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...
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…
Unfortunately, Cathy wasn’t didn't venture far from the hotel in Livingstone, at least for the first day or so, due to challenges of the stomach variety; but she was able to catch up with some enchanting elephants and a few mischevious monkeys back at the hotel. Not a white water rafter, Cathy decided to take to the skies to get the best view of the Victoria Falls – a truly moving experience, especially when Robbie Williams comes along for the ride!
Next Up: Feast your eyes on Malawi and Zambia – a colourful kaleidoscope of two contrasting destinations…
Malawi wasn’t top of the list in terms of destinations, but going rural and getting off the beaten track is the best way to get the inside track on the real Africa. Click through to Cathy's blog, as she also hands out a few surpising tips when it comes to batering for local curios – handy advice when it comes to making last minute decisions for the backpack.
Next Up: Tragedy strikes at the Victoria Falls, but there’s just something about those elephants...
Sure, ask any adventurer who has been to Zanizibar and they’ll tell you that the main draw is still sun, sea and sand; oh, and not forgetting the excellent diving opportunities around the Northern beaches J. Cathy had time to pack in a visit to Freddie Mercury’s birthplace and the Spice Tour led by Ali T - a huge Ali G fan! A chance to get to know the island from a modern day “rapp-a-like”, perspective…this is one excursion not to be missed!
Next Up: Cathy gives us her take on Malawi and a few pit sops on the way to the adventure capital of Livingstone
Get ready for a culture shock in Dar Es Salaam as Cathy and her fellow overland travellers navigate their way through the city amidst a myriad of over-energetic street vendors. The gateway to Zanizibar, Dar is a far cry from the tranquil Spice Island – ideal for some chilled beach camping and dive antics.
Next Up: Catch up with Cathy as she checks out the highlights in Zanizibar, birthplace of Freddie Mercury and also home to Ali T, a local guide who raps his way through the spice tour!
You’d be right if you’re expecting long journeys on an overlanding jaunt, as Africa is a vast continent. But from Cathy’s point of view getting from A-B on a planned itinerary certainly makes for some fascinating hassle free drives, and the changing landscape en route is jaw dropping. National Geographic for real, here’s the low down on what to expect from campsites to cuisine!
Next Up: Get ready to brave Dar Es Salaam – a location where any driver will require superhuman hazard awareness skills!
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!
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...
Stay in the hostel like fortress or venture out into Nairobi central? By day two of the trip Cathy’s nerves felt like a thing of the past and she was ready to see the real Africa. As an independent traveller in Kiberia, (the second largest slum dwelling in Kenya’s capital), there are two rules: stay with your local guide and if you want take a picture – ask first! A humbling and confusing experience, but a chance to get off the tourist track...
Next Up: Fancy some off roading and authentic travel experiences, follow Cathy as she heads overland on our 43-day Kenya to Cape Town tour…
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
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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
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)
Once we hit the rat race, it’s not easy leaving life as we know it behind - and it’s an even bigger step when there’s no corporate company sabbatical acting as a career comfort blanket.
At 33, Cathy May was nervous about her decision to take a break from her city lifestyle. Formerly a high flyer in the PR business and co-founder of a PR company, she was now embarking on a nine-month travelling stint and leaving friends and family behind.
However, when the going gets tough there are always breakfast buffets to cure those last minute nerves and don’t worry, as being late for check in is not necessarily a bad thing!!!:)
Next up: Follow Cathy and relive her first African experience – even before she touches down in Nairobi central! An eye opener for all…
Image copyright®: Ian Britton (http://www.FreeFoto.com)
Our new logo encapsulates the heartbeat of Africa with the blazing African sun and the famous Acacia tree. The vivd yellows and reds are vibrant African colours that mirror our team and the tours we offer.
The catchy new slogan, "Extraordinary Adventures Everyday" is made up of three distinct words that invoke excitement, imagination and tantalizing travel...
Extraordinary - beyond the ordinary, opposite of normal
Adventures - exciting activity, journey
Everyday - day after day...
It's not simply a tour, it's a way of life.
We'll be sharing some more interesting insights from "Real Wanderers" so check back with us on FB for regular updates from Monday 11 January...
First up is Cathy May from Reading in the UK - a career breaker who took the plunge...
Real Wanderers: If you’re thinking of taking a career break why not follow Cathy from Reading.
At 33, Cathy set off on a nine month travelling stint, a world away from her time co-running a successful PR agency in London.
She felt her hectic lifestyle had taken its toll and was desperate to recharge her batteries so Cathy took the leap, even renting out her house and moving back in with her parents while she planned the trip.
She wanted to include Africa on her travels (omitted by many backpackers, especially women) and chose to kick off her round-the-world trip with an organised Acacia Africa overland tour.
Even if you’re not working for a large company that might offer a sabbatical, Cathy told us, “it’s worth the trip.”
Nearly three months into her travels, she agreed it was one of the best decisions she had ever made.
Why?
* The unfamiliar can give you a whole new perspective, whether you're visiting under privileged communities in Kenya, scrambling up sand dunes at dawn in Namibia or spotting whales and dolphins in South Africa.
* For her future employers, Cathy believes that a career break is an enhancement to anyone's CV. “I already know that I will return to home and be more than ready for my next challenge!”
Watch out for our regular updates on Cathy's 43-day Kenya to Cape Town overland tour – the first installment detailing her antics at Heathrow including, how breakfast buffets can help cure nerves and advice on getting an upgrade. Business Class anyone?!!!...
Madagascar is a glorious, beautiful, delicious country, however, there are a few things you should know before you go that might help you handle the inevitable culture shock. Some of these things you will read now, and understand later, when you arrive on the world’s 4th largest island, but most important of all, enjoy your journey; you’ll want to go back again and again!
Patience is truly a virtue. Whatever time you think you’re going to leave to go ANYWHERE, add at least an hour (emphasis on at least). What’s your rush anyway? You’re on vacation.
Do not cram every second, every day of your trip with activities. Things may change, you may get stuck somewhere, you may have to change your itinerary – do not stress. This is normal. Being flexible means you may see something you never expected and then you will thank the airline that cancelled your flight or the car that never filled up.
When taxi-broussing, you might be uncomfortable, even in the best possible situation (which is the row behind the driver, feet up, only three people in your row, music at a low volume). That’s life, and it’s not forever. Remember: you’re traveling shoulder to shoulder with Malagasy people, seeing stunning landscapes, and eating a lot of rice. It’s a cultural experience that will make for a good story at future dinner parties.
Beware of fancy restaurants. Even the nicest of establishments may shock your stomach into unpleasantness. I have gotten sick more times after eating at a vazaha restaurant than I ever got eating Malagasy food. Eat Malagasy food! It’s great! Especially try the burnt rice water (ranonapango or rano vola) – hot and soothing.
Try to learn a little bit of Malagasy before you go – the people will LOVE you for it. You’ll get some open-mouthed stares and some laughs, but that’s par for the course. I’ll have some resources up on my website in the next couple of months.
Don’t just do touristy things. Spend some time walking around, sitting on benches or beaches, or going to markets. Parks are fun and you’ll see some AMAZING animals and plants, but the people are wonderful as well.
if all goes as planned, Other Places Publishing should be releasing my new Madagascar travel guide in June 2010. In the meantime, if you have any questions about Madagascar, please feel free to email me at the website. If I don’t know the answer, I can direct you to someone who does. Enjoy your trip, and Soava Dia!
Want to head to off to the world's eighth continent? Check out Acacia’s Madagascar Revealed tour. An 11-day tour exploring the major highlights of the south, leaving you plenty of time before or after to do some independent travelling in the northern part of Madagascar. £1,175pp.
Sadly, last week marked the end of Dan’s overland tweet on the 43-day Kenya to Cape Town - a BIG thanks to Dan for all the posts - we've been glued to the screen and dreaming of our favourite continent :) - but “Our Man In Africa” still has some great sound bites and videos to share with you – his advice to head out to the dunes, even if the morning mist and drizzle doesn’t bode well for great weather in Namibia!
Check out Dan’s complete “Around The World Travel Blog” and the full story below.
If you’re a budding writer with a taste for adventure and you’ve got the Africa bug, you can also tweet for us. Email the team at info@acacia-africa.com and we’ll help to promote your travel exploits online, all your amazing Afri-nuggets appearing on our Facebook and Twitter pages, and of course, the Acacia Africa blog.
* The Low Down: Kenya to Cape Town with Acacia Africa
* How many ways can we break down on safari?
* How to fix a flat without being eaten by a lion
* Photo of the week: rolling zebra
* Dan’s photos from the Masai Mara
* Long day of driving today. Going from Nairobi, Kenya to Arusha, Tanzania
* Making lunches by the side of the road in Tanzania, lots of children around waiting for leftovers
* At snake park near Arusha in Tanzania with @acaciaafrica cheap vodka+brai
* Clear skies full of stars
* Bush camping in the Serengeti tonight. Saw lions + cheetahs 5 minutes away from camp
* Photo of the week – Serengeti sunset
* Spent the morning following a leopard in the Serengeti
* Is it an elephant, is it a wild pig? – no it’s someone getting “noised up” in the Serengeti!
* New Photos: Serengeti
* Shooting the big five – Lion
* Photos from the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
* New Photos: Ngorongoro Crater
* Shooting the Big Five – elephant
* Conservation of Africa’s game reserves
* Just passing Mt. Kili. Will be in Dar Es Salaam tomorrow
* Whale spotting on the way to Zanzibar
* Sitting in a floating bar on Lake Malawi
* Long day of driving today as we head to the border between Malawi and Zambia
* White water rafting on the Zambezi was awesome. Today I'm jumping off a bridge
* Jumped off the bridge in no mans land between Zambia and Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls this afternoon
* Jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge
* Rafting on the Zambezi river
* Sitting in the sun at a bar on the banks of the Zambezi in Zambia
* Victoria Falls on the Zambia side weren't that impressive as they aren't in full flow, standing right on the edge of them was cool though
* Standing on top of the Victoria Falls
* New photos from the Victoria Falls
* New Photos: Bungee Jump from Victoria Falls Bridge
* Heading to Botswana today, will be out watching elephants in Chobe tomorrow...
* Where are all the elephants?
* New Photos: Chobe
* It’s been fantastic so far, absolutely loving it. The highlight of next week will be bush camping in the Okavango Delta
* Synching Google reader to try and catch up on blogs on today's drive
* Sinking in the Okavango Delta
* Photo of the week – Sunset in the Okavango Delta
* Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert
* Down at the watering hole: Etosha Nature Reserve
* Finally spotted all the big five. 6 black rhino at the same time in Etosha, Botswana
* Shooting the Big Five - rhino
* Arrived in Swakomund, Namibia. Quadbiking and sandboarding in the dunes tomorrow
* Quadbiking the dunes at Swakopmund
* Photo of the Week – Fish River Canyon
* Wine tasting in South Africa
* Five reasons why monkeys are evil
