For many people, an African adventure seems like an impossible dream, especially considering that private safaris in countries like Tanzania and Kenya can easily cost more than $ 2,000 a day. However, there are other cheaper ways to travel. Overlanding has become particularly popular, offering those with limited funds but plenty of spare time a way to experience the best of the continent for a fraction of the cost.
What is landing?
Overlanding is the name given to tours that take groups of between 4 and 30 people on shared adventures across Africa. These tours travel from place to place in a land truck, generally adapted to serve as a convenient vehicle for watching games. Trucks are often equipped to cope with the harsh conditions of Africa’s most rural roads and as such provide a way to access places that you may not have seen in a normal car. Most nights are spent under the canvas, in dedicated camps where the tasks of life in the camp are divided evenly among the group.
Itineraries generally include more than one country and can last from a week to several months.
Who is it for?
Overland travel is often associated with younger travelers looking for an adventurous way to spend a few months between high school and college, or college and their first job. Obviously, it’s a natural fit for backpackers with the ability to take an extended period of time off; but it’s also a great way to travel for just about anyone who likes the idea of an affordable social travel experience. That said, you need to be fit enough to spend long hours in a vehicle and help set up camp every night.
You must be able to get on with a diverse group of people from all walks of life, and you must be willing to give up the comforts of your creature. There are no luxuries on a land tour.
Why choose an overland trip in Africa?
Price is obviously one of the biggest benefits of a land tour. Sharing the costs of transportation, fuel and food makes all three more affordable; While dividing the tasks between you means that you are not paying for the endless staff of the camp. Most land tours charge a one-time fee that includes your guide, driver, transportation, accommodation, meals, and park entrance fees. You’ll also need to contribute to the kitty group, which pays for everyday essentials, including fresh food supplies. The costs that are not included range from your money for personal expenses to your airfare, visa fees and vaccinations.
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For some travelers, the straightforward nature of a land tour is a serious drawback, but for others, it provides the opportunity for a more authentic experience. Instead of spending your time at a five-star identikit resort, you’ll have the chance to meet local people, camp under the stars, and shop for ingredients in the rural markets. It’s also a challenge – camping in Africa is something you can be proud to have accomplished at the end of your trip. At the same time, land tours can be a great first introduction to life in Africa, providing plenty of adventure while offering the safety and support of guided group travel.
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Lastly, landing is fun. It’s a way to meet like-minded people from different parts of the world and forge close friendships that will last long after your journey ends. Most tours offer group activities (some of which will be included in the cost, others will be optional extras). If you are traveling alone but don’t necessarily want to spend all your time alone, traveling by land is the perfect solution.
Recommended African land tours
There are tons of overland tours to choose from, and deciding which one is right for you will depend on your budget, how much time you have, and where you want to go. Always be sure to carefully review the opinions of other travelers to make sure you are booking with a reputable company, and do some research on what is (or is not) included in the price. The following tours are a good place to start your planning process:
Cabo a Vic Falls Overland Adventure
This 21-day tour from overland travel company African Overland Tours begins in Cape Town and runs through South Africa, Namibia and Botswana to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. It’s the perfect introduction to the highlights of southern Africa, including the Okavango Delta, Nambia’s Sossusvlei Dune Sea, and the stunning Chobe National Park. Activities included along the way range from town tours to wine tastings and games, while accommodation is exclusively under canvas. Prices for 2018 start at R15,000 (plus a contribution of $ 500 to the kitty).
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Gorillas to the Delta – South
Led by the respected South African land company Nomad Africa Adventure Tours, this 47-day itinerary takes you from Nairobi to Johannesburg. Along the way, you’ll visit Kenya’s legendary Maasai Mara National Park, gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest, and relax on the paradisiacal beaches of Zanzibar. In total, you will visit eight of the most beautiful countries in southern Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. Prices start at R60,130 with additional fees for your gorilla trekking permit and activity package (optional).
Cairo to Cape Town
Oasis Overland offers the ultimate trans-African adventure with this 17-week itinerary that takes you from Cairo in Egypt to Cape Town in South Africa. You will visit a total of 12 countries, including southern African favorites like Namibia and Kenya; and more off the beaten path destinations like Ethiopia and Sudan. The included activities are quite spectacular. They range from pyramid tours in Egypt to river safaris in Botswana, while the dramatically different scenery you’ll see along the way is the highlight of the trip in its own right.
Prices start at £ 3,950, with a kitty contribution of $ 1,525.
