I went in 1997. Its on the east coast of South Africa Ted. I can't remember much about Durban as the country side has so much more to offer than the cities. I spent christmas eve in Johannesburg bus station and arrived in Durban at 6am on Christmas day where I was picked up by relatives and taken surfing. It felt very wrong. Give me rain and cold any day.

I visited the Natal Sharks Board in Durban who do public shark disections - interseting if you're interested in fish biology. The beaches are nice, particularly out of town but they don't have shark nets.

I recommend visiting the Drakensburg mountains. They are only two or three hours drive from Durban in the heart of Natal. There is a magnificent escarpment with 3000m+ peaks and wonderful wildlife. There are is lovely national park accomodation (Giant's Castle Reserve is fab). We saw mountain baboons, Eland and Bearded Vultures (massive 8-9ft wingspan). It is one of the best places in the world to photograph these rare vultures. Also there are lots of caves with bushman paintings in. Book a mountain hut and trek up to it for a night or two. For an easy high peak, climb the Amphitheatre (the wonderful backdrop in the film 'Zulu'). You have to negotiate a vertical 30m chain ladder but it is one of the few peaks with good road access making it doable in a day.

While you're in the area, it's also worth checking out the battlefields of the Boer and Zulu wars. In particular, Rourke's Drift and Isandlwana, maybe Ulundi and Spion Kop too. You need a good guide or a good book if you want these to come to life. Try 'The Scramble for Africa' by Thomas Pakenham and 'The Washing of the Spears' by Donald R Morris - both excellent and readable histories.

Also look out for Umfolosi/Hluhluwe National park - it rivals Kruger any day and has all ranges of accomodation. We saw loads including lion, leopard, elephant, rhino (white), buffalo and cheetah and lots more.

South Africa is a huge country and it is definitely worth getting out of the cities and travelling.

Have fun.

Richard.