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Overland
guides & crew |
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| Crew |
The Driver |
The Tour Leader |
The Safari Cook |
| Crew |
Overland crew work very hard in a 24-hour,
7-day a week job that they love, and are often expected to be driver,
tour leader, cook, mum, dad, babysitter, doctor, and party planner
all rolled into one. Please be fair. They are not personal servants,
butlers or maids. Overland crew are not guides but leaders. They can’t
identify every single mammal, bird, insect and plant in Africa. Specialist
guides with that depth of knowledge work only for the most exclusive,
most expensive safari companies. Instead overland crew have extensive
knowledge of getting you safely from one end of Africa to the other
in a relaxed and enjoyable way. They are personable, keen and conscientious,
and have a passion for the countries they are taking you through.
Though there are some members of crew out there, that most khaki-clad,
up-market safari guides would never acknowledge who have spent many
years on the road and can match them in bush craft any day. Sometimes
the tour leaders and drivers have to make a decision with regards
to health, safety, security and circumstances beyond their control.
This may not always be a popular decision. As far as possible, your
crew will take into account the wishes of the group as a whole, but
your understanding and patience at these times will be much appreciated.
The tour leader has complete authority on tour and his/her decision
is final. More importantly, the crew have the rare, unquantifiable
ability to take responsibility for an expensive vehicle and the well-being
of 20 passengers — and still have fun.
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| The
Driver |
He or she (there are plenty
of female truck drivers out there) is responsible for not only driving
you safely from A to B but mechanical maintenance. Truck drivers service
the vehicle, change tyres, parts, and filters, and generally know
what to do if something goes wrong and the truck breaks down in the
middle of nowhere or gets stuck in mud or sand. They have a proven
ability to look after and fix things on their own – who’s
to say there is going to be a convenient workshop close by. All drivers
hold an HGV or PSV license or equivalent and extensive mechanical
knowledge.
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| The
Tour Leader |
It’s the tour leader’s
job to organise everything en route and ensure that the whole trip
runs smoothly. They are ‘leaders’ rather than ‘guides’
and use their experience to get the passengers from A to B in the
most efficient way possible. They are not expected to be historians,
geologists, or tropical disease experts, but rather steer the group
through otherwise unfamiliar terrain. It’s their job to provide
food and shelter for the group, brief information about the areas
they are travelling through, and organise optional excursions and
activities. They manage the kitty, do the accounts and additional
paperwork, and supervise the group when crossing borders or obtaining
visas.
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| The
Safari Cook |
Some companies employ a
third member of crew as a safari cook - but they’re not expected
to be Cordon Blue chefs or peel spuds for 20 people on their own.
The passengers take turns helping to set equipment up, chopping vegetables,
washing up etc. It’s the cook’s job to provide enough
good, wholesome food for the group and he or she is responsible for
taking care of the truck’s kitchen and the food shopping.
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