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VEHICLEA bit more info on Overlanding

All overland vehicles are custom built to endure the unpredictable African roads and carry everything needed for the overland tour; including food, camping gear, tents, tables & chairs.
We have a range of camping and accommodated tours tailor made to suit your needs from, small to larger group tours to younger or older group tours, to suit your travel needs and budget.
Most tours require limited participation whereby travellers assist with pitching their own tents and helping out at meal times.
overland bus

LUGGAGEWhat should be in your bag for your trip?

A backpack is more compatible with the luggage compartment space under the carriage of the vehicle, Pack sensibly to ensure minimum hassle. Keep in mind that you must keep a weight allowance for your curio shopping items to take home. You are allowed a 20kg bag and a 5kg hand luggage allowance.

Wash & wear and reversable clothing items will make your life a lot easier as laundry facilities are often few and far between
bag
Recommended Baggage
suitcase
Not recommended
A few suggestions to help you pack
  • 3-4 short sleeved shirts or T-shirts
  • 2 pairs of trousers or 1 pair and 1 skirt – try not to pack jeans as they take a long time to dry
  • ¾ pants
  • 1 Warm sweater or fleece top
  • 1-2 pairs of shorts
  • 1 Tracksuit pants
  • 1 Light sweater or sweatshirt (can also be used as an additional pillow)
  • 1 Warm fleece top
  • Underwear and socks
  • 1 Hat/peak cap/bandana
  • 1 Gloves
  • 1 Scarf
  • 1 Water/wind-proof jacket
  • 1 pair of Boots or walking shoes
Should your trip include going to the Beach, remember to pack:
  • 1 Swimming Costume
  • 1 pair of Sunglasses
  • 1 Beach towel and/or sarong
  • 1 Pair of Sandals.
Sleepwear will include:
  • Pyjamas
  • Travel pillow & pillowcase
  • Sleeping Bag and a light blanket
Medication and items for your first aid kit:
  • Prescription medication
  • Anti-histamine cream or tablets
  • Antiseptic cream
  • Sunscreen (high factor) and lip balm
  • Water purifying tablets
  • Pain killers
  • Diarrhoea medication
  • Moisturiser
  • Dehydration salts
  • Elastoplasts
  • Insect repellent
  • Sterile dressings
Your Toiletry bag should have the following:
  • All your personal toiletries,
  • Hand sanitiser/wipes
  • Tissues
  • Moisturiser
Handy Optional Extras can include:
  • Water bottle
  • Book to read
  • Extra memory/film for your camera
  • Head torch
  • Zip-lock bags (medium sized for cameras, snacks, trash etc.)
  • Extra batteries
  • Travel power strip ( a compact three-plug unit that includes two USB connections. With just one wall plug you can charge five gadgets) Buy on Amazon

Pre-Departure Meeting

The pre-departure meeting is held at 18h00 the night before we depart. This is to ensure that everything is in place to avoid any delays.

Quality and Protection

We are a SATSA member.  This means that SATSA is the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association and offers protection to international travellers against the possible loss of deposits (or monies paid) to a SATSA member (tour operator, car rental company, accommodation provider etc.), in case of liquidation. It is underwritten by Lombard Insurance and Lloyds of London.

SATSA is the driving force behind improving standards of tourism in South Africa, as offered by its various members.

“Should a SATSA member who is a South African tourism business operation, run into financial problems, the bonding scheme allows the client to claim back their deposit without having to prove in a court or to the liquidator whom or what was paid, but simply to produce the relevant documentation to SATSA.” – Michael Tatalias, CEO SATSA.

How to work out your financial requirements?

When working on your budget remember to include the following:

Basic Tour Cost:

  1. The complete Tour Price

Additional Tour Costs could include the following:

  1. International flights including your visas
  2. Your accommodation before and after the tour.
  3. Your Spending money, keeping in mind variations depending on chosen activities.
  4. Money for take home gifts for friends and family.
  5. Mad Money for the unforeseen expense.
  6. Should you wish to tip your guide and or crew members.

Visas are required by most travellers to Africa and determined based on your nationality (your passport). We recommend contacting the relevant African country Consulate / Embassy to check your requirements, as this information changes regularly.

Optional activities vary based on your chosen overland tour and your personal preference. It is best to work through the optional activities available on your chosen tour, tally-up your total and see how this fits into your budget. All optional activities are booked with your Tour Leader once you are on tour. Most can be paid in cash.

We offer semi-inclusive camping or accommodated tours, already including popular excursions available en-route.

Vaccinations

To stay healthy on your trip be sure to take the right vaccinations for your trip to Africa

We advise an appointment with your local doctor (General Practitioner) for best advice on vaccines required for the countries you intend to visit. Remember the two most important ones are Yellow fever and Malaria.

Yellow Fever is required by law for all travellers entering into Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania. Having travelled in a yellow fever area, you may be required to show proof of your yellow fever vaccination upon returning to your home country.

Malaria is rife throughout Southern and East Africa, which is considered a high-risk area.

Your local General Practioner may also recommend either/or of the following vaccinations depending on the country to which you are travelling:  Tetanus, Typhoid, Rabies, Polio, Hepatitis A and B and Meningitis.

Remember the time line is four to six weeks prior to your departure.

Your Crew and Guides

Tour Crew

These are the people to tap for knowledge.  They almost know it all from history and culture to the local Fauna and Flora.

Most overland tours include two crew members (Driver and Tour Leader) working as a team managing tour finances, planning activities, preparing meals and ensuring that you safely experience Africa and all its offerings.

The Guides

The guides and crew are passionate and up to date with all relevant information.  Please feel free to ask and interact with them.

The Vehicle

overland busOur overland vehicles are custom build to offer maximum comfort with extra-large windows for those unforgettable pics  as well as the ability to handle the rugged African terrain.

Adventure Travel Insurance

It is compulsory to have comprehensive adventure travel insurance, on all overland tours. We require your travel insurance details upon booking your vacation.

Make sure that you are covered for adrenaline sport and adventure activities should you wish to partake in any of them.  These include white-water rafting, sky diving and bungee jumping.

World Nomads Insurance offer adventure travel insurance and cancellation insurance. We recommend your travel insurance includes cancellation and curtailment insurance. The majority of tour departures are guaranteed (confirmed to depart) but in the unlikely event of a tour departure being cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, you would be protected.

For credit card insurance, we suggest you check the fine print to ensure you have adequate cover as credit card companies offer a standard option.

  • If you choose to use your credit card insurance, you will need to call your bank to obtain your policy details. This is how:
  • Phone your bank
  • Give them your Bank Card Number
  • Verify your account
  • You need to ask for the insurance company name
  • You need to ask for the policy number
  • Remember to keep the telephone number you dialled

Visas

You will need a valid passport for all international travel. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after returning from your trip. In certain cases, foreign passport holders require entry, re-entry or departure permits and/or visas to enter a country.

Remember to contact the relevant authorities / embassies in good time to check and arrange the necessary permits and visas prior to your departure. Don’t trust websites (such as wikipedia) as information can be outdated.

All travellers must be in possession of a valid onward/return air ticket or proof of other means of transport enabling the traveller to leave the country in which your tour terminates. Or else you must have proof of sufficient funds (e.g. credit card) enabling you to purchase an air ticket to leave the country.

Please note that your visas are your responsibility.
The contact details for the various embassies.

Visit  GoAbroad.com, for details and phone the nearest consulate for up to date information.

DO AN OVERLAND TOUR NOWWould you like to tour?

Great Team
Our efficient and highly professional staff are committed to making your trip an unforgettable experience.
Awesome Tours
Our most popular tours visit the Kruger National Park to see wildlife at its best.
Awesome Locations
Spectacular star-studded nights at the foot of the Brandberg in Namibia. Whales in Hermanus, the history rich Cape Town, wine routes along the cape and not forgetting the garden route showcasing its splendour.
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Southern Africa invites you to experience her mystery.
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An informed tourist is a happy tourist that makes for a happy crew and a great tour.
Accommodation
Carefully chosen lodges and camps is enjoyed to recharge those batteries to do it all again the next day

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