|
|
|
|
About Overlanding |
Overlanding is about exploring Africa
by road on fun and adventurous trips. It's the best way to immerse
yourself in the culture and environment of the country you are travelling
through. Here you can find out more about Overlanding and what to
expect...
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
| What
is Overlanding? |
|
 |
|
| |
Overlanding
is an affordable and exciting form of travel and is the best way
to discover the highlights of Africa. Overlanding is all about
exploring Africa by road so you can immerse yourself
in the culture and environment of the country you are travelling
through. Our flexible
tours allow passengers to meet like-minded people in
a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere and to share their travelling
experiences. At times these expeditions can be rough and rugged. Travel is in a variety of vehicles
including specially adapted expedition trucks, 4x4 Land Rovers,
or minibuses. They are usually camping and participation trips,
and most vehicles carry their own cooking facilities, food
and water supplies, tents, and spare parts. All group members
pitch in and assist with camp chores including pitching tents and cooking. Accommodation
is usually in tents, but if you prefer not to camp, we also
offer more upmarket trips where travel is still done overland
by vehicle but travellers stay in budget hotels.
|
|
 |
|
| Adventure
Travelling |
|
|
|
| |
Africa is an adventure destination and travelling
here is not always that predictable. Whilst each tour has a
rough itinerary, you must be prepared to expect the unexpected
and deal with any difficulties or delays which Africa might
throw your way! These are not wildlife safaris, but budget travel
to wild and exotic places. It is very important that travellers
have a positive attitude and are prepared to be flexible. An
awareness of basic health
and safety is also useful.The itinerary may vary from time
to time due to various factors – a bridge may be washed
away by rain, there may be volatile elections in a region that
is best avoided, or the vehicle may need some urgent repairs.
Africa is unique in many ways, it can be raw and adventurous,
and its beauty and diversity is unrivalled by any other continent.
It is unsophisticated and in many areas there is no real infrastructure,
so by entering the journey without too many expectations of
luxury and by travelling with an open mind, travellers will
find that they will enjoy the trip so much more.
|
|
|
|
|
| Time and daily
routines |
Overland tours are based
on daylight hours and clock time doesn’t really matter, so expect
to get up at dawn. Sunrise is often the best part of the day and if
you’re in a game park, it’s the best time to see animals
- so make the most of it! If it’s very hot, a lie-in in your tent
is not going to be an option anyway. Some driving days are very long,
but others are only a few hours. You can expect to have a non-driving
day every 3-4 days when you are in the same place for more than a
couple of nights.
|
|
| Fully participating
self-contained unit |
The easiest way to travel
as a group is for each person to be responsible for a particular job,
such as cooking, cleaning, finding water or lighting the fire.
No matter how unimportant it may seem, each job adds to the smooth
running of the trip. If you can’t do your bit on the odd occasion,
see that someone else does it for you and help others when you can.
This is part of your contribution to the success of the trip and the
best way to get to know your fellow passengers. On many of our tours
you will be requested to pay a
kitty, sometimes
known as a local payment, that goes into a communal fund.
|
|
| Join in |
Suitability for our trips
is not about age or fitness - it's about being willing and able to
join in and help out your guides
and crew and fellow passengers. It's about being able to take
the rough with the smooth - whether you're up to your knees in mud
rescuing your sinking truck, climbing the nearest tree in an attempt
to escape from charging buffaloes or searching for the only bush in
the desert to squat behind. Expect the unexpected! You will often
find that you will need to work together, whether it's cleaning out
your truck or bartering in the local markets for the day's dinner.
Travel together, learn from each other's cultures and form a strong,
supportive and fun team. Get involved, participate, throw yourself
into the frenzy of overland life, and you will become not just a passenger,
but an African Overlander…
|
|
| 2 weeks or 2 months? |
Overland trips have become
much quicker and it’s now feasible to explore considerable parts
of Africa in just a few weeks. A few years ago you would have had
to jack your job in, say farewell to the family, pack up your home,
and commit to several months of hard slog through Africa. Today, thanks
to a comprehensive range of trips and excellent flight links between
Africa and the rest of the world, you can discover the wonders of
Africa on an overland tour that can last from just one week to two
months. There is a far greater choice out there to suit your budget
and time frame, and still allow you to keep that job (and possibly the boyfriend)
back home. Speak to our consultants about a tour to suit your
requirements. You can also take a look at our FAQs to find out more.
|
|
|
