Durban - Playground of the Zulu Kingdom

uShaka Marine World - It's an adventure

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uShaka Marine World in Durban, South Africa, has developed out of a vision to create a world-class entertainment and tourism destination for Durban and all of South Africa. uShaka Marine World incorporates fresh and sea water, natural materials, the re-creation of a wreck of a 1940's cargo ship, with the 5th largest aquarium in the world by volume of water, coupled with indigenous African imagery, lush vegetation and maritime images of the Port of Durban, plus a water slides amusement park, uShaka is a complete 'Theme park'.

The park is tastefully themed with a focus on family entertainment in terms of fun, excitement, friendliness, imagery, activities, education and unique experiences, grouped into five distinct areas.

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1. Village Walk - the retail food and beverage outlets are close to the main entrance to uShaka and at a height of about 10 meters above sea level, overlook much of the park and the Indian Ocean beyond. From the mysteries of the ocean floor to the wonders above, you'll find many of the treasures you're looking for in over 11 250m2 of retail specialty stores. These include fun products such as clothing and apparel, outdoor gear and equipment, arts and crafts and other indigenous and tourist-focused goods, information and services. Whatever your food passion, you'll be able to reward yourself at one of our unique restaurants - including the latest addition, Moyo's, described as modern, African and sophisticated.

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2. Sea World - located in the centre of uShaka Marine World, it comprises a salt water aquarium with indoor and outdoor displays and exhibits, a 1200-seater dolphin stadium where you'll be entertained by the world- famous Gambit and friends, the seal stadium and a penguin rookery. In addition, Sea World offers edutainment and special interactive activities such as snorkelling through reefs and grottos.

Sea World also incorporates the research facilities of the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI), which manages and protects the scientific and environmental credibility of Sea World, and the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) as a whole. These research facilities also offer classrooms for lectures to school and other groups on marine and other coastal matters as well as a research and reference library.

Many of uShaka's unique experiences are to be found in and around Sea World. Try these:

Snorkel Lagoon - catch a feed presentation for the rock lobsters, eel and octopus before heading into the water and snorkelling into a pool designed as a rocky lagoon. Float gently over the lagoon filled with a huge variety of marine life and maritime effects such as a 16th century ship's canon before entering the bowels of a shipwrecked cargo vessel and facing up to the predators of the deep through glass so clear, you'll imagine the nibbles on your toes long after leaving the water!

Offshore Rocky Reefs Exhibit - offering a diving experience, the Rocky Reef's tank will have you interacting with fish that you probably have only associated with fine cuisine such as Slinger and Englishman and other rare and magnificent reef fish found off the KwaZulu-Natal coast.

Rocky Touch Pool - have you ever touched a starfish? Have you ever felt the skin of a sea cucumber? No? Then this is the place to do it - gently of course - with the help of a specially trained guide.

The Open Ocean - gazing through an enormous window 8m long by 3m high you'll feel as though you are actually standing underwater with the many fish associated with the open ocean such as tuna, pompano, dorado and rays.

Dangers of the Deep - are you ready to meet some of the most feared creatures of the deep? Sharks, sea snakes, devil fire fish and stone fish occupy this area where from the surface you might even be able to touch a shark as it swims past a purpose-built balcony at feeding time.

Coral Gardens - bright yellows and reds, oranges and blues - nature manages to put so much beauty into a coral reef, and of the richest and most diverse ecosystems on earth that has been recreated for you within Sea World.

The Deep Zone - is a window into the lives of some of the weirdest and most spectacular animals inhabiting a world hundreds of metres below the surface of the ocean, often in total darkness.

Seals - be astounded by what these agile and intelligent creatures can do as they run through a program designed for your entertainment - and theirs!

Penguins - the African penguin is an endangered species. However, our breeding colony will provide you with a special opportunity to see these rare birds as they 'fly' through the water and waddle on land.

Dolphin Shows - our beloved dolphins, including the world- famous Gambit,, and younger jones, Jula and Khwezi, will enthral you with their grace and strength in their new and enormous 1200-seater stadium. Specially designed viewing windows will enable you to see the animals both above and below the water, where their remarkable speed and power can be appreciated to the full.

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The Phantom Ship Restaurants

1. The Upper Deck
Located at the bow of the Phantom Ship and suited for the whole family, the Upper Deck restaurant offers a delicious buffet, to please any palate. The chefs are on hand to prepare certain ala minute dishes like stir fries and pastas. This is an extremely interactive restaurant with all cooking and kitchen activities visible to guests. There is also an a-la-carte menu available which offers an alternative for someone looking for a lighter meal. For starters an antipasta counter offers an array of tapas and mezzes from around the world with a variety of fillings. Interesting tit bits, such as pickled fish, chicken livers, marinated calamari fingers and chicken wings with the chef's special sauce, are just some of the starters. The meat selection includes chicken kebabs, lamb chops, sirloin steak prepared to your liking. From the fish market there is always fresh line fish grilled to order. You can still find old favourites like casseroles, curries and stews accompanied by a delicious savoury rice or samp. The wine list, carefully designed by our ship captain, has some old favourites to compliment every meal. Come and join us on our themed evenings on Thursdays and Fridays. On Sunday and Monday evenings enjoy complimentary access into the Wreck Aquarium for an 'After dark experience'. Live entertainment awaits you throughout the week from Wednesday evening until Sunday lunch. Every Friday evening, the popular African Pirate Dinner adventure, Hot! Hot! Hot, sure to excite you with a live band, pirates taking over the ship and dancers. But, be prepared to jump up and participate. Watch the press for details, as there is always something new and exciting happening at the Upper Deck. Make sure to enquire about our monthly Wine tasting evenings where we present fine wines from various wine farms complimented by a 3-course served meal. The restaurant is open from 12h00 to 16h00 and 18h00 to 22h00 daily. Seating is outside or inside subject to availability of space. Bookings are essential on 031 328 8068

2. Cargo Hold
Dine amongst the sharks in this upmarket restaurant. Whether you have a special occasion, a business lunch or to impressed a loved one during dinner, the Cargo Hold is the perfect restaurant. With its shark tank or sea-facing views, it certainly is a restaurant to investigate, where our chefs will prepare world-class a la carte meals including seafood platters and a selection of red meat dishes.

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4. uShaka Beach - Durban is famous for its beaches and that's exactly what you'll find at uShaka. Bell's Beach, adjacent to uShaka Marine World, has been set aside for adventure seekers and offers perfect all-year non-stop fun. Activities include windsurfing, beach volleyball, and beach rugby, surfing, kite surfing, paddle boat rides, dolphin viewing charters and national and international beach sports' events.

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5. Wet 'n Wild - Time to get wet! A fresh water entertainment wonderland, Wet 'n Wild World offers exhilarating fun and safe entertainment for the whole family. It features separate swimming pools for kids and adults, relaxing river rides and high speed chutes for the adrenaline junkies. For the more adventurous we offer the highest slide in Africa which is 72m long, six storeys high and at a 30 degree inclination. This is the place where the wild at heart are set free to experience adrenaline pumping action while the rest of us can merely sunbathe on sandy beaches, grass or decks.

Mini-super tube - designed for kids up to 6 years of age, but wide enough for mum or dad to share the twists and bends, the mini-super tube will help build confidence for the bigger, faster slides in the park.

Play Area - water cannon and water mushrooms will keep the young (or young at heart) busy for hours and ensure your visit to Wet 'n Wild World is fun-filled.

The Open-body ride - sometimes referred to as the washing machine, this is a ride to be enjoyed by all ages. The high water volume accelerates you through the bends at a rage of about 4-5 metres per second, exiting into a safe pool at the bottom.

Tunnel ride - a roller-coaster enclosed ride not for the claustrophobic. Speeding round the curves at a gut- wrenching four metres per second in the dark makes for a thrilling experience and you'll definitely be coming back for more!

Naturally there's more, but we'd hate to spoil the surprises for you! Let your imagination conjure up the excitement of the Kamikaze speed slide, the Stuka Speed slide, the Five Lane Racer and the Fast River ride, or relax into the Family Rafter. Whatever you choose - you'll be sure to have a day to remember and many reasons to return.

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6. Special Tours - get an insight into Sea World's rehabilitation program for injured marine life. Learn how uShaka Marine World pumps water from the open ocean through the many aquarium tanks before returning it to the sea, cleaner than it was before. Be fascinated by a behind- the- scenes tour into the functioning of this spectacular marine theme park.

To reach uShaka Marine World from central Durban, join Point Road from West Street or Victoria Embankment and travel south. Continue on Point Road, turn left into Southampton and again into Albert Terrace.

Tourism KwaZulu-Natal has an information centre and a shop, situated close to the Treasure World entrance - look out for the Zulu Kingdom logo. Tourism Durban and KZN Wildlife also have information desks, and you will find Zulu Kingdom maps and brochures to improve your stay in the Zulu Kingdom.

Contact 031-337-8099 for more information.

Web Address: www.ushakamarineworld.co.za

Last Updated 21 May 2008

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