Overlanding

Having started to plan a Cape Town to Cairo, we have read alot of Africa overland sites as well as all of the brochures that we could get from the travel agents.

After this we had a big list of questions and our travel agent tried to find some of the answers for us, but got told by one compay that all questions would be answered when we had paid a deposit! Another company gave very vague answers so we decided to post here to get the insiders perspective!

Meals and Cooking
We have read basically in most sites / brochures that we help with meals, which is not a problem, but we would like to have more details as how this works, so if someone could kindly answer the following list of questions, with examples and which companies, that would be really appreciated!

1. Is there a roster - how / when is it drawn up?
2. Are you put on cooking with one of the crew or another traveller? If another traveller, can you choose who you want to cook with?
3. Is the cooking for breakfast and dinner or just breakfast?
4. Who does the menu?
5. What if there are people with special diet requirements and you do not know how to cook that kind of food?
6. Who does the shopping - if it is you, does one of the crew go with you to market so you know what prices should be?
7. What is the cooking method - gas rings or open fire or both?
8. Is there a wok?
9. Is there a camp oven? (a heavy duty cast iron pot good for roasts etc)
10. Is drinking water supplied or do you have to get your own?

On the Road
We also appreciate that the itinerary would be flexible, due to unforseen circumstances. Here is the list of our “On the Road” questions.

1. Are there times on the long trips where you have 4 days in one place to do everything or nothing?
2. When in cities, is the cost of staying in a hostel / hotel included in the price or not? We have seen in one company brochure that they say the kitty covers accommodation and then on their website it says you have to pay for your own accommodation while in cities?!?
3. What is the “average” time spent travelling on the road each day?
4. What would be the longest time on the road in a day?
5. How often is there drinking? We have heard that there is not much drinking as people on these trips are more interested in the country than having one continuous party. However, we have also read that some crews on some companies, once in camp hit the grog every day.
6. Do the companies have a zero tolarance of drugs and will kick off anyone caught with drugs?
7. Are the trucks well maintained? - Which companies have dodgy trucks and so should be avoided?
8. Has anyone been on a tour that has left them stranded as the tour can not continue due to unforseen circumstances? If so, who?

Passports and Visas

1. When going to another country do you have a “day outing” for everyone to get their visas if necessary?

Finance

1. What is the best way to carry money - money belt or in you bag?
2. Which currency is best - USD or GBP or Euros? Or does this depend on the countries you would be travelling through? (We have seen all of those currencies as “the best” to travel with!)

Any other information would also be greatly appreciated!
Finally, we are “outdoors” people, who often spent weeks at a time camping back home (Aotearoa - NZ) . One of our homes has no electricity, telephone or town supplied water, so we are used to the wop wops. It is also the place we prefered to live instead of our city place!

Thank you all for your time!

The leap in food prices is likely to mean some adjustments to kitty prices, which passengers usually pay at the start of the trip.

We always receive questions about local payments otherwise known as the Kitty, which is usually paid to the local tour leaders on arrival. The Kitty is suppose to cover the cost of group meals, activities,entrance fees guides and accommodation. However this has meant customers have either had to carry large sums of money or been at the mercy of local banks withdrawing cash.

However things are changing and from 1 January 2008 Exodus will no longer charge a separate local payment and will instead incorporate these into the trip price. However this does not apply to overland trips in South America.

Whilst Dragoman and The Adventure Company have decided to?scrap local payments?in their family brochures, but are continuing to separate them out for other trips.

The Kitty or local payment has?flaws and can be a source of friction. It?makes comparing company prices a little more tricky as you always have to factor in the local payment whilst not forgetting to?take a close look at?the activities?include in the price. And whilst on a trip actually making the payment can be difficult. And I am sure you will question some of the rationale behind the payment or its structure on long trips. But at least for non family trips it seams the majority of companies are happy to keep local payments going, for the moment.

What are your thoughts on local payments?

Africa Expedition Support are now offering the option to pre-pay most of the optional activities, airport pickup and pre and post safari accommodation. This is apparently proving to be very popular particularly with single travellers not wanting to carry huge amounts of cash. It also takes the hassle out of having to find money changers or banks who have enough new USD notes prior to leaving the home country.