Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Brief introduction.
urban was visited by the first European, Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama, in 1497 when he landed in the city's natural harbour on Christmas Day and named it Port Natal. The city itself was named after a British Cape governor, Sir Banjamin D'Urban, in 1824, after the Zulu King Shaka gave it to the British. The city port had been established as a trading post for a few centuries. Because of its proximity to Johannesburg, Durban is the port from which goods are transported inland.
Durban's function has however changed slightly over the years to becoming a major holiday destination for people living in Gautang and surrounding provinces, especially because of its subtropical climate. The many hotels and holiday flats along its "Golden Mile" beach front attest to its enduring attraction for holiday makers from the interior.
Durban is famous for its Zulu rickshas with their elaborate costumes carrying visitors up and down the beach front. The city has many attractions, including Water World, Sea World, Durban Botanic Gardens, Victoria Street Market, Natal Maritime Museum, and its easy access to other places of interest along the north and south coasts makes it the holiday gateway. The recent World Aids Conference was held at its international conference centre.
The city also has many gay places to visit, although the city centre has lost its appeal for gay venues the new area to be seen is the suburb of Berea where the gay-owned and gay-friendy restaurants are located. Many of the non-gay bars in this areas are also quite cruisy.
Accommodation.
Durban Beach House
Brighton Beach; Victor or Stephan - Tel: 031 466 2958; Cel: 082 552-3099 / 082 552-3095; E-mail: lelyprop@icon.co.za Gay-owned; private beach access, lush garden with pool, 10 min from the airport and 15min from town, fully equipped kitchen, breakfast and dinner available, excursions, swim with the dolphins, also complimentary reflexology, aromatherapy. Web site:
303 South Ridge B&B
Berea area. Spacious en-suite bedrooms with fridge, te/coffee facilities. Secure, off-street parking, swimming pool, alundry facilities and airport transfer. Derek - Tel: (031) 205-4554; Fax: (031) 206-2920; Cell: 083 777-4058
Esselmont B&B
First-class on the beach near the botanical gardens, near Musgrave Shopping Centre. Air-conditioned rooms. Weekend specials also. Tel: (031) 309-2489; Fax (031) 309-5183; Cell: 083 661-6086
Hippo Hide Guest House
Berea; Tel: 031 207-4366 - Michelle; Fax: 031 303-1771; gay-friendly, garden cottages, double rooms, pool. Ideal for backpackers, not exclusively gay. Near city and beach.
Palm Ridge B&B
Berea; Tel: 031 208 2071 - Errol; Fax: 031 281-1013; E-mail: palmridge@hotmail.com; gay-owned, air-conditioned suite with bar fridge, en-suite bathroom, safe off-street parking; 10 minutes to the beach, near city.
Sherwood Manor B&B
Manor house with seperate cottage in tropical gardens, courtyard with sauna, jacuzzi, plunge and swimming pools, secure parking; 10 minutes from the beach and 5 minutes from the airport. Tel/Fax: (031) 304-6653; (031) 208-2560
Bars & clubs.
AXIS
Cnr Rutherford and Gullespie Streets. Tel (031) 332-2603/4
B-Zone
Cnr Point & West Streets, (031) 337-6407
Club 69
Upstairs at Wingspan with darkrooms, 082-484-0852
Feline Groovy
Women only. Phone Jay on 082-572-7028
Shaftesbury Ave.
Restaurant, opposite Overport Centre.
Wingspan Gay Action Cinema Bar
2 Commercial Rd, Cnr Prince Alfred. 082-484-0852
Community.
National Coalition for Gay & Lesbian Equality
Durban: PO Box 30890 Mayville, 4058; Tel: 031 260-1149; 088 132 0205; The NCGLE has fought tirelessly for the inclusion of "sexual orientation" in the basic conditions of employment act, immigration rights, adoption rights and all the other civil and legal rights that the South African Constitution (1996) provide for. The organisation has two divisions: the legal advice centre and the broader organisation taking cases to the Constitutional Court, of of which they have been successful in so far.
Open Door
HIV/AIDS drop-in centre: Durban; Tel: 031 304-6701
Time Out
HIV/AIDS Info & Counselling: Durban; Tel: 031 216-6214; Cel: 083 701-0727
Goods & services.
Third Millennium Corporate
88 Clark Road, Glenwood, Durban; Tel: 031-201-7185; E-mail: saxon3mm@telkomsa.net personal and corporate image consultancy and graphic design.
Bare Wear
PO Box 1251, Scottburgh 4180; great selection of swimwear, sexy underwear. Write for a catalogue.
Restaurants & cafés.
Bistro 136
136 Florida Road, Morningside, Durban; Tel: 031 303-3440; French cuisine, also sea food; gay-owned, mixed gay-straight crowd. Owner Willy Zurschmiede is your host; 7 days a week, 11.00 till late.
Garth's Place
Avonmore Centre, 9th Avenue, Morningside, Durban; Gay-firendly, gay-owned, light meals.
Sex shops & cruising.
Adult World
114 West Street, Durban; Tel: 031 332-1376; Fax: 031 332 7198; good selection of gay mags, photo books, porn and parephenalia; porn cinema with gay section and extensive glory holes - R20 entrance; 7 days a week.
Cine X
Woodford Grove (off Adrain Rd) entrance in underground parking garage; viewing rooms, dark room; 09.00 to 21.00 daily. R20.00
Public cruising in the Durban area, especially on the beaches, is considered very dangerous, especially at night. The main cruising beaches are Battery Beach and Beachwood Beach and both can be reached via the M4 northbound. Night cruising on these two beaches should be avoided at night. Slightly safer is Marine Parade Beach on the beachfront, especially in front of the reserve military base.
