Africa Overland Tours

About Africa Overland Tours

What is Overlanding?

Overlanding is the best way for the free spirited budget traveller to experience the excitement of true adventure travel, and unspoiled African scenery and cultures in remote places, within a specific set time period.

Away from boring sanitised holiday locations, many of the tour stops lack the more civilised facilities of regular tourist traps, and there is also an element of unpredictability, as sometimes the scheduled route has to be altered due to external factors.

Different to any other kind of package tour holiday

Overland Adventure Travel is therefore altogether a different trip from the regular package tour holiday, as it goes beyond merely providing you with a bed and a bus. The journey itself is part of the destination, and this holistic approach to experience is the point of every trip.

Teamwork Makes the trip

Tour members do everything together: travel, dine, do chores, take part in activities, relax, interact and learn about one another's countries, and form a working team who will hopefully all become good friends by the end.

Overlanding Activities

Attractions include interacting with indigenous people and culture, watching wildlife and participating in the more adrenalised experiences available, such as whitewater rafting, climbing, diving, cycling, walking with lions or a swim with dolphins.

When not on the road or involved in these activities, travellers must assist with the daily responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning up and setting up or dismantling the camp and packing the trucks. The level of participation required will depend on what type of Overland Safari you choose to do. Most of the activities where you will be expected to assist with occur at daybreak and dusk so that we can utilise every daylight hour for the adventure side of the trip! It is important to note that we sometimes rise before dawn, if we have to leave early for the next destination.

Your Tour guide or Trip Leader and support staff are well trained and highly knowledgeable about Africa and will assist your every need, but you also need to be keen to muck in, as they won't indulge too much laziness! However, there is also plenty of free time to sit around the fireside, play cards or board games, enjoy each other's company and discover more about Africa, shoot a few photos, jot in your diary or just chill under the stars listening to the sounds of the bush.

Things won't always run to schedule or as planned

On any Overland trip two things are for sure: one, that the days will not run 100% smoothly all the time and two, no two journeys will ever be alike. Roads could be closed or collapsed due to extreme weather conditions, mechanical problems could delay us, wild animals could invade the campsites or similar. TIA (This Is Africa) but we've seen it all before, so bear in mind that whatever goes down we'll get you through it safely and you will have the time of your life and a travel experience like no other on earth.

Are You Suited to Overlanding?

Whilst travelling through Africa has become easier in the past decade, it remains quite demanding physically, and thus the hectic schedule of a Camping Overland Tour tends to appeal to the younger, more adventurous personality type, between 18 and 35. However, recent years have seen an influx of adventurous older passengers as well as families. We have now catered for all in terms of the type of Overland Safari on offer.

The older crown tent to enjoy the accommodated overlanding trips, the younger singles or groups tend to enjoy the camping orientated trips more, especially during university vacation times. These are fairly broad assessments though, and outside of normal holiday times the passenger profile can be quite varied.

Age limit on Overlanding Camping

We do tend to set a an age limit of between 18-55 year old  though for the Overland Camping Tours, as in our experience, the often tough nature of Camping Overland Tours is unsuitable for people outside this age bracket. However, we do sometimes permit older passengers on the camping tours. As long as your are "Young at Heart".

Although being relatively fit is usually a requirement for Overlanding, a patient, friendly nature and a sense of adventure, when dealing with situations such as a truck stuck in the mud, a stampeding buffalo or squatting behind the lone bush in the veldt, is an advantage.

Nevertheless as a big component of every trip is the social aspect, we can almost guarantee that everyone will click, as most people who gravitate toward African Overlanding trips tend to have similar interests and a shared outlook on life. For the Camping tours whilst we do get couples and groups of friends travelling together, passengers are most often single and the ratio of males to females is usually an even split, augmenting the fun social dynamic. Camping trips can take up to 28 passengers, although the average is usually slightly less.

The Size of Your Overlanding Tour Group

Accommodated trips are usually capped at about 18 people and Exclusive Overland Trips the group maximum size is 16. Around half of our passengers hail from English-speaking nations (Canada, UK, USA, Australia, NZ etc.) and the remainder from Asia and Europe.

Maintain a Positive Attitude for Best Results!

A last word of warning: whilst on the majority of trips most nights will be at the very least spent in a relatively safe, well equipped campsite; there will be times when a hot or even cold shower or a chilled or even warm beer might not be at hand. The weather can often be inclement or searingly hot and you will have to put up with long drives, bouncing slowly over bumpy, barely recognisable roads. The inevitable unforeseen occurrences that can only happen in Africa can really test you, so a positive disposition is probably the most important requirement for any Overland trip.

Types of Overlanding Tours on Offer:

No matter your age or character African Budget Safaris will be able to match you with the perfect Overlanding Safari. We have carefully categorised the Overland Safaris we offer into the following categories. All you need to do is decide which category best suites you and check out our website for the list of options in each category on offer.

Camping Overlanding Tours

As the name implies camping overland tours involves travelling in Africa in an Overland Truck and sleeping in two man canvas dome tents along the way. There is nothing quite like camping in Africa. With the wide open skies and sounds of the wilds as a backdrop this is a great option for those clients who wish to connect with Africa on a ground level. Camping Overland Tours are the best priced tours available in Overlanding.

Camping tours generally appeal to the younger traveller on a tight budget. The average age is between 18 - 35 years of age. Although we do not have an age restriction on these tours we do suggest to clients over the age of 55 to consider an Accommodated or Exclusive overland Safari.

You will be expected actively participate in the tour to ensure the smooth running of your adventure. The maximum group size is 28 persons on a truck.

Accommodated Overlanding Tours

Accommodated Overlanding is aimed at clients who want to experience the thrill of transversing Africa in an Overland Truck but at the same time receiving a level of comfort above that of a camping tour. The accommodation we make use of is usually in the form of 2-3 star lodges, bungalows, guesthouses, permanent tented camps, hotels and occasionally Backpackers.

In Southern Africa we make use of double/twin room accommodation at each place, ideal for couples. Single rooms are available for clients travelling alone but a Single Supplement will apply.

For East Africa we occasionally will make use of accommodation that requires 3-4 clients per room. However it is possible to upgrade at most places to a private room at an additional cost paid for by you on arrival. We cannot guarantee this however and it will depend on availability. The upgrades cannot be pre arranged and you are only able to enquire on arrival. For most accommodated tours covering East Africa there is no single supplement cost.  The level of participation on accommodated tours is generally restricted to packing of the truck and assisting the cook in the occasional meal preparation. The Maximum Group size is 18 on the truck.

Exclusive Overlanding Tours

This form of overlanding would appeal to clients who are looking for a more exclusive African experience. In order to guarantee this the group size is restricted to 16 on the Vehicle. The Vehicles themselves on the whole have additional facilities like an onboard fridge for example that allow for that extra bit of comfort.
 It is important to note that we make use of a combination of camping and fixed accommodation along the way for most tours. The tents are large spacious well ventilated tents with a canvas mattresses provided on most occasions. When we stay at fixed accommodation it usually is at 2-3 star lodges/guesthouses/bungalows and hotels.

It is important to note that there is no age restriction when doing an exclusive overland safari but generally speaking most of the clients doing this type of Overlanding are between the ages of 28 - 55 years old.

By virtue of the smaller group size, on several tours it is possible to access areas that are not open to the public or larger overland groups. It is also important to note that a lot of the Local activity options available at each place we stop at will be included in the price of the tour.

The level of participation on Exclusive Overland tours is still expected.

On the whole this type of overland experience is for a more refined traveller wanting to tackle Africa on a ground level but with that bit more exclusivity included in the tour offering.

Family Overlanding Tours

Tours that are specifically set aside for travel with children. The majority of these tours follow the same structure as a camping overland tour with camping been the most common form of accommodation. An active level of participation is expected.
The key difference between a Family overland tour and the other 3 categories is in the distance travelled between destinations. With Family overlanding the distances are kept to a minimum to ensure that the children spend as little time as possible confined to the truck which generally ensures happy children.

Travelling with other children from nationalities ensures a great cultural education for all concerned. The maximum group size is 28.

Truck and Equipment Description

All Overlanding is done is specially designed Overland Trucks. Each one has been customized to ensure utmost safety - and whilst they are not air-conditioned tour busses with on board rest rooms, they do feature cushioned seats for a pleasant, comfortable ride. In some cases the Trucks have forward facing seats, some with seats facing one another with small tables, and some with bench style seating. (Please note however the Truck specifications will depend on the Tour Type you choose).

All of the trucks carry the full stock of camping and cooking necessities, large water tanks, long distance gas tanks and are equipped with cassette decks (into which we can plug your CD or MP3 player) and interior/exterior lights.

As there is limited space for baggage on every tour vehicle we suggest you pack as lightly as possible (see what to bring). Finally although the vehicles are regularly serviced, we will also potentially have to endure the odd breakdown as the African conditions often push the trucks beyond their limits. As we've said, you need to expect this, and patience is a prerequisite, as we solve the problem or wait for spares etc. Finally, whatever you do, don't call the vehicle a bus or the crew bus-drivers; they are truck drivers alright!

What you need to check before the start of your Overland Tour:

Passport and Visa Info

Ensuring you have all the required documentation for the trip is you're responsibly. The last thing you want to do is hold up the tour because you have neglected some important bit of paperwork or rubber stamp (and indeed, the tour leader will not wait for you and you might find yourself dumped at some forgotten border post).

Make sure your passport expires more than 6 months after your departure date and try to ensure you have at least one page open for each country on the tour itinerary. (Note: some countries will not let you in without at least a couple of blank pages, so make sure your passport is not too full, especially if you are planning on travelling further in the region after the trip.)

Depending on what nationality you are, visas are obtainable at most border posts. It is your duty to double check this with the consulate of each nation though, well before your departure and obtain the necessary visas if need be. We also strongly encourage you to make copies of your passport, keeping one on your person and handing the other to the tour guide. If you have more than one passport it is important that you only use one to enter and exit countries or you might be denied entry or exit at a later stage.

Health and Vaccination Info

The twin threats of disease and danger are everyday realities in Africa. One of the biggest killers remains Malaria, which is endemic to most parts of Africa. Mosquitoes are most active around dusk and dawn, so make sure you wear long-sleeved tops and pants and apply plenty of insect repellent to their favourite places to bite: ankles, wrists and neck. Also, check with your GP regarding malaria tablets before you leave.

Make sure you get all your shots

You will also need to make sure you get the correct vaccinations for the countries you plan to visit. Most will require you get a jab for Yellow Fever. You'll get a certificate for this, which like your passport, you should copy bring with you (some home nations require you show this when you return). Other possible vaccinations include Typhoid, Meningitis, Tetanus and Diphtheria and Hepatitis A & B. Whilst these injections are not compulsory, all these diseases are prevalent and precautions are advised.

Another affliction rife in Africa is of course AIDS. Fortunately, whilst there is no shot for this, condoms are widely available for those who might need them.

It is important to inform us of any medical conditions you might be suffering from or medication needs (e.g. asthma, diabetes) as we are often a couple of hundred kilometres from the nearest hospital.

Even if you are in otherwise healthy, if you begin to feel ill on a trip, please let the Guide / Tour Leader know immediately as they might have to make a plan to get you medical assistance. Most time it will just be your body reacting to the rigours of the trip or mild germs or bacteria but it's better to be safe than sorry. 

All Overland tour vehicles carry a basic first aid kit but travellers will usually be asked to replace any items they take from it. Therefore it is important to bring your own emergency kit, stocked with the following recommended items: anti-diarrhoea pills, headache tablets, anti-septic ointment, plasters, sterile dressings, steri strips, water purification tablets, anti-histamines, sun/after sun cream, lip balm, eye drops, mosquito/insect repellent, moisturiser, rehydration salts and sterile wipes.

To prevent the spread of disease we supply of anti-bacterial liquid for washing dishes and cutlery (make sure you do this thoroughly if it is your turn) and antibacterial soap for the washing of hands, so apply liberally and wash them often.

Insurance Matters

You will not permitted to join any tour without some form of medical insurance and will be required to furnish us with the specifics of your policy before departure. Make sure your insurance covers air evacuation as most hospitals in Africa are very basic and you may have to be lifted out. Also make sure your insurance covers injury from extreme activities such as river rafting etc. if you are planning to partake in these.

What to Take

We advise you pack your personal items in a sturdy backpack (it is best if this has a solid internal frame) and would rather you didn't bring a conventional suitcase as these are impractical for Overlanding. Include a small daypack to cart around every day items.

Clothing to bring

Note: try not bringing synthetic clothing which is uncomfortable to wear in warm climates. Otherwise we suggest the following minimum:

• Warm anorak/jacket
• Two pairs of jeans/cargos
• Two pairs of shoes (one pair of trainers, one pair of hiking boots)
• Sandals (strapped sandals are better than slip slops)
• One tracksuit
• Two pairs of shorts/skirts
• Four t-shirts
• Two long sleeves
• One thick sweater
• Boardshorts or swimming costume
• Underwear and socks (including at least one pair of thick socks)
• Sun hat (that covers your entire face and neck)
• Sarong/kikoi
• Light rain coat/windcheater
• Gloves (to protect you from stinging nettles and keep you warm on cold nights)

Other items to bring

• Sunglasses and watch (make sure these are inexpensive though)
• Sleeping bag & mat (plus mosquito net and ground sheet if you plan to sleep outside)
• Water bottle
• Torch
• Binoculars
• Torch/batteries
• Toiletry bag
• Washing soap (biodegradable), pegs and clothes line
• Wet wipes
• Ziploc bags
• Scrubbing brush
• Camera/film/memory cards
• Universal socket adaptor
• CD /MP3 player
• Books/magazines

Safari Budget

Local Payment

These must be made in US dollars (USD) in equal measure by all passengers on the morning of departure or at the Pre Departure Meeting held the evening before. These funds go into a communal kitty, which provides for meals, accommodation, entrance into parks/reserves and some highlights.

Please note that the Local Payment price might go up slightly, but we will inform you if this occurs.

Optional activities

You will be provided with a list of optional activities to take part in on the tour that you can book on the day or along the way with your Guide. You must include these when doing your budget. These include adventure sports such as bungee jumping or river rafting (we only use the safest, most reliable operators).

Most additional activities are optional, depending on your budget and personal requirements (not everyone has to bungee jump!).

Daily budget

Other things you might want to spend money include local restaurants, tips and shopping. Though credit cards are widely accepted we recommend you bring cash, most advisably USD. A budget of about at least USD20 a day for things like cool drinks, alcohol beverages snacks etc. is about right. Please note that tipping is encouraged, depending on the service level and activity anywhere from USD 1.00 (housekeeping staff at lodges for e.g.) to 5.00 (gorilla tour guides, for e.g.).

Emergency amount

Always make sure you have access to a decent amount of money, in case of an emergency.

On the Road

Drivers, Cooks , Guide/ Tour Leader

On average each trip has three crewmembers, one each of the above. The drivers and cooks are usually from Southern or East Africa and the guides/trip leaders from Africa, Australia or Europe. Whilst the latter are primarily there to make sure the trip runs smoothly and are not necessarily experts on Africa, they will be happy to share with you their experience of the region.

 In some difficult circumstances the guide or trip leader will often have to make hard decisions and whilst some of these might not be popular with everyone in the group, their decision is binding and final.

Fellow travellers (the group)

Unsociable or messy fellow travellers are rare and not tolerated well and if someone selfish is causing problems for you please let your guide know or speak rationally to the individual. However, if you pull your weight and or your utmost to be aware of the needs of your fellow travellers you should have no problems and make some good friends along the way.

Participation

Your involvement in key aspects of the tour is expected. The level of Participation will be determined by what type of Overland Safari you choose. Regardless of this fact there will be some form of participation required. Participation might take the form of washing up, unloading your gear and putting up and taking down tents. However, your help assisting wherever else it might be needed will be appreciated and will also allow the crew more time to focus on the fun aspects of the tour.

Food

All fresh food is treated with anti-bacterial spray. The crew will sort out the catering aspects for breakfast, lunch (usually a picnic) and dinner, but you are encouraged to get involved if you are handy in the kitchen. All crockery and cutlery is provided by the tour so please look after it.

Photography

You may, within reason, ask the guide to stop if you would like to take a photo. The truck will also stop at key viewing points along the way for this purpose. When taking pictures of people always ask their permission and respect their privacy if they decline (some believe cameras steal souls!).

Make sure you have adequate film and/or memory sticks as these are not available in most of rural Africa and you will be confronted with a million photo opportunities, and that your camera bag is dust proof. Powerpoints to recharge electronic items are available at some of the campsites, but extra batteries are still recommended.

Above all a yearning for adventure and a good sense of humour will ensure you have a fantastic time in Africa no matter what type of African Overland Safari you choose.