Suffering From Post Tournament Depression? Join Our Cape Town Office In The "Keep Flying" Campaign

Last Sunday’s final feels like a lifetime ago, but it seems that the post World Cup blues have well and truly set in.  Zavvi.com is even claiming that up to 40% of the UK’s football fanatics are at risk of developing PTD, more commonly known at Post Tournament Depression!

Recent research by the company showed that during the competition, the average British male thought about football 43 times a day, watched nearly 30 hours of the sport on TV and spent over £400 on World Cup merchandise and entertainment…and now it’s all over, the beautiful game blues are gripping the English nation.

So what are the options?

1.  Do nothing.  Replay that disallowed goal over and over in your head.  Die-hard England fans might want to make a dart board out of Assistant referee Mauricio Espinosa to reduce heightened levels of anxiety

2. Watch & learn - Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic certainly knows his stuff when it comes to PTD!

3. Join our Cape Town office in the “Keep Flying” campaign and celebrate everything that’s great about the Rainbow Nation.

Personally we like option 3, and while we admit that the “Keep Flying” campaign has a South African slant, why not just go with the flow, fly that flag on facebook and support the great nation that bought you Nelson Mandela, fantastic safari experiences and one of the best world cup’s we’ve seen in a while.

How to get involved? Keep flying the flag. It’s a symbol of the vibrant and welcoming nature of South Africa, and a reminder, that together we can achieve anything. (Feeling better already?!!!) Grab a background, an email signature, a profile pic (for Facebook, Twitter etc). Post it, badge it, print and share it.

If you're truly passionate about the Rainbow Nation, why not just go! Book yourself on one of our guaranteed overland departures before the 31st of July, enjoy the very best of South Africa and more besides, and save 40% on July departures and 30% on August departures.

More importantly, Stay positive. Stay upbeat. Travel with the locals. Celebrate local. Greet a stranger in South Africa – a local one. Say “howzit” or “heita”. Get involved. Locally. Wear a flag. Respect the flag. Just love it. All of it, and all of us. Remember all we’ve done. Remember the beautiful game. And never forget, it’s nothing as yet.

We’ll be keeping those flags flying until 10th of August – and whatever your nation, remember footy fans, there’s always another world cup around the corner! Of course, you can't beat the officlal "Wavin' flag" anthem, so get your ears round the uplifting beats of K'naan, click through to  our online brochure  and plan your next dream trip in the Rainbow Nation: the ultimate cure for PTD sufferers across the globe!

Want To Watch The Annual Migration?: Overlanding Will Be Your Best Shot!

It’s that time again: "Annual Migration" season is upon us, and we’re gearing up for the “Seventh Wonder of the World”!  However, according to various sources, this year’s event will be a sell out: in fact, even Kenya’s Tourism minister, Najib Balala, has been turned away – the majority of accommodation in the Mara having been snapped up way in advance.

OK, we can hear you sigh as your eyes glance over that last sentence, but its not all doom and gloom just yet - and, we have the ideal solution.  Yes, you heard it here first, “head overland and you can still grab a front row seat to Africa’s unforgettable wildlife spectacle!"

We know that if you have your heart set on this spontaneous extravaganza having to switch to an alternative tour would be unthinkable, so we’ve guaranteed over 500 overland and small group safari departures from now until the end of the year. And, if you want more wildlife for your wonga, you can take advantage of our current deals, or get your eyes round our recent mailer and save up to 40% on our overland tours departing in July.

One for Annual Migration Addicts, the 13-day Kenya & Tanzania Adventure includes game viewing in the Masai Mara and the Serengeti - the overland tour ending with a beach stay on Zanzibar.  

£595pp (no single supplement) + local payment from £332pp. Save 40% off the tour price if travelling in July (£238pp), 30% off the tour price if travelling in August (£178pp) and 20% if travelling in September or October (£119pp). 

The following departures are guaranteed: 25 (July); 01, 08, 15, 22 (August); 05, 12, 19, 26 (September); 03, 10  (October).

Still Up For A Safari?: The Animals Are On Us!

After the humiliating England defeat we thought Africa would be the last place on the planet for Three Lions’ fans; but it appears we were wrong.  In the last few days the phone has been ringing off the hook when it comes to overlanding, UK adventurers seeking solace in safaris. In fact, looking at this lot, we can safely say that any "FIFA fall out" will instantly be replaced by cruise camaraderie and animal attraction!  

Our trips are full of Aussies, Kiwis and Europeans, but the list is so long that we should probably stop there!  We'd like to add that the eclectic mix of nations will help any depressed football fan recover, so the Americans should take note.  

Let’s face it, even though you might hear the call of the vuvuzela in the Rainbow Nation’s cosmopolitan capital, when you’re out on the open savannah it’s game on, but only for the wildlife.  An otherworldly travel experience that not many other countries or continents can claim to match, wildlife viewing in Africa simply tops the list when it comes to breaking away from reality. Take a look at these guys and tell us we're wrong!

Of course, in South Africa, the Kruger National Park is still the main highlight, but now we’re in Annual Migration season, the first wildebeest tripping the light fantastic and heading across the plains in search of new pastures, Kenya may well be poised to take the number one spot.  So, whatever your nationality, if you’re up for it, go wild and check out this month’s mailer. Grab yourself a discount, enjoy the Seventh Wonder of the World and bag the Big Five in Africa’s Wildlife Capital! 

Looking for an added buzz?  Click through to Crazy About Kenya - an online campaign that's still very much alive and kicking! Then again, whatever you decide, the animals are on us:) 

Game on! FIFA, Vuvuzelas & South Africanisms...

It's been an exciting and extraordinary World Cup so far, many of the favourites having been knocked out in the opening round of the FIFA tournament.  Then again, it’s still game on for England, so start your safari in the Rainbow Nation with a match and a pint or two, and get your eyes round some useful South Africanisms. Live and direct from the Backpackers Guide To South Africa  - we'd like to kick off with a big shout out (and blow on the old vuvuzela, which is very much here to stay!!!) to Alun Blumenfeld and team! 

BABBELAS (BUBBLE-US): Hangover. Usage: "Jeez, I had too many dops last night. I've got a hectic babbelas."

JA-WELL-NO-FINE: Nobody really knows what this means, because it doesn't really mean anything. But we like saying it.

BLIKSEM (BLUK-SEM): If you're in a pub and you accidentally spill a beer belonging to a man with a thick neck, he may say: "Do you want me to bliksem you?" Don't respond. Just run. Run for your life. It's the Afrikaans word for hit or strike or punch.

BOET: Means "brother" in Afrikaans. An affectionate (though not too much) term for a friend. It's like saying "dude" or "buddy".

DINGES (DING-US): An indeterminate, nondescript thing or term for an object whose name you've momentarily forgotten. Like this: "Please pass me my dinges there." "What?" "My dinges. I want to blow it." "You mean your vuvuzela?" "Yes, my vuvuzela."

DOP: If someone says "Do you want to go for a dop?" always say yes. It means you'll be going for a drink.

GATVOL: Literally means "hole fill" in Afrikaans. Means you've had enough of something that's making you angry. Usage: "Boet, I'm gatvol of this ref's bad decisions." Again with the harsh "g".

HUNDREDS: Normally repeated twice in a sentence as in "Hundreds, bru, hundreds." It expresses either total agreement with what someone has just said, or confirmation that your life is all good (eg: "How are you?" "Ah, hundreds, man, hundreds"). Can also be used as a way of simply saying yes.

EINA (AY-NA): Expression of pain, as in "ouch". 

JUST NOW: An indeterminate amount of time. If a waiter says "I'll be with you just now", it could mean anything from five minutes, to 10, to never.

LADUMA: Celebratory exclamation when a goal is scored. For best effect, try to hold the "u" for as long as possible on one breath, so that the "ma" comes out as a desperate choke. Laduuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu-uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.ma.

LANK: Beyond cool is lank cool. Also means a large amount of, as in "There were lank vuvuzelas at the game last night."

EISH (AYSH): Common term that denotes a wide range of emotions from joy and surprise to confusion and anger. When in doubt, use it.

EITA (AY-TA): Casual African greeting, like "Hey". Actually, it's the same as "Howzit".

IS IT?: Actually pronounced "uzz ut". It's a casual way of saying "Oh really?".

JOL: Party. Can be used as either a noun or verb, as in "That was a lekker jol" or "I went jolling last night :)

LEKKER (LAKKA): Great, awesome, amazing.

MZANSI: Popular term for South Africa. Best describes our country's gritty energy and loud African spirit.

NOOIT (NOYT): Expression of disbelief or disdain. As in "Aah, nooit! There's chewing gum on my seat!"

NOW-NOW: Not to be confused with "Just now". Now-now is a much smaller indeterminate amount of time. Hmm. Don't worry - you'll get it.

PHUZA (POO-ZA): A drinking session. "Phuza Thursday" is a noble tradition in South Africa. Try to uphold it while you're here.

ROBOT: When you're asking for directions and someone says: "Left at the third robot," it is not because our streets are overrun with menacing cyborgs made by Japanese scientists. No. A robot is simply our word for traffic light.

SHARP-SHARP!: Okay. This is a complicated one. An expression of agreement. Or a greeting. Or a way of saying goodbye. Or a way of saying "Okay, sure." Or a way of ... forget it.

SIFF: Gross, disgusting. "Check, that guy is picking his nose." "Siff, boet."

Still not decided on your dream safari in South Africa - start here...

Over 500 Guaranteed Departures: Extraordinary Adventures You Can Count On!

You spend days, weeks and months planning that dream trip to Africa, pouring over all of the amazing itineraries and fine-tuning the perfect adventure. Finally you’re booked and ready for the off, but there’s one little snag…your once in a lifetime jaunt on the continent has been cancelled!  Luckily, not all Africa specialists will leave you hanging and having to opt for a trip that seems second best. In fact, we’ve got over 500 guaranteed overland and small group safaris on offer from now until the end of 2010.

So here’s our pick of the top five extraordinary adventures you can count on! All prices include non-stop adventure, campfire camaraderie, sensational wildlife viewing and addictive adrenaline antics. Excludes disappointment.

Zone in on Zululand and experience the cultural side of Kwazulu-Natal on a village visit: 7-day Kruger, Swaziland and Durban departing 26 June

Head to Hermanus and catch sight of the Southern Right Whale, these magnificent creatures heading for the South African coastline from May to December: 14-day Kruger To Cape Town departing 26^th June

Explore the Okavango Delta by dug out canoe and go camping on the wild side: 10-day Delta and Chobe Waterways departing 30^th June

Sleep under the starry skies at Spitzkoppe in Namibia – at 600-metres above the surrounding desert plains this is quite possibly, the ultimate location for sunset viewing: 19-day Desert Tracker departing 26^th June…

Add a night drive in an adjoining private game reserve to your Kruger experience and make more of the wildlife experience: 6-day African Insight departing 1^st July

If we still haven’t satiated your passion for adventure then we’re only a click away! Look out for the following icons so you can ensure your tour is guaranteed…

Kick Off Or Kick Back?: The Decision Is Yours…

FIFA 2010 mania is alive and well in Jo’burg, today’s sizzling street party in Vilakazi Street, Soweto kicking off the 20-day countdown. A leading lifestyle hub in South Africa, the celebrations in the “City of Gold” are proof that the South African people are ready to rock when it comes to showcasing the best of this vibrant community. 

However, if you don’t have a ticket to the tournament and you’re looking forward to kicking back as opposed to the kick off, why not head out on our 6-day African Insight overland tour.  Starting in Zambia, the trip includes adrenaline antics at the Victoria falls, a laidback cruise along the Chobe River and game viewing in the Kruger before touching down in Johannesburg.  If there’s no need for a speedy take off, take five instead and enjoy a three day city stay in one of the most cosmopolitan cities on the African continent.

There will still be a buzz post FIFA in this all year round destination; other overland jaunts starting and ending in Jo’burg including, the 32-day South East Adventure Alternative, the 22-day Zanzibar, Victoria Falls and Kruger, the 21-day East African Explorer, the 25-day South West Safari, the 25-day Desert tracker and the 46-day Ultimate African Adventure.

So if your decision is to avoid the crowds and travel post or pre FIFA 2010 - you can celebrate with the African people whenever the travel bug hits and whether you fancy a kick around with your new safari sidekicks or the locals, we're pretty sure they'll be up for it!

Guaranteed Departures & Sensational Savings....

We are pleased to announce that we have guaranteed over 500 departures on our overland and small group safaris. This means that you can book with 100% confidence that the tour will run giving you the peace of mind to book your international airfares. Check out our May mailer to find out more, and feast your eyes on some sensational savings...