Overland FAQs

How many people travel together on an overland tour?

Depending on the tour it ranges between 12 and 30 people.

What is the difference between an accommodated and a camping overland tour?

On camping overland tours guests stay in tents and campsites; on accommodated tours clients stay in various lodges, backpackers or hotels along the way.

What is the average age of guests who travel on overland tours?

Normally the age ranges between 18 and 35, although exceptions can be made on certain tours for older travellers who are reasonably fit and happy to experience Africa in the simple and more rustic manner that overland tours afford.

On the camping overland tours the age is usually from about 18 to 30, while many travellers who are retired still enjoy accommodated tours when they are in their 60s.

What kind of participation is expected on overland tours?

All our overland tours are participation-based. This means that while all tents, cooking equipment and food are provided, you will be required to help with the pitching of tents, food preparation and cooking and cleaning-up.

The chores are split up according to a roster. All of the main cooking is done by your cook but you will be required to assist with things such as chopping vegetables, washing dishes and other simple tasks during the trip.

How many people share a tent and how big are the tents?

On most tours, two adults share a three-man tent.

If I travel alone will I have to share a tent with a stranger?

Most overland tours pair a single traveller with another single traveller of the same sex in one tent. On certain tours you can book a single tent for an extra fee.

Will there be electricity for me to charge my camera? What kind of plug will I need?

Most lodges and campsites do have electricity or a generator, and you will be welcome to charge your camera at the bar or elsewhere at the lodge. Some lodges in East Africa charge for this but it is free at all southern Africa lodges.

In most southern African countries the plug fittings require three round-pronged plugs. From Zimbabwe and up to East Africa you'll need British 3 square-pronged plugs.

Please click here for more information on plugs, voltages and frequencies.

What kind of facilities can I expect at the camp sites?

All sites will have ablutions and showers. In southern Africa you can expect relatively high standards while in East Africa the facilities are often of a poor standard.

What is a bushcamp?

If your itinerary says you will be staying at a bushcamp, this means there are absolutely no facilities for that night. There will be no electricity, no toilets and no showers.

Your toilet will be the bush and we recommend you stock up on some wet wipes for these nights.

What kind of currency is best to bring along on the trip?

We recommend that you carry small denominations of US Dollar cash with you for any extra activities or purchases and for any tips you may wish to leave.

Please make sure that all the notes you carry were printed post- 2001 as certain destinations will not accept cash which is older than this.

You can bring credit cards and traveller's cheques but many places charge as much as 20 to 25 percent commission for this.

Traveller's cheques can also only be cashed in certain towns and not all destinations will accept credit cards.

How can I be certain my valuables and cash will be safe?

There is a hidden safe on the truck where you may store your money, air-tickets and passports when you don't need them.

What will I need money for?

All optional extras such as activities not specified in the inclusions of your tour, drinks, snacks, shopping, visas and tips are for your own account.

What is a 'local payment'?

This is a sum of money which is excluded from the booking cost and which you need to pay directly to your guide or group leader at the start of the trip in cash.

On different tours the local payment covers different things depending on where you are going.

Sometimes it is to cover park fees and camping fees; other times it covers food or various entrances or activities that the tour offers. Before you book your trip you will be advised of how much the local payment is and of what it covers exactly for your tour.

Is there a luggage restriction on overland tours?

It is imperative that bags are soft and manoeuvrable - such as a backpack or soft duffel bag. No hard suitcases are permitted on the vehicles.

Travellers need to bring a similarly sized amount of luggage that you would be allowed to carry on a flight (approximately 20kg or less each).

What do I need to pack?

Depending on which overland tour you book, you will be given a packing guide of what to bring. However, below is a rough guide of what is normally recommended.

• Two long-sleeved shirts/blouses
• Three to four short-sleeved shirts or T-shirts
• Vaccination certificates
• Two pairs of trousers or one pair and one skirt
• Passport (plus photocopy)
• One to two pairs of shorts
• Camera and film
• Tracksuit pants
• Personal toiletries and towel
• Heavy sweater/fleece
• Water bottle
• Light sweater
• Watch (inexpensive)
• Underwear
• Sunglasses (inexpensive)
• Hat
• Torch and spare batteries
• Water/windproof jacket
• Small sewing kit
• Boots or trainers/sports shoes
• Washing soap for clothes
• Sandals or thongs
• Plastic bags
• Set of smart clothes and shoes
• Clothes line and pegs
• Swimsuit
• Small scrubbing brush
• Sleeping bag, sleep sheet and roll mat
• Penknife
• Music (most trucks have MP3 players or music systems)

For trips that include the optional gorilla trek, we recommend that you bring hiking boots and wet weather clothes as well as gloves (such as gardening gloves).

If you wear glasses (or contacts) it is also advisable to bring a spare pair. If you wish to sleep out on warm nights you will need to bring a mosquito net and ground sheet.

What about travel insurance?

Travel insurance is compulsory on overland tours and is each traveller's own responsibility.

Should you need to purchase travel insurance, Go2Africa can recommend a broker for you from whom you may purchase this directly.

Do I need a first aid kit?

All our vehicles carry a first aid kit that is for use in emergencies and passengers are asked to replace any item they use.

However, we would strongly advise you to bring a personal medical kit. Any reputable medical store will be able to provide this. Suggested contents include:

• Lip balm
• Anti-histamine cream or tablets
• Sunscreen
• Water-purifying tablets
• Pain killers
• Anti-diarrhoea remedy
• Moisturiser
• Rehydration salts
• Elastoplasts/band aids
• Insect repellent
• Sterile dressings
• Antiseptic cream

What about visas?

Visa requirements for each country that you will visit vary according to your nationality.

Certain nationalities do not need visas at all or can purchase visas on arrival at the border for certain countries, while other nationalities need to get visas months before they travel.

Visas are for each traveller's own account and are their own responsibility.

Do we need to take malaria prophylaxes or have any inoculations before travelling?

Malaria is endemic in most parts of Africa. It is your responsibility to obtain anti-malaria tablets and other preventative measures. You should consult your doctor as to the correct prophylaxis for the countries to be visited.

It is also useful to avoid being bitten through the use of an insect repellent containing DEET and wearing long sleeved shirts and trousers at night.

Can families go on overland tours?

There are certain overland tours which have set family departure dates, but these dates are inflexible and as infrequent as only twice a year sometimes, so you will need to be either very lucky or flexible with your dates.

On the overland tours with family departure dates, what are the age restrictions?

Family overland tours usually welcome children over the age of eight and adults under the age of 60. Certain tours are flexible on this and others are not.

Adults older than this are often still welcome on tours provided they have a letter from their doctor which states they are fit to do an overland tour.

What is the standard tipping procedure?

Tipping on overland tours is entirely at your discretion, based on the level of service you feel that you have received during your trip.

I'm 55 years old. Am I too old to go on an overland tour?

Overlanding is not about age but attitude: if you're young at heart, you will never be too old to go on an overland tour.

Some of our operators request that you fill out a travel questionnaire to assess your fitness and suitability for the tour. Speak to our consultants and they can recommend the best tours suited for older people.

I'm 17 years old. Am I too young to go on an overland tour?

Most of the overland operators set a minimum age of 18, but if you are accompanied by an older person you may be able to join some selective trips.

Some tours are also suitable for families. Speak to our consultants who can find the best trip for you.

Does my tour include time in the start and finish destinations?

No. Tours depart from the start destination early in the morning on day one and end at the finish destination in the late afternoon on the final day.

If you want to explore the start and finish destinations it's best to arrive a few days early and leave a couple of days after the trip ends.

I've booked a tour from A to B but at the end of the tour need to get back to A to catch my international flight. How do I do this?

Unfortunately, Africa is not well-served by reliable public transport, and you may have to book an additional flight back to your arrival point in Africa.

Speak to our consultants who can arrange this.

Will the overland vehicle pick me up from my hotel on the first day?

No. All tours have a pre-appointed departure point and it is up to the passengers to make their own way there.

These are often hotels with large car parks for the overland vehicle, and a pre-departure meeting is often held there the night before.

If you would like to arrange accommodation at the hotel from where your tour leaves, speak to our Africa travel consultants.

I want to come to Africa but don't want to take malaria prophylactics.

Some of our tours run through parts of South Africa and Namibia that are malaria-free and still have exciting game viewing and adventure opportunities. Speak to our consultants and they can advise on the areas where you do not have to protect yourself against malaria.

I'm a vegetarian; will I have problems with food on the tour?

Fruit and vegetables are abundant in most regions of Africa and the cook, group or safari cook will always be able to create a non-meat dish.

If you are on a longer trip you may want to consider supplementing your diet with vitamin tablets or protein shakes as items such as cheese and fish are scarce. Vegetarians do not get a discount on the local payment.

How often will I be able to communicate home?

The infrastructure in Africa has improved radically in the last few years but don't always expect to find reliable phones or internet access.

Southern Africa is fairly reliable but in East Africa public phones and internet access are only available in the main urban or tourist centres.

Bear in mind that the tour is not going to stop every few days for 20 people to answer and empty all their in-boxes!

But don't worry, there will be the opportunity to send a postcard home about what a good time you are having, and in the event of an emergency your crew will get you to a phone.

Enquire now |  Add to my enquiry