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
Designed
by American firm Creative Kingdom Inc. Shaka Marine World opened on 30 April
2004 after 3 years of development. In 2005, the park was awarded for
"Outstanding Achievement in thematic creative design" by the Themed
Entertainment Association
uShaka Sea World
uShaka
Sea World the fifth largest aquarium in the world, with 32 tanks totalling
17,500 cubic meters of water. The underground aquarium is designed around five
shipwrecks, with its entrance through the above ground "Phantom
Ship", which contains several restaurants including the "Cargo
Hold," 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".The fantastic dolphin stadium can
seat 1,200 visitors, and the seal stadium can seat
about 450.
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.
In the 2009-2010 financial year, the park suffered a net loss of ZAR
44.5-million, and a total deficit of ZAR 377.5-million. There were also
irregular expenditures (expenditures which did not undergo normal procurement
procedures) of ZAR 3.15-million on the park.