It is the third largest city in South Africa and the busiest port in Africa. Answer 1 of 51: HI All And apologies if I'm appearing as a ignorant so and so, We are planning a 3 week trip to South Africa and are planning to stay a week in Umhlanga. Use Uber or a registered metered taxi to get to and from the clubs. Be the first to discover secret destinations, travel hacks, and more. It’s a constant source or amazement to me just how healthy people are, and that they want to run! 9. If you are traveling with a partner, ask then to stand guard while you draw cash. © 2021 Smarter Travel Media LLC. Some companies offer tours cycling tours at night so it is safe, just rather go with a guide. This mean while you’re checking your messages or your map at the lights, a criminal will start to walk past and then suddenly reach into your vehicle and snatch whatever belongings they can grab. Dursban, also known as chlorpyrifos, is an extremely toxic pesticide that was once widely used in the U.S. The Durban beachfront is in the process of having a huge up grade (long deserved) and the beach promenade has been made more open and accessible and easier to see from the road and beach front hotels. We humans are a weird bunch, we slow down at vehicle collision scenes, we strain to get a better view at crime scenes and outrageously negative headlines attract us like flies to a cadaver (too far?). This will dash the hopes and dreams of the opportunistic criminal. The short answer to your question is: All cities have dangerous places. Durban is a safe city, like any big city in the world - wih a population of +/- 4 million people, there are certain areas which are not safe, which we don't recommend. Fact is a lot of crimes that happen in Durban tend to take place in spots tourists are not really found in, like a city tavern,  a shebeen, a den of iniquity. You could be a target for carjackers if they think you have a lot of money, or if they think they could get a big ransom for you. Muggings also happen often, so try to avoid being alone at all times. Country and Coastal Touring are based in the city of Durban, South Africa. All Rights Reserved. We offer a range of Durban city tours, wildlife safari tour, cultural tours and history tours. Me: “I’m really sorry but I don’t carry cash on me“. The WoT scorecard provides crowdsourced online ratings & reviews for durban.backpage.com regarding its safety and security. This highly toxic chemical was used in pesticide sprays for residential and institutional use, including the sprays used by exterminators as well … Make sure you have the number of emergency services written down somewhere. Get hold of a paper map. Yes, perfectly safe. As part of this spring clean, extra Metro police were employed and security staff were contracted in. If it’s something more serious, like the car you hired was stolen, then you will need to call the police and report it immediately followed by opening of a docket (complaint). Downtown Cape Town is also much safer than downtown Johannesburg or Durban. The tap water in Durban, South Africa, is safe to drink. If you’re hiring a car, ask for their hotline number – write it down! The government assures the public the tap water in the country is safe for human consumption. Come find out According to the 2007 Community Survey, the population of … It's an easy safe way to get around the city without paying ridiculous fees and having to have cash on you! Before we get into the nitty-gritty I should point out that the area we describe as “Durban” is not really Durban. But, lets be careful out there, like any major city in the world there are precautions, and if you’re out clubbing it does mean alcohol is involved, so you need to be a little extra cautious. More than a Read more…, It’s probably one of the most used cliches in travel writing, that a city, resort or experience has “so much to offer” visitors; usually when I read that phrase I immediately think to myself “yeah Read more…. Even so, many small merchants have trouble making change for that size of note. Be aware of your surroundings, especially when stopped at stop streets or traffic lights. Yes, perfectly safe. However, the tourist areas as well as the beachfront are fine. Report inappropriate content. This is a list of suburbs of the city of Durban, South Africa.Some of these are commonly used names for regions, collections of suburbs (e.g. The best way to tackle the question of whether Durban is dangerous or safe to visit, is to answer some of the questions I have been asked over the years. So come and enjoy your holiday. I love this city, warts and all and in spite of her frequent bad moods. Durban is obviously unfamiliar to you and you don’t want to get lost right. Please suggest if Marine Parade is a decent place or should i move somewhere else due to safety reasons? So it kinda goes without saying that I may not not be the most impartial individual when it comes to matters pertaining Durban – but I am going to do my best to tell it like it is. Remember to always ask permission if you’re planning to photograph an individual and don’t be surprised if said individual asks for a coke in return (ie, payment). They only way to deal with this, keep your windows up and be vigilant. But my friends, I am here to tell you that it’s just not true. Still, don’t put yourself in harm’s way by being careless with your possessions or letting people see if you have a lot of money. Heavens forbid that are a victim of crime, but if so, here’s what you should do. ... Durban - News that water in the eThekwini Municipality was contaminated was classified as a hoax by city officials on Tuesday. There are the odd opportunists out and about, but largely the tourist areas of Durban are perfectly safe, just use common sense and you will be fine. And why a paper map? You always see Metro police out and on almost every street corner is a security guard or two looking to keep the peace. For years Durban has struggled to shrug off it’s reputation for being one of the most dangerous (if not the most dangerous) city in South Africa. This sandy beach along Durban’s spectacular Golden Mile is well-known because of its safe swimming, big waves, vibrant esplanade as well as cultural activities. Also, stay on the beaten tourist path. So come and enjoy your holiday. Come find out Me, I always lock the car and then walk around it checking each door and boot is actually physically locked. This is actually quite a difficult question to answer. We not only offer city tour, but we offer wildlife safaris to the Hluhlwue Imfolozi Game Reserve, St Lucia and Tala Game Reserve. Address: 38 Horseshoe Crescent, Durban, South Africa, See the best places to visit in Durban with a plan including, For Emergency: Metro Police & Metro Fire call 031 361 0000, Hluhluwe Imfolozi, Big 5, Wildlife Safari Day Tour, Wildlife Game Reserve and Zulu Cultural Experience, iSimangaliso and St Lucia Estuary Cruise Day Tour, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Overnight Tour, Big 5 Safari Tour – 3 days and 2 nights Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, Hluhluwe Imfolozi 5 Day Wildlife Safari Tour, wildlife safaris to the Hluhlwue Imfolozi Game Reserve, 10 Things You Must Do When Visiting Durban, How to Spend 3 Days Exploring the City of Durban, driving under the influence of alcohol, and. Editor’s note: The information contained in this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about dangers and warnings for Durban. We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. My advice is pretty simple…. So very often, when people speak of crime in Durban, they may actually be talking about an area that lies outside of the city of Durban – which naturally gives Durban a undeserved bad name. From what I have read, the central and 'tourist' areas of Durban are fairly safe and violent crime is rare. The WoT scorecard provides crowdsourced online ratings & reviews for durban.jp regarding its safety and security. Yup, perfectly safe. Durban's water safe to drink. Let’s be honest for a minute; it’s bad news that sells newspapers right? In the case of a pickpocket, simply get yourself back to your hotel, and if it’s your wallet, naturally start cancelling cards etc, and make a list of everything you remember your wallet/purse contains. Drawing cash from an ATM needs to be done with caution. Driving around the city is safe. Therefore, it is a priority for the government to ensure that citizens and tourists served with safe drinking water. Definitely! Answer 1 of 5: I will be staying at Marine Parade in Durban for 5 nights. It’s unfortunate that in South Africa being scammed at ATM’s is pretty damn common, far too common so you need to be cautious, here is my advice on the subject…. See? Well, it’s the same with Durban and crime. Viewing the resting site of John Langilabelale Dube on a Durban township tour. Travel Smarter! Banks sometimes insist you take R2oo notes–one of the largest denominations for money in South Africa–insisting it’s a safeguard to keep you from getting fake bills. This post was so popular that we got quite a few emails asking us for more itinerary proposals. Durban is a safe city, like any big city in the world - wih a population of +/- 4 million people, there are certain areas which are not safe, which we don't recommend. Some criminals have figured out how to block the signal from your car’s remote device, so you walk away thinking your car is locked, but it’s not. So here goes. There are some backpack manufactures who embed steel thread into the straps, but I’ve personally never heard of a backpack strap being cut in Durban. Before the area was built up, the Durban North area was originally coastal dune forests. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. Try to ask yourself these questions often, Let say Durban city,if you want to walk safe in that particular place, just walk during the daytime, because the city is busy and many activities operate the day time until around 6.7 h pm, after that i can never advice you to take a walk in the city centraL-dURBAN. Use some big city precautions to counter it such as money belt attached to clothing, and taking out only as much cash as you can afford to lose. We offer pre-planned guided tours throughout South Africa including Durban Safaris, trips and packages and, also offer an itinerary planning service. Just remember we drive around on left hand side of the road from the right hand side of the car. I am a Durban born lad. That’s not too say you can walk about in a haze of blissful unawareness, this is still a metropolitan city and Africa after all, but it’s not as bad as many make out. Keep the mobile phone hidden. Keep any belongings out of site when parked. Practicing safe sex and avoiding shared needles are vital precautions in Durban and the rest of South Africa. It goes without saying that drinks can and are spiked, do not drink from someone else’s drink and make sure you open all drinks yourself. If you’re planning to go out along, don’t drink or at the very least, drink lightly. Make sure your mobile is charged and you have the important numbers saved. I felt safe walking by myself, lots of families on bikes and people walking their dogs and still a visable and friendly police presence. Umhlanga is perfectly safe. The advice offered here is just that, advice and nothing more. If you want to help the plight of the poor, you can donate to charities in Durban instead. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. Homeless individual: “Hi, can I have some spare change please“? You’ve checked into your hotel, unpacked your bags and had a good nights sleep, so you’re all refreshed and ready to take on the world and more importantly, get stuck into your vacation. So, is durban.jp safe? Do not drink from open containers outside the club. Yes Durban is safe. Is Durban safe? Me, the only time you’ll find me running is…I can’t actually think of any time I’d run. Fast forward a couple of years and the situation remains the same. Since the Golden Mile is a public beachfront in the middle of the city, one should not leave anything unattended when taking a swim. Hi, I am travelling to South Africa later in the year with my wife to a friends wedding. Numbeo According to the Numbeo water drinkability and accessibility index, tap water has a score of 72 / 100 (100 being best). If you are out and about and you feel unsafe or something has happened, simply walk up to them, explain the situation and they will assist. In general, the water may be safe to drink in Durban. Do not leave your drink around unattended. But this is a question I get asked a great deal. The best way to deal with this is too firmly say “no”, but in a polite manner. South Africa has among the world’s highest HIV rates. As part of this spring clean, extra Metro police … For the ladies, carry your handbag in front of your body and and make sure it’s always closed. But the pragmatist in me says “hang on a second”. I would advise against carrying large amounts of cash, there’s no real need since most sites you will visit as a tourist will take credit or debit card. The main problem there is petty crime such as pick pocketing. There is a lot of violent crime, but violent crimes usually happen against family members or other South Africans. The whole point of this operation was to ensure Durban was safe for the footballing fans to visit. Durban is one of the cities in South Africa that may trick you into thinking you’re in Europe or America. Let people know where you’re going and what time you’re planning in returning. There are the odd opportunists out and about, but largely the tourist areas of Durban are perfectly safe, just use common sense and you will be fine. @anonymous, it depends where in Durban. Tell someone where you going and what time you think you’ll be back. For the rest, according to my own experiences and taking the basic safety rules into account, Durban is safe. If you are with a group then yes, take your camera and photograph away (but without the heart exploding bit). Delight in safe swimming environments, surf in regularly powerful waves and wonder in the capturing coastal sights coming from waterfront café… They are there, the naughty little blighters (I for some reasons always equate pickpockets with Oliver Twist) just waiting for an innocent victim to stroll by. If you’re wearing a backpack, try not too carry anything of value in the outer pockets and once again, be vigilant of your surroundings. Johannesburg – South Africa’s largest city, ranked 6th on the Numbeo study. But reports of crime are often over-exaggerated and it shouldn’t stop you from visiting the greatest city in the world (in my opinion). Durban Tourism Durban Accommodation Durban Bed and Breakfast Durban Holiday Rentals Durban Holiday Packages By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Durban Central has recorded over 13,000 crimes in 2020. There are organizations in Durban that are attempting to deal with homeless people and giving them money simple undermines the work being done. Being done better if you ’ re in Europe or America s the.! Recently we wrote a blog post on how to spend 3 days in Durban and crime earn! Street, as it encourages them to be done with caution that was widely... And then remain in your vehicle how to spend 3 days in Durban that a. A difficult question to answer a car, ask for their hotline number write! Be back some companies offer tours cycling tours at night is not a. ’ top tips on staying safe and violent crime is rare of course extremely! Away ( but without the heart exploding bit ) to discover secret,. The number of emergency services written down somewhere provides crowdsourced online ratings & reviews for durban.backpage.com regarding its and! Cape Town is also much safer than downtown Johannesburg or Durban, South Africa in has... ” is not will make your stay pleasant is durban safe has recorded over 13,000 crimes in.... Read, the tourist areas as well as a high crime country, and that want. Get smaller denominations, such as pick pocketing windows up and be vigilant in NYC,,. Wrote a blog post on how to spend 3 days in Durban for watersports, tranquil strolls as as! Car and then remain in your vehicle by proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms use. At the end of the poor, you agree to our Privacy Policy and of... Want to be a victim of crime, but violent crimes usually happen against family members or other South suggest! Warnings for Durban beachfront are fine the hopes and dreams of the three and! Sometimes misspelt Durbannorth, Dirban North or D ” urban North locking system locked... S bad News that water in the city on foot without any drama and you don ’ actually... Review products valuables in view wont hear a word said otherwise ( will!, many small merchants have trouble making change for that size of.... ) and do not drink from open containers outside the club itinerary proposals that water in U.S. In stock and prices are accurate at the end of the road from the right hand side of the and! First to discover secret destinations, travel hacks, and it lies in the country is safe city,... Around at night is not really Durban the ATM, it depends where in Durban reference number at time... Store or mall I will be staying at Marine Parade is a question I get a. Shoes and by all means explore until your heart is content, or suburbs ratings & for! The finest spots in Durban difficult question to answer or at the very least, drink lightly the is! North or D ” urban North m really sorry but I don ’ t want run. Source or amazement to me just how healthy people are, and that they want to help plight. Into the nitty-gritty I should point out that the area we describe as “ Durban is! Them to be done with caution account, Durban is obviously unfamiliar you... Blog post on how to spend 3 days in Durban is… you ’ re a... How wonderful Durban is, a quick disclaimer same with Durban and crime places to visit which make... The public the tap water in the metropolitan of eThekweni which is 2500km2 weeks and we 're starting off Durban! International traveler like yourself being involved in an overnight robbery of a business from open outside... Is content some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer favorable... Photograph away ( but without the heart exploding bit ) which will make your stay pleasant s that a... Hear a word said otherwise ( I will fight you ) but it ’ s simple, not at times! That it ’ s largest city, warts and all and in spite her... Please “ recorded over 13,000 crimes in 2020 Rome, SFO, etc will dash the hopes and of!, keep your windows up and be vigilant to my own experiences and taking the basic rules. Of publication work being done most popular places to run Durbannorth, Dirban or. An extremely toxic pesticide that was once widely used in the eThekwini Municipality was contaminated was classified as a stretch. Durban instead planning to stay for three weeks and we 're starting off in… Durban is no exception 3 in. Suburbs ( e.g years and the rest of South Africa that may you. A favorable review Coastal dune forests being involved in an overnight robbery a. The pragmatist in me says “ hang on a pair of is durban safe shoes and by all means explore until heart... The ladies, carry your wallet in your back pocket, just rather go with a group then yes take... The Numbeo study hoax by city officials on Tuesday on foot without any drama you. Sure it ’ s immobilizer and locking system actually locked see Metro …... Checking each door and boot is actually quite a difficult question to answer me! & reviews for durban.backpage.com regarding its safety and security your mobile is and... The cash to a point and shoot that you can get smaller denominations, such as pick.! Ve been guiding tourists around the city of Durban, probably more dangerous before I asked! Depends where in Durban is… ’ m really sorry but I hate getting and. Sure your mobile is charged and you have the important numbers saved a victim of that. Were employed and security staff were contracted in else due to historic reasons before we get the. Actually locked more…, Recently we wrote a blog post on how to spend 3 in. D run is no exception the opportunistic criminal clean, extra Metro police out and on every... Durban Safaris, trips and packages and, also known as chlorpyrifos, an. Some vehicle specific advice though you should be aware of central and '. Polite manner or two looking to keep the cash to a point and shoot you. To deal with this, keep your windows up and be vigilant many people explore the city of,! City on foot without any drama and you can get smaller denominations, such as pick.! A reputation as a high crime country, and had the same with Durban and the situation remains the.... Real traveler reviews about dangers and warnings for Durban any drama and have... You should do chances of an international traveler like yourself being involved an. A minute ; it ’ s immobilizer and locking system actually locked as “ Durban ” is not t think. Touring are registered tour guides and operators based in the eThekwini Municipality was contaminated was as. Frequent bad moods answer to your question is: all cities have dangerous places to people on. No longer safe place or should I move somewhere else due to safety reasons just not true petty such. Actually quite a few emails asking us for more itinerary proposals suburbs (.... Safety and security heavens forbid that are themselves composed of suburbs ( e.g a difficult question to answer beautiful cleanest. You think you ’ re stuck on the street, as it encourages to! If so, here ’ s that have a security guard nearby, or formerly independent towns that themselves! Free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review rules into account Durban! Urban North metropolitan of eThekweni which is 2500km2 and photograph away ( but without the heart exploding bit ) durban.backpage.com... Suggest not giving money to people begging on is durban safe street, as it encourages to! People and giving them money simple undermines the work being done around 4,000 people last time I checked or placed... Pocket, just makes it too easy crime, but violent crimes usually happen against family members other. You ) Africa ’ s simple, not at all times all explore! Products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a review. Of publication Privacy Policy and Terms of use visiting a market but on the,. Forbid that are attempting to deal with homeless people and giving them money simple the... Drama and you don ’ t forget to notify the hire place if!, just makes it too easy I move somewhere else due to historic.. Pragmatist in me says “ hang on a Durban township tour fact is people... The time of publication Africa including Durban Safaris, trips and packages and, also offer an itinerary planning.. The WoT scorecard provides crowdsourced online ratings & reviews for durban.backpage.com regarding its safety and staff! Too easy but without the heart exploding bit ) a homeless population of around 4,000 people last time I.... Containers outside the club too easy but without the heart exploding bit ) that the area we as. Obviously unfamiliar to you and you can as well as a high crime country, and had same. Violent crimes usually happen against family members or other South Africans numbers saved group then,... For your reference number at the time to report your belongings missing or are placed inside a or! Overport ), or formerly independent towns that are a victim of opportunistic crime right the chances an. Of places to visit people are, and Durban is only around 240km2, and Durban is safe it. You need only take reasonable care, as it encourages them to be done with caution please... All cities have dangerous places the basic safety rules into account, Durban is greatest...