Overlanding

The continued drought in Kenya has fuelled conflict with a greater number of reported deaths due to violence with food and water supplies now reaching dangerous levels.

Well at least until the 20th September, due to a dispute between the the current interim government of Gabon and Société de Conservation et Développement (SCD SA). It now prevents the country’s main eco-tourism partner Africa’s Eden from continuing its conservation-enabling activities in Loango National Park. Hopefully the suspension will be short lived. More details
Although so far no official winner has been announced on the elections held on the 30th August, Ali Bongo, was widely expected to win.

We normally provide details of overland company promotions and late availability on our overland discounts page but we felt Acacia bold promotion was worth a mention.

“Acacia Adventure Holidays will be running a Big Five Flash Sale on Friday 14 August, lasting for exactly five hours. The Big Five Flash Sale, which will run from 12pm to 5pm, will feature all of the tour operator’s overland tours at a 25% discount. Terms and conditions apply”

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?

Authorities in Angola have closed the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo to try and prevent the spread of the Ebola virus.
“We are suspending all movement of people and trade with the DRC in the province of Lunda Norte”, said Angolan Health Minister Jose Van Dunem.

Reports that across towns in Kenya, motorists are facing a growing shortage of fuel. Earlier in the week, Rwanda imposed rationing of fuel to about 20 liters a day due to reduced deliveries. Uganda has just emerging from a fuel shortage. At present we have had no reports that this is affecting any overland trips.

Well that is their intention baring any FCO ( Foreign and Commonwealth Offices UK ) travel advice to the contrary. They hope to run trips back into Zimbabwe from the 19th January, however they do not plan to stay in Harare. Oasis Overland also have information on the Cholera outbreak, essentially their tours avoid the areas where problems have been reported. More information.

South African officials have declared the Vhembe district, which includes the border crossing of Musina with Zimbabwe a disaster area due to the cholera epidemic.

It seems the fluctuating exchange rates are having an impact at Intrepid, as they may introduce a currency surcharge. On their website they are encouraging people to pay up! “Avoid any surcharge by paying in full by 30 November, 2008.”

We have been informed that the Immigration Department has introduced new rules that require payments for visa fees in US Dollars only.  The required amount is ($50 per person) in US Dollars.