If you are planning a summer trip to South Africa for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and wondering what else there is to do in sunny South Africa besides watch the soccer- the answer is lots!

From its wonderful beaches, warm weather, fascinating cultural heritage and traditions, there is something for everyone in South Africa.

Doing Durban
On the east coast of South Africa is Durban, this wonderful city is blessed with beautiful sunny weather and the warm Indian Ocean and lots of things to see, do and experience! Durban is also known as Kwa-Zulu Natal, which means the Zulu Kingdom of Natal. This is the heart of South Africa’s Zulu nation and even has a king and royal family!

If you travelling with children, Durban has an abundance of fabulously fun things to do and see for the little ones!

Where to stay
There are lots of places to stay in Durban but the best bet is to stay at one of the big hotels near the beach, which also has a pool for the kids to enjoy. The Durban beachfront or the small beach village of Umhlanga Rocks are your best options. Visit the Southern Sun Hotels website.

Durban delights
First stop in Durban with the tiny ones in tow must be Mini Town. Situated on the Durban beachfront, Mini Town is Durban for little people! This fun attraction is replica of Durban and is a miniature city. The kids will delight in seeing a knee high version of Durban; it’s like a toy land! Mini trains and planes move around and thrill the kids! There is even a miniature harbour with ships, as well as an airport. A fabulous family outing!

The weather is Durban in July is fabulous so a day on the beach is a must-do! Try out the Durban beachfront and hit North Beach! The warm Indian Ocean is blissful to swim in and the soft sand is perfect for building sand castles! Try out the Beach Cafe for a delicious lunch, this great eatery is literally on the sand. Enjoy the yummy food and view while the little ones play in the sand! You CANNOT beat the location! Take a walk down one of Durban’s many piers- you will feel like you are in the middle of the ocean!

Fantastic fun in the sun
No visit to Durban is complete without a visit (or a few!) to UShaka Marine World- Africa’s biggest marine park! UShaka is set on the end of the Durban beachfront and has plenty to do! The UShaka Sea World will thrill the kids to no end! Set in an old 1920’s shipwreck, there are plenty nooks and crannies to explore in the Phantom ship! Come face to face with great white sharks, with only millimetres of glass between you! Visit the seal pool or see the cute penguins in their rookery! Catch a dolphin show- the kids will love it! Take the little ones to the touch pool where they can touch a star fish or feel a sea cucumber. Mum and dad can also have an adventure and swim with the sea creatures in the snorkel lagoon. If you are brave enough, take the plunge in the shark dive tank and be lowered in a protective cage to meet the world’s most fearsome marine predators…

UShaka also has a wonderful water park, Wet N’ Wild! This fresh water park is loads of fun, with lots of slides and pools and a very special kiddies section with pools and slides for the little ones! Take a lazy ride on the adventure river ride around the marine theme park, and through the wreck of a 1920's cargo steamer, exploring rapids and passing the shark tank as you drink in the sub-tropical surrounds! Attached to UShaka is its very own private beach to enjoy the African sunshine. Surf and kayaking lessons are also available on the beach! Helicopter rides are also available from UShaka, which take you on a ride around Durban’s breathtaking coastline!

UShaka has a great selection of shopping choices its village work where you can shop until you drop! There is also a choice of eateries- and most family friendly! Try out Moyo, which has a great view of the beach. This African inspired restaurant is a great treat and the kids will love getting their faces painted in the traditional African way!

Another fun activity is to head to Durban’s bustling harbour! The Maritime Museum is housed there and is built within a small tugboat on Durban’s harbour and the kids will love playing in this quaint boat! Take a trip on one of the many boats that run from the Durban harbour. These fun trips out to sea are lots of fun and you can see wonderful views of Durban and sometimes even dolphins! There is a great waterfront by the harbour which has lots of great family and child friendly restaurants with the best setting in town- right on the water!

Spend some more time on Durban’s Golden Mile- here you can buy traditional (and cheap) South African curios and arts and take the kids on an authentic African Rickshaw ride along the beach. It will delight them to no end! Also check out the beachfront amusement park and try the fun rides! Treat the kids to a traditional Durban Indian delicacy- pineapple covered in cinnamon and sugar on a stick! Mum and Dad can have theirs the real way, covered in curry powder!

Culture for the kiddies
Head towards the hills and away from the city- the famous Valley of a Thousand Hills for a wonderful experience! Experience it’s mystical past and the conventions of its present inhabitants. Learn of South Africa’s Zulu culture as you visit the Phezulu Cultural Village. Enjoy the energetic Zulu dances, as pounding drumbeats reverberate in the air. The little ones will love the dances and visiting the traditional huts and seeing the Zulu life. It’s an experience they –and you-will never forget. A wonderful way for the children to experience the idyllic beauty of the Valley of a Thousand Hills is by the 1000 Hills Choo Choo. This old fashioned steam train offers trips along the valley! There is plenty to do in this area- from all the traditional art and crafts to the quaint tea gardens- it’s a great day out!

Take a trip out to the seaside ‘village’ of Umhlanga Rocks, just 15 minutes north of Durban. With its fabulous beaches there is a lot to do here. Take the kids to working Farm Yard where they can pet, feed and ride the animals! Of for something a bit wilder, Umhlanga is home to the Natal Sharks Board where you can see shark dissections as well as Croc World, where you can walk through a glass tunnel and view the snakes and see the Crocs being fed! Also visit the wonderful Umgeni River Bird Park where the waterfalls, lush vegetation are home to lots of birds! Walk-through aviaries and open paddocks, this bird park offers spectacular views of macaws and flamingos and lets you see how some of the world’s rarest birds live and breed. Lots of fun!

Science and safari
Staying north of the city, visit Gateway Shopping Centre- the largest one in the Southern Hemisphere! Besides for all the shopping there is plenty for the little ones to do! There is a great interactive Science Centre for the kids to enjoy with over 250 interactive science and technology displays- they will be enthralled and amazed at what they discover! There is also a skate park, a Wave House- where you can surf in a simulated sea and The Rock- the world’s largest indoor climbing wall! Kids will also nag you to visit the Fantasy Forrest, where tenpin bowling and fun arcade games are on offer! Gateway has a massive selection of child and family friendly eateries to enjoy! It’s a great outing for an odd rainy day!

If you want to experience the best of South Africa’s wild, head 45 south of the city to Tala Private Game Reserve! Stay over for the night in it’s wonderful Lodge and go on game drives in the bush, the kids will love the safari adventure. Spot wild animals such as Zebra, Hippos and Rhinos!

Happy travels...