Durban and beyond
 

My husband is attending a conference in Durban at the end of November and I must suddenly decide if I am going to go with him. We'd have a few days to recover and then he'd be at the conference for probably four days. We may be able to extend our trip by another 4 days or so.

This opportunity has arisen only today and I am scrambling as I begin to research, so any and all advice would be appreciated. Will I find lots to do in Durban while we is busy? Any recommendations for good hotels within not too long walking distance from the conference centre? Suggestions for our 4 or so free days post-conference?

Many thanks!

Stay in Umhlanga Rocks, not Durban. Its 19kms north of the convention centre and from there you can fly anywhere for a safari or even Mozambique.

Yours on Safari
Mark

Hi Canadiandreamer,

I am going to do some rehab work in South Africa soon and finishing with a week in Durban. Will be hiring a car and doing lots of little day trips as I am sure there is a lot to do around this area.

I am staying in Umhlanga Rocks as this was recommended to me over Durban as a very pretty area to stay and my hotel is right on the beach. Can't really recommend it as I haven't stayed there but the position looks perfect!

Will also meet up with a few friends for a few days and as they are locals they will have things lined up for to do. Should be a lovely relaxing week after what will be some hard work and sleepless nights I would imagine!

Kind regards

Kaye

Which Hotel in Umhlanga are you staying at Kaye? Since a kid my family have had timeshare there. Its beautiful and very viby.

It is The Oyster Box Mark, such a beautiful position.

Kind regards

Kaye

Thank you all! I have been offline for days and am just seeing your responses and just getting back to planning! Husband really likes to walk to and from conference so I guess it might be the Hilton .. any other suggestions in Durban? It doesn't have to be as close as the Hilton. He's a hearty walker.

Maybe we could make Umhlanga our base for the few days after. I was thinking of a one-day tour at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi. I have some back issues and not sure if I could do more than the one day. Then there's a boat tour at St. Lucia .. MAN I've got to get on this!!

Kaye the Oyster Box looks fabulous .. a little our price-range at first glance, but lovely.

Many thanks for any and all suggestions!

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is wonderful! Try to stay overnight, so you can be out early in the morning to see wildlife. Hilltop camp is like a nice hotel room. (Personally I like the safari tents at Mpila camp better, but that's just my preference.)

The boat tour at St.Lucia is great too. In St. Lucia, the Boat Club is open to the public, and they have good food and drinks, plus a view of the estuary that sometimes includes hippos.

Have a great time!

Celia

Hi Kaye
I thought it was. It is GREAT. I remember it from a little kid years ago and since then it has been redone and is simply Wonderful. A bit pricey though but has excellent High Tea.

Have a Great Stay

Mark

I have talked my husband into staying at Umhlanga Rocks for duration of conference (arriving Nov 22nd or 23rd). We will have a few days to relax, some with a meeting here or there, and then conference begins Tues. and winds up early Friday afternoon.

I am looking for suggestions of things I might do by myself while he is at meetings. As for the time afterward, it's been suggested to me that we'd be better to leave that area and explore the Capetown area , Garden Route, Robbins Island ...

But I am inclined to stay put. I really want us to experience a game reserve and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi sounds great. I was speaking to someone who was there in the spring and went to Kruger as well as Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and we they enjoyed the latter they said there was no comparison to Kruger. Does everybody agree?

We don't want to do any driving by ourselves. And if we stay in the area we really want to see Huluhluwe and St. Lucia. One tour guide is offering a trip to both in one day but that sounds like too much.

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

Susan

Me again! Husband now saying perhaps he could free up a couple of days at the start of the trip. Haven't looked into this yet but if we flew into Capetown .. suggestions for a 2 day itinerary that would get us to Durban by Friday the 23rd?

Still wouldn't experience Kruger but maybe penguins and elephants??

Thanks!

Kaye, I am booked into the Oyster Rocks! I would so appreciate hearing what you enjoyed while staying in Umhlanga Rocks! Wishing you a fun and restful stay.

Susan

Hi - I would do St Lucia before Durban and choose a safari after. Phinda, Tembe and Zululand Rhino Reserve are all nearby. We loved Tembe (lots of fun elephants!) and ZRR (lots of rhino - mostly white, but black, too, plus just got lions and wild dogs visit occassionally from an adjacent reserve) last year - they are both in our price range, but Phinda gets rave reviews.. Hluhluwe is tough if you don't want to drive. You can get drivers to take you to/from the safari camps/Durban/St Lucia. Contact hotels/camps or a travel agent for drivers. Two days, with travel to include Caoe Town, would not be my choice (no elephants, either). With four days after, you could easily do Kruger if you want. Easy flight, probably with a connection through JNB, from Durban.

Tembe is newly renovated and we stayed at Rhino River Lodge in ZRR last year. Would get the self catering accommodations (you don't have to cook or anything, but they were very nice) at RRL. See their Facebook page for some interesting sightings lately!!