Silversea Expedition Cruises À DURBAN

Discover how the diverse cultural influences from Asia, Africa and Europe have contributed to the development and unique character of Durban during this scenic, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Durban City Drive, Local Landmarks, Victoria Street Market, Fine Silks, Spices, Herb Market

Depart the pier for the short drive through Durban City. Follow the palm tree-lined Victoria Embankment, then pass by the Vasco Da Gama Clock, Dick King Statue, imposing Durban Club and the Yacht Club en route to the Victoria Street Market. Upon arrival, learn about Indian spices, and take a guided tour of this vivid and colourful market filled with fine silks, calicos, and more. From here, walk to the Herb Market. Here, you can grind herbs and discover cures for various ailments, as well as love potions. This visually-captivating market is unique to Durban, and highlights the differences between Western and African medicine.

Bead Market, Beading Demonstration, Hair-Braiding and Tying with Beads, Photo Opportunity

Next, a visit is made to the Bead Market, a colourful exhibition with works of beads from vendors who travel from the coastal regions adjacent to the city to sell products they have designed and handcrafted. Products include beaded jewellery, hats, shoes, bags, and traditional clothing. During your visit, you can observe the traders at work, get a strand of your own hair braided and tied with beads, or adorn yourself with beaded products for a memorable photo opportunity.

City Drive, City Hall, Local History Museum, Post Office, Currie Road Viewpoint, Golden Mile Beach

Leaving the Bead Market, take a sightseeing drive into the City Centre and past Cato Square, adjacent to Durban's century-old City Hall. A close copy of the Town Hall of Belfast, City Hall houses the Natural History Museum, a Concert Hall, Art Gallery and municipal offices. From here, pass by the Local History Museum, Post Office, Old Inland Revenue Building and Reserve Bank en route to the Currie Road Viewpoint, which offers spectacular panoramic views over the city. After a photo stop here, commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier via the Golden Mile Beachfront, where Zulu rickshaw clad in their colourful regalia transport visitors in their decorated rickshaws.

After departing the quayside, follow the palm tree-lined Victoria Embankment towards the city centre.

Pass by the Juma Mosque, which is reputedly the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and is famous for its massive golden dome and turrets. Continue past the Old Market Square, representing the City Hall in Belfast and serves as Durban's municipal offices. Glimpse the Natural History Museum and Post Office before continuing past the Old Inland Revenue Building and Reserve Bank.

Stop briefly at Currie Hill to take in the panoramic views of the City.

You will drive north up the coast to Ballito, a small holiday town located 40 kilometres north of Durban, that was originally a Sugar Cane Farm. Dolphins are common on this stretch of the North Coast shoreline known as the Dolphin Coast.

From here, you drive to Umhlanga Rocks. Situated just north of the vibrant Port City of Durban on the warm waters of the Indian Ocean,

Umhlanga has the best South African accommodation, up-market Office Parks and first world Shopping Centres. The golden sandy beaches stretch northwards for more than 200 kilometres, all the way to the spectacular Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, A World Heritage Site. Inland from Umhlanga, endless fields of sugarcane give way to the tumbling area of the 1000 Hills, the massive Inanda Dam and mystical hidden valleys of Zululand.

Enjoy High Tea at one of Umhlanga's upmarket hotels.

Return to the quayside in Durban.

Prepare to be dazzled by the aerial views over Durban, a beautiful metropolis by the sea in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province. This city is formed by not only its Africal roots but also the presence of colonial and Indian influences.

Transfer from the pier to the helipad at Virginia Airport. After a safety briefing, board your Jetranger helicopter and lift off to embark on a 1-hour flight over Durban and its surround area. Your flight includes flying over the port, beachfront, city center, Valley of 1000 Hills, and returning via the North Coast over Ballito. Fly over the seafront promenade, which runs from uShaka Marine World, a huge theme park with an aquarium, to the futuristic Moses Mabhida Stadium.

After this truly special & memorable experience, return to the airport and back to the quayside in Durban.

Depart the quayside and drive via Pietermaritzburg to Howick, which is located in the heart of the Natal Midlands and approximately 95 km from Durban. View the magnificent Howick Falls, approximately 100 meters of spectacular display almost in the centre of the picturesque town itself. Known to the Zulu people as KwaNogqaza - Place of the Tall One - the falls were first seen by European adventurers in the early 19th Century, as transport riders and wagon trains pioneered routes inland from the coast. English missionary James Archbell was granted a farm here, but the rapid increase in horse-drawn traffic soon compelled the government of the day to expropriate a portion for the establishment of a village. This settlement was duly named Howick, in tribute to the Northumberland home of then British Colonial Secretary, Earl Grey.

Continue to a local restaurant for lunch.

After lunch visit the Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio, meet the artists as you view the process of throwing clay, sculpting, painting and finally firing of these unique pieces.

The story of Ardmore began in 1985 when Fèe Halsted-Berning lived on the farm Ardmore, in the Champagne Valley under the shadow of the Drakensberg Mountains. Her passion for ceramic art had been honed during her five years at the University of Natal where she studied fine art and then completed a two year advanced diploma in ceramics.

Fèe's first student was Bonnie Ntshalintshali, the daughter of a farm employee. Bonnie's natural aptitude for ceramic art soon attracted other members of Bonnie's family who asked if they too could learn from Fèe. This led to the creation of Ardmore, the largest ceramic art studio in South Africa. Bonnie became known as one of South Africa's leading ceramic artists, while Ardmore's exciting diversity of ceramic art has been endorsed by Christie's, London as 'modern collectables'.

Fèe's merging of western ceramics technology with African art is only part of the story of Ardmore. Of even more significance has been her encouragement of their imagination based on nature, Zulu folklore and tradition. Fèe has been described as 'a creator of artists'. As well as giving so much of her artistic ability to her creative team, Fèe has won numerous art awards, including the Standard Bank young Artist's Award which she jointly won in 1990 with Bonnie Ntshalintshali. The large group of sculptors and painters who produce ceramics under the Ardmore label amply demonstrate the diversity of talents that has emerged under Fèe's tuition. As she says: 'The Zulu people have a wonderful sense of color and rhythm and a gift for design and balance, all they needed was opportunity'.

The flamboyant ceramics have captured the attention of collectors worldwide - as a result of the many awards that have been won by the Ardmore artists and particularly as a result of the Christie's exhibition and art auction in London. The studio now consists of over 50 artists who mostly produce the decorative collectable ranges while a few concentrate on fine art.

Ardmore provides tools and facilities as well as training and guidance to artists to create these amazing works. The artists draw their creativity from African fauna and flora to create one of-a-kind ceramic artworks.

Since 1988 when Ardmore was hit hard by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Ardmore has pioneered the recognition & treatment of their artists & sculptors. At a time when ARV's were not readily available in South Africa, Ardmore worked tirelessly with experts in the field to educate their staff in AIDS prevention & to provide medication to AIDS sufferers. The Ardmore Excellence fund receives 6% of all sales which is then used to meet medical expenses, counseling, education and training for the employees. Ardmore also believes in making art accessible to children in impoverished communities and holds weekend workshops at local schools every quarter. Budding artists are encouraged to pursue their talents in a fun and uplifting environment.

Return to the quayside in the late afternoon.

This tour showcases the endemic and richly layered Indian influence in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Indian cuisine, religion and lifestyle are colorfully evident in stores, events, restaurants and cultural institutions. This unique experience aims to highlight the significant contributions of Indians in our country.

Begin your tour in the most authentic way possible, by digging into a local lunch time treat, a "Bunny Chow," which is a quarter or half bread loaf filled with curry.

During the remainder of this tour, your story telling tour guide will take you to the Victoria Street Market, the Umbilo Shree Ambalavanar Temple, the Hare Krishna Temple, The Shree Vishnu Temple and the Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre.

As you step out of the vehicle, your every sense will be arrested with vivid stimuli. The Victoria Street Market is an experience unlike any other. Breathe in the heady mix of spices mingling, a fragrant smorgasbord so rich and tantalizing it surpasses description. Walk the noisy market to the ringing sounds of people calling friends, bargaining, selling their wares and bantering blend together to make unique sounds of its own. The Street Market is no place for tasteful beige and mild-mannered pastels; rich jewel colors pull your eyes to their depths as you appreciate textures of fine silks. At the market, you guide teaches you all about Indian spices - the Durban way! Learn what to look for and what to buy for different culinary effects.

Next visit the Umbilo Shree Ambalavanar Temple, the oldest public Hindu temple in Africa, complete with beautiful murals and statues. Your tour guide explains Hindu religion and the belief systems they follow here in Durban. Other sights nearby include the Hare Krishna Temple - the largest temple of its kind in Southern Africa (souvenir shop available) and the Ghandi Centenary Park with a statue of Gandhi. Walk to the Shree Vishnu Temple to see its giant statue of Lord Hanuman. The statue is the height of a 3-story building, the largest in Africa (guests are able to enter the temple).

Your final stop is the Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre - it has a touching and interesting story of how former and late President Nelson Mandela built this youth center for the people of Chatsworth in 2001. The manager of the center was himself part of the fight against apartheid when he was younger. Stop here and get to listen to the story and take a picture with the Nelson Mandela Mural.

Return to the pier after an insightful day.

Take this opportunity to learn more about the important contribution this organization is making internationally, during this half-day outing to 'Give Back'.

Depart from the quayside in Durban and drive by coach to SOS Children's Village.

This Village was developed in response to a call for help from a city pediatrician, who was concerned at the high number of orphans abandoned at government hospitals. The Village houses 152 children, as well as reaching 962 children in the highly successful Family Strengthening Programs.

In 1992, the Natal Emergency Help Program was launched to provide temporary accommodation in rented houses for orphans living in very poor conditions in government hospitals. Once suitable land was found, a Village was built consisting of 15 family homes and an SOS Kindergarten.

The SOS Kindergarten caters for 125 children in 5 classrooms. Children in the nearby informal settlement who could normally not afford to attend pre-school are offered a scholarship to come to the Kindergarten. The teachers are also committed to building the capacity of teachers in community crèche's, by conducting holiday skills training sessions.

The Family Strengthening Program operates in the informal settlement called France, situated close to the Village. A hydroponics vegetable project has been established with the support of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal's wife, Mrs. Ndebele. Nine women from France grow and market tomatoes and mushrooms, thus generating income for their own families. Another successful project is the self-help groups which involve poor women in small-scale savings and income generation.

On arrival at the village proceed to visit the Family Strengthening Program, a community project next to the village where the homes are headed by children. Here you will visit two or three homes and then continue to the 'White House', where everything is coordinated for the project e.g. Distribution of food parcels, bereavement programs, South Africa Department of Home Affairs help with Birth certificates and Identity Documents. You will also visit the knitting, sewing or gardening projects in the community with a presentation from your coordinator.

Return to the village which caters for the little ones as well as children from the nearby community. Proceed on a tour of the village and a presentation. After the presentation and tour, spend some time at the 'house of the week'. The Village has a few different houses with a House Mother and each week a house has the opportunity to be 'house of the week', during the presentation this will be discussed in more detail.

Return to the quayside in Durban.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking. It is not wheelchair accessible and is not suitable for guests with limited mobility due to the nature of the terrain. Some sites visited on this tour are in extreme poverty, but with the aid of the government and NGO's the communities are busy being uplifted, making it a place of hope. One needs to be prepared for this aspect of the tour, as it is definitely a "no frills experience". If guests wish to donate directly to the school or community project i.e. stationery, canned foods or money, it will be most welcomed; however we suggest that this is done directly to the SOS representative to ensure equitable distribution. The more we can help the better. Please visit the following website for more information on how you can help: http://www.soschildrensvillages.org/Where-we-help/Africa/South-Africa/Pietermaritzburg/Pages/default.aspx

All proceeds of this tour will be donated on behalf of the guests by Silversea Cruises to the SOS Children's Village.

Diverse cultural influences from Asia, Africa, and Europe have each contributed to Durban's development and unique character. Take in the scenes of this sub-tropical city from the comfort of an air-conditioned coach during this half-day orientation.

Depart the pier and begin with a drive along the palm tree-lined Victoria Embankment, passing the Vasco Da Gama Clock, the Dick King Statue, the imposing Durban Club, and the Yacht Club. Continue to the viewpoint on Currie Road for a brief photo stop and opportunity to take in the panoramic views of the city. From here, it is a short drive to the Durban Botanical Gardens.

Durban Botanical Gardens

Enjoy a leisurely walk through the gardens, which besides housing a wide variety of local flora, are also very well-known for their orchid house and rare collection of cycads, a plant that dates back to prehistoric times.

After this visit, continue past the Old Market Square, which represents the City Hall in Belfast and houses Durban's municipal offices. Catch a glimpse the Natural History Museum and Post Office before continuing passed the Old Inland Revenue Building and Reserve Bank.

Victoria Market Street

Disembark your coach at the Victoria Street Market, commonly known as the Indian Market, to browse among glorious arrays of delicately fashioned ebony and ivory ornaments and other exotic finds. Eastern and African aromas envelop you, as you wander past herb and spice stalls or sort through baskets of delightful wooden carvings. The offerings are endless and you will have a brief time to shop and explore on your own.

Following your visit, drive along the 'Golden Mile' (beachfront), where Zulus, resplendent in their colourful regalia, transport visitors in their colourful rickshaws.

Before returning to the pier, pass by the Juma Mosque, which is reputedly the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and is famous for its massive golden dome and turrets.

Discover the beautiful landscapes of Durban from up above on this Silver Shore Privato helicopter adventure tour.

Depart the pier via private vehicle for the approximate 45 minute drive to the helipad at the Virginia Airport. Upon arrival you will view a safety briefing before boarding the JetRanger helicopter.

Your 1-hour long flight includes flying over the port, beachfront, city centre, valley of a 1000 hills, and returning via the North Coast over Balito.

After this truly special experience, return to the airport for the transfer back to the pier in Durban

Please Note: This Silver Shore Privato tour requires a minimal amount of activity however guests must be able to step in and out of the helicopter with minimal assistance. This tour is on a private basis and based on a maximum of four (2) guests participating. The price of this tour is for two guests; each additional passenger (up to four) will be charged an additional cost 499.00 USD. Only one guest in the party needs to reserve this excursion. A signed waiver is required for each guest to participate. This tour is not suitable for guests who are wheelchair bound, or those who suffer from a fear of heights. We strongly recommend guests wear flat, comfortable shoes, light weight clothing and sunglasses as strong glares may be expected during the flight. Operation of the tour is weather dependent. Please contact ShoreConcierge@Silversea.com to confirm this program. This tour is subject to availability at the time of the request.

Explore Durban at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights with your driver and your English-speaking driver/guide.

Depart the pier in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Durban at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights with an English-speaking driver/guide.

Depart the pier in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Durban at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights with your driver and English-speaking driver/guide.

Depart the pier in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Durban at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights with an English-speaking driver/guide.

Depart the pier in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Located in the KwaZulu-Natal hills is the wildlife conservancy of Tala Private Game Reserve, an area of indigenous acacia thornveld, open grassland and sensitive wetland that provides an exceptional environment in which to game and bird watch.

Tala provides visitors with superb game viewing experiences in open game vehicles with highly knowledgeable and experienced rangers and a tracker who will not fail to impress you with his bush skills. At Tala the aim is to get you close to nature, interacting with the environment and animals, and experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of the African bush.

The reserve, that spans nearly 7,500 acres (3,000 hectares) and incorporates many diverse natural environments, features well over 300 bird species, with big game that includes rhino, kudu, hippo, giraffe and the rare sable antelope. Several distinctive and remarkable plant species are also found on Tala.The fiery aloe in full bloom, the imposing euphorbia and the smell of the fragrant wild sage on a dewy morning make for wonderful vivid memories.

Upon your arrival at the Tala Game Reserve Lodge, enjoy refreshments followed by your exciting two-hour open vehicle game drive. Have your camera ready for this exhilarating look at Tala's wildlife.

Hidden in the KwaZulu-Natal hills is the wildlife conservancy of Tala Private Game Reserve, an area of indigenous acacia thornveld, open grassland and sensitive wetland that provides an exceptional environment in which to game and bird watch.

Depart Durban quayside and drive towards Tala Private Game Reserve for an open vehicle drive to see the incredible wildlife living here. Tala is the reserve to visit out of Durban, providing visitors with superb game viewing experiences in open game vehicles with highly knowledgeable and experienced rangers and a tracker who will not fail to impress you with his bush skills. At Tala, the aim is to get you close to nature, interacting with the environment and animals, and experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of the African bush.

The reserve, that spans nearly 3,000 hectares and incorporates many diverse natural environments, features well over 300 bird species, with big game that includes rhino, kudu, hippo, giraffe and the rare sable antelope.

Several distinctive and remarkable plant species are also found on Tala. The fiery aloe in full bloom, the imposing euphorbia and the smell of the fragrant wild sage on a dewy morning make for wonderful vivid memories.

ON your return, refreshments (tea/coffee & scones/muffins) are served with some time provided to browse through the curio shop.

Return to the pier in Durban.

Meet modern and olden day African tribal culture in the traditional and spectacular homeland of the Zulu on this half-day exploration of the 'Valley of a Thousand Hills'.

Depart the pier aboard your coach and drive via the national road for approximately one hour towards the Phezulu Safari Park. In this geographically wondrous part of the world shaped first by the windings of the great Mgeni River, then by the culture of the Zulu tribes and finally by the coming of European man, the hills still beat to the Zulu drum.

As you journey into the valley, learn how historically these tranquil rolling hills belie the blood-soaked drama that unfolded almost two centuries ago. It was then when the Zulu King Shaka, known to historians as the 'Black Napoleon', subjugated the tribes that today make up the Kingdom of the Zulu.

Your visit to Phezulu (an open-air museum) creates the opportunity to discover first-hand the intricacies, ethnic customs and beliefs of the Zulu people. Here Zulu tales and history are depicted in energetic, costumed song and dance by the renowned Gasa clan, who have been performing unique plays for over 40 years. Dances of courtship and betrothal, of the throwing of the Sangoma's (witch doctor) bones, of war and of birth, set to the mesmerising beat of the Zulu drum, take you into another world.

Afterwards, explore the Zulu cultural village on your own with its traditional beehive huts and fascinating glimpses into African tribal culture. Learn what the different coloured beads that adorn the skirts actually represent and how the women make bread and beer. Venture into Phezulu's impressive reptile park, taking home vivid images of some of Africa's most renowned snakes and learning about the crocodiles. Tea, coffee and refreshments are served during the course of the tour and there is time to browse through a wealth of ethnic home crafts on sale in the well-stocked curio shop, ranging from pottery, Zulu fabric art, woodcarving, beadwork and curios.

Following your visit, commence the return back to the pier in Durban via the national highway.