UShaka Marine World
uShaka Marine World entrance
Map
29°52′03″S 31°02′45″E / 29.867443°S 31.045915°E / -29.867443; 31.045915
Date opened30 April 2004[1]
LocationDurban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Land area16 hectares (40 acres)[2]
No. of animals10,000 (2010)[2]
Total volume of tanks4.6 million US gallons (17,000 m3)
Annual visitors790,433 (2010)[2]
Websiteushakamarineworld.co.za

uShaka Marine World is a 16-hectare (40-acre) theme park that opened on 30 April 2004 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It has a total capacity of 4.6 million gallons containing 10,000 animal species.[3][4]

History

Snorkel Lagoon

Designed by American firm Creative Kingdom Inc. Shaka 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.[5]

uShaka Wet 'n Wild

uShaka Wet 'n Wild is a water park inside uShaka Marine World.

uShaka Beach

uShaka Beach is a beach which has direct access from the amusement park. It has 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.

uShaka Dangerous Creatures

Dangerous Creatures is an adventure for reptile enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies.

Chimp and Zee

Chimp & Zee has the longest continuous belay system in Africa, and is a rope adventure park.[6]

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.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b "About Us". ushakamarineworld.co.za. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Durban Marine Them Park (Pty) Ltd. Trading as uShaka Marine World Annual Report" (PDF). durban.gov.za. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  3. ^ "The 10 Biggest Aquariums In The World (Ranked By Size)". TheTravel. 7 September 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  4. ^ "These are The 15 Largest Aquariums in the World". Luxatic. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  5. ^ "uShaka Marine World". southafrica.net. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  6. ^ "Chimp and Zee". ushakamarineworld.co.za.
  7. ^ Tolsi, Niren (4 February 2011). "Durban bleeds municipal funds". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
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