Travel bloggers we Love...

The Internet is turning into one BIG “love-travel-fest,” which is no bad thing.  What’s on offer these days goes way further than your typical travel blog. You can find people to hook up with out on the road, choose voluntour projects to donate to online, share a few travel twips on Twitter® and even choose where to send people when it comes to their next destination.  Come to think of it, that reminds me of closing my eyes and sticking a pin in a map of Africa – I can feel the excitement building already!

So, in no particular order, we’ve fine-tuned a few of the best bloggers just for you, and if you’d like to add another to the list for future posts, we’ll be all eyes!

We don’t have a specific reason (as there are too many) for nominating these guys, but we have a lot of love for Amateurs Africa.   Self-styled, as two “average lads” they sound like just what Acacia Africa would order on an overland tour, but we’d like to say that they’re somewhat modest, as they’ve travelled (in their own words), “from Berlin to Cape Town, backpacking West Africa to get to the World Cup overland through deserts, jungle and whatever else is out there”. In fact, anyone who can stomach foods that shouldn’t even be looked at, or vomit over three passengers on a packed Portuguese coastal tram in 38 degree heat and get away with it, has our vote. Just your general, more than average, all around nice guys, and they like to tweet too...

The Aussie Nomad is a star guy who’s always up for a bit of #FF banter, and while his recent RTW trip didn’t include Africa – he does offer up some amazing insights on travel in general. Our favourite (re-titled), “How to avoid giving up alcohol and save cash for the big trip without splashing out on that sofa with the built in beer fridge”.  Well, we admit, it does sound tempting!

“Love, love, love all things Africa…I adore a place that can challenge my perceptions and question my understanding of the world”. With a starter for ten like that, we just had to include “Go Erin Go,” but it wasn’t just Erin’s devotion to the continent that inspired us, it was her ethos, “adventures in living and giving” (this girl has philanthropy sussed!) If you’re still saving for that voluntour (and wow do we have some sensational NEW trips coming soon), you can always click through to Erin’s “Donate My Dollars” page to give back.  This year alone, Erin will be donating anywhere close to $10,000, so get involved and vote! 

Cody McKibben is God’s gift to the “location independent”.  Let’s cut to the chase, if you want to throw the towel in when it comes to the 9-5 rat race – this guy is your man! Cody’s already clocked up a fair few awards and even earned himself a notch on the “10 Digital Nomads To Learn From” list, but in a nutshell this is “Zen” for the “corporately challenged”! 

If these guys are thinking of heading to Africa in September 2011, Kenya more specifically, then I’d be up for a meet in Nairobi!  Well, who knows, but until then, the Aussie founders of Globetrooper, Todd & Lauren, have plenty of user generated itineraries covering the entire world of travel.  Of course, there are scores of backpackers and solo travellers who choose to head overland with us part way through their gap year (or much needed break from reality/sabbatical/cubicle crisis), but if you want to add some extra excitement to your trip and extend your journey, your new travel buddy might only be a click away… 

Photography and travel writing sounds like the perfect combination, and the “Globetrotter Girls” are, and I quote “desperate to be out on the road” (where have I heard that before – hmmm?!!!). But they’ve also got gusto, as their plan is, well, “not to have a plan….exactly”.  These travel-istas accept tips from their favorite fellow bloggers, travellers and digital nomads, and while Africa is not on their itinerary (yet!!!) we just had to give the female duo a mention, as adventures on the continent are anything but predictable! 

Looking to hit the road before the end of October - you'll be quids in with our recent BOGOF special, and the Annual Migration, like these blogs is one not to miss!

Kenya, it's here, it's now, it's probably (undoubtedly) one of the best places on the planet!

This could certainly be our shortest ever blog post, but with such amazing footage from our friends in Kenya, we thought we should let our latest slideshow do the talking.

Get your eyes and ears around one celebrated bunch of artists and musicians - yes,  click here for your free pass to the cultural wildlife capital! ENJOY...

Real Wanderers: Karibu! Welcome To Africa

If hot showers and working light switches are something you feel you could never live without, then hold on tight as Nairobi might be a bit of a culture shock. Then again, if you’ve never stayed in a hostel, you might be surprised by the welcoming facilities and the added creature comforts, not forgetting the numerous good friends you’ll meet along the way:)!!!

Up Next: What are friends for if not to enjoy the experience of travel! On our Friday slot you can head off with Cathy on her first independent travel stint and make the most of Kiberia, a local slum that is home to one million people…

Images courtesy of the Wildebeest Camp Hostel, Nairobi

Go Wild With The Latest Selection Of Great Overland Deals!

Save up to 50% on the following departures. Early bird bookers will be able to take advantage of the best savings, the discounts reducing to 40%, 30% and 20% as the places fill…

Do More in Africa for less! Our 19-day South West Safari includes river cruising in the Chobe National Park, bush camping in the Okavango Delta and 24/7 game viewing in the Etosha National Park. Save up to 50% (£273pp). Only £272pp (no single supplement) + local payment from £259pp. Departs 10 March.

Feeling snowed under? Grab a dose of sun and sand on Acacia Africa’s 19-day Desert Tracker and save up to 50% (£273pp). Only £272pp (no single supplement) + local payment from £259pp. Climb the sand dunes in Namib Naukluft National Park, board the dunes in Swakopmund and trek through the Kalahari Desert with the native Bushmen. Departs 20 March.

Need a budget break? Explore East Africa for less and head from Zambia to Kenya on Acacia Africa’s 21-day East African Explorer (Save up to 50%: £373pp). Only 372pp (no single supplement) + local payment from £231pp. Combining the best of beach and bush the overland tour includes a 3-night stay on Zanzibar and game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Departs 09 April.

All prices include transport, roads tolls and taxes, camping accommodation and cooking equipment, most meals and services of tour leader and driver. Excludes return international flight, visas, departure taxes, transfers and optional payment excursions.

Contact us: 020 7706 4700; info@acacia-africa.com; www.acacia-africa.com.

ATOL No. 6499 and ABTA No. W4093 PROTECTED.

Grab some sunshine on a budget in Dahab

Nestled between mountains and ocean and looking out across the Gulf of Aqaba, Dahab sees year round sunshine. While hotter than neighbouring Sharm, May offers a more temperate climate than during the summer months when the highs can reach into the mid 40s. Guests on Acacia Africa’s 5-day Red Sea Learn To Dive holiday will be able to enjoy the laidback atmosphere of the Bedouin Moon, which is situated only 1km north of Dahab Bay, near to the Blue Hole, a renowned dive spot. The region's beachside restaurants and bars are ideal for chilled out evenings, the package including 4 open water dives, tuition and certification.

£355pp (two sharing) + local payment E30pp (to be paid in Euros) covering PADI certification fee The price includes, transfers, accommodation, most meals, dive equipment, tuition and certification, use of all hotel facilities including pool. All rooms at the Bedouin Moon have a private shower and balcony or terrace, with views of the Red Sea or mountains. Exclusions, visas, travel insurance, flights, departure taxes, course manual and workbook, tips, drinks, optional activities and items of a personal nature. Daily departures. Contact Acacia Africa on 020 7706 4700, email info@acacia-africa.com or visit www.acacia-africa.com for further information. ATOL No. 6499 and ABTA No. W4093 PROTECTED.

A close shave and some cultural insight into haggling in Morocco – by Matthew Hampton

There are around 90 muscles in a human face. And I’m doing my very best to keep all of mine still.

Like most men on holiday, I’ve let my shaving regime slide. But after a few days off from the razor, it’s all starting to look a bit Grizzly Adams. This is how I’ve come to be sitting in Mohammed’s barbershop in Marrakech.

While shaving companies seek to outdo each other with ever more outlandish technology (take Gillete’s flagship model – a slightly silly six-bladed affair known as the Fusion), the barbering old school still relies on the faithful mono-blade. Not for nothing is it known as the cut-throat, and, rather alarmingly, there’s one gliding over my adam’s apple.

Barbershops are an institution across North Africa and the Middle East. The only place on earth where moustaches are still worn as an indicator of rugged masculinity, local coiffures hold sway over acres of stubble every week.

Mohammed’s shop is small, but tidy. There is a certificate in front of me from the L’Oreal Institute in Paris. But it is very old. Other ornamentation includes a few of those pictures you see in antiquated barbershops: all quiffs and bouffants that look as though they’ve been stuck on in one piece, like Lego.

Nevertheless, Mohammed is immaculately styled, with nary a stray hair in sight. Mind you, I expect someone else looks after his.

Shaving rituals differ from country to country, but all begin with a luxuriant dollop of soap massaged into the beard. This is nice. The whisk of the razor is somewhat more alarming, particularly around the throat, but I emerge with neither a nick nor a scratch. A hot towel sees me on my way and I’m as smooth chinned as I’ve ever been. Heaven. I wonder if I could carry off one of those Lego styles?

So now to the haggling...

Think of the souk as an early forerunner of eBay. You could leave with virtually anything – any pay anything for it. Follow these rules and you’ll get the most out of Morocco’s many markets, fairly and squarely.

1. Decide in advance how much you want to pay for an item. Around two-thirds of the asking price is usually fair, half if you’re striking a hard bargain. Start low and slowly your way work up.


2. Look out for quality workmanship and materials – wood, mother of pearl, leather, gold and silver make more rewarding purchases than a knock-off Real Madrid shirt.


3. Respect the salesmen – don’t insult them with silly offers and only start bargaining if you intend to buy. Any mention of numbers is an indication that you’re interested…


4. …but remember there’s no obligation to buy. If the price stays too high, decline politely and walk away. It may be cheaper the next day, or even next door.


5. Don’t be so hung up on getting a bargain that you don’t buy anything –remember that whatever you buy it will be cheaper than back home. If the salesman assumes you’re rich, it’s because you are – compared with him.


6. If any of this puts you off, there are large, state-run stores in all major cities and resorts offering fixed prices. You may pay a little more but it’s not such a hard sell.

Catch up with Matthew Hampton, a freelance writer and photographer on his website