Smith’s Cottage

Top choice in Durban


An excellent budget option within chirping distance of the Umgeni River Bird Park. It's set around a suburban garden and has a couple of free-standing (smallish) cabins, a large 12-bed dorm with attached kitchen, a smaller four-bed dorm inside the house and even a caravan for the ultra-budget conscious. The whole place has a great feel; the hosts couldn't be friendlier.

Next door is the sister property De Charmoy, an upmarket alternative with a similarly friendly demeanour.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Durban attractions

1. Umgeni River Bird Park

0.33 MILES

Found on the Umgeni River, north of the centre, this bird park makes for a relaxing escape from the throng. You can see many African bird species in lush…

2. Blue Lagoon Beach

1.54 MILES

This playful beach once had a reputation for being dangerous, but after an extensive revamp it's now a haven for families. There are playgrounds, food…

3. Laguna Beach

1.6 MILES

A popular beach for water-sport activities such as jet skiing.

4. Tekweni Beach

1.73 MILES

The windy location makes surfing less popular here than at other beaches on the Golden Mile. It has a very hairy shorebreak.

5. Moses Mabhida Stadium

1.84 MILES

Durbanites are proud of their state-of-the-art stadium, constructed for the 2010 World Cup. Resembling a giant basket, it seats 56,000 people, and its…

8. Campbell Collections

2.17 MILES

These collections are well worth seeing. Muckleneuk, a superb house designed by Sir Herbert Baker, holds the documents and artefacts collected by Dr…