The Nuts and Bolts of Overlanding?
Category: Seek Advice | May 13, 2008 By kotitihaereHaving 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!
- Is there a roster - how / when is it drawn up?
- 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?
- Is the cooking for breakfast and dinner or just breakfast?
- Who does the menu?
- What if there are people with special diet requirements and you do not know how to cook that kind of food?
- 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?
- What is the cooking method - gas rings or open fire or both?
- Is there a wok?
- Is there a camp oven? (a heavy duty cast iron pot good for roasts etc)
- 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.
- Are there times on the long trips where you have 4 days in one place to do everything or nothing?
- 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?!?
- What is the “average” time spent travelling on the road each day?
- What would be the longest time on the road in a day?
- 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.
- Do the companies have a zero tolarance of drugs and will kick off anyone caught with drugs?
- Are the trucks well maintained? - Which companies have dodgy trucks and so should be avoided?
- 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
- When going to another country do you have a “day outing” for everyone to get their visas if necessary?
Finance
- What is the best way to carry money - money belt or in you bag?
- 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!
thank you all for your comments
I asked the visa q because on a 20 week trip you can not get visas that would be still current for places after 12 weeks, which is why I thought there may be “visa day outs” for everyone! *LOL*
Dragoman does a cairo and cape town (CNW)
Trip length: 20.5 Weeks
General notes: There is a half week break in Nairobi which is not covered by kitty.
Now the notes about the kitty say “By including campsite fees, hotels, ….. in the kitty ……”
Which means that accommodation is not covered in Nairobi. It is not stated like that, but that is what it means.
Our travel agent thought we were joking when we asked for clarification on that, but then were shocked when Dragoman did confirm that is exactly what it means!
Once again, thank you all for your valuble information and insights.
Hi there, Far out that’s a lot of questions!
And ALL of the answers will vary a little bit depending on the company you are travelling with although the basic principle is the same. As a guideline though I can help you out a bit having worked for a few different ones over the years….
Meals and Cooking
1. yes usually before the trip based on names off the passenger list.
Keep in mind that some trips have a cook on board and most of your questions will not apply if that is the case.
2. Another traveller/s, usually it is already sorted out in advance but I am sure you can ask to be put in the same group as someone else.
3. All meals supplied by the ‘truck’ (which will be listed on your itinerary)
4. Who ever has the best suggestion based on what food is available locally and within the budget - on a day by day basis
5. Your crew will have had that situation many times before and are always around to assist and advise
6. todays duty group sometimes with the crew and sometimes not. Prices are listed usually in English (you don’t need to know the cost in advance) and if you are shopping at a local market and prices are not listed, it will come down to how you bargain - all part of the fun!
7. Either depending on location, weather etc etc. We used to use more gas in the Middle East and more open fires in Africa.
8. not usually but there will be a huge pan instead
9. Not usually - there could be a ‘potjie’ pot instead but not usually for roasts.
10. Usually you get your own and if the tap water is not 100% (just about everywhere in Africa it is fine) then bottled water is readily available. I am not aware of more than 1 company that supplies drinking water. Usually all drinks are for your own cost.
On the Road
Some trips have more drinkers than others but there is no ‘rule’ or trend you could look at. Crew have strict rules about drinking and driving but will occasionally have a good night if they are not driving tomorrow and only if they are not asleep already - its a hard job… seriously.
1. Yes but more likely to be 2 or 3 days max.
2. This varies wildly depending on the company. This info can be obtained from the tour operator. As far as I am aware, all accommodation on-tour is covered in your trip cost. If not it should be clearly specified in your itinerary/dossier.
3. Can’t answer that - depends on road conditions, weather, where you are on the continent and where you are going, toilet stops, shopping etc etc…
4. see above
5. How long is a piece of string?
6. Yes - all of the ones I know of.
7. I can’t answer that as I am a independent agent and won’t slag off any one’s trucks. Some are obviously better than others and the trip price is no reflection of the quality of the trucks.
8. This has happened with a particular Overland Company in the past. See the rest of this website for info.
Passports and Visas
1. No - its not necessary - you will have either arranged your visa’s in advance (they are YOUR sole responsibility) or will be able to get them at the border of entry.
Finance
Your vehicle should have a safe for passenger use and your crew will advise how that works and who is responsible. Split it if you can.
1. Carrying as little as poss is the way to go but it is not always practical - in your money belt for sure. Stuffed down and safety pinned to your undies if you like.
2. All depending on the countries you would be travelling through. USD is always common in Africa and the Middle East although the Euro is becoming more common.
Whew….! I hope that helps. If you want more info jump on the websites of anyone to do with Overlanding and have a look at their FAQ page or most will have pages of info similar to what you have asked under a ‘What is Overlanding?’ section (or similar).
Have a blast Kiwi!! This one did and never went home!!
Hi, not sure if you have read these posts
http://www.overlandingcommunity.com/cash-in-africa/
http://www.overlandingcommunity.com/atm-access-in-africa/
Hope they help.
Quite a few questions, a lot depends on your drivers/tour leaders.
Generally you will be placed by the driver into groups which take turns in cooking ALL meals. Drivers normally are not included in the cooking groups.
Menu is down to you and your group so you may eat well or very badly. The shopping depends on the company you travel with but many have a local guide which helps out in Africa. Cooking normally on gas rings, and drinking water should be supplied by the company.
Travel times vary depends on what you are going to see and the time frame you have, it is possible to full days of driving so look carefully at the itinerary and be careful of flowery lanuage. Hotels in cities should be covered from the Kitty check the small print I would interested to know the companies which do not include this as part of the Kitty. - Are they including this in the main price? Food is not included when staying in cities.
Drinking can be problem - but this is a hit and miss, generally the younger the crowd the more drinking is involved. Drugs tend to be a big NO, as searches are known to happen on border crossing.
Do not know of any company which provides allocated time for aquiring visas, you should be aware of your personal situation before you travel, do not rely on the company for this type of information.
In terms of money, it does vary from country to country but you cannot go wrong with Dollars and Euros.