the Big Five in nearby game reserves.
Experiences picked by our South Africa safari specialists
Stroll the Golden Mile at dawn
Take a walk along the promenade in the morning to see the sun rise above the quiet sands and warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Eat bunny chow in Victoria Street Market
In Victoria Street Market, explore the spice stalls before sitting down to a proper bunny chow – Durban’s signature curry served inside a hollowed-out loaf.
Visit the Station Drive Precinct
Spend a relaxed afternoon in the Station Drive Precinct, hopping between craft breweries, casual eateries and design-led spaces in converted industrial buildings.
Take a Durban history tour
Learn about Durban’s Zulu heritage at sites like the KwaMuhle Museum, or head out of the city to visit the historic KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields with a local guide.
Explore the Drakensberg and iSimangaliso
Stay in Durban as your gateway to KwaZulu-Natal, pairing the Drakensberg’s mountain trails with the wildlife-rich iSimangaliso wetlands.
Luxury accommodation in Durban
There are many incredible places to stay in Durban. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Safari expertise
Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.
Unforgettable guides
We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.
Positive impact
By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.
Discover more of South Africa
Cape Town
Vibrant and beautiful, Cape Town is an essential stop on any South Africa trip. Table Mountain dominates the skyline and offers exciting outdoor pursuits while the streets below are full of history, culture and buzzing bars and restaurants.
Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg mountains are an epic and exciting place to visit. Huge tabletops, massive ranges, ancient san rock-art sites and crashing waterfalls can be explored on hikes, exhilarating zip lines and expedition horse rides.
Eastern Cape Safaris
South Africa’s Eastern Cape continues to win visitors over with its pristine coastline, accessible and malaria-free wildlife reserves, picturesque villages and surreal hinterland landscapes.
Johannesburg
South Africa‘s ‘Big Apple’, this sunny city is not only one of the world’s largest urban areas and South Africa’s commercial and economic hub, it’s also been branded the new capital of cool.
KwaZulu Natal
Known as the ‘Kingdom of the Zulu’, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s most north-easterly coastal province, quite literally has it all.
Limpopo Province
Known as ‘The Great North’ Limpopo is characterised by majestic scenery, ancient landscapes and millions of hectares of protected land. There are numerous outdoor activities including some of the best horse riding safaris in the country.
Luxury Rail Travel
Luxury trains cut through dramatic landscapes, enjoyed from the comfort of stylish carriages. Any journey through South Africa will be a beautiful one and taking the journey by train delivers a wonderful sense of calm or romance.
Madikwe
Madikwe, in the northwest corner, bordering Botswana and the Kalahari desert is a hidden gem for safari-goers. A great spot for families with little children as there are malaria-free areas.
Phinda
Phinda is a private reserve offering exclusivity, conservation-lead hospitality and exciting wildlife encounters. A varied collection of habitats attracts plenty of wildlife and with its proximity to the coast, beach and bush combine perfectly.
Pretoria
Located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, this handsome city is one of South Africa‘s three capital cities. Pretoria is made up of grand buildings, large, leafy green suburbs and wide, tree-lined streets.
Sabi Sands
A private reserve spanning 600,000 hectares and boarding the game-rich Kruger Park means safari experiences here are exclusive and full of wildlife. A place of leopards and wild dogs, luxury lodges and endless savannahs.
The Garden Route
The Garden Route is a place of magnificent natural beauty. The coastline is made up of small bays, beaches and quaint towns. In the distance rolling, green hills and forestland runs down to meet the coast, laden with marine life.
The Kalahari
The Kalahari showcases the massive diversity of the country's landscapes. Unique desert species roam the arid plains, waiting for the rains to bring dry land to life with a flurry of desert flowers.
The Kruger
A world famous national park, and for good reason. The wildlife in the Kruger is abundant, the big five reside here in large numbers. The park is home to many luxurious lodges for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.
The Western Cape Mountains
The Cape Mountains span the northern and southern capes, taking in the Cederberg mountains and most of the Karoo plateau. A perfect place for jaw-dropping road trips on the famous route 62 and all just a convenient distance from Cape Town.
The Whale Coast
On the Atlantic shoreline of the western cape there’s a beautiful collection of bays, towns and villages. Whale watching boat trips can be arranged to spot southern right whales and evenings are spent in fine restaurants and stylish hotels.
The Winelands
Pretty towns and villages punctuate the green rolling hills of South Africa’s Wine Region. Home to fantastic wine, restaurants and plenty of outdoor activities that make the most of the stunning landscapes.
Meet your Africa team
When to visit Durban
The best time to visit Durban is between May and September. During these months, the weather is usually sunny, mild and dry, with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 26°C. Summers (October to March) tend to be hot, wet and humid.
Sightseeing
May–September
Beach
April–May and September–November
Hiking and safari
May–September
Plan your trip to Durban
Whatever you want from your adventure in Durban, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Ask our experts
How many days should I spend in Durban?
We recommend spending three days in Durban to give you time to see all the main sights. If you’re using the city as a base to explore the Drakensberg Mountains and wider KwaZulu-Natal region, you may wish to stay longer.
Can I combine Durban with a Big Five safari and the Drakensberg?
Yes, it’s easy to combine Durban with a safari and time in the Drakensberg Mountains. You can reach the Drakensberg by car from Durban in about three hours. And there are several game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal where you can see the Big Five. Alternatively, combine your stay in Durban with a safari further north in the Kruger or Sabi Sands.
How far in advance should I book a luxury Durban holiday?
We recommend booking your luxury Durban tour six to twelve months in advance. This is especially important if you want to travel during peak holiday periods like December and January.
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
