The tiny suburb of Umbilo is part of the greater Berea suburb in the city of Durban, South Africa. This innovative and happening area is where socialites dare to try new culinary innovations, sample craft beer and sip imported coffee.
Umbilo is conveniently situated between the M4 and M7 highways for easy access to Durban, the beaches along the coast and inland to the lush Midlands area. The suburb has several colleges and schools and the King Edward VIII hospital is located here.
Durban is a multi-award winning city, the official visitor guides state that the city experiences summer all year long with great attractions and its people enjoy a laidback lifestyle…and Umbilo is at the epicentre of this playground.
Top 6 reasons to visit Umbilo
1. Beat the humidity by spending time on the beaches along Durban’s Golden Mile or at any of the Blue Flag appointed beaches up and down the KwaZulu-Natal coast. Both Addington and South Beach are the recommended swimming beaches closest to Umbilo.
2. uShaka Marine World could only be described as awesome. Some of the amazing activities and attractions include the largest aquarium in the southern hemisphere, a touch pool, the opportunity to snorkel with tropical fish, dolphin shows and shark cage diving, to name a few.
3. With onsite cinemas, shopping facilities, a nightclub, bars and restaurants, the Suncoast Casino is not only about gambling. The resort has a grassed area leading directly onto the beach and popular with the crowds.
4. Durban is famous for its curries and there are many curry houses to be found throughout the city. A popular late night snack is the bunny chow, a half-loaf of white bread hollowed out and filled with curry. Ask your host to recommend a good curry house.
5. Take a Segway gliding tour of the Moses Mabhida Stadium to learn more of this major landmark. The stadium has several activities to enthral the adventurous, including the Big Rush Big Swing, a 220m swing over the stadium pitch.
6. Durban and surrounds has a glut of golf courses and for those who enjoy the sport, the best known are the Durban Country Club (rated in the top 100 worldwide) and the Royal Durban Golf Club championship links courses.
Transport
The nearest airport is King Shaka International Airport, 43km from Umbilo. There are many car rental agencies in Durban city centre and at King Shaka airport to hire a vehicle or you could order a rental online. If you have the Uber app, call them for a ride, otherwise contact one of the many metered taxis operating in Durban. A bus service runs between Durban city and the suburbs.
Did you know?
In 2014 the global voting site, New7Wonders, voted Durban into the top 10 Wonder Cities worldwide.
Fire walking was first introduced to South Africa by worshippers at the Shree Ambalavanaar Alayam Temple in Umbilo. A fire walking festival takes place every March in honour of the Hindu Goddess of Fire.