Posted on October 21st, 2020 by Overland Africa
Travelling in a time of COVID-19
As we head into, what has always been our traditional “ booking season “, we need to address the question on everyone’s mind… How will overland ensure guest safety on tour?
Crew responsibility
To reduce the risk of infection, each crew member will be required to take the following steps.
Wear a cloth mask when in the presence of any other person
Maintain a safe distance wherever possible – 1.5m or more
Sanitize regularly – you should sanitize whenever you have come in physical contact with a surface or object that may have been touched by another person
If you need to cough or sneeze – ensure to do this away from other people. If this is not possible then do this into the bend of your elbow.
Each staff member will be issued with a cloth mask to be worn when required
Each person will also be provided with a small spray type sanitizer for his or her own personal use.
Our trucks and vehicles will be sanitized and cleaned once a day at the end of the days travel, and before the next day’s travel.
Vehicle sanitizing checklist – completed by our crew
Sweep inside of truck
Mop inside with provided cleaning agents
Spray all seats with liquid sanitizer
Wipe all USB charging points with sanitizer
Wipe handrails at entrance to the truck
Wipe all window catches
Wipe door handles to entrance
Wipe down all armrests
Wipe all safety belt clips and buckles
Clean out rubbish bin
Departure points
At each departure point, it will be the responsibility of the driver to perform health checks on all clients. The temperature of all guests be will be recorded before they are allowed to board the vehicle. A lead in mat will be provided, sprayed with sanitizer, all clients are to wipe their feet on the mat when walking in to the truck.
There will be a sanitizer dispenser mounted at the entrance to the truck, all clients must sanitize when entering the vehicle. Clients are required to sanitize their hands each time they enter into the vehicle to depart a location.
Daily Checks
Crew are to take temperatures once a day of all clients and themselves, at the time of departure. If the tour is not scheduled to depart that day, all temperatures will be recorded at breakfast.
Food preparation
We have always had a strong focus on hygiene when cooking, but never before has it been as important as it is now.
Our crew will ensure that all surfaces and utensils are wiped down properly before use. At the end of the day/evening, crew will have to make sure that all items are rinsed in a sanitizing solution that will be provided. It is of the utmost importance that all foodstuffs continue to be washed before use.
We would like to stress that the well-being of participants is everyone’s responsibility and our crew are there to enforce the protocols which have been put out. These protocols have been adapted from various regulatory institutions including the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Putting these measures in place will add additional pressure on our crew and we ask that you ensure that your clients are aware of these measures that will (by law) be required to be followed. Any guest refusing to follow or adhere to these guidelines could face being expelled from the tour. It is in everyone’s interest to play their part in ensuring the safety on tour.
This is a territory that is new to all of us and it may be necessary from time to time to adapt the protocols. We of course will continue to share information with you as we make it available.
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Posted on June 29th, 2020 by Overland Africa
Top Picks For Travel in January
Top Picks for January. Whether you are planning to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in East Africa, experience a Big 5 safari in the Kruger National Park or relax on the beach in Zanzibar, timing is important. Our guidelines are based on our expert, on-the-ground knowledge of Africa’s travel seasons.
Zanzibar Tanzania
Season High Summer, Average Temperature for January 27 Celsius 80 Fahrenheit
What to Expect: Diving, Snorkeling, Sailing, Spice Tour, Stone Town Tour
Why: Zanzibar is an island off the Indian Coast of Tanzania and averages only five rainy days for the month of January. The south of the main island offers the best diving conditions while the north has the best sunset views. For exceptional reef diving and snorkeling, head to the exclusive outlying islands of Pemba, Mafia and Mnemba. Zanzibar is also home to Stone Town, a World Heritage Site with plenty to see and do. A beach holiday on Zanzibar is the perfect way to relax after the early morning wake-up calls of a Southern Serengeti safari.
Southern Serengeti – Tanzania
Season High Summer Average Temperature for January 17 Celsius 63 Fahrenheit
What to Expect: Calving season during the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Why: The herds mass in the Southern Serengeti at this time of year to take advantage of the excellent grazing – depending on whether good rains fell in time – that will sustain their calves. About 8 000 calves are born every day and there is plenty of predator action from lions, hyenas, leopards, wild dogs and jackals. Game drives will take you to the heart of the action.
Gorilla Trekking Uganda
Season High Summer Average Temperature for January 11 Celsius 64 Fahrenheit
What to Expect: Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Why: January generally coincides with a short dry spell, making it easier and more comfortable to trek because there is less rain and mud.
When to book: All gorilla-trekking destinations issue a limited number of permits per day and there is limited accommodation available in remote parks like Bwindi. Book as soon as you decide to go trekking to avoid disappointment – peak dry season is very popular.
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Posted on June 1st, 2020 by Overland Africa
Botswana Chobe Safari: Africa’s Elephant Paradise
Why Go?
If there’s one memory that you’ll take away from a Chobe safari, it’s that of elephants. About 120 000 live in and around Chobe National Park, and inconceivable numbers of these gentle giants can be seen crowding the banks of the Chobe River during Botswana’s dry season.Chobe is also one of the best places in Africa to witness the most dramatic predator action – its Savuti region is where lions regularly clash with hyenas and powerful prides famously take down Africa’s biggest game like buffalo, giraffe and even elephants.
Chobe National Park is about the size of Northern Ireland and a haven for the biggest elephant populations on the planet. Chobe offers game drives and river cruises in an unspoilt environment that supports massive herds of not only elephant but also a multitude of buffalo that is unrivalled elsewhere in Africa.
- Chobe National Park is Botswana’s most biologically diverse park.
- Close-up encounters with huge herds of elephant and buffalo.
- See predators like lion, wild dog, jackal, hyena and leopard.
- Go on a river safari on the Chobe River and experience the famous Chobe River sunset
When to Go?
Most visitors go to Chobe National Park for its famous dry-season game viewing. From May to the end of October/early November, ever-increasing numbers of water-dependent animals (especially elephants and buffalo) are concentrated along the Chobe River as well as in the park’s central Savuti region. May, June and July are bone-dry with cold nights but temperatures rise rapidly as the rainy season approaches. August, September and October offer sensational game viewing but under very hot conditions. If you can handle the heat, this is the best game-viewing time for a Chobe safari. The arrival of the rains trigger a dispersal of game from the Chobe River area but the warm, rainy December to March summer months are the best time to visit Chobe for bird watching, the impala birthing season (great for predators!) and to see the Savute zebra migration. Indeed, many safari experts rate early summer as the best time to go to Savute.
2 of our most popular Botswana adventure tours that visit this region …
13 day Botswana Wildside Camping
7 day Delta and Chobe Fully serviced
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Posted on April 7th, 2020 by Overland Africa
Best Things to Do on a Kruger Safari
Kruger is primarily a safari area and the focus is definitely on seeing the game. There are limited cultural and historical excursions to be had, and these may only be possible if you are in the area – the park is enormous and it may be far to drive to a significant site.
Some important sites in the Kruger Park include:
- Letaba Elephant Museum
- Albasini Ruins of a 19 century Portuguese trading post
- Masorini Living Museum
- Thulamela archaeological site
- Stevenson-Hamilton Memorial Library
If you stay at a lodge in one of the neighboring reserves, then you have a greater choice of activities, depending on the specific lodge, of course:
- Guided stargazing
- Interactive kitchens where you learn to cook with the chef
- Wine tastings
- Tennis
- Archery
- Guided nature walks
- Working with researchers or conservationists
- Sleep-outs or fly-camping
If you venture outside the park and reserves, then you can see the magnificent Panorama Route, which comprises sites like:
- God’s Window – a scenic lookout. On a very clear day you can see over the Mozambican border.
- Blyde River Canyon – a beautiful series of hollows and hills.
- Lisbon, Mac-Mac and Berlin Falls – three of the loveliest waterfalls in this lush area.
- Bourke’s Luck Potholes – strange rock formations created by swirling water over millions of years.
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Posted on February 6th, 2020 by Overland Africa
Swakopmund: Our Top Recommended Experiences
Swakopmund Activities: The adventure Capital of Namibia – Namibia Adventure Safari
- Skydiving – This activity can be done in the morning or afternoon.
- Quadbiking – There are 2 options: 1) Fully automatic, 2) manual. This activity can be done in the morning or afternoon.
- Sandboarding – Beginning on training rides, the customer first masters the basics before going onto the larger dunes where one can reach a speed of up to 80km/h. Top range equipment is supplied with excellent and experienced instructors/instructions. Mornings only. Duration approx. 3 – 3.5 hrs
- Living Desert Tours – This tour is a half day tour. The tour takes you through the dunes where one will track and find the hidden life in the seemingly desolate but amazing landscape. One will see the small five, Palmato Gecko, Peringuey’s Adder (Sidewinder), Shovel Snouted lizard, Fitzsimons Burrowing Skink, Namaqua Chameleon as well as other desert creatures, minerals and desert plants. The tour is eco-aware, informative, interactive and fun. Endless photographic opportunities.Mornings only. Duration: approx. 5hrs
- Dolphin Tour – All boats are catamaran ski-boats of various sizes with toilets on board. Passengers proceed to Pelican Point to view the Cape Fur Seals. Experience the thrill of feeding a few seals who will join the passengers on the boat. Be highly exhilarated to see dolphin’s riding the bow of the boat. Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne with fresh oysters and snacks. Skippers are fully qualified, comply with all Namibian Tourism and Tour operator regulations and requirements as well as being tri-lingual (English, Afrikaans and German).
- Sunset Tour – Enjoy a 90min quad drive as the sun is setting and stop at the top of the dune to enjoy fresh oysters and non-alcoholic champagne watching Namibia’s beautiful sunsets
Botswana Activities – Botswana Wildlife Camping Safari
- Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (Highly Recommended)
- Mokoro
- Bush walk in the Delta with an experienced guide
Victoria Falls Activities – Cape Town to Johannesburg Via Victoria Falls.
- White Water Rafting
- Gorge Swing
- Zip line
- Flying Fox
- Canopy tour
- Horse Riding Safari
- Sundowner Cruise
- Fishing (3 Hrs)
- Upper Zambezi Canoeing
- 12/13 Minutes Helicopter
- Micro light Flight
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Posted on February 6th, 2020 by Overland Africa
Part 2: Our Top Recommended Experiences / Tours for travel to Africa
Namibia Mozambique & South Africa Experiences, Climb dunes in the Desert & visit the Himba tribe, Dive and snorkel in Mozambique & enjoy wildlife in Kruger
Nambia – Climb a dune in the Desert and visit the Himba tribe – Cape to Vic Falls Adventure
This comprehensive three-week trip begins in Cape Town, one of the world’s most picturesque cities, and ends at the Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world. We go through some incredibly diverse landscapes – richly fertile Winelands, arid and hauntingly beautiful deserts, dramatic canyons and tranquil lagoons. Highlights include game watching in Etosha National Park, climbing giant sand dunes in Sossusvlei, camping out in the Okavango Delta, and an overnight excursion in the Chobe National Park.
Mozambique & South Africa – Dive and snorkel in Mozambique – Mozambique in Comfort
White beaches and clear blue waters form the backdrop on our 14 Day Discover Mozambique tour. We will whisk you away from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park. Experience the thrill of being on safari, observing the big five in the largest game reserve in South Africa. On our way to Swaziland we first enjoy the sights of the Panorama route. Enjoy an epic game drive in Hlane Game Reserve. Hlane offers a selection of activities and the Rhino Game Drive is highly recommended. No visit to Swaziland would be complete without an introduction to the rich culture of the Swazi people. We make our way to the surfing paradise of Tofo. We continue to the Bazaruto archipelago in Mozambique where you can take a dhow safari and snorkel in aquarium like conditions.
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