The Natal Sharks Board Logo

Visit the only organization of its kind in the world. View an educational video and the dissection of a shark. Learn the secrets and intrigue of the oceans most awsome predator, the shark.

The Audio-Visual Program is a visual spectacle. It is a powerful combination of sweeping aerials, slow pans, tight close-ups & superb imagery. Although this 26 minute long presentation is designed to entertain, it is also educational with information on the sensory biology of sharks and their role as top predators in the marine food chain. In the Display Hall view the large variety of lifelike replicas of sharks, fish and rays, including that of a 892kg Great White Shark.

Browse in the Curio Shop where a treasure chest of unusual and stylish gifts including hand crafts, T-shirts, leather goods, jewellery and other ornaments awaits you.

Boat Trips

Shark on the hunt. Look out for dolphins and whales on these early morning boat trips on a Shark Board ski boat and observe first hand how the meshing crews go about their servicing of the shark nets off Durban's Golden Mile. Experience and enjoy the sights of Durban as you travel through the harbour and out to the sea into the rising sun.

Dolphins Playing off Durban Beaches.

 

Shark prowling the deep sea waters.

Umgeni River bird Park

See the free flight bird show, unique in Africa, with critically endangered species like the Wattle and Blue Cranes, as well as owls, storks, hornbills, huge Cape Vulture and African Fish Eagle in free unrestricted flight.

The variety of birds, both exotic and indigenous is astonishing; the collection of extravagantly plumaged macaws is particularly outstanding.

Spectacular waterfalls and lush vegetation, with birds out on perches, in walk through aviaries and open paddocks, this little jewel is one of the finest bird parks in the world!

Despite the absence of raptors, this park is a must, and be in time for the "Free Flight Bird Show" at 11h00 and 14h00. It is built under high cliffs next to the Umgeni river and features three huge walk-through averies,as well as a host of smaller specialised ones.

Come and see gaudy macaws and elegant flamingoes, and see how some of the world's rarest birds live and breed. A viewing window allows you to follow the activity in the baby room, where plump little chicks are reared by loving foster parents. You'll see the stately cranes, the comical toucans and loads more.

 

 

The Umgeni River Bird Park, Durban,

The Durban Botanical Gardens.

The Botanical Gardens (DBG) traces its origins to colonial times, when it was founded in 1849 for the introduction and trial of potentially useful commercial crops.
The gardens later developed collections of sub-tropical trees, palms and orchids. The Durban Botanical Gardens remains a classic botanic gardens, reflecting the universality of the plant kingdom. It has, for over 100 years, had a fine mixed arboretum of African, Asian and American trees.

The Gardens are a few minutes walk from the bustling Warwick Triangle, site of one of the largest retail medicinal plant markets in the country. The Gardens hosts approximately 500 000 visitors per year, many of whom are foreign tourists.
 
The Durban Botanic Garden's Mission Statement is:

• 1. To develop and curate conservation-significant collections of African orchids and palms, and to advance our position amongst botanic gardens as a major holder of world cycads.
  

• 2. To demonstrate the role plants can play in social upliftment through our involvement in urban greening,organic gardening and medicinal plant conservation projects.
  

• 3. To maintain our existing assemblage of plants while promoting the flora of Africa.  

• 4. To cultivate regional and international links with the botanic gardens conservation community.

• 5. To awaken public appreciation of the gardens through environmental education.

• 6. To maintain the gardens as a peaceful haven for visitors, and as one of Durban's heritage sites.