THE TEKWENI TRAVEL INFO CENTRE

DURBAN CITY TOURS

OUR LOCAL GUIDE  TAKES YOU FROM TEKWENI ON LOCAL TRANSPORT AND ON FOOT, RETURNING YOU TO TEKWENI AT THE END OF YOUR ADVENTURE. THIS TOUR FOCUSES ON OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE EXPOSING GUESTS TO ASPECTS OF AFRO-URBAN LIFE NOT READILY SEEN.

Please note that itineraries may vary.

CITY TOUR (3 HRS) R300

THE CITY TOUR INCLUDES THE APARTHIED MUSEUM (KWA MUHLE), THE INDIAN MARKET AND INDIAN AREA OF DURBAN AND THE WARWICK JUNCTION MUTI MARKET AND MORE…

TOWNSHIP TOUR (3HRS ) R300

THE TOWNSHIP YOU WILL VISIT IS CATO MANOR WHICH HAS A LONG HISTORY THROUGH THE APARTHIED ERA AND IS IN THE FOREFRONT OF TRANSFORMATION IN SOUTH AFRICA. YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT THE PAST AS WELL AS THE CURRENT AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. IT INCLUDES A TRADITIONAL MEAL IN SOMEONES HOME.

CITY/TOWNSHIP TOUR ( 5 HRS ) R500

A MIXTURE OF BOTH INCLUDING ALL OF THE ABOVE

1 Day ‘Big 5’ Hluhluwe/Imfolozi/*St.Lucia Safari
(* WORLD  HERITAGE  SITE )

Option 1  :  ( BIG ‘5’ Game  Drive )

• Depart at 06h00 am from Durban and immediate surrounding areas
• A pit stop at a Refreshment Centre ( 10 minutes )
• Enjoy a 4X4 Game Drive with an experienced Game Guide and hopefully see the ‘Big 5’ and a variety of other  animals and birds in their natural habitat. The Imfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Park is approximately 96,000 Hectares.
• Lunch at some scenic spot within the game park
• Depart and head back to Durban arriving around 18h30 pm

NB. 4×4 is subject to availability of seats and if  its ‘convenient’ for the 4X4 Game Drive vehicle to ‘rendezvous’ with you at the entrance of the Game Park

Cost  R 2000 per person

Option 2 : (Crocodile Centre, Walk & Boat Cruise) St. Lucia ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK *
( * WORLD HERITAGE SITE )

• Depart around 06h00 AM from Durban and immediate surrounding areas
• A pit stop about an hour later at a Refreshment centre (10 min )
• Arrive at St. Lucia around 9:30am
• Visit the Crocodile Centre which entails a 30 minute walk. ( Nile, American & Dwarf Crocodiles, Nesting Areas, Snakes, Tortoises and Terrapins
• St. Lucia Game Park, a 2 hour walk in pristine vegetation and an opportunity to see some Animals
• Have Lunch
• Visit the local Craft Market
• An enjoyable and scenic 2 hours Boat Cruise to view the Crocodiles, Hippos and Giant Fish Eagles in their natural habitat.
• Depart for Durban arriving back around 19h00 PM

NB. The ‘Tour Activity’ Times may change by approximately a Hour as a result of different start times during Summer & Winter for the Boat Cruise

The order of the tour may change if there are logistical constraints

NB. Dinner is not included and is for your own account

Cost  R 1800 per person

2 Day ‘Big 5’ Hluhluwe/Imfolozi/*St.Lucia ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK Safari
( * WORLD HERITAGE SITE )

Day 1

• Pick up time at 06h00  AM from Durban and immediate surrounding areas
• A pit stop about an hour later at Refreshment Centre to grab a cup of coffee and stretch your legs ( 10 minutes )
• Travel to St. Lucia (World Heritage Site) where most of the first day activities will take place, arriving around 09h30
• A visit to the Crocodile Centre for around 30 minutes to see the Nile, American & Dwarf Crocodiles, Snakes, Tortoises and Terrapins
• Followed by some exposure to the Wetlands Wilderness on foot, around a 2 hours walk through pristine vegetation and an opportunity to see some Animals like Buffalo, Hippos, Zebras, Giraffes, Warthogs, Eland, Duikers, Impalas…
• Have Lunch and relax a while
• Visit the local Craft Market
• Enjoy a scenic 2 hours Boat Cruise through the Mangroves to view the Crocodiles, Hippos and Giant Fish Eagles in their natural habitat.
• Enjoy Dinner  and Accommodation (advisable to have an early night)

Day 2

• A very  EARLY start, grab a cup of tea/coffee/cereal/juices and be in readiness to start
• A Full Day Game Drive starting at 05h30am at Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Park to see the ‘Big 5’ and a variety of other animals. ( The Game Park is very big, approximately 96,000 Hectares and cannot be covered in one day )
• We will provide you with Breakfast and Lunch at some scenic spot within the Game Park
• Depart for Durban arriving around 18h30pm subject to driving conditions

NB. All Meals are Included except Dinner on Day 1. The Guide will recommend cost effective places to Eat ‘else’ you can prepare your own meals.

Accommodation is ‘Dorm’ type sharing at a Backpacker. You can upgrade to another complex with your own Unit at an additional cost of R300 per person per night,  ( Open Plan lounge & Kitchen,  Bedroom with 2 Singles, Toilet & Bathroom and Pool in Complex )

The order of the tour may change if there are logistical constraints

Cost  R 2 900 per person

1 Day UKHAHLAMBA DRAKENSBERG PARK Safari ( World Heritage Site )

Option 1  :  SANI  PASS / LESOTHO

• Depart Durban around 5:30am and head West for Underberg/Drakensberg
• A quick stop for coffee and a snack about 45 minutes later
• Arriving at Underberg around 09:00am
• Hop onto a 4×4 to do the Sani Pass/Lesotho tour, an excellent opportunity to interact with the local Basotho community and have an appreciation of their basic traditional lifestyle, lunch at Sani Pass Chalet the highest pub in Africa and then in the late afternoon meander down back the mountain pass arriving at Underberg around 15:30pm
• Depart for Durban arriving around 18:30pm

NB.
PASSPORT/VISA ESSENTIAL
1^ST WORLD COUNTRIES ONLY REQUIRE A PASSPORT
LUNCH IS FOR YOUR OWN ACCOUNT

Cost  R 2000 per person

Option 2  :  MOUNTAIN HIKE/WALK  &  HORSE  RIDE

• Depart Durban around 5:30am and head West for Underberg/Drakensberg
• A quick stop for coffee and a snack about 45 minutes later
• Arriving at Underberg around 09:00am
• A Hike/Walk around 2 hours with a local community guide to view the ancient Bushman ‘Rock’ paintings, waterfalls, pristine streams and just suck in the sheer beauty and tranquillity of the Drakensberg Mountain Range.
• Around 12:00pm back to Underberg to enjoy your Lunch
• An early afternoon Horse Ride for approximately 2 hours
• Depart for Durban arriving around 19:00pm

NB.
The order of the tour may change if there are logistical constraints
Lunch is for your own account

Cost  R 1800 per person

2 Day UKHAHLAMBA DRAKENSBERG PARK Safari ( World Heritage Site )

Day 1

• Depart Durban around 5:30am and head for Underberg/Drakensberg
• A quick stop for coffee and a snack about 45 minutes later
• Arriving at Underberg around 8:30 to 09:00am
• A 20 minutes drive to the Hiking venue start point
• Enjoy a  Hike with a Local Community Guide to view the ancient Bushman ‘Rock’ paintings, waterfalls, pristine streams and just suck in the sheer beauty and tranquillity of the Drakensberg Mountain Range.
• Enjoy your Lunch
• Check in at our accommodation at a rustic layback Horse Ranch type hostel situated at the foothills of the mountain.
• An early afternoon Horse ride for approximately 2 hours on the scenic foothills of the Mountain Range
• Freshen up, chill out, socialize, enjoy Dinner and a good nights rest

Day 2

• Breakfast around 7:30am
• Depart to Underberg around 8:40am
• Hop onto a 4×4 to do the Sani Pass/Lesotho tour, some breathtaking views from up there and  an excellent opportunity to interact with the local Basotho community and have an appreciation of their basic traditional lifestyle
• Lunch ( for your own Account ) at Sani Chalet the highest pub in Africa and then in the late afternoon meander down back the mountain pass arriving at Underberg 15:30pm
• Depart for Durban arriving around 18:30pm

NB.
The order of the tour may change if there are logistical constraints

Accommodation is for ‘Dorm’ type sharing and if you require an upgrade to a Double or your own little private Rondavel/Cottage ( Double, small kitchen/lounge and shower/bathroom) about 500 meters away then there is an additional cost of R250 per person.

Cost  R 2 700 pp

ADVENTURE – Are you brave enough for this stuff?

DOLPHIN AND WHALE VIEWING

LET US TAKE THE STRAIN OUT OF YOU SEARCHING FOR THESE BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS OF MAN . DEPART EARLY IN THE MORNING , HEAD OUT TO SEA AND BEGIN TO LOOK FOR THE NUMEROUS WHALES AND DOLPHINS THAT POPULATE THE NATAL COASTLINE . SEE THE DOLPHINS FROLIC IN THEIR OCEANIC PLAYGROUND AND WATCH THE MAJESTIC WHALES CRUISE SLOWLY BY SEEMINGLY OBLIVIOUS OF MANKIND . THIS IS THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME TO SEE THESE CREATURES IN THEIR NATURAL ENVIOROMENT . DURBAN OFFERS THE CHEAPEST DOLPHIN AND WHALE VIEWING IN THE WORLD ALSO STRAIGHT OFF THE BEACH AT USHAKA MARINE WORLD.

DAILY AT R350 PER PERSON

SODWANA BAY

WE CAN ALSO ARRANGE PACKAGES UP TO THE BEAUTIFUL AND DIVERSE DIVING OF SODWANA BAY . SODWANA BAY IS FAMOUS AS THE HOME OF THE COELACANTH (THE DINOSAUR FISH , DEEP DIVERS ONLY) . HOWEVER SODWANA IS LOCATED WITHIN THE ST.LUCIA WORLD HERITAGE PARK SO THE SEA LIFE IS ABUNDANT AND VARIED WITH THE CHANCE TO SEE EVERYTHING FROM TIGER AND HAMMERHEAD SHARKS TO RAYS AND EELS .

STADIUM SWING AT MOSES MABHIDA

THE BIG RUSH BIG SWING HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN NAMED THE WORLD’S TALLEST SWING BY THE GUINESS BOOK OF RECORDS. NOT YOUR AVERAGE ADRENALINE ACTIVITY, THE APTLY NAMED BIG SWING ALLOWS YOU TO TAKE THE THRILLING LEAP OUT INTO A MASSIVE 220 METRE ARC WHERE YOU SOAR INTO THE CENTRE OF THE STADIUM…. GO ON. TAKE THE LEAP!  R695

SKYDIVING

FEEL THE RUSH AS YOU HURL YOURSELF OUT OF A PLANE 9500 FEET ABOVE THE EARTHS SURFACE , RUSHING TOWARDS THE GROUND WITH AN AWE INSPIRING VIEW OF THE COASTLINE AND WILD INTERIOR OF NATAL . THIS IS A TANDEM JUMP WITH QUALIFIED AND DEDICATED INSTRUCTORS . ALSO OFFERED IS A D.V.D. OF YOUR JUMP SET TO A SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR CHOICE ( OR YOUR SCREAMS AND THE RUSH OF THE WIND ) .

DEPARTS DAILY ( WEATHER DEPENDANT )

PRICE ONLY R2000 FOR THE JUMP AND R400 FOR THE D.V.D. ( OPTIONAL )

SCUBA DIVING

IF YOU LIKE TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE OCEAN TO VIEW THE VARIED DENIZENS OF THE DEEP, DURBAN IS YOUR PLACE. OUR DIVING IS BASED AT THE USHAKA MARINE WORLD WHERE YOU CAN LAUNCH OFF THE BEACH TO EXPLORE  DURBANS MANY REEF OR WRECK DIVES. ALSO, WHETHER YOU ARE AN EXPERIENCED OR FIRST TIME DIVER, YOU CAN DIVE IN THE AQUARIUM AT USHAKA.  DAY TRIPS TO THE FAMOUS ALIWAL SHOAL CAN ALSO BE ORGANISED AS WELL AS DIVE COURSES AND MORE EXPERIENCED DIVES INCLUDING DIVING WITH SHARKS.  CHECK WITH US ON CURRENT PRICES.

BOAT DIVES DURBAN/ REEF (NOT INCLUDING EQUIPMENT) R350
BOAT DIVES DURBAN WRECK (NOT INCLUDING EQUIPMENT) R350
EQUIPMENT HIRE/ FULL GEAR PER DAY R250
EQUIPMENT HIRE/ PER ITEM R50
AQUARIUM DIVES (INCLUDING EQUIPMENT)
AQUARIUM LAGOON DIVE (REEF FISH) R325
AQUARIUM OPEN OCEAN (RAYS & PELAGICS) R395
AQUARIUM LAGOON NIGHT DIVE R350
BEGINNERS AQUARIUM PADI DISCOVER SCUBA R550
OPEN OCEAN SNORKEL WITH SHARKS R950
OPEN OCEAN SCUBA WITH SHARKS R1 100
PADI OPEN WATER DIVE COURSE R4 450

SHARK CAGE DIVING

Don your wetsuit; position your mask; slip into the water for an encounter of a lifetime. Yes, you are shark cage diving on Durban’s famous Aliwal Shoal – face to face with a supreme predator, the shark. R1100

SURFING

DURBAN IS THE HOME OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST FAMOUS SURFERS . SO COME AND LEARN WHY THEY BECAME SUCH WORLD RENOWNED ATHLETES . WE CAN ORGANISE LESSONS FOR YOU WITH FULLY ACCREDITED INSTRUCTORS WHO WILL TAKE YOU FOR JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS SO YOU CAN GET TO FEEL THE “BUZZ” OR TEACH YOU OVER A PERIOD OF DAYS SO YOU TO CAN GLIDE ACROSS THE OCEAN WAVES LIKE THE GRACEFUL MASTERS OF OCEAN THAT SURFERS ARE.

In the mornings, the sidewalk cafes on Florida Road are the haunt of friends, colleagues and shoppers. The buzz continues through the day and well into the night, when the street’s clubs and bars come into their own, earning Florida Road its reputation as one of Durban’s top night spots.

With its warm street vibe and unique, historic architecture, spending time on Florida Road in Durban is an atmospheric experience. Home to a range of restaurants, galleries, boutiques, studios and bars, Florida Road has earned its reputation as one of the city’s trendiest streets, where people gather to shop, eat, drink, meet and hang out.

Many of Durban’s best-loved restaurants have a Florida Road address. Some well-known establishments are the Mexican-inspired Taco Zulu, Europa Food Emporium and House of Curries, where you can enjoy some of the authentic Indian cuisine for which Durban is famous. The legendary Spiga Dora, Mamma’s, and Dropkick Murphys are other notable spots. In fact, there are more than 30 restaurants to choose from in the area – to suit all tastes.

When the kitchens’ close, the bars and clubs on Florida Road come into their own. You can choose between laid-back, bohemian vibes, chic sophistication and techno temptations at venues that stay open until the early hours of the morning. Take the same sensible precautions you would when out late in any big city.

All these venues are just a taste of what this iconic street has to offer. Like the vibrant city of Durban itself, Florida Road is constantly changing.

With warm weather all year round, Durban welcomes visitors to a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle where beaches, “braai’s “, seafood and curry restaurants, clubs, culture and everything an out-of-towner could wish for while on holiday.

Also known as ‘Surf City’, Durban is renowned for its magnificent bathing and surfing beaches, which stretch along the city’s beachfront from Durban harbour in the south to the upmarket suburb of Umhlanga in the north. The water is always warm as is the air allowing for year round swimming, water sports and beach fun.

An expansive paved promenade offers access to the best of these beaches – the Golden Mile – where joggers, cyclists, dog owners, surfers, bodyboarders and walkers enjoy early-morning and late-afternoon exercise.

The art deco-style Suncoast Casino complex, flanking the promenade, houses seafood and curry restaurants, movie theatres, plenty of entertainment, a casino and coffee shops – with secure on-site parking and semi-private beach access

Visitors can’t miss Durban’s striking Moses Mabhida Stadium, host venue to top-notch sporting events, Segway tours, a city-viewing SkyCar and the infamous Big Rush Stadium Swing. Next to it is Kings Park Stadium which is home to our beloved Sharks Rugby team and just up the road is Kingsmead Cricket ground home to the Dolphins and venue for many International matches featuring South Africa’s Proteas. All stadiums as well as the beaches are within a 20 minute walk of Tekweni Backpackers.

Closer to the harbour, uShaka Marine World, a world-class water park, restaurant complex and aquarium overlooks the ocean and offers hours of entertainment for all. Swim with friendly fishes, watch performing dolphins and loveable penguins and for heart stopping thrills, be lowered into shark infested waters. The beaches straight out front of Ushaka are awesome, the perfect place to learn to surf with fantastic views onto Durban.

Culturally, Durban exhibits a mix of Indian, Zulu and post-colonial influences, reflected in the city’s architecture and cuisine. A visit to Grey Street and the Indian Market is a must and explore the area for a close up look at Durban culture. Curries, seafood and fusion food are popular at beachfront restaurants, Wilson’s Wharf, and at the gourmet hot spots and coffee shops that line Florida Road and Helen Joseph Road.

There are adventure activities abound with deep-sea fishing charters, dolphin viewing, boat cruises, jet-skiing, shark cage-diving, scuba diving, canoeing, quad biking, hiking, mountain biking, the stadium swing and much more.

Shopping is best enjoyed at Durban’s out-of-city malls: the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga; the Pavilion in Westville; and the Galleria in Amanzimtoti.

Half an hour inland from the city, the Valley of a Thousand Hills promises a taste of African culture, while further into the countryside the Midlands Meander features about 150 art-and-craft outlets for city-dwellers in search of fresh air and home-made fare.

Kwazulu Natal is home to two World Heritage Sites, five Blue Flag beaches, three world-class dive spots and Big 5 game reserves. The subtropical coastline enjoys the mildest winter weather. Ancient San rock art can be found in the Drakensberg mountains. One of the best things about our magnificent province is our wonderful weather and beautiful warm Indian Ocean beaches which are perfect for year round swimming. We are also the gateway to Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique. Words can’t begin to describe how truly amazing this place is.