Myth-busting
Africa attracts a great deal of negative, often misleading press coverage.
So what's the real story? Is it safe? Is overlanding rough and tumble? Can I travel through Africa by myself?
Here we answer those niggling doubts and redress the balance...
Is Africa dangerous to visit?
Africa is no more dangerous to travel than anywhere else. You have to be careful with your belongings, careful with what you eat or drink, just as you do when travelling in Europe, America, Asia.
What sometimes happens is that, viewed from a distance, the perception of what is seen on TV - in Africa or Asia, or South America - can make it appear to affect a wider area than it actually does.
When you actually get to Africa (or Asia, or South America) you begin to realise that it affects a much smaller area than you had been led to believe.
We have groups travelling through Africa all year round who have fantastic experiences and enjoy the friendliness and generosity of the local people.
Just see our passenger comments and tales from the road! Travelling with a group and having a tour leader who knows the area is the safest and most secure way to travel.
If anything does occur when you are on tour, we will make plans to avoid the troubled area. With our thorough network of suppliers and colleagues throughout Africa, we tend to know if trouble is brewing before the press!
Our priority at Acacia is passenger's safety.
Africa is too scary with all the dangerous animals.
Almost all the wildlife you will see is in the National Parks where you have the comfort and protection of the safari vehicle.
The chances of seeing anything dangerous outside of the parks is very slim - as a general rule the wild animals are more afraid of you than you are of them!
Participation Camping (Overlanding) is too taxing and uncomfortable.
Well, it's true, participation camping is not for everyone. But it is a great value-for-money means of travelling in remote areas, especially if you are on your own and a brilliant way to make travel buddies.
The camaraderie generated within a group while seated around a campfire is one of the 'warm fuzzies' you remember for long afterwards.
Besides, it is not all tough going - setting up your tent takes 5 minutes at the most, helping with cooking is part and parcel of the experience.
Join in, you will find it isn't so hard! Don't forget we provide a camp mattress, personal lockers, charge points on the truck, i-pod jacks, fridge/freezer for food, which all helps make overland travelling as comfortable as possible (whilst still retaining the 'adventure' feel of it).
We normally stay at designated campsites where there are usually showers, flushing toilets, sometimes small shop, a bar and even, in some places, a pool!
But if overlanding is not your thing, don't worry - Acacia has a wide section of shorter more comfortable safaris visiting the famous and not-so-well known areas using quality, comfortable accommodation as an alternative.
Is a safari all about spotting the 'Big 5'?
The 'Big 5' is an antiquated term used originally by pioneering hunters in East Africa who labelled the five most difficult or dangerous prey: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino.
These are indeed magnificent creatures but don't forget giraffe, cheetah, zebra, warthog, antelope and the hundreds of species of birds you will see!
So yes, tick off the 'Big 5' but don't forget the 'lesser' animals which may not be as dangerous but are just as beautiful.
A local payment is a lot of cash to take to Africa. Isn't that dangerous?
We ask for your local payment to be paid in cash. This is in order to keep your costs down by ensuring that certain costs incurred in the running of the tour are paid directly to the supplier in Africa (with no middleman taking a cut).
This way we get the best possible price for our groups, and importantly passengers see how and where the money is spent.
Plus there is the satisfaction of knowing the money paid remains in Africa. On a more practical level it can be very difficult to transfer monies into Africa from home and limited banking facilities outside of the major cities, and so actually taking the cash with you is often the best bet.
Naturally you need to take the usual precautions - wear a moneybelt (under your clothing), be careful with belongings, don't take unnecessary valuables, if you are spending a night in Africa before your tour (which is often highly recommended - we would be happy to pre book accommodation for you) then please use your hotel safe deposit box.
It's cheaper to book my safari locally.
Not always. And you are taking a serious risk that the trip you want won't be available, especially in the high season when many safaris operators run to capacity.
Also, don't forget that you won't know the tour company you are booking with, their safety record, their reliability, their professionalism, their financial security.
Would you hand over your hard earned money to an unknown company in a strange land a long way from home, without checking these things?
Book from home with an operator that is financially bonded (eg ABTA) for your protection allows you to travel with peace of mind.
This is especially relevant in today's turbulent market.
I can travel through Africa independently.
Well, yes, But Africa is not like Asia or South America where many of the highlights are city based.
In Africa the highlights tend to be miles out in the country where you need a vehicle for transport and security.
And don't forget - Africa is a big place and distances are long and road conditions often appalling.
Bus and train services are erratic and slow. In an area where our vehicles may average 30 - 40 km/h a public bus will speed past with little apparent regard to safety.
In regard to visiting the National Parks independently, outside of South Africa very few tourists, especially those visiting Africa for the first time, try this.
Hiring and driving your own car on your first visit to East Africa is not for the faint hearted. Security and finding your way (inside the parks) can be a nightmare.
Do you want to have to deal with this on your hard earned holiday?