Durban

There is a trick to planning a holiday to Durban: Seasonal travellers choosing its most popular corners will be met with crowded sands and queue-ridden commercial centers. More innovative tourists take advantage of its constant summer by visiting out of season and choosing the lesser known pockets of coastline. Umhlanga and Umdloti have long held their ranks as Natal's most precious gems, but the 2010 Soccer World Cup developments stretched The Golden Mile beyond its previous borders to include some less populace but equally striking aquatic zones. Sunbathers and surfers in search of their own private beach time venture into the more secreted Elephant Coast. The Dolphin Coast is Natal's pearl, steeped in tribal culture and historic tales. Those on the hunt for the buzz of the crowds squeeze their way into Unhlanga Rocks, Ballito Bay and Margate, whilst naturalists prefer the unspoiled splendor of St Lucia Wetlands Park. 

The two most dominant cultures met on holidays to Durban are the Zulu tribes and local Indian people. As such, the region offers some of South Africa's highest Indian cuisine, as well as some of its most vibrant African cultures. Durban was the home to the famed Zulu king, Shaka, which won it its nickname, Shakaland. South Africans are world renowned for their friendliness and the Zulu people are the most inclusive and welcoming of all cultures. They will make your visit to an authentic Zulu Kraal feel homely and cosy. That snug atmosphere is, however, incomparable to the electrifying atmosphere generated by their ground thumping traditional dance presentations. Weighed down by traditional beads and animal skins, the locals offer guests a peek into their color-ridden warrior rituals, replete with palpable rhythms that reach into the core of your being. Snuggle down inside the chief's hut for a sip of Zulu beer, and have a private consultation with the spiritual healers of the tribe. 

The Indian Quarter's bustling modernity in no way dilutes the character-crammed experience of bargaining for treasures at Durban's iconic commercial zone. The aroma of incense and spices will accompany you as you foray for fabrics, garments and ingredients. Holidays in Durban are incomplete without practicing your negotiation skills with the local vendors. Foodies may even walk away with an authentic recipe for Rogan Gosh. The Indian gastronomy is tinted with South African fare, with the most popular dish being bunny chow. Travelers who prefer a slightly more serene way to max out their platinum cards will find their high end labels at The Pavillion and Gateway shopping malls. Richly hued Indian bed throws and blouses can be found in tiny stores secreted away in these first world commerce cores.  

  Since Natal's weather is particularly forgiving, the season you choose to take your Durban holiday is dependent on your whims. Avoiding the Gauteng and Cape Town commute that happens during the four annual school holidays remains the key factor for timing your vacation.   

A winter holiday to Durban will be dry and comfortably temperate. The sun never stops shining in Natal, and rainfall is light enough to leave your vacation choices uninterrupted by downpours. Summers fall between November and March, and in certain regions Decembers are heavy with humidity. In January, the region is subject to spectacular thunderstorms. From June to August, winter tries to add a little chill to the air but fails. Humidity diminishes during these months, making winter an ideal time to visit. 

Surf's Up In the Autumn

Enthused surfers from across the globe are magnetized by Durban's premier surfing conditions. All waters are netted to keep sharks at bay and marine temperatures are constantly inviting. Of course, even the chilliest waters are insufficient to restrain a fanatical surfer, and professionals choose their visits in accordance with the ocean's habits. Choppier waters and blustery weather only improve the swells, which makes winter's monsoon season a surfer's dream. During January and February, swells are at their fiercest. Those looking to rub shoulders with the most competitive international professionals choose New Pier. Cave Rock, North Beach, Baggies and Dairy Beach are a surfer's haven, comparable to some of Australia's premier spots. Novices learn to wax up at Umhlanga Rocks' gentler coastline, which is home to many of the finest Durban hotels.   

The Spring Naturalist Experience

A springtime holiday in Durban can be knitted around the regions resplendent wildlife destinations. Hluhluwe and Thanda reserves will take you deep into the wilderness to gaze at the local fauna. The absence of city lights makes these regions ideal for stargazing. Private reserves can be experienced in absolute luxury by booking into some of the highest ranked hotels in Durban. Spring's slightly cooler weather lends itself to a comfortable safari. Guided trips have the added benefit of the higher observational skills and knowledge of a professional, but independent travellers prefer the infinite hours they are free to spend with their favorite creatures by traveling alone. 

Winter Musings

The slightly danker winter days offer opportunities to dig into the depths of Durban's cultural foundations. Art fiends will enjoy travelling back to the source of all artistic movements by taking a Drakensburg rock painting tour. When the San painted elands, their intentions were spiritual rather than aesthetic: They sought to absorb the essence of the creature they painted. Nonetheless, San paintings are considered by many professionals to be some of the greatest artworks in existence. They can be seen in their original environment in the midst of the massive mountain range on Durban's outskirts. Some tours fetch guests directly from their Durban hotel for day tours complete with picnics worthy of their own Michelin stars. 

Summer Ocean Quests

The soaring temperatures and humidity levels of summer will leave those on holiday in Durban craving a little watery fun. Scuba diving and water sports are the ideal way to cool off and find relief from the heaviness in the air. The Aliwal Shoal was one of Jacques Cousteau's most prized reefs, and it has retained its status as one of the globe's most spectacular and diverse diving spots. Its reef houses a vast array of dolphins, shark species and anemones, as well as a sparkling plethora of Technicolor tropical fish species. Scuba fans can comfortably house themselves in a nearby Durban hotel, since the diversity is great enough to keep them entertained for an entire trip.