Given up: being a London socialite and am catching up with the Big Cats and possibly a few lemurs!

Dear “Addicted to Africa Diary”....Yes those extra few drinks after a hard day in the office are appealing, but it won’t get the travel kitty any closer to Africa. I’ve just been watching some re-runs of the BBC’s Big Cat Week on DVD. OK, hands up this is probably a weekly habit of mine, but according to “Andy, the great outdoorsman from the Veldt,” Africa is a real addiction so you could say it’s one way of keeping myself from going crazy during the long periods between my travels. Anyway, if the DVD dies on me I can always catch up with Acacia on Twitter (apparently they’re running a Madagascar Tweet Up tomorrow between 10am and noon (BST) – and I’ve always fancied a shot a lemur trekking ☺). October to November is baby lemur season so I might have to make another trip by to my favourite continent post my 13-day mini-overland tour through Kenya and Tanzania


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...

Given up: gym membership for long walks in central London

Dear “Addicted to Africa Diary”…when my gym membership came up for renewal I had to take a long hard look at myself. Well, we all start off with good intentions, but I know over the last 12 months I’ve only managed to work out on the very rare occasion – mainly due to the guilt ridden anxiety attack that surfaces every time I read my bank statements. Then again having spoken to a few friends I know I’m not alone in this :)

Let's just say I'm not going to renew, as we housemates have decided to take long walks and see more of the UK capital instead. Being a free exercise, the travel kitty will no doubt be bulging at the sides come my next trip. After last Sunday’s expedition from Green Park through to Trafalgar Square – a two hour stint - I was raring to go. OK so the BBQ summer is out - but the weather’s been hotter than the Bahamas recently and my mind drifted back to my tour of the Bougmez Valley in the High Atlas Mountains. Of course, St. James’ Park can’t compete with one of the best-kept secrets in Morocco, where we spent four days hiking amongst high craggy peaks and grassy plateaus. Our tour group passed by nomads who were grazing their herds of sheep, goats and camels, but the main highlight had to be visiting some of the local Berber families en route – the trip topped off with a hammam in Marrakesh. Africa, I’m all yours…

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...

Given up: my unhealthy lifestyle for a kick about…

Dear “Addicted to Africa Diary”....After I kicked the cigarettes, my next step was to start on my revitalized keep fit regime. Perhaps it’s living in my new shared-digs that’s given me the motivation, but when my house mate was offered the chance to do a weekly five aside, it seemed like an opportunity too good to miss. Mount Kili is calling and as Acacia is running a 25% offer on their treks if you book an overland tour of two weeks or more, I feel I could be in better shape. Well, you only need to be reasonably fit to attempt the climb – but I’ve been turning into a couch potato lately and glued to the Discovery Channel. Not wanting to miss my chance – I’ve also posted a big note on the fridge door to remind myself about Acacia’s Big Five Flash Sale (Friday the 14^th of August 12-5pm BST) - underlined several times in red! Africa, bring it on…

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...

Given up: going out on the town in favour of house parties

Dear “Addicted to Africa Diary”....The house warming went off with a bang, although I think my cat (named after the Spice Island of Zanzibar - "Zanz" for short) was a bit freaked when the fireworks started. I was in seventh heaven, as I must have saved at least £50 quid on my usual bar tab (London beer prices, who needs them!!!), but it wasn’t just the travel kitty that had a glint in its eye. Once the rockets started exploding, I closed my eyes and started reminiscing over my last New Year’s Eve in Cape Town. It was a meteoric event of mammoth proportions so how could I forget. We decided to catch up with the vibe at a rooftop party in the V&A Harbour with around 2,500 other people. Yes, just a small gathering!

Despite the entrance fee it was a real buzz, beers being (from memory!!!) only a pound. I don’t think our small display could quite beat the fireworks that night – the sky was constantly ablaze with colour, reds, blues, greens and yellows shooting into the ether. Table Mountain was outlined in the distance and still a pretty impressive sight, even under cover of darkness.

People weren’t just partying in the clubs – the streets were filled with New Year revelers. If there’s one thing I discovered, it’s that the South African’s sure know how to put on a party, and I was glad that I’d decided to end my overland trip with a city stay. While a great night was had by all on our first housewarming (we’re thinking of making this a regular event), Africa, I’m still missing you…

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...

Given up: my tiny rented apartment in favour of a shared flat – saving me at least £500 a month – time to plan a longer trip…

Dear “Addicted to Africa Diary”....Nightmare with cash flow! Rent day today and the over-inflated prices in London are killing me. It’s hard going to save anything over a measly £30 a month!!! Luckily a couple of mates are hoping to share digs - can’t wait to move in!

With my travel kitty back on track, I’ve got my sights set on the 43-day Kenya To Cape Town – well either that, or the 58-day Ultimate African Overlander. I could always do a mini-overland tour of just 13-days, but with more cash to splurge on my trip why not just go all out on the BIG one. After all, it’s a great chance to see more of Africa.

The 58-day whopper would be mind-blowing as there’s a day of voluntouring in Jinja and an opportunity to go gorilla trekking in Western Uganda. Now all I have to do now is explain this holiday to my boss! Don’t worry Africa – I’ll be back there soon…

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…

Dismal date - passed on the nightclub, saved on ludicrous entrance fee and over-inflated London drinks prices…

Dear "addicted to Africa" diary...If I needed the impetus to make a short night of it I certainly found an answer this weekend. Well at least the travel kitty is gloating :) I’m sorry but when your best friend sets you up with a guy that can’t stop taking about cut-price flights to Europe – it’s a sure reason to leave.  I agree, Ibiza must be an amazing place, but five years in a row! Of course, had we been talking about Africa there would have been far too much choice for boredom to set in.

Don’t get me wrong there’s some great nightlife in the capital of Nairobi. On my last city stay our group had an amazing time at “Meet the Carnivore,” where we danced into the early hours, but Europe’s just no contender when it comes to adventure. Great safaris, adrenaline activities, and breathtaking landscapes are simply an Africa must have.  I’m currently eyeing up a safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, the ideal place to catch the Big Five. The 30,000 strong wildlife population leave their mark on the volcanic landscape year round and the occasional sighting of a red cloaked Maasai warrior also gives the location ultimate storybook Africa appeal.  I’ll need to pack some woolies and hat – those spectacular early morning game drives can get kind of chilly! Africa you're always on my mind:)

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...