Known as the "Theater of Shopping", the Gateway Shopping Mall in Durban is one of the biggest shopping retail outlets in Africa. Situated in the Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre, with a record number of more than 280 stores, the complex is situated on 150 000m² of which 120 000m² is dedicated to modern retail – making all this an experience on its own!
This is not only a shopping mall where you get your latest wardrobe from, but a center full of recreational services. There is a Surf and Extreme Sports center Wavehouse.
It features the world’s first left and right breaking waves. You will also find KwaZulu-Natal’s only IMAX theater at Gateway, and there’s even a science center, guaranteed to be entertaining as well as educational.
And for the adrenaline junkies – the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall standing 24m high! This is a marvel even just to look at – and trust me, you will get dizzy! What about the skaters? Even you are seen to, with a 4000sqm Skate Park designed by non other than Tony Hawk!
For the more artsy type, there is the Barnyard Theater, a lovely rustic-feel little theater. Or you could go to Fantasy Forest where you can find Ten Pin Bowling, Pool, Go Carts, Bumper Cars, Mini Golf, a Foofie Slide and much more!
The mall sees more than 1.30 million visitors coming through its doors per month and an average of 4.86 million holidaymakers per year. I personally didn’t have time to do all the things I wanted to, and of course got lost as I failed to realize the sheer size of this magical place. Visit the Gateway Shopping Mall in Durban for an experience that will leave you smiling for a while!
