Premier overland tours and safaris define the highest level of comfort and service available on an overland tour. If you want to experience the thrill of an authentic African overland tour with added comfort, a Premier overland tour is the perfect fit. This type of tour offers a more intimate, hands-off adventure while keeping you closely connected to the wild.
Small group sizes: Trips are capped at a maximum of 12 to 16 travellers
Private facilities: You are guaranteed your own en-suite bathroom every night.
No participation required: The dedicated crew handles all the driving, cooking, and logistics—no pitching tents or camp chores are required.
Grounded comfort: Sleep in characterful 2 to 4-star lodges, chalets, or permanent tented camps.
More space: Travel in custom-built overland vehicles designed to give smaller groups a more comfortable drive.
While these tours offer wonderful conveniences, you are still embarking on a true African expedition rather than a 5-star luxury stay.
The “Premier” title highlights the smaller group size and en-suite facilities, but the journey itself remains wonderfully rugged. You will still travel long distances over bumpy dirt roads to reach breathtaking, highly remote areas like the Okavango Delta. Because these tours venture deep into the wild, the accommodations are intentionally rustic, and things like Wi-Fi or electricity may be limited. It is a fantastic way to experience the real Africa comfortably, prioritizing a genuine connection with nature over high-end luxury.
A Premier overland tour represents the absolute top tier of service and comfort available within the overland travel category. It is important to realize that the Premier label describes the entire service-driven experience; it is not a traditional 5-star luxury hotel experience, but rather a seamless, high-comfort overland safari designed for the discerning adventurer.
Service & Peace of Mind: A Zero-Participation Journey
The defining feature of a Premier tour is the freedom to completely relax. On traditional overland trips, travelers pitch in with campsite chores, but on our Premier level, the journey is 100% non-participatory.
No Chores or Camp Duties: There is zero expectation for you to assist with daily chores, vehicle packing, or camp maintenance.
Fully Prepared Meals: You will never have to cook or wash dishes on tour. All breakfasts and dinners are fully prepared, provided, and served directly by your lodges.
Dedicated 2-Person Crew: You are looked after by two highly experienced crew members. One acts as your specialized Tour Leader/Guide to share the magic of Africa, and the other handles all logistics, meals, and vehicle needs, allowing your guides to focus purely on your group’s experience.
Upgraded Fleet: Travel in Comfort
Transport is at the heart of any true African road trip. Premier tours utilize the newest, most modern fleets, capping group sizes at a maximum of 12 to 16 guests per departure to ensure ample space and a tighter group dynamic. Depending on your specific route, you will travel in one of three premium, custom-built vehicle types:
12 or 16-Seater Custom Overland Trucks: Engineered specifically for rugged African conditions, these heavy-duty vehicles utilize a specialized, ultra-reliable suspension system to conquer rough terrain safely. They feature individual reclining and swivel seats, extra legroom, personal safes, on-board cooling systems, and individual USB charging points.
12-Seater Quantums: Frequently used on wildlife-heavy routes (such as Etosha, Chobe, or Kruger), these vehicles are designed with spacious seating, climate control, USB chargers, and integrated skylight ceiling windows for pristine wildlife viewing.
Purpose-Selected Accommodations
While you will always retreat to comfortable lodges featuring rooms with private, en-suite facilities, the properties on Premier routes are chosen based on strategic geographical areas and cultural significance rather than a luxury rating.
The criteria for selection include:
Wildlife Proximity: Stops chosen specifically to keep you on the immediate doorstep of national parks and game reserves.
Absolute Natural Beauty: Locations selected entirely because they showcase the most dramatic, breathtaking landscapes and viewpoints the continent has to offer.
Cultural Immersion: Stays chosen to facilitate a deep, authentic connection to local communities and traditions.
Distances & Expectations
Africa is a continent of vast horizons and unpredictable adventure. To get the most out of your experience, it helps to keep a few logistical realities in mind:
Days on Tour: A typical day begins early (often between 06:00 and 07:00) to maximize wildlife activity or get ahead of the day’s travel. Your crew will build in regular stops along the route for bathrooms, photo opportunities, and stretching your legs where facilities are best. Lunch is typically a quick, refreshing stop on the road.
Vast Distances: Expect a true road-trip rhythm. Average driving distances sit around 350 km per day, though remote stretches can occasionally reach up to 650 km. Depending on local road maintenance, some travel days can involve up to 8 to 10 hours on the move.
Wild Infrastructure: Premier travel gives you the highest comforts available, but we are still exploring wild, remote regions. Road conditions will vary from smooth tar to bumpy gravel, and local electricity or cellular signals can occasionally be intermittent. Embracing these spontaneous moments is all part of the authentic African adventure!
Because Premier overland tours utilize specialized vehicles, the rules around luggage are slightly more accommodating than standard camping trucks, but because we are still on an overland road trip, packing efficiently is key. Here are some packing tips to ensure you are prepared.
Unlike standard overland tours which strictly mandate a squishable backpack or a soft duffel bag to cram into narrow individual lockers, the vehicle setup on our Premier tours gives you more flexibility.
The Weight Limit: You are permitted a total weight of 23 kg (51 lbs) for your main checked luggage.
Suitcases Allowed: Hard-shell suitcases are permitted on our Premier tier. However, they must adhere to standard dimensions of approximately 80 cm wide x 30 cm high x 60 cm deep to fit securely in the vehicle’s specialized overhead or rear storage compartments.
The Daily Daypack: In addition to your main bag, you should bring a small daypack (backpack style). You will keep this at your feet or on the overhead shelf during drives to hold your essentials: camera gear, binoculars, a water bottle, sunscreen, and layers of clothing.
Smart Packing Guidelines for the Road
Because your accommodation is fully provided with en-suite bathrooms and towels, you can leave all bulky camping gear behind. Instead, focus on clothing and utilities:
The Safari Palette: Pack lightweight, breathable clothing in neutral tones (khaki, olive, tan, or grey). Avoid bright whites (which attract dust), dark blues, and blacks (which attract biting tsetse flies in certain regions).
Layering is Essential: Mornings in an open or ventilated safari vehicle can be incredibly chilly, while afternoons can bring intense heat. Pack a windbreaker or warm fleece jacket alongside your light daytime t-shirts.
Footwear: You do not need heavy mountaineering boots unless your specific itinerary features dedicated trekking. A sturdy pair of broken-in walking shoes, trail runners, or comfortable closed-toe shoes is perfect for game drives and light nature walks.
Power & Tech: Your Premier vehicles are equipped with USB charging ports. Bring your charging cables in your daypack so you can charge your phone or camera battery on the move. Don’t forget a small South African/regional adapter plug for your hotel rooms at night. (Check out our guide on the latest tech & gadgets needed for your upcoming tour)
Dust Protection: Overland travel can be dusty, even in premium vehicles. A lightweight scarf, buff, or bandana is great for protecting your face during game drives, and a simple dry bag zip-pouch will protect your camera lenses and electronics from fine dust.
