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OVERLAND SAFARIS IN AFRICA
These
days not everyone (unfortunately) has 6 weeks or more to travel,
as in the early days of overlanding. Therefore we at African
Budget Safaris have specifically designed, constructed and
perfected our scheduled itineraries over the past 16 years
to best suite the need of every adventure traveller from all
walks of life. Whether you are the young professional wanting
a 10 day break, the GAP student wanting to combine a tour
with your exchange program, the 50 plus client wanting a bit
of adventure, the family wanting to experience Africa together
or your die hard traveller … look no further, we have
it all!!
Overlanding has become a hugely popular way to travel through
Africa. It is the best value for money option when exploring
the African continent. Africa overlanding involves joining
a group of fellow travellers and travelling together in a
specially designed truck along a specified route. Overlanding
requires a degree of participation throughout the trip. (The
degree of participation depends on which option you choose.)
African Budget Safaris has divided overlanding Africa into
3 sections. The Young at Heart section is
specifically aimed at over 50’s. (Accommodated with
a participation in meal preparation is required). The
Camping option is aimed at the 18-35yr age bracket,
although this is available to anyone who enjoys camping and
has a sense of adventure. (Full participation in meal preparation
and setting up camp is required). The Accommodated
option is aimed at those people who are looking for more comfortable
accommodation and who do not wish to camp. (Participation
is required in meal preparation).
Overlanding has opened up previously hard to reach areas
of Africa and African Budget Safaris together with our local
partners have tried to bring you a large variety of overland
tours taking in the best of East and Southern Africa.
What
is overlanding?
So you want to see Africa and all the wonderful things
the continent has to offer, but the bank balance doesn’t
quite stretch to that luxury safari? It doesn’t
matter, you can still see Africa, by a much more affordable
and fun way to travel – overlanding. |
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But
what exactly is it and how does it differ from a regular
safari?
Every year hundreds of overland trucks cross the African
continent on what has become one of the most popular and
well established overland routes in the world - between
Kenya and Cape Town or vice versa. These are large vehicles
that seat 20—30 overlanders and carry all the equipment
necessary for camping and cooking, on a trip that can
last from one to eight weeks. By travelling in a large
vehicle that is capable of travelling long distances and
camping, costs are considerably cheaper than an expensive
private safari that utilises flights and luxury lodges.
The wildlife experiences you will have in the national
parks and reserves are no different to a luxury safari.
In fact with 20 pairs of eyes peeled on the lookout for
a glimpse of an elephant or lion, it means you may have
a far more rewarding wildlife experience from the top
of an overland truck than on a regular smaller safari.
And there is the added excitement of sleeping out in a
tent amongst the animals at night. The beauty is that
you can share all these travelling experiences with a
new found bunch of friends. Camping under the stars, cooking
and washing up together, hiking, diving, abseiling, white-water
rafting, and sharing the odd cold beer or ten; it may
not be a luxury holiday but it’s undoubtedly lots
of fun. |
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Why
is overlanding the option for me?
It’s for the adventurous type who’d rather
spend a night roughing it in a rainforest than luxuriating
in a boutique hotel. With overlanding you experience Africa
first-hand: buying and cooking food from markets or sharing
a drink with villagers in a local bar. It’s perfect
for people travelling as a group of friends, a couple
or alone. Most things are done as a group and chores are
shared, so everyone works and plays together. If you’re
a first-time traveller, joining an overland tour still
gives you that sense of adventure, but a tour guide, driver
and cook and the companionship of the group, means you’ll
always have backup. Finally thanks to the purpose built
trucks, most trips get well away from the usual safari
circuits and you get to see Africa away from the armies
of pop up minibuses seen in the more popular national
parks. If you’re looking for a trip which goes beyond
a mere holiday and gives you the opportunity to make a
lot of new friends and see a lot of new places in a relatively
short period of time then overlanding is for you. |
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What
does it involve?
Each truck carries everything needed to be completely
self sufficient with a fully equipped kitchen, with rations,
cutlery, pots and pans and a gas stove. All the day to
day chores such as cleaning, washing-up, checking security,
and helping the cook shop and prepare meals are shared
amongst all the passengers. But there’s still plenty
of time for relaxation and sightseeing and itineraries
build in chill out time on the beach, wildlife spotting
and the various adventure activities on offer. Along the
way there is also the opportunity to upgrade to a room
for the night or eat out in a local restaurant for a treat.
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What
conditions can I expect?
Where once overland groups would camp in the bush each
night, today there is a wide range of excellent campsites
catering for overlanders and the vehicles, with activities,
bars, restaurants and good facilities. On the Kenya to
Cape Town route or vice versa, it is now possible to stay
in a secure campsite every night and there are few nights
when a shower or a beer are not available - whether they
will be hot or cold respectively is another matter! Sometimes
conditions can be challenging and if it’s raining
you’ve still got to put up your tent. Africa’s
a vast continent so some of the drives can be long and
there are a few patches of bumpy roads. There may be a
few hiccups in the itinerary when a bridge is washed away
or there’s a mechanical emergency. But none of these
will spoil your trip if you approach with them with the
right attitude and a sense of humour. |
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Where
will my tour go?
The classic Kenya to Cape Town route (in either direction)
has become an alluring expedition for many travellers
and it’s the most accessible part of Africa. Beginning
in Nairobi (or Cape Town), this overland route crosses
the mighty continent diagonally through some remarkable
scenery until you reach the coast of South Africa, via
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana,
Namibia, and South Africa. Highlights include enjoying
an audience with a gentle ape (gorilla or chimpanzee)
in Uganda’s misty mountains, watching the Zambezi
River tumble over the mighty Victoria Falls, viewing the
shimmering sand dunes and deserts of the ancient Namib,
spotting the Big Five on the endless plains in the national
parks and game reserves, and meeting a variety of diverse
cultures from red-robed Masai warriors to the warm-hearted
people of Malawi. From Lake Victoria to Table Bay, there
are game parks, beaches, deserts and wetlands waiting
to be explored and the best and most affordable way to
get to them is by overlanding. |
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Accommodation
on tour?
Accommodation whilst on tour is camping. Occasionally
where possible you will have the option to upgrade to
a dorm room (Swakopmund / Vic Falls provide this opportunity).
Most nights are spent at campsites, however, keep in mind
the campsites in Africa are very basic and have a great
rustic under the African skies feel. The campsites have
ablution blocks with hot or cold showers (sometimes cold
only). Some have flush toilets, some don't. Some of them
have electric points, some not, so you won't always have
lights lighting up the campsites and facilities for music
to be played. Noise levels at campsites are also influenced
by how many other people there are using the campsite.
We camp at our own campsite in the Masai Mara - Acacia
Camp. Some nights you will bush camp - this means you
are camping without ablution facilities and not at a campsite.
This occurs when in the Okavango Delta (Botswana) on the
optional Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursion. Here you take
minimum requirements with you into the Okavango Delta
by Mokoro, including your tent. There is always, of course,
the option to camp under the stars instead of in your
tent at any time, just advise your guide. The tents we
use are 2 man tents, with mosquito nets over the windows
and door area. If travelling alone, you share a tent with
a fellow traveller of the same sex. You need to provide
your own sleeping bag and sleeping mat. |
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Accommodated?
The style of accommodation on our accommodated
tours is far more varied than on the camping departures
- we make use of hotels, hostels, chalets, bungalows,
traditional huts and sometimes safari-tents! Some of
these terms may not be familiar - but do not worry -
the important thing here is that we have chosen these
accommodation facilities carefully.
Although all the information contained here is also
contained in our tour dossiers, we thought you may like
to have some information before you decide on what kind
of tour to take.
• Accommodation is basic. The accommodated tours
are a one-step upgrade from the camping tours - these
are not luxury safaris - we still intend for you to
have an outdoor adventure holiday!
• All accommodation will be Twin Share in Southern
Africa.
• Meals are informal and are normally cooked
by the guide.
• All accommodation in Southern Africa has bedding
- Sleeping Bags are not required.
• In East Africa accommodation is shared 3-4
per chalet bungalow. Upgrades to twin accommodation
in East Africa are cheap and usually fairly easy to
arrange with the accommodation provider on arrival
- depending on availability.
• In East Africa sleeping bags are still required
on the accommodated tours as not all facilities provide
bedding.
• Not all the accommodation used is en-suite,
some accommodation has shared bathroom facilities.
Shared bathrooms are limited and usually you will
be sharing with the other members of your group.
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Transport
on tour?
Transport is in an Overland Truck. Our trucks seat up
to 28-30 passengers. They have all forward facing seats
with some trucks having a combination of forward and
backward facing seats with little tables in-between.
A few of our trucks have a few side facing seats right
in the front of the truck, but the rest of the truck
has forward facing seats. Our trucks have soft cushioned
seats - remember you want a truck that has comfortable
cushioned seats, as you do spend a lot of time in the
truck between points (driving time can be up to 8 hours
on long days). Keep in mind bench seating often faces
inwards, so you can communicate with your fellow travellers,
but not advantageous for game viewing and photography.
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