There is a huge range of options for excursions of a day in length and more from Durban, including walking and driving trips through the Valley of a Thousand Hills, overnight trips to stay in a Zulu village, day trips to the highland Kingdom of Lesotho, an independent country surround completely by South Africa, and visits to the spectacular Drakensberg Mountain range.

While a hire car is an option for touring, some areas must be treated with caution, and it is recommended that visitors unfamiliar with the region take advantage of the many escorted tour options.

Tekweni Ecotours (tel: (086) 111 3915; website: www.tekweniecotours.co.za) and Tours South Africa (tel: (021) 701 1202; website: www.tourssouthafrica.co.za) are two of the major operators.

As with the city tours, the options available are as numerous as the operators offering them, and any hotel will be happy to advise.