It is really important that you now just want you are getting into when doing an Africa Overland Tour. It isn’t for everyone. This is the appeal of doing an overland tour.
The truth is if you expect a rough experience then you are going to love it. If you expect it to be a European trip, you are going to hate it.
What is it like?
- Long days on the road
- Dusty, bumpy and slow road conditions
- Travelling to amazing remote locations that are difficult to get to independently
Long days on the road
- Trips don’t require a high level of fitness however due to poor road conditions (more so in East Africa), it can take it out of you.
- Overland tours are all about remote locations, game drives and seeing local cultures. This means lots of driving. This can mean 3 – 10 hrs in the vehicle or more on select days.
What is the accommodation like?
Depending on the trip, you will be either staying in a basic 2 man tents on the ground or staying in basic hotels/lodges/camps. It will most definitely be different to what you expect at home and this is all part of the experience and adventure.
Camping
- 2 man tents are made more comfy by mattresses that are provided.
- The 2 pole tents are erected by you and take only a couple minutes to set up.
Accommodation
- If you are doing a comfort/ accommodated tour, then you will be staying in basic hotels/lodges/camps. Most of the properties have electricity however they are generally run by generators due to the remote location and switch off at night.
- They don’t have air conditioning or fans due to the electricity limitations.
What is expected of me?
- Patience, participation, an understanding that things might not work to plan (you are travelling in remote locations).
Do I need visas?
- Visas are really important. It is vital that you phone each embassy and request the latest information. Don’t trust websites, rather hear it from the embassies. We aren’t liable for you not getting a visa. It is your responsibility. We can’t stress it enough.
- The last thing you want is to be stranded at a border crossing and not be allowed to join the truck.
- Take the time and phone the embassies.
