Hi, I Holiday in South Africa each year and am fortunate because my girl friend's mother stays in Durban and that gives us free accommodation there. What I have found out while trying to get the cheapest deal to South Africa is that almost all holidays from this county are aimed at Cape Town and Kruger, While I would like to visit both these places having had the holidays I've had based in Durban I really feel the travel agents here have sold such a huge beautiful country short.
We are going back in April and are hoping to go to two of the places we went to in 2003 and I would recommend them to anyone and most of the places we stay are less than £30 a night and some are less than £10. Because of the limited holidays on offer in SA and the prices I have seen charged I really do think it is worth while investigating a DIY holiday there. If you are looking for a beach based holiday well Durban is one big beach and it has the advantage of the Indian Ocean unlike the Atlantic at Cape Town. There are also plenty of things to do in Durban and it is 3 hours or less drive from fantastic mountain resorts and game reserves.
Below are some web sites to visit including my personnal favourites at The tented accomodation at Mpila, Umfolozi and Hlalanathi which is a short drive from following the Queens footsteps on some fantastic mountain walks in the Royal National Natal Park.

http://www.kznwildlife.com/umfolozi_acc.htm

http://www.hlalanathi.za.net/

http://www.kznwildlife.com/charters_acc.htm

Please feel free to ask any questions and as I said I am back in Durban in April and if you want me to ask any questionor look at anything for you I will try to help.

Barry.