Durban Photos -- National Geographic

North Beach
Photograph by Stuart Fox, Getty Images
Whether you’re looking for an ultramarathon or marathon days on the beach, hippos inland or sharks at sea, the harbor city of Durban offers proximity to some of South Africa’s most iconic experiences.
Here, Durban’s North Beach attracts swimmers and sunbathers. The city’s inhabitants and visitors enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine annually.
Fishing
Photograph by Tony Arruza, Getty Images
People fish on a beach near Durban. Recreational fishing is a popular pastime for locals and a draw for visitors.
Surfer
Photograph by Aris Messins, AFP/Getty Images
A surfer dives in with his board near Durban. Surfing is one of the many water sports popular in and around the coastal city.
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Photograph by Rajesh Jantilal, AFP/Getty Images
Fans fill Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Durban was among the cities across South Africa that hosted soccer matches during the widely viewed tournament, the first World Cup to take place in Africa.
Zulu Dancer
Photograph by Yasuyoshi, AFP/Getty Images
A man dances in traditional Zulu attire during a marriage ceremony in a village north of Durban.
Hare Krishna Temple
Photograph by Hemis/Corbis
The Hare Krishna Temple, located south of Durban in Chatsworth, is a popular tourist attraction. Built in 1969, the lotus-shaped temple features unique architecture, gardens, and a vegetarian restaurant.
uShaka Marine World
Photograph by Javier Soriano AFP/Getty Images
Patrons at uShaka Marine World’s Cargo Hold restaurant get an unconventional view while they dine: sharks and other undersea residents of the park’s aquarium.
Wetland Hippos
Photograph by Frans Lemmens, Redux
Hippos are among the diverse wildlife found at the Great St. Lucia Wetlands Park, also known as iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The park, which stretches along South Africa’s eastern coast, is the continent’s largest estuarine system, according to UNESCO.
Food Vendor
Photograph by Martin Harvey, Getty Images
A woman serves food to customers in Durban. Visitors to the city and surrounding region can find cuisine ranging from Indian-inspired curry dishes (bunny chow is a favorite) to traditional Zulu fare like mogodu (tripe), amadumbi (Zulu potatoes), and pap (hard maize porridge).
Cato Manor Garden
Photograph by Alexander Joe, AFP/Getty Images
Men work a garden at Durban’s historic Cato Manor Township. The township has been the subject of a World Green Building Council project.
Comrades Marathon
Photograph by Arie Kievit, Hollandse Hoogte/Redux
Runners rule the road during South Africa’s annual Comrades Marathon, the oldest ultramarathon in the world. The 56-mile course stretches between Pietermaritzburg and Durban (or the reverse, depending on the year) and attracts tens of thousands of participants.
Umhlanga Lighthouse
Photograph by Emil Von Maltitz, Getty Images
The lighthouse at Umhlanga beach, seen here at dawn, replaced Durban’s Bluff lighthouse in the 1950s. The lighthouse, which has no keeper, is monitored by staff at the nearby Oyster Box Hotel.