Overlanding

Week 1

South Africa, Botswana - Leaving Johannesburg we head up into Botswana and across to the delta to have a true wilderness experience amongst the wild animals and their habitat. From there we head up to the Chobe River for an afternoon boat cruise. It’s then to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe for activity at every corner.
Week 2

Zambia, - To South Luangwa Valley then the shore of Lake Malawi next, to try your hand at Altitude and Freshwater Scuba Diving, horse riding and sailing. Up to Chitimba and the chance to hike Livingstonia.
Week 3

Tanzania - , then into Tanzania through the Baobab valley, and to the Indian Ocean at the African City of Dar es Salaam. From here you can head to the Spice Island of Zanzibar

“It was fantastic trip.It was also a new experience - I plan my next trip with African trails to West Africa.”

We have had some emails regarding the quality of food you get on overlanding trips and in particular when travelling in Africa. Now we all know the variety of foods varies between countries, but some people are surprised by the lack of meat and other food they take for granted back home.

African Trails for example provided us with some insight into what people should expect when travelling saying you should expect vegetarian meals “but mainly in Malawi and Zambia where the meat was not that good in quality and or value. ”

So what has been your experiences with food when overlanding?

Let us know your experience when booking so far we have had fuel surcharges and exchange rate fluctuation.

This is sound advise from the community.

“PS Do please make sure you only travel with a fully bonded overland company otherwise you could stand to loose all your money. It’s a legal requirement for all travel companies to be properly bonded and to provide a 100% financial guarantee, so please check before you buy.” overland advice.

Unfortunately 2009 may be a year where the potential for tour operators to go bust is high. If your operator has an ATOL bond, you’ll be flown home if it goes bust, but you won’t get a refund. ABTA bonding means that in most cases your holiday will be protected, but this is not the case for all members. Tour operators that are members of AITO offer 100% financial protection.

If you book with a credit card you will normally be refunded in the event of a bankruptcy, but the credit card company will not get you back home.

Please check with your operator and clarify with them if you have any doubts on their level of protection.

What else has cropped up we would love to hear your experiences.

Well, I have just joined this site, and noticed that there did not seem to be much information available on African Trails, which is a shame… and I’ll tell you why….

I travelled with African Trails in the Summer of 2007. Leaving from Nairobi, we travelled to Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania (and across to Zanzibar), to Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and we finished in South Africa. I believe this trip is advertised as the “Africa in Depth” one! What a fantastic experience.

That was my second trip to Africa. Our driver was Gavin (hope I am allowed to mention to names on here, apologies if I am not). Gav definitely ‘made’ this trip to be honest. Has to be one of the funniest people I have ever met. His knowledge of the countries far exceeded the knowledge of other drivers, from other tour operators (from what I myself experienced, and was told from other passengers from other companies). When I say this, I do not mean that he was a boring tour guide, constantly feeding us information we didnt want to hear. He is very passionate about Africa, and his interests and to be honest, this rubbed off on the whole group, and everyone had an amazing time.

The trucks are designed particularly well in comparison, I feel. The seats are comfortable, with underneath storage for luggage, and also the floor lifts up for storage also. The sides of the truck can be rolled up providing complete ventilation - which is needed!!!! The top rolls back also providing an all-round view.

Compared to other trucks and passengers we met along the way, I very much enjoyed the whole set up that African Trails have. Since there is only one crew member, everyone has to pull together and cook the food, clean etc, and to be honest although a lot of people may be put off an overlanding trip - possibly feeling that you may be restricted in what you can do - this is not the case. Due to not having to pay for everything in advance, you can choose what you want to do when you arrive at your destination. Although I was unsure of the mounting cost of this at first, it is a much better idea and provides passengers with?flexibility and independance! This is exactly what I was looking for from an overlanding trip!

Africa is Africa. Things do not run smoothly, and I knew this, although there were others on the trip who were not prepared for the camping every night, or for the unexpected twist of events that often occurred if there was a particularly bad storm, if we were held up at immigration etc etc. To me, it all added to the fun!

The only quibble I had about African Trails was that on their website they mention that you can take the Local Payment in Pounds… well we are from Scotland, and took the LP in ?’s and had a huge hassle on the first day when Gav collected all the payments, only to tell us he would need it in British Pounds. Scottish Pounds ARE British Pounds and have the exact same value…. but we had to spend the rest of the morning trying to convert said Scottish Pounds, and lost a couple of hundred in the process. Was very angry about this!!! Been meaning to email African Trails since we returned, but had actually forgot all about it until I was typing this review. So when they say you can take Pounds, DO NOT take Scottish - ridiculous really!

I think its fantastic though that that was the only negative thing I can find to say about the running of the trip! I would definitely go with African Trails again, but would make sure I would be on Gavin’s truck!!

Had a blast! Definitely reccommend African Trails to those who arent lazy and are willing to pitch in and set up their own tents, prepare and cook meals as a team, and have the flexibility to chose what trips they want to do whilst in country!

Hope thats helped some people.

Ashley Rogers
(anyone has any other questions, please feel free to email ashleysfrogers [ @ ] googlemail.com)?

If you were always dreaming of becoming an overlanding guru, this might be the chance you have been waiting for : African Trails?are currently looking to hire some new drivers, as next year they intend to increase their departures number, so will be having more trucks on the road.

New drivers will need to hold a PSV or HGV license and be over 26 years old for insurance purposes.? Good sense of humour is essential, and the energy to work very long hours with very little monetary reward!? Please sent a CV in with references, which will be checked, and the applicant MUST like big dogs.

Successful candidates will be expected to fly themselves out to Africa and make their own way to the workshop in Arusha, where they will spend a few weeks learning the ropes and basic mechanics.? Then it’s off on the road for a ten week trip south and then a 4 week trip north, then …you?are on?your own.

It’s a hard job and your good nature will be taken advantage of?- you will be expected to do anything at the drop of a hat and?get thrown in at the deep end.

?See you there!

Hi All,

I work for African Trails at their African Office in Tanzania, but will endeavour to be as honest and unbiased as possible. Gulp.

We are, just like every other overland company, using big trucks to carry people across the continent of Africa on a regular basis.? The company fell off the information highway for a bit there as we had some website issues, all of which we hope are now resolved and we are finally starting to get back on top of things.

?For all intent and purpose all overland companies offer the same sort of itinerary, and it is up to you as the potential passenger to choose what you most want out of your holiday as each company offers something slightly different in the way it is run.? Our biggest difference is that we only have one crew member, so you will have to help yourself in many ways.? We look to the independent traveller who wants to experience Africa at every opportunity.? You will be much more involved in the day to day running of the trip, such as shopping in local markets, bartering with the locals and interacting as much as possible.? You will also be in charge of the cooking and cleaning up.

The main thing is that it’s a camping experience, and I would stress anyone wanting to come that you have to be prepared for the worst, as you will get ripped off when you change money at least once, the gorillas may have gone on holiday, all the flamingoes will have gone to Lake Magadi and not come back, the Wildebeest will have migrated to Congo and you’ll be stuck in a dust storm through Namibia, but it’s all part of the adventure!? It is essential to pack a sense of humour along with a pair of jeans, which if you forget either you’ll be unhappy.

Also, we do not include anything in our payments except those parks that we really can’t avoid!? So the only things that are included are the Masai Mara in Kenya and Etosha National Park in Namibia.? Other than that everything else is an optioanl extra which you can choose to do if you want to.? We try to stay in places which offer alternatives.? We also try not to recommend anyone for activities and the drivers will help show you all the possibilites so you can decide for yourself.? For instance if you go Scuba diving, it is best to check out every company and see who YOU get on with best as, with all things, including overlanding, you have to be comfortable with who you choose, not who we tell you is best.

?I would rather be questioned about all aspects of the trip than have someone book onto it and turn up onthe first day not knowing it’s a camping trip.? The only stupid question is the one you didn’t ask.

Thanks for reading and maybe one day we’ll see you out here in Africa.? Just make sure you book with the company best for you.

All the best,

Af Trails.

Has anyone travelled with African Trails (http://www.africantrails.co.uk)

Currently they aren’t referenced/mentioned anywhere in this community.

I am thinking of doing the Cape Town to Cairo - Nile expedition.

Any experiences with them or feedback about them would be greatly appreciated.