Missed last Friday’s South Africa Wild Tweep Tweet Up? If your morning meeting overran through lunchtime or you had to make that last minute dash to the post office followed by a wait in an endless queue, never fear, as you can catch up with the entire online event right here on our blog!
First, here’s a quick run down of our SA poll vote – Cape Town for obvious reasons securing the number one spot!
1.Cape Town 2. Kruger 3. Wild Coast 4.Hermanus 5. Battlefields…
And if you’re looking to sample the overland buzz online, check out the following Acacia adventurer video or follow in Sharyne’s footsteps, our winning Wild Tweep, and head off on the 6-day African Insight overland safari.
From monkey gland soup to South African slang and the Big Seven – here’s our Twitter session covering everything and anything SA. (Please note: no monkey’s were harmed during or after the event!)
Before we begin we have to say a BIG thanks to all the adventurers who entered the competition, our Wild Tweep Judges including, PlanYourSafari.com, AfricaFreak.com and Travelcomments.com, all the wonderful tweeters who joined us on the day and of course, Sharyne our winning Wild Tweep!
Q. Hi :) #WildTweep People often talk about the big 5. In South Africa however, the big 5 is 2 become the "big 7" What are we referring 2?
A. Lion, leopard, cape buffalo, elephant, rhino, whale & great white (cage it, play chicken w/h a great white! Check out Great White cage diving and the Kruger and you might see all 7! And what about Addo for the Big 7:)
A. Just go, take pictures, buy cool stuff, have a great time, come home and tell all of the "dream stealers" how much they missed!
Q. What is the busiest and the least busy time for tourists in SA?
A. I'd say avoid Christmas and Easter - when the beaches in CT will be pretty packed. Don't forget Acacia's tours run through the year so you can visit anytime!
Q. The Kruger park is now part of a new ecosystem, what is it called?
A. The Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Q. Hi Sharyne. Name 6 national parks or game reserves in SA.......and your favorite is?
A. Kruger, Phinda, SabiSabi, Addo-can't think of 2 others now, but love SabiSabi
Another answer: OK have to start with the Kruger, then Addo (elephant love!), Hluhluwe, Wilderness NP, Tsitsikamma, St. Lucia
Yet another answer from one of our experts PlanYourSafari. (obviously a hard choice!) How about Madikwe and KTFP?
Q. Hi Sharyne. How close have you been to a rhino? Did you know they had hairy tipped ears...
A. hmm…have stopped in the midst of a herd of Cape Buffalo, could have touched them, so close
Q. How many official languages does South Africa have?
A. 11
Q. How do they call traffic lights in South Africa?
A. (oops!) you got me on the traffic lights - help pls!
Real answer... Robots?! of course ;-)
Q. What is the fastest route to fly from the USA to SA?
A. There isnt really a fast way but the SAA non stop service from JFK is the quickest and offers great service! JFK-JNB
Q. Why is the country called the "rainbow nation"?.
A. Many different cultures make up the country. Desmond Tutu 1st coined it Nelson Mandela used it; after Apartheid:)
Q. Do they really add monkey glands to South Africa's very unique "Monkey Gland Sauce"?
A. (oops!) don't know, but I'll watch you make it - lol
Real answer: yes and according to Travelcomments.com it's quite simply the best sauce in the world
Additional following comments!: nice - yummy!:) Poikie pot!! Yes, that's a cast iron pot that you can use over a fire or a gas stove. It makes delicious vegetables too...
Q. What is the gestation period (in months) of an elephant?
A. 22 months - aren't you glad you're not an elephant! We would become extinct – lol
Q. On a day when time is limited will visitors see more Rhino in Kruger or Hluhluwe-Imfolozi?
A. H-I, correct! Check out Operation Rhino!
Q. The SA national Anthem was composed out of 2 hymns. Which ones?
A. "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" and the former anthem "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika/The Voice of South Africa"?
Q. Impressive! work on the National Anthem! (Got any helpers near by?)
A. Ok I did wiki! lol:)
Luckily, AfricaFreak was on hand at this point: Looks like some of you will need our FREE Safari Tips 101 Ebook! Coz there's still room 4 improvement:)
Q. Are dassies really the African elephant’s closest living relative?
A. hmmm... is that a serious ? Well, would love to go to Namaqualand if we're talking Daisies - spring time looks heavenly:)
Real answer: yebo, rock dassies or rock hyrax are the African elephant’s closest living relative!
Then came a few helpful hints from our Wild Tweep tweeters!: great slang words in SA link:
Looking to meet the Xhosa people - learn a few lingo tricks in just one click:)
And pix: BTW guys we've just posted some new pix on flikr if you want to take a peek later: :)
Q. Where in SA can you go for an underwater ocean walk with sting rays?"
A. (not an easy one!) Hmm Stringrays... you got me thinking there. Still looking @ SA but u can swim w/h stingrays in Madagasgar! NOSY IRANJA - ISLAND OF TURTLES
THE answer, courtesy of AfricaFreak: Great q :) short-tail stingrays can b seen Cape Town & Hermanus, but 2 swim w/h them is another story...
Q. Where is this?
A. Beautiful Pic of Augrabies Falls NP...
Q. Overwhelmed with what to do in the Cape ... Is there a "must-do" or reasonable top 10 list?
A. Check out the top 7!
.jpg)
Big Five adventures at the ready!!! OK…surprise! This week we’ve added some extra options! All thanks to the Acacia Wild Bunch...:)
Well, if you missed our Rainbow Nation Wild Tweep Tweet Up, never fear, as we’re keeping it strictly South African this week – seven sensational stunts (yes, not one to read if you have a fear of heights) to get you back to Africa!
(P.S. But, for those of you in search of more memorable wildlife/excursions or culture vulture options we have included a few adventures where you CAN keep your feet on the ground!)
Our winning Wild Tweep, Sharyne Davis Baser, did an amazing job today, although she did get that one tricky question about traffic lights! So, it’s only fair after a day in the hot seat, as Editor (adventurer)-at-Large, that we pack Sharyne off to South Africa, Botswana and Zambia on our 6-day African Insight overland trip, and let’s face it; it doesn’t get much better than the Kruger!
Swimming with penguins is first up!: 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…
Fancy saddling up? Cinsta’s the place to be and you can giddy up on the beach and really get off the beaten track in this backpacker haven…
Not afraid of heights? Then a canopy tour could do it for you! Mosey on down to Tsitsikamma and head Tarzan or Jane like through the trees, some of which reach up to 30-metres!
Yes, you won’t be short of adrenaline antics when it comes to South Africa! Next up a chance to abseil down Table Mountain – only 112-metres to go!
If you’d like to keep your feet on the ground – you can always opt for a 20km game hike in the Polokwane Game Reserve. Definitely one for White Rhino Fans…
Want to fumble around on all fours?: If you’re not an agoraphobic, we’d suggest the Cango Caves, featuring some of the worlds largest stalagmite formations…
Looking for an alternative option…why not take a trip to the heart of Zulu country and meet up with a "Sangoma" – a traditional Zulu healer.
Where will your next African adventure take you? Still undecided? Check out our 2010 online brochure...
As we’re just catching up with a few tweeps, we thought we should buzz you with an invite to tomorrow’s South Africa Wild Tweep Tweet up! (Yes, try saying that one after a few beers!!!)
Just to recap guys...the tweet up is being held on the Acacia Africa Twitter page. Sharyne Davis Baser, our winning Wild Tweep will be our Editor (adventurer)-at-Large for the 20-minute event.
If you'd like to attend, please follow us at: http://twitter.com/AcaciaAfrica
Event details: Your chance to quiz a real South Africa fan about the wonders of the Rainbow Nation!!!
Date: Friday 26 February 2010
Time: 13:00 - 13:20 GMT
Event Hashtag (please add this at the start of all your tweets so we can track the conversation): #WildTweep
Sharyne’s travel motto: “It’s a big, wonderful world out there; start exploring! – her advice for anyone travelling to South Africa, to simply “GO!”
Please buzz us @: gowildonline@acacia-africa.com if you have any questions regarding the online event:)
And yes, those Jackass Pengins found on the Southern & West Coasts of SA are a wildlife hit - so we couldn't resist! Fancy joining them for a swim? Visit Boulder’s Beach in Simons Town (Cape Town) and you can waddle off together for a dip!
Sharyne Davis Baser is our winning Wild Tweep! So we’d like to send out our safari-tastic congratulations and a BIG thanks to all our expert judges including Travelcomments.com, AfricaFreak.com and PlanYourSafari.com!
A real traveller who can’t get enough of the Rainbow Nation, Sharyne’s travel motto is: “It’s a big, wonderful world out there; start exploring!”…and now’s your chance to quiz her on all things South Africa! On her previous trips Sharyne has visited Cape Town, Sabi Sabi Bogani and Jo’berg’s suburbs – her advice for anyone travelling to the country, to simply “GO!”
Sharyne will be our Editor-at-Large for a whole 20 minutes so feel free to send those South Africa queries down the Twitter line!
If you’re just buzzing about South Africa come and join us on the Acacia Africa Twitter page this Friday the 26th of Feb from 13:00-13:20 GMT...and tweet away with your questions. PLEASE ADD #WildTweep at the start of all your tweets during the event and if you’re sending SA questions/SA tweet tips pre-tweet up. Pictures, links, vids - just Go Wild Online!
Here’s one question from PlanYourSafari.com to get you started!
#WildTweep Why do you think open vehicles are allowed in SA but not in East-African national parks?
We’ll leave you with Sharyne’s top three most memorable moments in South Africa to get you in the mood for our Rainbow Nation tweet up:
1. Before breakfast, a leopard walked along-side our stopped open-air vehicle!
2. Going to a village outside of Bogani, in that open vehicle, our driver, my friend and I were riding slow as people (adults and children) would smile and wave to us. No one asked for money, they just smiled and waved like we were celebrities, even the kids at a soccer game – it brought tears to my eyes.
3. Our open-air vehicle stopped in the middle of a herd of Cape Buffalo, I could have touched them, we were that close!!!
An adventurer who is clearly in love with the Rainbow Nation, Sharyne will also be heading off with us on our 6-day African Insight overland tour, featuring some awesome game viewing in the Kruger National Park.
We're dreaming of South Africa & putting it to the vote:) Where is the buzz in the Rainbow Nation? Hotspots at the ready please!!!
Enter your nominations on our Facebook page or email us by Saturday the 20th of February at gowildonline@acacia-africa.com
Got a burning question on the Rainbow Nation? Join us for our virtual tweet up and quiz our winning Wild Tweep...to be announced shortly! Yes, our three expert safari bloggers are currently working their way through those applications so hold tight!!!
As the event is happening online, adventurers from around the globe can ask questions, share links, pix, vids and pretty much any South Africa centric info:) RSVP on Facebook or Twtvite
The Tweet up will run on the Acacia Africa Twitter page from 13:00-13:20 GMT - next Friday 26th of February. Last of all tweeps, please remember to add the following hashtag to your tweets at the event: #WildTweep
Alternatively, email us in advance with your questions on the gowildonline address above...
.jpg)
It’s day three of our BIG FIVE countdown as Friday the 12th of February is D-Day for our South Africa Wild Tweep competition; featured today on Travelbite, your online portal to the world of travel. A 6-day safari is up for grabs, your chance to GO WILD and overland for free!
PlanYourSafari.com is one of our three expert judges. Find out what they’ll be looking for from the winning Wild Tweep right here on our blog.
And as it’s nearly Valentines, here’s a Top Gun-esque safari video for all the female adventurers out there; plus if you’re flying solo in 2010 here are five “must do” singleton pursuits.
Of course, if you’ve yet to travel to South Africa or if you just want to join in the buzz then you can always can log onto Twitter on the 26th of February (13.00 – 13.20 GMT) and quiz our winning Wild Tweep. RSVP on Facebook or Twtvite.
Got a burning question on SouthAfrica? You can also email us pre tweet up at gowildonline@acacia-africa.com
Our BIG FIVE countdown starts today, as Friday the 12th of February is the closing date for our South Africa-centric Wild Tweep competition (recently featured on AdventureRob.com). Yes, that’s D-day folks – so if you’re a fan of the Rainbow Nation and you want to share the love on Twitter – then get cracking on your application as the clock is ticking. Incidentally, where did Monday go?!!!
Travelcomments.com is one of our three expert judges. Find out what they’ll be looking for from the winning Wild Tweep right here on our blog.
Of course, if you’ve yet to travel to South Africa or if you just want to join in the buzz then you can always can log onto Twitter on the 26th of February (13.00 – 13.20 GMT) and quiz our winning Wild Tweep. RSVP on FB (http://www.bit.ly/4sbhdy) or Twtvite (http://bit.ly/88WFQx)
And feel free to send over any South Africa related questions pre event to gowildonline@acacia-africa.com
Since the beginning of December we’ve been going WILD ONLINE with our new campaign and sharing the best of Africa on the net.
Our Guest blogger Sara Le Houllier has also delivered some handy tips on how to make MORE of Madagascar and we’ve been quizzing our blogging partners on the secrets of a sensational safari.
Looking to make more of the wildlife? Check out some simply awesome videos from PlanYourSafari, featuring everything from sardine runs in South Africa (if you’re a dolphin lover get your eyes round this one!) to flaming flocks of flamingos in Kenya, and of course the unforgettable Wildebeest migration.
You can also get all the latest news and views from Travelcomments.com on flights and currency; and as it’s nearly Christmas, why not give the gift of a virtual safari experience and download AfricaFreak’s FREE Safari 101 Tips E-Book!
Still undecided on where to head next? Grab a copy of our 2010 brochure online
What's NEW? From here on in we'll be featuring your questions in our regular mailers and highlighting trip buddies looking to meet other adventurers pre-tour.
One of our soon to be wanderers is heading off on the 19-day South West Safari, Livingstone - Capetown, leaving April 7th 2010. Any takers? Click on over to our Facebook discussion board for a virtual chat :)
Safari for FREE!!! We’ll be accepting those #AcaciaWildTweep applications right up to the 12th of February, and we’ve just delivered our first taster of Africa online – so watch our Retweet (RT) to WIN video and bag yourself a 25% discount on any of our overland tours.
As for those Xmas discounts, you can book with us from now until 31 December and save 50% on a selection of small group safaris when you purchase any Acacia Africa overland trip of three weeks or more:
* NEW 6-day Lesotho, Battlefields and Zululand small group safari – only £195pp + LP (SAVE £195pp).
Terms and conditions: All bookings to be made before 31 December. For travel before 01 July 2010. Discount only available on selected small group safaris. Subject to availability and Acacia Africa booking terms and conditions. Discount cannot be taken in conjuntion with another Acacia discount. Promo code: 50%SG1209.
And just in case you missed those tweets – here’s a brief selection…
Cape Town is ready for kick off - safari and city on a budget with Acacia
Chris Mears a.k.a. the #AcaciaWildBunch goes all out on the adrenaline and takes on the gorge swing in Livingstone! Sundowner apres man defying feat anyone?!!
Out of cash, ongoing recession, moving back with the olds - never fear, as we're giving away a FREE overland safari!:)
How long should a voluntour stint be? Here's some interesting food for thought...
Best Time of Year for Tanzania Safaris
Join our virtual Tweet Up on South Africa on Feb 26, 2010 PLS RSVP - currently 17 and counting! We'd be happy to receive any adventure travel questions on Twitter pre event, just put #AcaciaWildTweep? ahead of your tweet…
You know who to tweet/RT!: meet Arno Delport aka the "#AcaciaWildBunch" - a guy who is totally addicted to overland!:)
An insightful bunch of wanderers including career gappers, over 50s adventurers and bright young things with a passion for Africa will be joining us for the ride online. We’ll keep you posted! If you're just crazy about the continent and want to share your travel tips with our fans then email us at info@acacia-africa.com and put those travel writing skills to the test!
“Just Go…”
The Acacia Africa team
