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What can you expect from the Africa Overland trip?
In a nutshell, we’re here to make sure that you’ll have an unforgettable overland tour.Going on an adventure trip in the wilds of Africa is the way to go -it's an awesome experience! You will be exposed to the national parks, exciting wildlife, culture, history and most of all FUN! Your guides will take you through the rough and the absolute best. As well as the main tourist attractions you will have the opportunity to enjoy the variety that each adventure has to offer.This means visiting a small village off the beaten track, camping under the African skies and having the choice if you wish, to do your own thing when spending a couple days at a stop off.
The groups, large or small, are made up of adventurous people from all walks of life and nationalities who are seeking to experience the real Africa with like-minded travellers. Most of the Africa overland tours call for clients' limited participation in the camp and cooking duties. This means that on some occasions you will be asked to assist with various apsects of camp and safari duties.The guides are there to handle all major responsibilities but they will occasionally ask for assistance. A positive attitude and joining in is what turns a great trip into an unforgettable journey.
Depending on the type of Africa overland you decide to book you may be expetced to pitch and break down your own tent, help with the loading and unloading of the vehicle and assist the guides with the meals and camp duties (mainly on the budget trips) Your guides will purchase all the food, do the cooking , but they may ask for assistance in clearing up and preparing the meals.You are on holiday after all! To avoid confusion of everyone helping out at once and to share the responsibility fairly your tour guide may assign groups with specific days for this limited involvement (mainly on the budget trips). On some of the mobile camping safaris there will be less participation involved and your time on safari will be arranged to suit your activities and travelling distances.
According to the chosen overland, accommodation varies from hotels, lodges, en- suite chalets, rustic bungalows, traditional tribal huts, multi share rooms to spacious two persons canvas dome tents.The Campsite facilities vary from place to place from very basic facilities, especially in East Africa, to campsites with pools, hot and cold running water, shops and bars.Some camps further north can be basic and have limited facilities and simple enclosures for showers. It's all part of the adventure and it adds to the flavour of the trip!
A typical overland tour day starts with a wake up call at 7 am .You depart at approx 8 am after breakfast. If there is a lot of travelling to be done in a day you can expect to leave camp slightly earlier. Lunch will be at a stopover decided by your guide and you generally get to the next destination late afternoon or later if it is a considerable distance to travel. You need to be prepared for long drives on certain days. There will be sand, dust and hot African sun but there will also be some amazing evenings spent around the campfires under the African skies, scenic countryside, tales about the days experiences, fantastic photographic opportunities and memories to last a lifetime!
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What can you expect while travelling in Africa?
Unpredictability is the keyword when it comes to travelling in Africa. So, if you expect the unexpected, you’ll be fine!
Although overland vehicles are well maintained and serviced regularly, the crazy African roads may sometimes cause breakdowns. If this does happen, don’t panic, just leave it in the hands of your experienced guides. Also our business partners are well represented with good support throughout Southern and East Africa. Should a mechanical breakdown or incident occur, good back -up systems are in place so dont worry . If you travel with an open mind and realistic expectations, we can basically guarantee you a great Africa overland adventure !
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What should you know about the routes and itineraries?
Our Africa overland suppliers and business partners make every effort to follow the intended route of the itinerary, but sometimes changes have to be made because of unforeseen circumstances totally beyond our control. In some of the cases, this can result in missed areas and activities, diversions, and variations on night stops. Because of occasional operational uncertainties, it’s impossible to run adventure trips exactly to the intended itinerary.
So, when you book your trip, just accept that itineraries may differ from the final itinerary. We’ll not be responsible for accommodation costs, or liable for any airfares or any other compensation to you in these cases, as we’ll always attempt to provide an alternative that’s on the same level as what was on the itinerary.
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What is a typical Africa overland tour like?
It’s not a luxury tour and, because of the road, weather and political conditions, expect the unexpected. In some cases, it can get pretty dusty, dirty, wet, hot or all of these at the same time! Some of the roads, and surroundings are very wild, which can make parts of the trip quite challenging...but it's all part of the adventure. If you are looking for an African adventure, enjoy meeting new people, dont mind getting stuck in and involved at ground level- welcome aboard!!
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What type of person must you be to enjoy an Africa overland tour?
If you’re young at heart, flexible , have a sense of adventure and positive attitude, and can get along with a group of other overland adventurers, you’ll have a ball of a time!
It’s for the adventurous type who’d rather spend a night roughing it in a campsite than living it up in a boutique hotel. With overlanding, you get to experience the real Africa!.This includes buying and cooking food from markets and sharing a drink with villagers in a local bar.
It’s perfect if you’re travelling as a group of friends, a couple or alone. Most things are done as a group and chores are shared, so everyone does end up working and having fun together. It’s also perfect if you’re a first-time traveller, because you’ll still get that sense of adventure, yet, thanks to your tour guide, driver, cook and companionship of the group, you’ll always have support.
Thanks to the purpose-built vehicles, most trips go on the routes that are not so crowded with your regular tourist. This means that you’ll get to see Africa away from the armies of minibuses seen in the more popular national parks. And this is where you come in, because if you’re looking for an overland Africa 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 in Africa is definitely for you!
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Will you get on with everyone else in the group?
With an open mind, you will. Africa overland tours attract like-minded people, usually from every place you can imagine in the world and from all walks of life. This brings a truly international flavour to the experience and you will meet new people from all over the world.
The average age of your fellow travellers is usually 20 – 45, and the male / female mix is generally even. We cater to a wide range of clientele and have something that will suit the need of every adventure traveller even if you think you are too old for this kind of adventure . We have quite a few trips on offer that do not have an upper age limit.
Your guides will definitely spoil you, as long as you don’t treat them like your personal assistant or slave. So, they will from time to time need your valuable assistance. It is really important that you have a positive attitude towards participation, because joining in is what turns a great trip into an unforgettable journey and it's a great way of getting to know your fellow travellers.
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What does an Africa overland tour involve?
Each truck carries everything needed to be completely self-sufficient, and this even includes the kitchen sink!
As mentioned before, you’ll be expected to help out a little here and there, but know that there’s still plenty of time for relaxation and sightseeing. When everyone puts in a little effort the trip runs smoothly. Team spirit is part of the fun! You’ll get plenty of time to chill out on the beach (if your route goes past one), spot wildlife and partake in various adventure activities on offer. Along the way, you’ll also have 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 is a typical day on an Africa overland tour like?
The days start early and end late. Some early starts are due to the distances that need to be covered or a spectacular African sunrise that has to be photographed.
Although a lot of time is spent travelling, you will be exposed to a wide variety of memorable experiences. We usually take a lunch-break en-route and, depending on the distance to be covered, we usually relax or explore the lay of the land during the afternoons. Usually every couple of days, we spend a few days at one venue so that you can relax or participate in the many adventure activities on offer. Most evenings are spent around the campfire, while others are spent at town restaurants and campsite bars.
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What types of Africa overland tours are there?
The camping trips are the most popular. Camping in the wild of Africa is an awesome experience. If you are not the camping type, we will gladly help you find a suitable accommodated overland adventure trip. If you would prefer a combination of both then we can also help you.
You have the option of travelling in a small or large group , private charter with your friends or family. Africa is the perfect destination for families, diverse in culture and an enriching experience for any child brought up in the first world! We highly recommend the family departures or we can help you arrange your own itinerary that offers quality family time, as well as adult time .
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What’s the deal with a sleeping bag?
On camping tours, you have to bring your own sleeping bag, but bedding is provided on accommodated tours. We will make sure that you are well aware of what to pack for your trip. We suggest that you take your sleeping bag and toiletries on board the plane (sleeping bags and toiletries are difficult to replace in Africa should they get lost on your flight) . Oh yes, and don't forget a small pillow if there is space in your backpack !
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What should you expect from the campsites?
Southern Africa's campsites are generally of a very good quality while the ones in East Africa are more basic . The facilities in some of the areas that you will be visiting can be primitive and very basic. Please come prepared! At times you will stay in camps with good facilities like hot and cold running water, a swimming pool and a shop and bar.
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What’s the deal with laundry?
Most camps have hand-washing facilities. The Swakopmund and Vic Falls camps, as well as certain camps in East Africa, have laundry facilities. Bring some environmentally-friendly washing powder along. Often for a small fee, you can have your laundry washed by someone else. Just ask your guide if you’re interested in this deal.
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What should you know about the local laws & customs?
Please obey all the laws of the countries you’re travelling through. If you’re found in possession of contraband, non-prescribed narcotic drugs or firearms, you will be asked to leave the trip immediately, and with no refund of the trip fare. Of course, all of the countries you’ll be travelling through will have their own individual customs and it’s best to respect them because in the end, you are a guest in their countries, so it’s only good manners that you comply with their customs.
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What’s the deal with alcohol & drugs?
Overland tours are not booze-cruise tours. We have no problem with you having a good time with the odd beer or two, which really goes well with exchanging stories around the campfire, and most campsites have bars. But we do believe that drinking like a fish from early morning to evening, makes for unpleasantness. You dehydrate even more quickly when consuming alcohol. As mentioned above, we have a firm policy about drugs on tour. In short, we don’t tolerate them! Police regularly inspect the vehicles and campsites, and we make lots of border crossings. If you are caught in possession of illegal substances, we can’t help out. But we’re sure an African jail experience is not really on your list of adventure activities.
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What would be expected when visiting African villages?
As a form of respect and general courtesy towards local inhabitants and village dwellers, we don’t encourage complete invasion of their privacy and homes by tourists. However, there are certain villages that do allow tourist visits at a minimal fee.
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What’s the deal with Eco-Tourism?
The ultimate objective of eco-tourism is to have a pleasant and enriching experience of nature, and at the same time, cause the least possible disturbance to the ecosystems. The guides have strict environmental policies, which we hope will be instilled in you. This includes: having respect for people, fellow travellers and the places you visit, responsible approach to fauna and flora, effective waste management; considerate behaviour in game reserves; and respect for the specific country’s customs, laws and environment. Most of the countries are members of CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). One of the most important things to remember is not to buy ANY products made from ivory and skins. These may be confiscated by customs anyway, so it’s not really worth the risk. Please be aware that the purchase of any wooden carving does place a strain on forest resources, and that the removal of coral and shells is destructive to the reefs.
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What’s the deal with litter?
Please preserve the countries that you’ll be travelling through as much as possible. This includes not dropping or leaving litter behind . When bush camping, litter is disposed of via burying or burning it.
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Must you bring your own toilet paper?
Yes, we suggest you do just incase you get to a specific campsite and there ain't any. One roll is enough and we suggest you keep it in your day pack.
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What’s the deal with the charging of batteries and power supplies?
Most campsites have electrical points, meaning that generally, you can charge your camera/ipod battery every 3-4 days. Just in case, bring a spare battery and make sure you monitor it, keeping it charged at all times to avoid disappointment. Also, pack a universal travel plug.
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How do you keep contact with the outside world while in Africa?
Most people don’t get any post sent to them whilst on tour. Instead, they rely on emails, which can be checked out at the many internet centres at various points throughout the trip.
However have in mind that in Africa checking emails is relatively expensive and usually takes a lot longer, taking valuable time out of your sightseeing opportunities. We suggest you check your emails every week or week and a half. There are telephones in some places, but they don’t always work! The guides don’t always have mobile cellular phones, because there’s often no reception outside of South Africa.
In East Africa, expect to pay up to USD 3 per minute for a phone call! Although you won’t be able to communicate easily on tour, we’ll always know where in Africa you are. Also, give your family our contact details, so that if there’s any kind of emergency at home, we’ll be able to contact you immediately. The best idea is to tell friends and family beforehand that you’ll be on an overland tour, where communication is very tricky.
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Here are some books & maps you can read before and during your trip?
Most people like to read up on an area before visiting it. We’ve compiled a selection of books and maps, which we feel, will reflect much of what you will experience and see: “Lonely Planet Guides - Africa" The Scramble For Africa” - Thomas Pakenham; “Venture Into The Interior” - Laurens Van der Post; “Out Of Africa & Letters From Africa” - Karen Blixen; “Green Hills Of Africa” - Ernest Hemingway; “The Serengeti Shall Not Die” - B. & M. Grzimek; “The Innocent Anthropologist” - Nigel Barley; “The Flame Trees Of Thika” - Elspeth Huxley; “The Africans” - David Lamb; “Facing Mount Kenya” - Jomo Kenyatta; “Long Walk To Freedom” – Nelson Mandela.; “A Field Guide To The Mammals Of Africa” - T.Holtenorth & H.Diller; “A Field Guide To The Larger Mammals Of Africa” - J.Dorset, P.Dandelot; “A Field Guide To The Birds Of East Africa” - J.Williams & N.Arlott; “Africa's Top Wildlife Countries” - Mark Nolting; “Michelin Map No 995 - Africa Central & South Madagascar”; “Robert’s Birds of Southern Africa” - Kenneth Newman; “Southern Africa Mammals” – Robin Frandsen.
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What if you have special dietary requirements?
If you have any special requirements (dietary, allergies, religion, intolerances, etc) please notify us in writing prior to departure, and we’ll do our very best to accommodate. Every effort is made to cater for special dietary requirements; however, due to local supplies, this is sometimes not possible (e.g. Halal, Kosher and certain intolerances). In general our business partners do cater for vegetarians, vegans and clients who have food allergies .Make sure you make a note of any dietary requirements on the booking form. This definitely doesn’t include “I don’t like oranges”.
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What if you would like to carry on travelling after the trip?
If you’d like to extend your visit in Africa or would like to try more than one adventure, we can help you with that. The trips are scheduled in such a way, that you can connect with other departing adventures, and we can also tailor-make any other combination for you anywhere in Africa. As mentioned before, touring in Africa is unpredictable, so we can’t accept responsibility if there are any disruptions and delays that may cause you to miss connections. The best is if you allow 1 -3 days after the scheduled completion date of your safari before flying out. Also, ensure that your onward travel arrangements are made BEFORE you depart on tour, because they can’t always be made while on tour.
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What’s the deal with children and age restrictions on overland tours?
Due to the nature of overland tours, we can’t accommodate any person under the age of 14 years, unless it’s a tailor-made safari, special interest or family trip. In which case all kids between the ages of 14 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and the booking will be accepted at management discretion as certain itineraries contain activities where an age limit applies. We don’t really put any strict limitations on the upper age limit providing the person is fit and suitable to undertake an overland safari. Older clients need to be aware of the nature of the tour. Please bear in mind that the Gorilla Trekking tours have an age limit of 16 years.
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Where can you find more information?
Each tour has a dossier with the detailed information of the trip, and our website also has lots of information on things, like what to pack, country info, photography, money matter, when to go etc. Let us know if you require any other information. We will gladly assist.
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