How to Experience Affordable Africa

[Sam Ward]

“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing,” is one of the many quotes featured in Acacia Africa’s new 32 page catalogue. According to the Simple Explorers blog team (recent Acacia travellers), Helen Keller’s words are “a rallying call for those bitten by wanderlust, thirsty for adrenaline, or anyone else seeking a thrilling moment of exploration,” and Africa would seem to fit the bill perfectly. Filled with a wide array of experiential activities and safari destinations that are ‘on trend,’ the catalogue includes six new accommodated overland escapes and a new small group safari. One of an ongoing series of Acacia Africa experience You Tube videos, the “Life Needs Adventure” clip also went live earlier this month.

To celebrate the launch of the 2017 catalogue, Acacia Africa is discounting 45 of its April and May overland departures in both East and Southern Africa by 15% if booked by 31 March. After Will Smith’s recent visit to the Victoria Falls, the adventure hub is likely to be one of the most sought after destinations, the ‘A’ list actor fulfilling his 20 year long dream of bungy jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge. The reintroduction of the KAZA univisa between Zimbabwe and Zambia has also boosted the popularity of the neighbouring countries as adrenaline junkies are now able to combine activities on both sides of the falls more easily.

SAVE 15% (£264pp) 23 day Kruger, Victoria Falls & Zanzibar overland tour now from only £1,501pp (no single supplement) + Adventure Pass from £180pp including transport, camping accommodation, most meals and services of a tour leader/driver. Departing 20 April and 18 May. Starts Johannesburg - ends Dar es Salaam. Full tour price 1,765pp. Excludes return flight.

Arno Delport, Sales & Marketing Manager at Acacia Africa, comments, “Post Brexit, adventurers will be looking more closely at this year’s holiday budget, so tours need to have a “wow factor” and also offer value for money. In that sense, accommodated overland travel is a win-win. Still no single supplement these itineraries are also attractive to the growing number of solo nomads opting for our tours. Based on bookings for 2017, more than half of overlanders are single with women taking the lead when it comes to going it alone.”

“As more gap year travellers are expected to be hitting the road, UCAS applications taking a 5% dip, our longer overland itineraries will be increasingly popular with younger adventurers. ABTA is also scheduled to extend its ‘Travel With Confidence’ campaign to the youth market this summer making our bonded tours even more attractive to millennials."

South Africa is still an appealing destination for Brits, its weak Rand allowing for cheaper safaris: a four day overland camping experience in the Kruger priced from only £315pp (no single supplement). For that reason, Acacia claims, it could be time to explore more of the Rainbow Nation by venturing into the country’s smaller and even more affordable parks and reserves.  

The new 12 day Coast Lesotho & Cape Town accommodated overland tour, covers the 28,000 hectare Mountain Zebra National Park. Once reduced to just four stallions and one mare, its zebra population now stands at around 700. A conservation success story, the endangered black rhino, lion and cheetah also reside in the park. Due to its smaller size, Addo is on a par with the Kruger for viewing elephants en masse, its large herds numbering more than 600. Adjoining the coast, the park is home to the Big Seven including, the great white shark and the southern right whale, and released into the wilds this January, Sylvester the lion, who achieved international fame after escaping twice from the Karoo National Park. Where overlanding comes into its own, Acacia Africa visit both malaria free parks using their all purpose trucks. Ideal for that picture perfect Instagram moment, the elevated seating and large slide down windows allow for 360-degree vistas. From £715pp (no single supplement) + Adventure Pass from £70pp including transport, 11 nights twin share accommodation, most meals and services of a tour leader/driver.  Starts Durban - ends Cape Town. 

Include that bucket list Kruger safari, by switching to the new 19 day Kruger to Cape Town accommodated overland tour and add on two days of game viewing in the national park. From £1,145pp (no single supplement) + Adventure Pass from £100pp including transport, 18 nights twin share accommodation, most meals and services of a tour leader/driver. Starts Johannesburg - ends Cape Town. 

Also on trend Acacia’s new 12 day Delta & Chobe Waterways accommodated small group tour features walking safaris in the 3,200 hectare Polokwane Game Reserve. Its main attraction is the amount of ground one can cover on foot in a single afternoon - white rhino, and some very rare game, like the sable and tsessebe antelope often encountered by safari goers. From £1,200pp (two sharing) + Safari Pass from £950pp including transport accommodation (10 nights twin share rooms with en suite facilities, one night twin share pre-erected tent with en-suite) most meals and services of a tour leader/driver. Starts Johannesburg - ends Johannesburg. 

Lesotho is Instagram envy all the way (Acacia’s tours recently featured on Bravo’s list of 22 Essential Places to Take a Selfie Before You Die), but say’s Delport, “it’s the country’s cultural kick that will boost its popularity with travellers; horseback adventures with the Basotho herdsmen and participatory ‘sheep shearing’ on offer on some seasonal village visits. Swaziland, the smallest country in the southern hemisphere, is also big on experiences, mountain bike safaris in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary a major highlight.

Both countries are listed on the new 40 day Southern African Adventurer accommodated overland tour. From £3,285pp (no single supplement) + Adventure Pass from £570pp including transport, accommodation (37 nights twin share accommodation, one night pre-erected en suite tented camp (Delta); one night bush camping at Spitzkoppe, equipment supplied), most meals and services of a tour leader/driver. Starts Cape Town - ends Cape Town. 

The 40 day itinerary covers an additional five countries including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Set to be a popular with travellers this year:

* Namibia featured on the Huffington Post’s 2017 list of “17 Epic Places You Never Thought To Travel To, But Should,” and it secured second place on Lonely Planet’s Best Value travel list - its currency pegged to the South African rand. 

* Featured on Planet Earth II, the Buffalo versus lion pack scene in Botswana’s Okavango Delta was a definite highlight with lovers of raw, untamed Africa - the nature documentary series pulling in more young viewers (1.8 million) than the X Factor. Prince Harry recently put the spotlight back on wildlife conservation, the royal celebrity championing a campaign to protect endangered rhinos in Botswana.

Acacia Africa’s 2017 catalogue also includes the new four day Kruger safari, seven day Kruger, Swaziland & Beach, and 46 day Southern Africa Explorer accommodated overland tours.

All the above tours operate year round and exclude return flight. Acacia Africa’s camping and accommodated overland tours are targeted at the 18-39 market, while the safari specialist’s small group safaris are open to travellers from eight years. To request a 2017 Acacia Africa catalogue visit the website. View Acacia Africa’s NEW “Life Needs Adventure” video. 

Acacia Africa (020 7706 4700; acacia-africa.com). SATSA membership No. 1931, ATTA membership no. 20151, ATOL No. 6499 and ABTA No. W4093 PROTECTED.