FAQs
- Vaccinations required
- Who is responsible for my visas
- Passports
- What is Local Payment
- Cost of the Trans Africa
- Charging electrical equipment
- Can I use credit cards on tour
- Spending money
- Traveller’s cheques
- Weather on tour
- Insurance
- Gorilla permits
- What language is the overland tour conducted in
- Can I bring my own tent
- Cooking
- Single travellers
- How much luggage can I bring
- How are the seats laid out in the overland
vehicle - Special diets
- I want to know the equivalent price in my local
currency - How can I make a booking
- How many people are on tour
- Can I drink the water
- Where is the best place to get medical advice
before travelling? - Do I need to take anti malarials
“What Vaccinations are required?“
Yellow Fever
You should be vaccinated against Yellow Fever to travel in East and sometimes Southern Africa and will need an International Vaccination Certificate to prove this when you cross borders. The Yellow Fever vaccination is now valid for life. So it is good to have a vaccination on your health card, which enables you to travel after having been to Yellow Fever regions.
World Health Organisation [WHO] list of countries Yellow Fever risk with immunisation recommendations.
http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/ITH_YF_vaccination_africa.png?ua=1
Inoculations
Consider being vaccinated against; Typhoid, Rabies; Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, Polio and Meningitis. Your doctor or medical centres (with travel educated doctors) can give medical advice and vaccinate you.
“What’s a typical day on the Overland Vehicle like?”
To find out more just click on this link “A day in the life of an overland tour”
“Who is responsible for my visas?“
You are responsible for your visas, many of which can be obtained on the borders at the time of travel. Your driver will assist you on the day, but should you have any concerns then please do not hesitate to contact us or check out the Visa and Embassy information link on the Links page.
“I am travelling on a certain passport – is that going to be a problem?“
Please remember that you are responsible for your own visas – if you arrive and you are from a country that requires visas before arrival then we cannot be held responsible. Refer to the visas section of the trip your interested in. Then if in doubt check with each consulate.
A useful guide to visas is www.wikipedia.com – then search by putting in ‘Visa requirements for British nationals’ (substitute your nationality). This will give you a list of visa requirements for your passport. This is a guide, so not 100% reliable.
“What is the Local Payment? “
On some trips we require the local payment [as part of the price] to operate the tour. This is part of your tour payment, to be paid on the first day to your tour leader.
“What are Optional Activities?
These are activities, which are available for you to do along the way on the tour but are not compulsory so we have not included them in the tour cost. These are booked & paid for on the trip and suggested form of payment is US$ cash. In southern Africa you can pay by credit card.
“What Should I Bring for Daily Spending?”
We also recommend a guideline of about US$ 35 per person for spending money daily to cover things like bottled water, refreshments, souvenirs and drinks.
“How much will the Trans Africa cost?“
London to Cape Town – 23 weeks – budget £13,000. This includes trip cost ₤6,500, local payment $2,400, visas US$1,600 (£1,250), vaccinations ₤200 optional extras ₤600, spending money 23 weeks x ₤100 = ₤2300 and flight home approx. – (UK) £300 (varies depending on destination)
London to Nairobi – 30 weeks – budget for £16,500. This includes trip cost £8,000, local payment $2,600, visas US$1,800 (£1,400), vaccinations ₤200 optional extras ₤1,600, spending money 30 weeks x ₤100 = ₤3,000 and flight home approx. – (UK) £300 (varies depending on destination)
London to Cairo – 41 weeks – budget for £21,200. This includes trip cost ₤10,000, local payment US$4,000, visas US$2,100 (£1,650), vaccinations ₤200 optional extras ₤2,000, spending money 41 weeks x ₤100 = ₤4,100 and flight home approx. (UK) £200 (varies depending on destination)
“Can I charge equipment batteries on the overland truck or at campsites?“
Though you can charge off the truck we don’t advise it as it runs on a 24 volt system which shortens the life of your batteries. You can charge at nearly every campsite.
“How often can I email home?“
Most towns have internet cafes, and some campsites offer email facilities. So you can email from every day to sometimes once a week.
“Can I use my Credit Card whilst on the trip?“
Bring two credit cards; just in case one stops working or gets swallowed by the cash machine. There are quite a few places where you can draw out local money. But take care, as your card can easily be stopped with unusual use abroad (as a bank security measure). Which means you may have to get on the phone home to get it unlocked. As a precaution, before travelling, inform your bank as to where you are going and when you will be away.
“How much spending money should I bring?”
$35 a day is a good start excluding the big side trips. This varies with how much you drink, eat out and how many souvenirs you buy. Budget separately for the big side trips and options (Gorillas, Serengeti etc.).
The best way to break up your money for a mixture of ease of exchange and safety is to take 20% cash in US$ and 80% in money on your credit card. Bring two credit cards, as they can easily be rejected by the cash machine in Africa due to your own bank blocking them as suddenly withdrawing cash in Africa will seem unusual to your bank at home. In East and Southern Africa ATM machines are available about every two to four days, but remember ATM machines only pay out local currency. On most borders you can change excess leftover currency for the next countries money.
“Should I bring my travellers cheques?“
No, as they are difficult to cash.
“What will the weather be like on my overland tour?“
Decide on the trip you want to do and the time of year, then look up the weather website from our links page, and you should be able to get an idea. But bring a jumper as it can get cold at night – even in Africa!
“Do I need insurance for overland tours?“
Travel Insurance is compulsory. We can point you in the right direction for insurance but can’t sell it. You need insurance which covers you for medical, baggage, repatriation, and currency. Please bear in mind, when buying insurance, the most important thing is to look for medical and repatriation cover.
“Can you guarantee that I will see the gorillas if I buy a permit?“
No one can guarantee you will see the gorillas, as they move freely through the jungle forests. The gorillas are tracked daily and 99% of the groups do see them. However, if the gorilla families are sick, for example, they are protected from human contact. The permit only allows you the chance to see them however we have managed to see the gorillas every time in the last 20 years.
“What language are the tours conducted in?“
English – if you don’t know English, by the end of the tour you will.
“Can I bring my own tent?“
We supply good tents – but if you have one you like your welcome to bring it
“I can’t cook?“
On some of our trips you will be cooking as part of a group, while on others we have cooks. Get in touch to see what style of trip you want to book. If it’s a trip your cooking on, don’t worry about that, as there is always someone around who can help. It’s not a gourmet experience and most people are so hungry, living in the outdoors all day, that they won’t be fussy
“I’m a single traveller – does that matter?“
No, as over half the people who join our trips come alone the rest with a friend or so don’t worry about coming alone, as many people do.
“Do you have luggage restrictions?“
Yes. Most airlines restrict you to 25 kilos of luggage, which will limit what you bring. Bring a back pack or duffel bag, day bag & sleeping kit. The trucks are designed for storing backpacks or duffel bags – suitcases – don’t bring them, as they don’t fit
“Which way do the seats face in the overland expedition vehicle?“
Sidewards and forward and rearward facing seats, as well. Our safari truck design has evolved over the years we have been operating and our seating layout gives our you greater room to move.
“I have particular dietary requirements – is that a problem?“
No, most diets can be catered for but note ingredients can be limited. If you do have a particular dietary requirement or medical condition, other than being a vegetarian, tell us at the time of booking.
“I want to know the equivalent price in my local currency?“
The tour cost can be worked out in your local currency using the exchange rate of the day.
“How can I make a booking? “
Use the booking form on this website Just complete the bookings form and pay your deposit to get your seat. Full payment is due 60/90 days [depending on the trip] before departure. To travel with us you must have travel insurance. You don’t have to pay by credit card. A cheque/draft, bank transfer or online transaction will do.
You can book our trips from anywhere in the world with the confidence that you’ll get the best price as we don’t add a premium for different currencies. By booking and paying online your payment will be automatically converted to the UK price at the exchange rate of the day.
“How many people are on tour?“
We travel with any number from 4 to 30 people on a truck.
“Can I drink the water on the truck?“
Yes, though it’s safe to drink bottled water is readily available and most people prefer to drink it.
“Where is the best place to get medical advice before travelling?
From your doctor, Medical Centre or medical, or recognised international medical authority. We can offer guidelines but do not rely on any advice given on online forums or other travellers. Everyone is an individual where medical needs are concerned.
“Do I need to take malaria pills?”
Yes, seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic