Tweet us?...Meet The "#Acacia Wild Bunch": Chris Mears

Got a burning question on Africa? Now you can tweet with your own personal Africa guru, courtesy of the “#AcaciaWildBunch”. Chosen for their total and unwavering addiction to the most adventurous continent on the planet, these experts are bound to have a few insider tips from the road. Feel free to contact our Africa pundits from here on in on Twitter, putting #AcaciaWildBunch? ahead of your tweet…

Full name: Chris Mears

Nationality: British

Which Acacia Africa tours have you travelled on?

I like to mix it up when it comes to experiences – my regular jaunts in Africa covering, overland, small group and adventure itineraries – plus breaks on the beach and comfort class safaris! So far the list includes, the 6-day Tanzania Game Parks, the 13-day Kenya & Tanzania Adventure, the 4-day Zanzibar Island Getaway, the 4-day Kruger Secluded Safari and the 5-day Mount Kenya Trek…

Your favourite Acacia tour?

It has to be the 13-day Kenya & Tanzania Adventure – a great combination of beach, bush and awesome wildlife.

Who do usually travel with?

Myself, friends and family – I guess it all depends on who is available!

Travel Motto?

Make a plan – but be ready for the plan to change again and again!

Favourite place in Africa?

Hard to pick one! Sundowners on Zanzibar, the Serengeti in the middle of the migration, the beaches on the edge of the Sahara and walking my dog on Noordhoek beach in Cape Town! To name a few!

Most memorable moment in Africa?

Watching the sunrise from the summit of Mount Kenya – totally captivating!

Best adrenaline/adventure activity and why?

The Gorge Swing in Livingstone – it’s a great buzz and you can jump quite a few times . Whether you decide to face forwards, backwards or bring a friend along for the ride it’s awesome fun!

What would you say to someone thinking of travelling to Africa?

Come with an open mind, go with the flow and make the most of the things that don’t go according to plan… be flexible!

Where’s the next adventure in Africa?

I’ll heading to the Victoria Falls for a few days and checking out both the Zimbabwean and Zambian side to see how things have changed. Can’t wait!

Chris’ top three tips for Africa travellers:

1. Just go with the flow - all good plans are meant to be amended!

2. Animals look better when not looking at them through the lens of a camera, take some pics but take the time to just sit and watch the animals

3. You're not at home, so don’t expect everything to be like it is at home, enjoy it and give it a go!

Remember you can fire away on our Twitter page with your questions from here on in, simply add #AcaciaWildBunch? ahead of your tweet…

And, finally Chris, what about that all important checklist of African countries you’ve visited?

Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, South Africa and Mozambique!!! So Fire away :)

Tweet us?...Meet The "#Acacia Wild Bunch": Arno Delport

Got a burning question on Africa? Now you can tweet with your own personal Africa guru, courtesy of the "Acacia Wild Bunch”. Chosen for their total and unwavering addiction to the most adventurous continent on the planet, these experts are bound to have a few insider tips from the road. Feel free to contact our Africa pundits from here on in, putting #AcaciaWildBunch? ahead of your tweet…

Full name: Arno Delport

Nationality: South African

Which Acacia Africa tours have you travelled on?

The 41-day Cape To Kenya; the 13-day Kenya & Tanzania Adventure; and the 18-day Mountain Gorillas To The Mara – all great itineraries for anyone who is totally addicted to overland!

Your Favourite Acacia tour?

That’s a hard question to answer J, but it has to be the 18-day Mountain Gorillas To The Mara. Trekking the mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Park is simply awesome!

Who do usually travel with?

Always with a bunch of great friends

Travel Motto

Be open minded!

Favourite place in Africa?

Uganda’s Lake Bunyoni – as you can take a dip in the lake to cool off and the variety of birdlife is simply out of this world!

Most memorable moment in Africa?

We only spent an hour with the mountain gorillas, but it’s an amazing experience and it felt like five minutes.

Best adrenaline/adventure activity and why?

Rafting the Nile in Jinja – glad I am still ALIVE!

What would you say to someone thinking of travelling to Africa?

Do it!!! You will not regret it!! In fact, I can promise, you will fall in love with it!!

Where’s the next adventure in Africa?

Egypt is next on the list – hopefully! J

Arno’s top three tips for Africa travellers:

1. Bring a sense of adventure.

2. Experience as much as you can while you are in Africa.

3. Oh yes and drink lots of water!!

Remember you can fire away on our Twitter page with your questions from here on in, simply add #AcaciaWildBunch? ahead of your tweet…

And, finally Arno, what about that all important checklist of African countries you’ve visited?

I’ve been addicted to Africa for a good few years so the list is loooooong!: South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and not forgetting Zimbabwe – a new addition to our 2010 small group safari portfolio.

Tweet us?...Meet The "#Acacia Wild Bunch": Michelle Lewis

Got a burning question on Africa? Now you can tweet with your own personal Africa guru, courtesy of the "Acacia Wild Bunch”. Chosen for their total and unwavering addiction to the most adventurous continent on the planet, these experts are bound to have a few insider tips from the road. Feel free to contact our Africa pundits from here on in putting #AcaciaWildBunch? ahead of your tweet…

Full name: Michelle Lewis

Nationality: Australian

Which Acacia Africa tours have you travelled on?

Quite a few…in fact, I’ve pretty much covered off Acacia Africa’s entire portfolio of overland tours including all of the current gorilla trekking itineraries so you could say I’m passionate about Uganda!

Your favourite Acacia tour?

It would have to be the 58-day Ultimate African Overlander – eight countries and some unforgettable snapshots of remote Africa.

Who do usually travel with?

I do generally travel alone, as I feel that you meet more people that way however, I have travelled with friends as well.

Travel Motto:

Truck/Bus/Train/Boat/Plane - never stop travelling!

Favourite place in Africa?

Zanzibar – it’s so peaceful, the diving is just immense and it’s a great place to chill and contemplate the next adventure.

Most memorable moment in Africa?

Seeing the Mountain Gorilla’s has to be first on my list. It’s a really moving experience!

Best adrenaline/adventure activity and why?

Sky diving. The view of the rolling sand dunes across the desert in Swakopmund (Namibia) whilst free falling out of a plane is certainly one of a kind!

What would you say to someone thinking of travelling to Africa?

Just do it! You’ll have the best time in your life!

Where’s the next adventure in Africa?

Morocco!!!

Michelle’s top three tips for Africa travellers

1. Keeping your head firmly on your shoulders and making the right decisions. This includes protecting your belongings with your money belt, camera and personal belongings.

2. Keep to the main known circuits. To stray to places unknown might lead to trouble.

3. Prep your travels wisely by booking transport, accommodation and pick ups.

Remember you can fire away on our Twitter page with your questions from here on in, simply add #AcaciaWildBunch? ahead of your tweet…

And, finally Michelle, what about that all important checklist of African countries you’ve visited?

So far I’ve been to Egypt, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. I guess the list just keeps growing!

Tweet us?...Meet The Acacia Wild Bunch: Vivian McCarthy...

Got a burning question on Africa? Now you can tweet with your own personal Africa guru, courtesy of the "Acacia Wild Bunch”. Chosen for their total and unwavering addiction to the most adventurous continent on the planet, these experts are bound to have a few insider tips from the road. Feel free to contact our Africa pundits from 07 December onwards, putting #AcaciaWildBunch? ahead of your tweet…

Name: Vivian McCarthy

Nationality: UK/NZ

Which Acacia Africa tours have you travelled on?

Most of them at one time or another – I’m the font of all knowledge when it comes to Africa and Acacia!

Your favourite Acacia tour?

Perhaps one of the most difficult questions I’ve ever had to answer, but I’m a BIG East Africa fan so I guess I’d opt for the 13-day Kenya & Tanzania Adventure. It’s a great bite size overland experience featuring many of the regions best national parks and reserves.

Who do usually travel with?

I like to mix it up! Sometimes you’ll find me travelling solo, but I love the group camaraderie that you get on an overlanding trip.

Travel Motto:

Things don’t always go to plan but if all goes wrong one day, there is always tomorrow when it’ll go right.

Favourite place in Africa?

Yet another difficult question ☺ I always loved the Sahara – although the Namibian desert scenery is just as good really (only not quite so big) - and the Nyika Plateau (Malawi) rates a mention if you like high altitude fresh air in the middle of Africa. Somehow I always end up going back to East Africa as it’s top of my list. And for that perfect vista…give me the view over the Masai Mara a few miles into the Sekanani Gate (which is the one most of our trips enter by). Beautiful!

Most memorable moment in Africa?

Too many to think about, but I recall the time I managed to lose my bearings in the Sahara, when I was on my own as guide. It was a tricky moment! And the first time I saw the Victoria Falls (from the Zambia side) – it was such a mind blowing experience I’ve never forgotten it. I also recall my first leopard in the Lake Nakuru National Park (Kenya), partly because it was such a beautiful sight but also I remember spotting it before our driver did!

Best adrenaline/adventure activity and why?

For me, it’s the white water rafting (Zambezi River, Livingstone/ Victoria Falls), but I haven’t done gorge swinging so perhaps next time I am at the Victoria Falls in Livingstone I will give it a try.

What would you say to someone thinking of travelling to Africa?

You’ve got to go! I first went there over 20 years ago and still love it. If someone asked me for advice on their first trip I would say try to think about what you want to see, but depending on how much time you have, don’t try to see too much on the first trip.

Where’s the next adventure in Africa?

These days much of my travel there is for work reasons, which somehow detracts a little bit from the adventure aspect, but I still get the feeling when I come through the airport that it feels great to be back in Africa.

Viv’s top three tips for Africa travellers!

1. Take sensible precautions with anti-malaria tablets etc. but also remember to take it easy, at least to begin with, when it comes to the sun and local food and drink.

2. Don’t walk around with all your valuables. Always leave the bulk of your cash or passport somewhere safe. Carry a small amount of local money whilst out and about - and yes, always err on the side of caution, but take a chance sometimes…who knows where it will lead you?

3. Pack and then repack! As a general rule, pack your bags as well as you can a day or so before you fly, and limit yourself when it comes to clothing and personal items. Once you’ve finished go and have a coffee and come back later for another look. Then remove half of it...the chances are you wont need it!

4. Remember you can fire away on our Twitter page with your questions from 07 December onwards, and add #AcaciaWildBunch? ahead of your tweet…

And, finally Viv, what about that all important checklist of African countries you’ve visited?

I’ve indulged in a fair bit of Africa, but my desire to head back to the continent never wavers! So far the list includes, Morocco, Algeria, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Zaire/DR Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and I’m not done yet!

Buzz Dan, “Our man in Africa”...

Are you thinking of heading off on the 43-day Kenya to Cape Town overland tour? Is your head buzzing with questions on Africa?

Now’s your chance to buzz Dan, “Our man in Africa,” with your own personal Q&A, as he'll be travelling around the continent from 09 August.

Starting in Kenya, his journey will cover, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Please send your questions to bespoke@tionlondon.co.uk and we’ll try our best to get an answer for you - obviously Internet connections permitting :) You can also check out Dan’s itinerary and his “Around The World Travel Blog” online...