The site where Durban is located was discovered by Vasco da Gama. Then, in the nineteenth century, the British, with the authorisation of Zulu King Shaka, built a colony there. Durban’s superb location meant that it quickly became a major port and magnet for thousands of migrants mainly from India and Asia, the most famous of whom was Mahatma Gandhi. Its size and wealth were to make it the foremost town in Zululand and today it is a modern, dynamic metropolis with historic buildings and Botanic Gardens renowned throughout the world. Its very life and diversity make it an ideal stopping-off point for tourists on their way to Zululand; they set down their suitcases just long enough to enjoy its miles of golden sandy beaches on the Indian Ocean.