Living Like a Local, Acacia Africa

Join The “Foodie Revolution” On National Braai Day! 2020

24 Sep 2020

We’ve been cooking up melt in the mouth morsels on the road for almost two decades – which is all the more reason to celebrate National Braai day (24 September) with us!

A spin off from South Africa’s Heritage Day (when the country celebrates its cultural diversity) it will be time to chuck a tjoppie on the fire, and feast on everything from bobotie to potjie. The annual initiative puts the nation’s “rainbow cuisine,” on a plate, so we can promise some of the very best on the menu, whether you’re kicking back in Knysna (voted in twice as South Africa’s favorite town) or adding to your culinary repertoire in Cape Town!

National Braai Day was conceived by Jan Braai (real name Scannell), this one man starting a “revolution to unite 50 million people” around the campfire, braai tongs in hand! Jan now travels around Southern Africa, exploring the art of grilled cooking, but with several of our tours charting a course across the rainbow nation, why not join in the “foodie” fun!

We’ve got tasty options that start in South Africa to tempt your travel palette, or why not book a city stay with us in Johannesburg or Cape Town to kick off your adventure or complete you stay on the continent!

Umhlanga Reed Dance, Swaziland 2020

1 Sep 2020

Starting on the 1st September, Swaziland’s best-known culture event, the Umhlanga Reed Dance is an 8-day traditional dance and ceremony where up to 40 000 Swazi maidens gather, dress up in brightly coloured attire to pay honour and homage to the Queen Mother (iNdlovukazi) and the Royal family.

The Umhlanga Reed Dance event is largely private, however its final two public days (normally a Sunday and Monday) are a spectacle to see! Check out the schedule below:

Day One
The girls gather at the Queen Mother’s royal village.

Day Two
The girls are separated into two groups based on their ages - 14 to 22 years and 8 to 13 years and they march to the reed-beds with their supervisors, local chiefdoms that are registered as security for this event.

Day Three
Each girl cut her reeds ( between ten to twenty) and ties them into a bundle.

Day Four
The girls make their way to the Queen Mother’s village, carrying their bundles of reeds.

Day Five
A day of rest where the girls make final preparations to their hair and dancing costumes.

Day Six
The first day of dancing (around 3-5pm). The girls place their prepared reeds outside the Queen Mother’s quarters and move to the arena in their (age) groups to dance and sing.

Day Seven
Second and last day of dancing. His Majesty the King will be present.

Day Eight
King commands that a number of the cattle be slaughtered for the girls which receive some meat before the ceremony ends and the girls head home.

Check out our tours 19-day Kruger to Cape Town and 7-day Kruger, Swaziland and Beach tours and plan your next trip around these dates!

Zanzibar International Film Festival 2020

6 Jul 2020

This is East Africa's largest film, music and arts festival. The festival show's films ranging from world premieres to local shorts, showcasing the best talent from all over the world.

The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) has been described as the largest cultural event in East Africa and a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organization. The festival was established in 1997 and the films submitted are based on a different theme each year

The festival will run from the 6th - 16th July 2020 and attracts international guests as well as those from the African continent.

Not only does the festival have the best cutting-edge cinema but it also provides the best parties with live music, DJ's, dance and performance happening at several venues across the eight days. The festival also gets you involved with the local community with exhibitions, workshops, and cultural tours.

Knysna Oyster Festival 2020

26 Jun 2020

The Knysna Oyster Festival is a popular sport and lifestyle festival in South Africa with over a hundred events taking place over ten days starting on the 26 June 2020.

This fun-filled family-friendly event includes marathons, swimming races, golf tournaments, cooking competitions, whisky tastings, live music, gourmet food and of course, oysters. The Wine Festival & Night Market showcases some of South Africa’s premier winemakers, and tastings are available as well as delectable food and wine pairings.

Link to: http://www.oysterfestival.co.za/

Bushfire Festival, Swaziland 2020

29 May 2020

The Bushfire Festival is Swaziland's music and arts festival that celebrates creative expression whilst promoting social responsibility.

The festival will be taking place this year on 29th to 31th May 2020 at House on Fire in the heart of Swaziland's Ezulwini Valley. More than 20,000 people attend the festival every year.

The festival is described as being a 'multi-dimensional' festival with a mix of world music on different stages. There is also more than just the music with performance art, speakers, exhibitions and discussions taking place.

The festival profits go to local charities. The festival is family friendly with children aged 5 and under get in for free, day passes are available or a full festival passes for the whole 3 days.

For all information on this festival check out: http://www.bush-fire.com/