Got That Friday Africa Feeling?!!!: Go Solo This Valentines, Find A Travel Buddy & Tweet Your Way Back To South Africa...

Yes, it’s Valentines this weekend, but if you’re feeling single and adventurous we’ve got five top tips in our Friday mailer that will make candlelit dinners a thing of the past. And those travel buddy requests keep pouring in so if you can make the same dates check out the requests below.

Don’t forget you can still save 20% on our overland tours – another reason to book a trip to amazing Africa this February!

Today is also the last call for “Wild Tweep” entries and with a FREE safari up for grabs it’s all the more reason to tweet for us on the 26th. Of course, if you haven’t quite made it to the Rainbow Nation as yet, then come join us for the tweet up and quiz the winning Wild Tweep – as South Africa will be your oyster! RSVP @ Twtvite or on Facebook.

We’re also featuring a few extra posts from Cathy May, our "Real Wanderer”: a career gapper, who gave up the city rat race to travel the globe.

And to get you in the mood for Africa – why not check out the hot Kenyan music scene while reading our mailer…Muthoni and Dela providing you with some amazing sounds from the continent's wildlife capital!

So travel buddies at the ready!: First up is Rob Beard who has just booked on the 1st of May Desert Tracker overland trip. Anyone else on that get in touch. :)

And another adventurer is heading off on the Cape Desert Safari departing 17th April. They’ll be in Cape Town from the 10th of April and could meet before hand too!

So was your speed dating a wash out? Try a date with the Great White this Valentines!

Wild Tweep entries: Get the low down from our expert safari judges including Travelcomments.com, PlanYourSafari.com and AfricaFreak.com, as they spell out three reasons to be in it to win it!

If you can’t make the virtual tweet up on the 26th you can also retweet our videos until the end of March, our random winner grabbing a 25% discount off their next overland tour – it’s a sinch! Simply copy and paste the following onto your Twitter page and it could be you!: RT #GoWildOnline with Acacia Africa http://bit.ly/91Qt4Z

And just in case you missed those tweets – here’s a brief selection of the best…

As it's almost valentines, this we had to share: RT @AfricaFreak http://bit.ly/cLJbgm - hilarious parody of the "Top Gun" movie! Must-see:)

RT @AfricanProverbs: When one is in love, a cliff becomes a meadow. ~Ethiopian Proverb

RT @WildEarth: Leopard now live on Safari Channel! http://bit.ly/b394Uy

RT @travelcomments: in today's news - Botswana: Okavango Delta is a finalist for top tourism awards http://bit.ly/13Yjxk #travel...

RT @TrulySAfrican: PDF download - Learn to speak Truly South African http://ow.ly/13Q21 #languages #fun #southafrica #worldcup #holidays...

RT @SpotCoolStuff: The best daypacks for photographers → http://is.gd/7H8EQ #photography #travel

What is most important on safari? u may immediately think the wildlife...Check out PlanYourSafaris to find out more: http://bit.ly/8Zxs7C

RT @Africafreak: 80 Amazing African Wildlife Photos! http://su.pr/2TxJxu

RT @PlanYourSafaris: RT @20sTravel: When Getting Lost is a Good Thing http://wp.me/pAFRW-sc

Real Wanderers: Career Gapper Tweet

Follow Cathy May on the 43-day Kenya To Cape Town overland trip…

All change! - here's to new adventures, travellers and tour leaders http://bit.ly/96cxl7

Still wondering what to do before 5pm kicks in? Feast your eyes on Lake Malawi and Livingstone http://bit.ly/9DtzuG

Why take to the skies in Livingstone? http://bit.ly/bSK88J

Get an insider perspective on Malawi and gen up those bartering skills http://bit.ly/cbAWqw

Zanzibar, it's a kind of magic, innit! A modern day take on Zanizibar with the “Ali T” Spice Tour (Ali G!): http://bit.ly/6W13Bi

For a head on culture shock try Tanzania: http://bit.ly/8gcBxZ

Experience life on the road and get the low down on overlanding from our "career gapper" http://bit.ly/7dL0Dv

Thinking of heading overland on our 43-day Kenya to CT? Feast your eyes on some amazing Africa images:) http://bit.ly/7Cu8ib

Up, up and away! Experience game viewing from a different perspective http://bit.ly/5Snwbq

Roughing it in Tanzania - it's wild camping all the way long drop toilets & a few unexpected visitors! http://bit.ly/7pZsPi

Head for the Mara with Cathy May, our career gareer and get a taster of the game drive online http://bit.ly/6zpgJG

Still undecided on where to head next? Grab a copy of our 2010 brochure online...

“Just Go…”

The Acacia Africa team

Real Wanderers: All Change - NEW adventures!

A large part of travel is having fun with the people that you meet along the way. After the thrills and spills of Livingstone, Cathy boarded Kwando – the aptly named truck taking them through Botswana, Namibia & South Africa. A refreshing change, Cathy hooks up with some new adventurers, turns her back on the "Sisterhood" and gives us the low down on two very different tour leaders.

Next Up: Cathy heads to Botswana and finds that while there are no guarantees when it comes to the wildlife, they will always surprise you...

Real Wanderers: Photos From Malawi & Zambia

From Lake Malawi to Livingstone in Zambia – here are some images that will have you clicking your way back to Africa in no time.

Next Up: Meet the affectionately named Kwando on the second leg of Cathy’s Africa 43-day Kenya To Cape Town overland tour…

Real Wanderers: Photos From Kenya & Tanzania

Here’s a great selection of pix from Cathy’s trip so far, covering everything from wildlife to overland camaraderie. Head on over to Cathy’s Flickr page and feast your eyes on some amazing photography.

Next Up: It’s time to switch trucks at the Victoria Falls and meet some new fellow overlanders – and as for those long drives (part and parcel of the overlanding experience) they’re worth it for the breathtaking backdrops you see along the way!

Real Wanderers: Up, Up & Away!

Would you like to experience game viewing from a different perspective? Why not head for the skies and go gliding over the Serengeti by hot air balloon. According to Cathy, it’s a great way to appreciate the vastness of the Serengeti and chomping on champagne breakfast under a very apt Acacia tree offered a little taste of luxury on an otherwise budget led overland tour. Certainly worth it as an optional extra!

Next Up: Catch a glimpse of Kenya & Tanzania on Camera...

Real Wanderers: Roughing it in Tanzania

According to Cathy, no one game park is the same and getting off the tourist track in Tanzania meant wild camping all the way including, long drop toilets and a few unexpected visitors from the animal kingdom. You might see toothpaste in a whole new light after this experience and lion fanatics will be on a winner, but remember to bring a powerful zoom lense if you want to catch the wildlife

Next Up: Champagne breakfast anyone?!!! Cathy samples the high life and takes a sunrise balloon flight over the Serengeti…

Real Wanderers: The Mara – Simba & Friends

The bumpy roads in Nairobi are certainly worth enduring, the first pit stop on the 43-day Kenya To Cape Town overland tour – the Maasai Mara. One of the best places for wildlife viewing Cathy encountered a wide range of animals from zebras to elephants – her top tips to watch out for the vultures and have your Big Five check list at the ready. Of course, if you’re still deciding on that dream overland trip you can also game drive online with Crazy About Kenya a hip and happening project featuring some of Kenya’s hugely talented musicians and artists.

Next Up: Catch up with Cathy as she boards the Acacia truck, her home for the next six weeks, and get a taster of Tanzania...

Got That Friday Africa Feeling?!!!: Here are three ways to Get Back To Africa for Less...

So the Big Freeze is on but there's no need to worry, as this week’s mailer features three ways to get back to Africa for less. Tempted? You will be once you’ve caught up with Cathy May our "Real Wanderer". A career gapper, Cathy gave up the city rat race to travel the globe, her nine month independent travelling stint including our 43-day Kenya To Cape Town overland trip.

NEWS just in: This February, every Friday we’ll also be featuring some of the more “OUT THERE” pursuits on the continent courtesy of the Acacia Wild Bunch. Feel free to pitch in with your votes or even add your own experiences to the mix under our fan album. And as we like to mix it up on the continent here’s a sneak preview of Pepe Haze’s new album – a hugely talented artist from the Crazy about Kenya gang.

So here’s how to get back to Africa for less…

1. Why pay when you can overland for FREE: The competition for the “Acacia Wild Tweep” is hotting up, so if you’re crazy about South Africa and you want to share your love of the Rainbow Nation then mosey on down to our blog and fill in the Q&A. Email your entry to gowildonline@acacia-africa.com

2. Retweet our videos & grab a 25% discount off your next overland tour – it’s a sinch! Simply copy and paste the following onto your Twitter page and it could be you!: RT #GoWildOnline with Acacia Africa http://bit.ly/7BrvvH

3. Why should late bookers get all the best deals? We thought it was time to give back to the early birds – the first adventurers booking on selected overland tours saving up to 50%.

OK discounts aside, if the ”R” word is still cramping your style when it comes to hard cash, check out PlanYourSafaris top ten reasons to safari. In fact, this is one blog that will have you dusting off the backpack in under 30 seconds flat!

Still undecided on where to head next? Grab a copy of our 2010 online brochure.

You can also get all the latest news and views from Travelcomments.com on flights and currency; and thinking of combining your safari with the South Africa World Cup, then look no further than AfricaFreak.

And just in case you missed those tweets – here’s a brief selection…

Grab some sunshine on a budget in Dahab.

Courtesy of Travelcomments.com – here’s an amazing vid - yet another gr8 reason to travel:)

Real Wanderers: Career Gapper Tweet

Follow Cathy May on the 43-day Kenya To Cape Town overland trip…

From Norwich To Nairobi...

My First African experience...

Nairobi – Please Drive Carefully! - Cathy's crash course in navigating Nairobi...

Karibu! Welcome To Africa - Proof that hostel accommodation still surprises 1st time adventure travellers...

How The Other Half Lives...in Kiberia...

Join our virtual Tweet Up on South Africa on Feb 26, 2010 RSVP here - currently 19 and counting! We'd be happy to receive any adventure travel questions pre event, just put #AcaciaWildTweep? ahead of your tweet or email us at gowildonline@acacia-africa.com

Remember from here on in we'll be highlighting trip buddies looking to meet other adventurers pre-tour. One of our soon to be wanderers is heading off on the South West Safari, Livingstone - Cape Town, leaving April 7th 2010. Any takers? Click on over to our discussion board for a virtual chat :)

And finally, Got a passion for Southern and Eastern Africa and want to share it with the world?!! Then check out our "Work For Us" page as we're currently on the look out for a Reservations Supervisor to join our team in the Cape Town Office.

“Just Go…”

The Acacia Africa team

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

Real Wanderers: Nairobi – Please Drive Carefully

Driving in Nairobi brings a whole new meaning to getting behind the wheel; in fact jay walking animals would be small fry compared to navigating major roundabouts without headlights at night!!! Time to go overland?:)

Next Up: Living without the luxuries becomes a reality, but it's a promising start for hostel life...

Cityscape image courtesy of Magical Kenya

Matatu (local bus) image courtesy of Tim Kiarie

Real Wanderers: My First African Experience

After raiding the airline freebie bag a surreal conversation ensues with a humanitarian fundraiser from Rwanda. Sadly, the English amongst us might fall short when it comes to culture – “pass me the fish and chips please, but don’t quiz me on the origins of Greenwich Meantime:)” A meaningful start to an amazing trip in Africa!

Next up: Hit the road with Cathy as she gets accustomed to a whole new kind of driving in Nairobi central…

Image copyright®: Ian Britton (http://www.FreeFoto.com)