Essential Advice
Essential Advice for Overlanders
Insurance
Of course you should be insured, it is unlikely you will be allowed on any truck unless you are insured. But this can be a headache to organise, trying to compare what you are covered for and where. Companies sometimes use a particular insurer but it probably isnt the most competive on the market. But on the other hand it will cover you for nearly all adventure activites under the sun. Unfortunately you do need to take a close look at the small print as this can be your saviour, medical bills are expensive so be prepared.
Visas
Make sure you check your personal visa requirements for the countries you will be travelling in, as companies may provide you with “advice” but things can change very quickly and sometimes their advice is simply wrong or outdated.
Lenght of time
Really consider the length of time you will be travelling with a company. These trips tend to be relentless and sometimes you just don’t get to stay in places that you would like to. Some companies are flexible and allow you to get on other trucks or get off your truck and catch it up latter - but check with the company before you start.
If you plan to travel around a continent for instance, consider taking a pre planned break somewhere mid way simply to get off the truck and sit back - otherwise you won’t appreciate the moment. And if you are on a combined tour remember to check how long you have in the in-between starting legs. It is usually a few days and sometimes you wont have enough time to check out the town. Remember, it is amazing how things such as laundry, communication and shopping use up time.
Cost
The cost of the trip is significant - check between companies on what they include as additional excursions, these can quickly add up so make sure you budget for every excursion - and add something extra as generally speaking prices tend to be at least 10% more expensive when you get there.
Before you purchase a tour shop around, contact the company directly to see what discounts they have on offer and check their websites for late minute deals. Remember to check currency conversions when purchasing from outside the company’s home country. And always remember travel agencies get a commission.
I also would recommend going to travel events to get an idea of the companies and what they offer, these usually happen early in the year. Check out the events page to see what is coming up. In addition, some companies offer evening talks enabling you to ask questions and get a better idea of how they operate.
Finally before you book make sure the company is AITO protected or has some sort of recognised financial backup, as overlanding companies have been known to go bust leaving passengers stranded.
Vaccinations
The usual medical advice applies: check with your doctor and speak to your nurse to see what is required in terms of shots or malaria tablets. In terms of cost, you will have to pay for some of the more exotic injections but in the UK many are available on the NHS for free or a small charge. Private travel clinics will of course charge extra. Malaria tablets can be bought in some countries however you should be certain before you leave.
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