Delicious Overland Discounts & Sensational South Africa...

The World Cup is over (bummer!!!), and if you're English, as per usual, the summer's looking decidedly temperamental. Weather pundits across the UK are using phrases such as, sunny spots, drizzle, turning progressively cloudier, heavy bursts of rain and further showers.  But, before the doom and gloom sets in, why not set your sights on an overland departure in warmer climes?  Of course, there’s no need to break the bank as we’ve extended our recent promotion allowing campers to save up to 40% on our overland tours departing before 01 January 2011. So even if the clouds dampen your sunny disposition you can still look forward to an amazing adventure in Africa. As we say here in the Rainbow Nation - Just Go!!!

If you travel in August you can save 40%, in September & October 30%, and even in November and December you can still save a rip-roaring 20%!  As always, we promise, no catch, but bookings should be made by 31 August.

Delicious discounts aside, back here in Cape Town we’re continuing to fly the flag for South Africa so we thought we should leave you with some old favourites from our very own "Wild Bunch" that will have you salivating over our list of guaranteed departures in seconds...

If a Ferrari is out of your price bracket don’t worry, as an ostrich ride could be your next best option for an adrenaline rush. Yes, that’s right the sports car of the elite is in fact upholstered with our feathered friends, and you can take one for an optional test drive out in Oudtshroon – maximum speed 45kms/ph!

So you’ve done the bungee in Livingstone...what’s next? The Bloukrans Bungee in South Africa is up there as a proud Guinness World Record Holder, its dizzy heights reaching 216 metres. The adrenaline fuelled excursion comes complete with countdown and of course full body harness before victims leap into the abyss.

There’s more to Cape Town than you think! : So grab yourself some diving gear and head off in a cage for a date with the Great White – shark-tastic!

Get even closer to the wildlife: Why not voluntour and get a hands on appreciation of the work being done by the “Race Against Extinction Project in South Africa. This is one of the oldest wildlife care and conservation projects for the cheetah in Africa - and the location, at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountain range, is just awesome!

Swimming with penguins – yes we know it’s a buzz! Who could resist a dip with this group of waddling waders. If it’s for you, Simons Town on the Western Cape is where you need to head next…

Giving up: a few pounds from the travel kitty and getting into the spirit of FIFA 2010

Dear “Addicted to Africa Diary”…Our football team has been aptly titled “Girls just wanna’ have fun." Yes, I know it’s kind of cheesy, but I’ll let you into a secret, this wasn’t my suggestion :) I’m now committed to the position of striker so those early stints at university must have paid off. After scoring twice in the last session I’m now ready to put my skills to good use on the next overland tour.

We’ll be kicking off the 2010 celebrations in style and participating in some adhoc matches with the locals en route. It should be a great ice-breaker and it's all thanks to “Footballs For Fun” an organisation which is hoping to spread the word about 2010, create a sense of involvement across Africa and also contribute to various charities on the continent in one fowl swoop. You could say overlanding with Acacia now comes with a feel good factor :)

All we have to do is buy a ball at the start of the tour costing just £10 each. With 24 people overlanding together I think I can break into the kitty for that! The idea is to leave the ball behind as a gift, and knowing that my travel kitty cash is going to help some needy causes on the continent is a real buzz. Africa – here we go…

N.B. TOMORROW is the day I've been waiting for. The 14 August is the date for the Big Five Flash Sale – 12-5pm BST – must make a mental note not to forget…

Amelia Smith...

Saving up for your next Africa trip...any great ideas on how to generate more cash for Amelia's travel kitty? From the weird to the wonderful we're all ears...