Top Family Attractions in Durban

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, is a great place for the family to enjoy a getaway. With a bucket full of top family attractions in Durban, your holiday is bound to be filled with fun activities, laughter and family bonding. From wildlife to restaurants, we’ve created this list of our favorite family attractions in Durban to guide your adventure.

A helpful list of top family attractions in Durban

Above: uShaka Marine World aquarium. Photo by Crystian Cruz

uShaka Marine World

Arguably the top family attraction in Durban is UShaka Marine World. A haven for families. There are lots of things to do for both kids and parents in this popular park. Why not visit the exquisite aquarium, featuring sea creatures of all sizes and breeds? Watch dolphin and seal shows that are guaranteed to entertain both you and your kids. UShaka Kid’s World was designed especially to accommodate children and has Africa’s biggest jungle gym, an enormous sand pit and kids entertainment shows throughout the day. Finally, the Wet n’ Wild Park has a range of fun-to-terrifying waterslides and pool adventures to keep the entire family thrilled for hours. It is located on the beachfront in central Durban. It’s no wonder it’s dubbed one of the best family attractions in Durban.

Tala Game Reserve

Tala is just outside of Durban, a short 40-minute drive away, and offers families a self-drive safari experience. It’s incredibly affordable and your family will get to see wildlife such as giraffe, zebra, kudu, springbok, eland, and even rhino. There is a fantastic picnic area where you can braai, plus a big swimming pool, so you and the kids can cool off under the hot Natal sun. If you’re looking for wildlife attractions for the family, Tala Game Reserve is the way to go.

Roma Revolving Restaurant

A restaurant an attraction for the family in Durban? Yes! Eating out has never been this exciting. Take the whole family on an adventure, thirty-two floors high, the Roma Revolving Restaurant is the only revolving eatery in the Southern Hemisphere. While you sit at your table, it turns a full 360 degrees in the space of an hour, allowing for unparalleled views of the center of Durban. The cuisine is Italian, so there is something to suit every taste, young or old, and the dessert tray is simply magnificent.

Umhlanga Beach

Umhlanga Beach (pronounced um-shlang-ga) is probably Durban’s most pristine beach. Guarded by lifeguards and shark nets, you and the family can enjoy a safe and leisurely day in the warm, blue waters of the Indian Ocean. It’s one of the cleanest in Durban and popular for swimming, body-boarding and surfing. 

Sky Car at Moses Mabhida Stadium

The Moses Mabhida Stadium was Durban’s official football stadium during the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa and has continued to be a major attraction to holiday makers. It’s one of the best-looking sports arenas in the country, and trips are available to the top of the trademark arch, which stands over the structure. There’s a motor-powered “skycar,” or you can climb the arch wearing harnesses. Although, we don’t recommend climbing for young children as it can be quite tiring. The top of the arch offers a 360-degree view of the centre of Durban and is a must-see for all visitors to the city.

Midmar Dam

If swimming in the ocean isn’t your thing, visit Midmar Dam for a fantastic day of sunlight and lazing by the waterside.  It’s popular as a swimming destination, as well as water sports such as lake-skiing, wind-surfing, canoeing, kayaking, speed-boating and tubing (in restricted areas).  The dam is located approximately an hour outside of Durban, offering you a getaway from city life. Camping facilities are also available at a minimal cost.

Mitchel Park Zoo

This spectacular park in Durban is sprawling with beautiful gardens of colorful flowerbeds and offers the whole family a day of fun with a variety of animals. These include birds, buck, crocodiles, ducks, monkeys, peacocks, raccoons and wallabies. There is even a hundred-year-old tortoise called Admiral, who was donated to the city in 1915. Now that you know about the family attractions in Durban that await, it’s time to hire a car, book accommodation, and go. If you need to hire a specific vehicle during your trip to Durban, you might want to look into having some wheels to get around. Car hire Durban would be the best place to start looking.