uShaka Marine World

uShaka Marine World

uShaka Marine World logo

A blacktip shark in the shark aquarium.
Date opened 30 April 2004[1]
Location Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Coordinates 29°52′03″S 31°02′45″E / 29.867443°S 31.045915°E / -29.867443; 31.045915Coordinates: 29°52′03″S 31°02′45″E / 29.867443°S 31.045915°E / -29.867443; 31.045915
Land area 16 hectares (40 acres)[2]
Number of animals 10,000 (2010)[2]
Total volume of tanks 17,500 cubic metres (4,600,000 US gal)
Annual visitors 790,433 (2010)[2]
Website www.ushakamarineworld.co.za

uShaka Marine World is a 16-hectare (40-acre) theme park which was opened on 30 April 2004 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It comprises 5 sections: uShaka Sea World, uShaka Wet 'n Wild, uShaka Beach, uShaka Village Walk and, uShaka Kids World. It is located on the strip of land between the beachfront and the harbour. It was the first phase in the redevelopment of the Durban Point.

History

uShaka Marine World opened on 30 April 2004 after 3 years of development.[1] In 2005, the park was awarded for "Outstanding Achievement in thematic creative design" by the Themed Entertainment Association.[3]

uShaka Sea World

A diver feeding a Short-tail stingray

uShaka Sea World is the fifth largest aquarium in the world, with 32 tanks totaling 17,500 cubic meters of water. The underground aquarium is designed around five shipwrecks, with its entrance through the above ground "Phantom Ship",[2] which contains several restaurants including the "Cargo Hold,"[4] with a wall sized shark aquarium visible from most of the dining areas, and the "Upper Deck," with views of the open sea exhibits that surround the "ship".[5][6] The dolphin stadium can seat 1,200 visitors, and the seal stadium can seat about 450.[2]

Jumping dolphins in the dolphin show

The aquarium is home to shark species such as ragged-tooth sharks, spinner sharks, hammerhead sharks, and local catsharks, large rays including eagle rays, local moray species including honeycomb morays and geometric morays, local gamefish, and large fish species including giant groupers, potato bass, kingfish, and cobia. uShaka also housed a Manta ray for a short period of time before it was moved to the Georgia Aquarium in the United States.

In addition to the dolphin and seal shows, there is penguin, shark and ray feeding at various times during the day, the exact times are published by the park and are readily available to visitors.

Visitors can take part in an animal encounter. It is possible to snorkel in the lagoon with approximately 1500 fish. Underwater adventures including shark cage diving and walking on the floor of the aquarium with an ocean diver are also available.

Calypso, the local dive centre at Ushaka, also runs discover scuba and bubble maker experiences in the snorkel lagoon. 'Bubble maker' is for children aged 8-under 10. A scuba diving course is available to people over 10 years old. Certified divers can also dive in the open ocean lagoon with pelagic fish and rays.

The Dangerous Creatures exhibit includes various reptiles, amphibians and arachnids, some of which are venomous in their newly set-up Dangerous Creatures section, which is apart from the main aquarium. This sub-section contains both local and exotic animals, from rock pythons to Burmese pythons, Nile crocodiles, black mambas, tarantulas, scorpions, and gila monsters.

uShaka Wet'n Wild

uShaka Wet'n Wild is a water park which contains everything from a lazy river ride that goes through the ship wreck and past some tanks, to high speed slides, and boasts the highest water slide in the southern hemisphere and includes a large grass area for relaxing, and its own restaurants.

uShaka Beach

uShaka Beach is a beach which has direct access from the amusement park. It boasts sand beaches and a large pier leading out into the ocean.

uShaka Village Walk

uShaka Village Walk is designed similar to an African village, and includes restaurants, cafes and numerous shops.

Financial troubles

The park was built at a cost of ZAR 700-million and has been subsidized for a total of ZAR 450-million by the eThekwini Municipality. The park suffered a net loss of ZAR 44.5-million, and a total deficit of ZAR 377.5-million. There have also been irregular expenditures (expenditures which do not undergo normal procurement procedures) of ZAR 3.15-million on the park.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "About Us". ushakamarineworld.co.za. uShaka Marine World. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Durban Marine Them Park (Pty) Ltd. Trading as uShaka Marine World Annual Report" (PDF). durban.gov.za. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  3. ↑ "uShaka Marine World". southafrica.net. South African Tourism. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "Cargo Hold". ushakamarineworld.co.za. uShaka Marine World. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  5. ↑ "The Upper Deck at uShaka Marine World". safarinow.com. Safari Now. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  6. ↑ "Map". ushakamarineworld.co.za. uShaka Marine World. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  7. ↑ Tolsi, Niren (4 February 2011). "Durban bleeds municipal funds". mg.co.za. Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
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