Replying to If you've backpacked some foreign bullshit come here

So I arrived home from Africa about two weeks ago. I was living out there for a bit doing work at a small(ish) wildlife centre. Such a cool experience and learned a ton. Was doing integration and orphan work and shit like that but THAT'S ANOTHER STORY ALL TOGETHER PRETTY MUCH.

I got home and ever since have been just aching to go back...like, now. Well really as soon as possible because money. I really want to go back and see more, though, because my month and a half over there was pretty much spent in Lilongwe working 6am-5pm every day...I did however get a long weekend that I spend on a safari in Zambia, though. That was rad.

I want to see more, though. more of the people...the places...EVERYTHING. SO what better way to do that than backpacking? My start will be Maputo in Mozambique. Met a girl while I was over there that has an apartment there and offered me a place to live for a bit. So from Mozambique I want to South in the west, stopping off in Malawi, Zambia, etc... and then spending some time in Capetown. From there, I'll make my way up north, my focus really being on Namibia, the Serengeti, and the Congo. Before I get the jackass comments, yeah, I know Africa is big, douchebag.

So really, though, the point here is for me to ask anyone with experience backpacking...What's the best way to do it? How should I go about budgeting my money? Any horror stories you've got to share? Successes?

I've been researching for a bit now (started while I was still in Africa), but really I just want to talk with people who've done it. Get at me.