After the recent Virginia Airshow, I realised once again how much is happening in Durban and the surrounding areas all year round.
So, I thought it might be an idea to do some research and publish a Calendar of Events for this area
By now, I have enough information to do even more, but I already have enough information for a 4-part series to cover one year of events taking place every year.
But the fun part is that you don't have to travel to Durban just for an event. You can plan so many activities or adventures that you can make the journey about much more than just the one event.
So, you can either plan for an adventure and see which event/s are taking place in the nearby area, or you can attend the event, but also enjoy some other adventures while you're in the area
And if you love waterfalls, read on. So, 
Durban is situated on the East Coast of South Africa. It is a very popular holiday destination for both South Africans and international tourists alike.
Today, we will focus on popular activities that take place in and around Durban between January and March every year, such as the Dusi Canoe Marathon, and add some adventures to enjoy while you are in Durban.
Each year, world-class sporting events, vibrant cultural festivals, and beachside gatherings fill the calendar — from hearing the rhythmic footsteps of runners in the Comrades Marathon to the roar of aircraft at the Virginia Air Show.
But Durban is more than its events.
Just beyond the stadiums and beachfront, you’ll find the most beautiful landscapes, secret waterfalls, and golden coastlines waiting to be explored.
This guide - in the form of a 4-part blog post series - brings together an annual events calendar with Durban’s scenic escapes. So, whether you’re planning a trip around the Amashova Cycle Race or simply seeking an adventure-filled holiday, you’ll know exactly how to make the most of your time in and around this coastal city.
Events - January to March.
Let's get into the activities for the yearly calendar from January to March. Remember, these are annual events.
With long, warm, and sunny days, it comes as no surprise that some of the big events are water-related and take place during these early months of the year.
This is setting the stage for some of South Africa’s most iconic endurance events.
The Midmar Mile
This event takes place in Howick on 7 & 8 February 2026. Howick is a lovely little town, about 109 km west of Durban Central. It is a drive of about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The Midmar Mile, the world’s largest open-water swimming race, is held at Midmar Dam in Howick. Thousands of swimmers — from Olympians to first-timers — take on the challenge each year.
The race is approximately 1 mile (1.6km) long. But it’s not just a race, it’s a celebration of water sports in KwaZulu-Natal.
It's a great outing for the whole family, often with more than one family member taking part
Dusi Canoe Marathon
The Dusi Canoe Marathon will start in Pietermaritzburg and end in Durban
According to their Facebook Page, the next Dusi will start in Pietermaritzburg, a city in KwaZulu-Natal, about 80 km west of Durban CBD. It will start on March 7, 2026, and end in Durban on March 9, 2026, after a gruelling journey of 120 km along the Umgeni River.
This three-day event is known as one of the toughest canoe marathons in the world and is a true test of endurance and teamwork.
Local Beachfront Events & Festivals from January to March)
The Durban beachfront is known as Durban’s Golden Mile.
Coming out of the December holiday season (and still being in the holiday season until about halfway through January, the beachfront comes alive with summer concerts, surf contests, and beachfront family activities. If you are one for music concerts and don't mind the crowds, you will enjoy this.
From the latter half of January, it starts calming down, and it's better if you prefer a more laid-back atmosphere.
Combining Events with some exciting Outdoor Adventures.
Seeing that we started looking at events such as the Midmar Mile and the Dusi Canoe Marathon, let's start with some adventures in that area and then work our way down to the coastline.
Howick Falls (near the Midmar Dam)
If you attended the Midmar Mile, the Howick Falls would be a great stop to make, as it is just around the corner. The Howick Falls will also be my location pin for this post in #worldmappin.
Just 12 km (a 20-minute drive) away from the Midmar Dam, this waterfall plunges 95m into the gorge below and is easily accessible from the town.
On the day I took the photo above, the scenery was beautiful and lush green. But I took the video below on another day, just after we had some rain. Treat yourself by watching the video while you can listen to the sound of the water.
If you're in the area for the Dusi Canoe Marathon, it will also be worth your while to spend 30 minutes on a 25 km drive from Pietermaritzburg to visit the Howick Falls.
Giba Gorge (near Durban)
After you've enjoyed the action and thrills of the Dusi Canoe Marathon, you'll find yourself in Durban, as that is where the Dusi Canoe Marathon will end. So, while you're in Durban, why not head out to Giba Gorge! It's about 27 km from Durban CBD.
If you've got your mountain bike on the bike rack on your vehicle, great! They offer some exciting mountain biking trails. But Giba Gorge is about more than mountain biking. You will also find restaurants, forest walks, and small waterfalls as you will see on their website. A great outing for the family.
Here are some of my own photos taken during a hike I've done in Giba Gorge.
One of the first things you'll find as you enter is this BMX track.
You will also find a large open area where you can just sit down or have a picnic of your own, with a huge playing area for the little ones.
Just above this area is a nice restaurant if you want to enjoy some quality time with family and friends over a nice meal.
One of the mountain bike trails leaving from the Main area.
Clear signs along the hiking trail not to enter this area, as it is one of the mountain bike trails, and mountain bikes are coming down this route.
I took a hike to a waterfall. About halfway to the waterfall, you can stop over at this little bush-restaurant if you want something to drink or have lunch before continuing your walk.
I didn't stop over, though, and this is what it looks like following the hiking trail toward the waterfall.
Eventually, you will find various options of which trail you want to continue on.
On this specific day, I chose the Giba Falls.
On the way to the falls, you pass this beautiful little pond.
Unfortunately, on the day I visited the waterfall, it wasn't running strongly as I was there during the winter season. But from what I've heard, it can become quite spectacular when it's running stronger after some nice rain.
I started the 5km journey back to the main area.
Just before arriving at the main area, there is an obstacle course, ideal for some team-building activities or just to have some fun. You can see the roof of the restaurant in the main area in the background.
Paradise Valley
If you love waterfalls, Paradise Valley is another place of interest that is only a 20km drive away from Durban CBD.
You'll walk along the most beautiful scenery for about 2km...
...until you eventually arrive at the waterfall in Paradise Valley.
Conclusion.
If you love the warm tropical climate of Durban and enjoy outdoor endurance events in and on the water, January to March is ideal for you.
Pair your endurance experience with beautiful green landscapes, waterfalls, spectacular sunrises over the ocean, or relaxing days on the beach, and you'll have a great time in Durban and the surrounding areas.
Note: The times mentioned in this post are published as they currently appear online. As we approach the various events, it would be wise to check online to confirm the dates, as they might change.
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