Keen to get along with your travel companions and maybe even make new friends? Here are some etiquette tips for overland tours to help foster a comfortable and happy group dynamic.
There are certain niceties and thoughtful behaviours to bear in mind with any kind of group travel. Punctuality for morning departures, for instance, really matters. But if you’ve never been on an overland group tour, there might be some circumstances and behaviours you haven’t thought through before. Also, not everyone is a master at reading other people …
A plea to easygoing folks to keep reading!
I feel this blog post is an especially worthwhile read for easygoing people. Such folks are often quite confident and don’t sweat the small things. That’s a lovely way to be, but it can also translate into behaviours that don’t appreciate the needs or limitations of others. For instance, some people are especially sensitive to certain sensory inputs, like loud or repetitive sounds. And then there are those with greater personal space or privacy concerns, among other things.
On top of this, remember that not everyone is able or comfortable, for various reasons, to vocalise their needs and preferences to others, especially strangers. So if you know you’re not always good at picking up on subtle social cues, it’s worth it to think through these things. It would be a pity to lose out on some lovely camaraderie and relationships when a little forethought would save you stepping on toes.
With this in mind, here are a few etiquette tips for overlanding trips so that you can gel well as a group …
1. Mute all sounds on your phone and camera, including haptics
Drive times are when many folks on overland tours browse their photos and catch up on their messaging. Be sure your phone and camera are muted in all respects. A beep every time you delete a photo, for instance, can be very irritating.
Note that even repeated phone vibrations can be annoying in a quiet setting. Part of the appeal of a trip like an overland tour is getting away from electronic notifications and reminders of an overly online life.
2. Ask at the outset how people feel about photographs
Not everyone enjoys having their photo taken when they’re unaware or not posing for it. And certainly not everyone appreciates having their image shared online without their permission. I recommend discussing the matter of photos and photo-sharing at the outset of the journey so you understand people’s preferences and can respect them.
3. Avoid monopolising the tour guide’s attention
Most tour guides welcome questions, but it’s worth choosing your moment – especially if you have many. It can be frustrating for a group if one person constantly interrupts the guide. It can be difficult for the guide too, as they sometimes want to deliver a story or prepared speech on a topic. So rather hold onto your questions for a later moment when the guide isn’t addressing the group as a whole.
4. Consider your noise levels – in the vehicle, at destinations, and at night
It’s important to chat, laugh, and have a fun time in the overlanding vehicle. But please be mindful of those periods on long commutes when others are clearly wanting to rest or doze. In other words, don’t talk loudly and incessantly throughout a drive. Also, save very crinkly chip packets and loud chewing for noisy periods – not when all else is quiet.
When in nature, like on a safari drive or hike, remember that animals and especially birds will flee from loud or sudden noises. Take your cue from your guide as to the level of volume that’s appropriate – if they’re whispering, you should whisper too.
On some overland tours, you sleep in close quarters. This is especially the case on budget tours where you stay in tents or huts positioned near one another. If you make a lot of noise, from rustling around in your backpack to talking, this can be disruptive to others. Nothing sours relations so quickly as one person messing with another’s sleep!
5. Be mindful to share window seats throughout the journey
Another etiquette tip for overland tours is to take turns sitting by the window if your vehicle is full. Personally, I would even vocalise this intention near the start of the trip to put everyone at ease about the matter.
6. Embrace the everyone-pitches-in ethos of an overland tour
Overland tours aren’t luxury trips where everything is done for you by staff. It’s a more participatory experience. Usually you’re required to help unload and reload bags and other equipment, set up tents if camping, and more besides. Some people love being of service, but it’s important to do your bit even if you find such chores trying. It’s just about pulling your weight, which helps to foster a sense of team spirit.
Learn more about life on the road during an overland tour in Africa by someone who’s been there, done that. And head here to look at some of the most popular overland tours offered by African Overland Tours.
Note: This blog post was originally titled “10 tips on how to irritate your fellow travellers” and was written by Brownyn Paxton in December 2013. It was given a new focus and completely rewritten by Megan Abigail White in June 2026.
