20 Day South African Odyssey (Camping)

Tour Details

Tour Style Camping
Length 20 days
Countries Visited South Africa
Starts Pretoria
Ends Cape Town
Group Size Max 16
Age Range 18 years +
Tour SKU CAS2520
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What You'll Experience

*Highlights are included in the Activity Package

Why You'll Love this Tour

Are you looking for an epic adventure that ticks all the boxes? Explore South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini over the course of 20 days! Discover the diverse landscapes, iconic wildlife, and rich cultures of Southern Africa on this budget-friendly camping adventure.

Tour Price

Currency conversion estimated. Base currency is South African Rand (ZAR)


FROM

Original price was: R54,950.Current price is: R46,708.

+ Optional Activity Package USD 180

15% OFF departures between 09 Dec 2024 to 31 Mar 2025 | 10% OFF departures between 01 Apr 2025 to 31 Dec 2025 (For more information please speak to your travel consultant)

Dates Tour Length: 20 days


Currency estimated. Base currency is South African Rand (ZAR)


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Included

  • Meals - 19 Breakfasts, 16 Lunches, 16 Dinners
  • Accommodation - 14 nights twin share camping in dome tents, 2 nights twin share room with en suite facilities(Durban), 2 nights twin share room with shared facilities (Malealea),1 night dorm (Hermanus)
  • Fully Equipped Safari Vehicle
  • Camping And Cooking Equipment
  • All Road Tolls and Vehicle Taxes
  • All Ground Transportation
  • Sleeping Mattress
  • Services of two crew
  • Panorama Route
  • Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Royal Enclosure/ Eswatini Village St Lucia Boat Cruise*
  • Battlefields
  • Royal Natal National Park
  • Drakensberg Mountains
  • Mountain Zebra National Park Game Drive
  • Addo Elephant National Park, Game Drives
  • Garden Route
  • Cape Agulhas
  • Wine Tasting
 

Excluded

  • Activity Package 
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance (Get Adventure Travel Insurance) and medical insurance
  • Flights
  • Departure taxes
  • Airport transfers
  • Sleeping bag
  • Optional activities
  • Tips
  • Drinks
  • Items of a personal nature

Activities

Some of the activities you can take part in on this tour.

Included in Activity Package (Additional fee applies)


Other Activities

  • Kruger Night Game Drive
  • Mountain Biking Tour, Horse Riding, Sunset Game Drive, Guided Bird Tour, Guided Walk
  • Durban City Tour
  • Moses Mabhida Stadium Big Swing
  • Underberg Area - Hiking and Walking Trails
  • Guided Tugela Falls Hike
  • Pony Trek to Waterfalls and Bushman Paintings, Bushman Paintings Pony Trek, 1 Hour Pony Ride to Village, Guided Hiking Trails, Mountain Biking, Village, School, and Museum Hike (3 Hours)
  • Plettenberg Bay Bungee Jump, Bridge Walk, Half Day Tubing
  • Hermanus Whale Watching/Cruise
  • Shark Cage Diving
Optional Activities available on this tour at your own expense (Prices subject to change)

Itinerary

Day 1: Pretoria – Greater Kruger, South Africa

As we travel from South Africa’s administrative capital, Pretoria, to the Panorama Route where we can view Blyde River Canyon, we will be enjoying the breathtaking mountain scenery of the Mpumalanga province. On our way to Hazyview, we cross the border into Kruger National Park. There are approximately 24000 square kilometers of Greater Kruger, which was formed a few years ago when fences were removed between the National Park and the surrounding private reserves. The fauna and flora of the enormous area are incredibly diverse, as wildlife roams freely. Almost every major African mammal is present, including the dwarf mongoose and the ‘Big Five’. Over 330 varieties of trees can also be found here, as well as prolific birdlife. Under the African stars, we experience our first prolific birdlife and over 330 tree species. This evening we enjoy our first night under the African stars.

Accommodation: Numbi Hotel (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Dinner
Distance Covered: ± 390 km
Approximate Driving Time: 7 hours

Day 2: Kruger National Park, South Africa

Early in the morning, we eagerly await the Park Rangers to let us into Kruger National Park for an intensive yet rewarding day of game tracking with our eagle-eyed guide. We enthusiastically search for over 505 species of birds, 148 species of mammals, and many reptiles in Kruger National Park during the mornings and afternoons. You can understand why the park is regarded so highly by wildlife enthusiasts all over the world because of its impressive atmosphere. The rest camp offers a peaceful atmosphere away from the hot midday sun. Restaurants, souvenir stores, swimming pools, and souvenir shops are all available for game viewers. The day’s events have left us exhausted and highly satisfied as we return to our camp in the late afternoon. You can also go on a night safari if you’d like more game driving action. Dinner is served around a warm fire in the stillness of the night.

Accommodation: Numbi Hotel (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Kruger Night Game Drive

Day 3: Kruger National Park, South Africa

For our second game diving day, we re-enter the Park in an open 4×4 safari vehicle after a light sunrise breakfast. Our mornings and afternoons are spent wandering along marked routes and off beaten tracks, spotting many local species. In Kruger National Park, there is an unparalleled variety of ecosystems that boast an incredible concentration of wildlife and we hope to see some of them, including the ‘Big 5’ of elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards, lions, and buffalo. Our camp is reached in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Numbi Hotel (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Kruger Night Game Drive

Day 4: Kruger National Park – Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Eswatin

As we travel south from Hazyview, we pass many farming towns and Shangaan settlements. In Eswatini, a land-locked country nestled between Mozambique and South Africa, we travel through lush citrus farms after a brief stop in Nelspruit. In the stunning Ezulwini Valley, ‘Valley of Heavens’, we arrive at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Eswatini’s oldest protected area.

Accommodation: Mlilwane Camp (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Covered: ± 450 km
Approximate Driving Time: 8 hours

Day 5: The Kingdom of Eswatini, South Africa

While enjoying breakfast, we listen to grunting antelope and exotic birds and take in the natural beauty of our surroundings. In the Royal Enclosure, we discover the culture and history of the last African country under monarchy control. We are guided through a traditional Swazi village by a Swazi guide who explains many of the customs and rituals. Lunch follows our leisurely stroll through street markets and bartering with crafters. The sanctuary offers many activities in the afternoon, such as horseback riding trails, game drives, mountain biking, guided walks, and just relaxing around the pool with a book. Here you will find over forty species of animals, including exotic ones like Honey Badgers, Dwarf Mongooses, Aardwolves, Striped Polecats, and more common ones like Hippos, Ostriches, Kudu, Zebras, and Baboons. While our crew prepares a delicious dinner, you can enjoy cool sundowners and admire the view of the hippo pool.

Accommodation: Mlilwane camp (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Covered: ± 60 km
Optional Activities: Mountain Biking Tour, Horse Riding, Sunset Game Drive, Guided Bird Tour, Guided Walk

Day 6: Eswatini – St Lucia, South Africa

Our journey south through the Swazi countryside ends at the KwaZulu-Natal border, where we cross back into South Africa. Our next stop is St Lucia, a small coastal town set among wild beaches and a tropical estuary. We will enjoy a river cruise on the St. Lucia Lagoon, where we can view Hippo pods, lazy crocodiles, and numerous bird species on the sand banks, or cool off in the water. Watching the stars in the southern hemisphere sky after dinner in the camp gardens.

Accommodation: Monzi (or similar) – Twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Mountain Biking Tour, Horse Riding, Sunset Game Drive, Guided Bird Tour, Guided Walk
Distance Covered: ± 330 km
Approximate Driving Time: 7 hours

Day 7: St Lucia – Durban, South Africa

Spend your morning exploring the town and its numerous shops and markets or simply relaxing at the campsite. The drive from St Lucia to Durban, one of Africa’s largest commercial ports, takes us through pine forests and sugar cane fields. You can enjoy the lively nightlife of this city in the afternoon at your leisure.

Accommodation: Road Lodge (or similar) – Twin share accommodation with en-suite facilities
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities: City Tour
Distance Covered: ± 260 km
Approximate Driving Time: 4 hours

Day 8: Durban, South Africa

Enjoy a leisurely day exploring Durban’s beauty today. The Golden Mile is a stretch of quality restaurants with a view along the Durban beachfront, known as the Golden Mile. Try the delicious Durban Curry, a local specialty. Discover Africa’s largest marine theme park, uShaka Marine World, which boasts the largest shark collection in the Southern Hemisphere. Take part in scuba diving or ride the water slides to find your thrill. A 360-degree view of Durban can be enjoyed from the ‘big swing’ at the Moses Mabhida stadium.

Accommodation: Road Lodge (or similar) – Twin share accommodation with en-suite facilities
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities: Moses Mabhida Stadium Big Swing

Day 9: Durban – Underberg Area, South Africa

In the morning, we head inland via Pietermaritzburg and the lush mountainous countryside to our camp at Sani Lodge. Sani Pass is the gateway to Lesotho’s mountain kingdom and is situated at the foot of this magnificent place. Mule tracks were once used to trade blankets, clothing, and maize meal for wool and mohair. The Drakensberg escarpment is accessible only via this stunning pass. You can enjoy the spectacular views and the many hiking and walking trails this afternoon at your leisure.

Accommodation: Sani Lodge (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Hiking and Walking Trails
Distance Covered: ± 220 km
Approximate Driving Time: 3 hours

Day 10: Underberg Area – Sani Pass, South Africa

Our guide will take us across the spectacular Sani Pass (2874 m) on a guided tour of Lesotho today. A 4×4 vehicle takes us through the rugged cliffs of the Drakensberg Mountains as we listen to stories of pioneering, history, and the stunning wildlife that can be seen along their slopes. In a shepherds village in Lesotho, we visit a small household and a shearing shed. It is possible that we will see an angora goat or a sheep being sheared by hand depending on the season and shearing times. A picnic lunch overlooking the majestic views awaits us on the Black Mountain, the second highest road pass in Lesotho at 3240m. Taking a short walk after lunch to view Thabana Ntlenyana, we meet the shepherds who tend to their flocks during the summer months. In Southern Africa, this is the highest point at 3482m. The Sani Mountain Lodge’s highest bar is the highest in Africa on our way back to our camp for the night.

Accommodation: Sani Lodge (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Hiking and Walking Trails
Distance Covered: ± 30 km
Approximate Driving Time: Full Day Tour

Day 11: Underberg area – Battlefields – Drakensberg, South Africa

As we drive to the Battlefields today, we take in some history. There is a deep-seated silence at the Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal thanks to the many lives lost here by British, Boer and Zulu soldiers. On our way through the historic sites, we stop off at a few of them. At our lodge, we can play table tennis, foosball, pool, or relax in the nearby rock pool in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Amphitheatre Lodge (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Covered: ± 240 km
Approximate Driving Time: 5 Hours

Day 12: Drakensberg, South Africa

Traveling the short distance to the Royal Natal National Park entrance gate, we pack up our day packs. Within the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, this KwaZulu-Natal reserve offers stunning views, lofty mountains, and waterfalls. A comprehensive guidebook is available for visitors to explore the trails on foot and on horseback. A half-day or full-day excursion can provide a half- or full-day excursion for walkers and hikers. It’s a great way to explore the breathtaking landscape at the foot of the Drakensberg, including the famous Amphitheatre rock face. The tour also includes a visit to some ancient cave dwellings and a view of bush rock art. In the evening, we enjoy a healthy dinner while taking advantage of the stillness and crisp clean air of the Drakensberg.

Accommodation: Amphitheatre Lodge (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Guided Tugela Falls Hike

Day 13: Drakensberg – Malealea, South Africa

Today we depart the Drakensberg en route to Maseru Bridge Gate, re-entering Lesotho after driving through the northern section of Lesotho. Driving through narrow mountain passes, we arrive at Malealea Lodge, perched high above the mountains. The Malealea Lodge is located in the Mafeteng District of Western Lesotho, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and offering an array of optional activities to get to know the local culture.

Accommodation: Malealea Lodge (or similar) – Twin share accommodation with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Covered: ± 350 km
Approximate Driving Time: 8 Hours

Day 14: Malealea, South Africa

Take advantage of the many optional activities available today to explore this beautiful mountainous country. You can climb and descend narrow paths with spectacular views on a mountain bike in the mountains. As the Basotho people go about their daily duties, enjoy a hike at leisure. The pony trek, however, is one of the most important parts of any visit to Lesotho. There are some incredible waterfalls in Lesotho along the trails that traverse hair-raising narrow mountain tracks. The area is rich in Bushman paintings, and you can experience Basotho culture all in one day.

Accommodation: Malealea Lodge (or similar) – Twin share accommodation with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Pony Trek to Waterfalls and Bushman Paintings, Bushman Paintings Pony Trek, 1 Hour Pony Ride to Village, Guided Hiking Trails, Mountain Biking, Village, School, and Museum Hike (3 Hours)

Day 15: Malealea – Mountain Zebra National Park, South Africa

Leaving the Lesotho highlands, we cross into South Africa early in the morning. There are over 700 animals in this park, including eland, cape buffalo, cheetah, lion, caracal, black rhino, and bat eared fox. Cape Mountain zebras, after which the park is named, make up the majority of the park’s mammalian fauna. While en-route to our camp for the evening in the National Park, we game drive in our vehicle in search of these animals.

Accommodation: Mountain Zebra National Park Rest Camp (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Covered: ± 430 km
Approximate Driving Time: 9 Hours

Day 16: Mountain Zebra National Park – Addo Elephant National Park – Port Elizabeth area

Today, we drive to the Addo Elephant National Park where we spend the day exploring the park for some serious animal spotting. Addo can exclusively claim to be the only national park in the world to conserve the “Big 7” – the Big 5 as well as the southern right whale and great white shark off the Algoa Bay coast. This wonderful park is sanctuary to over 600 elephants, lion, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra species – so you are sure to spot many animals during your time here! After an enjoyable day’s safari, we make our way to our accommodation, which is situated a few metres from the beachfront just outside of Port Elizabeth.

Accommodation: Willows Resort (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Covered: ± 300 km
Approximate Driving Time: 5 Hours

Day 17: Port Elizabeth Area – Storms River – Tsitsikamma Forest – Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Early in the morning, we make our way over to Storms River within the Tsitsikamma forest for an exciting adventure. With dramatic coastal scenery, reefs, rivers, lush forest, and delicate Fynbos, Tsitsikamma National Park is a multi-faceted destination. In the magnificent Garden Route National Park, this region is a hiking and birding paradise. Your energy and interests will determine which optional activities you choose here. Visitors’ curiosity and exploration desires can be satisfied with boat cruises, canoe trips, nature hikes, and birdwatching in the forest. Another option is to jump off one of the highest bungee jumps in the world off the famous Bloukrans Bridge.

Accommodation: Plettenberg Bay Forever Resorts (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Bungee Jump, Bridge Walk, Half Day Tubing
Distance Covered: ± 230 km
Approximate Driving Time: 4 Hours

Day 18: Plettenberg Bay – Oudtshoorn, South Africa

After breakfast, we’ll travel to Oudtshoorn, which lies between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains in the Klein Karoo. A number of farms are located in the dry Karoo around Oudtshoorn, which is the ostrich capital of the world. The Cango Caves are Africa’s largest show cave system, located in this region. These dripstone caverns, situated on a limestone ridge parallel to the well-known Swartberg Mountains, feature vast halls and towering formations. In the Karoo, we spend the night in an old settlers’ town after exploring the caves.

Accommodation: Kleinplaas (or similar) – Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Covered: ± 150 km
Approximate Driving Time: 3 Hours

Day 19: Oudtshoorn – Hermanus, South Africa

The wonderful hospitality of Oudtshoorn has rejuvenated our minds and bodies. As we drive south, we can see whales and dolphins in Hermanus. As we travel south along the southern coast of Africa, we visit Cape Agulhas at the point where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. During winter storms, rogue waves can reach a height of 30 metres along the Cape coastline, an area notorious for its hazardous nature. Shipwrecks can be found along the coastline as a result. After visiting the 1848 lighthouse, a lunch break is taken. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Hermanus is the perfect place to spend the afternoons! Our nights are spent inhaling the cool breeze and taking in the town’s atmosphere.

Accommodation: Hermanus Backpackers (or similar) – Dorm bed with shared facilities
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities: Hermanus Whale Watching/Cruise
Distance Covered: ± 420 km
Approximate Driving Time: 8 Hours

Day 20: Hermanus – Cape Town

The town’s variety of shops and boardwalk can be explored on foot or the Old Harbour Open-Air Museum is a provincial heritage site and is a great place to spend a free morning in Hermanus. One of only two fishing harbours in the world that has been preserved intact, the museum is a fascinating example of the vibrant fishing industry. Hermanus’ fishing village was developed around the museum. The rough coastline route takes us through small fishing towns before we leave Hermanus before lunch. Our tour includes a winery visit and wine tasting en route to Cape Town. In the popular South African mother city, Cape Town, the tour draws to a close at the foot of Table Mountain in the late afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities: Shark Cage Diving
Distance Covered: ± 130 km
Approximate Driving Time: 3 Hours

 

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.

Pre Departure

Pre-Departure Meeting

  • Pre-departure meetings are usually held the evening before the tour starts.
  • Most overland tours begin in Nairobi, Kampala, Dar es salaam, Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Windhoek, Swakopmund, Cape Town or Johannesburg and held on the evening prior to the safari departure date at 6pm.

Zanzibar Excursion

  • If Zanzibar is included in your tour, you will enjoy an excursion to the Zanzibar Island which includes a ferry ride for about approximately 2 hours
  • The overland vehicle remains in Dar es salaam while you explore the island.
  • Your accommodation on the island is included on the Adventure Pass, but not the meals (Lunch and Dinner)
  • More information on the tour will be given while on tour
  • You will only need a backpack for your excursion to the island (Your main back pack will be left at the truck).
  • A list of items to pack for your excursion are the following:
  • Passport (the island considers itself ‘apart’ and you must carry your passport when entering and leaving)
  • Yellow Fever Certificate (Compulsory!)
  • Change of clothes in your day pack, swimsuit, sun screen, hat, small first aid kit and towel, anti-malarials
  • Money : * US$ 10 – $25 per day (other meals)
  • US$ 75 – 150 (drinks, curious, local tours, etc)

Important Touring Tips:

  • The itinerary is a guide ONLY and is subject to change
  • There is a mix of different nationalities, ages and cultures on every tour
  • Space in the truck is limited – PLEASE DON’T BRING TOO MUCH LUGGAGE!
  • The tours are high adventure tours, so don’t expect European Coach tours or lodge safaris
  • The tours are often created in a circular route i.e. where one tour ends, another begins
  • The rate is the same throughout the year
  • All meals are served from the truck unless specified otherwise
  • Should you be travelling to Kenya. The Kenya government has instituted a Zero Tolerance on usage of All Plastic Bags. On the spot fines (400 USD) are being issued.

What are adventure tours?

These are adventure tours perfect for people who enjoy camping and the outdoors. You get to experience the “real Africa” by camping out at night, sitting around the campfire, taking in beautiful scenery, visiting local shops and getting to know the locals.

What is a typical day?

A typical day on either your camping or accommodated Africa overland tour starts with an early morning wake-up call and a cup of tea or coffee followed by breakfast. Campers pack-up their campsite while comfort travellers check-out of their accommodation and hit the road.

We set off to our next destination travelling through a vast variety of landscapes, making our own new memories with new friends. Each day in Africa offers a new experience from an early morning sunrise hike, quad biking, sky dive or guided nature walk. The options are endless!

We have shorter travel days arriving at our campsite by midday or early afternoon, to enjoy lunch before joining our afternoon activity or simply enjoying a relaxed afternoon at your own pace.

On our longer travel days an early start ensures an earlier arrival at our campsite. We stop off at scenic spots to stretch our legs and take in the scenery, before lunch is enjoyed at a shady spot en-route. A mid- to-late afternoon arrival at our campsite allows us to set up camp, enjoy a beautiful sunset and end the day sitting around the campfire, under the stars.

Our best advice: expect the unexpected as this is Africa! We travel mainly on gravel roads and poorly kept tarmac roads – both setting the pace at which we travel. We do our best to arrive at our next destination, safety is our number one priority and while our overland vehicles are comfortable and spacious, they are not sports cars!

What type of vehicles do we use?

  • A custom-built, comfortable, safe and self-sufficient Africa overland truck to withstand the rugged African terrain.
  • Various vehicles are used on varying tours, with each offering comfortable seats with ample leg room.
  • Each vehicle has large glass windows for uninterrupted views and perfect for game drives.
  • Smaller 4×4 land cruiser type vehicles are used for game viewing in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, due to the roads being tougher and too narrow for the overland trucks.
  • Each overland vehicle includes a passenger safe to safely keep money + passports + flight tickets + credit cards. The keys are kept with your Tour Leader who will advise of safety requirements in place concerning the safe.Who is suited to go on an adventure tour?
  • Almost anyone can go on an adventure.
  • Some level of fitness is required due to accessing the vehicle and spending long days on bumpy roads (can take it out of you).

EAST AFRICA TOURS require a more adventurous, fearless attitude and are suited to a younger traveller.
If you are planning to trek with the Mountain Gorillas or climbing Mount Killi you will need to have a higher fitness level.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON A CAMPING OR ACCOMMODATED TOUR

Camping Tours:

A camping safari is for travellers who want a hands-on experience of Mother Nature. The guide(s) will do most of the work, but you will be required to assist with various tasks such as preparing the food, washing up, cleaning out the truck and setting up the campsite and your tent. If you dream of a lifetime African adventure, embark on a journey with us sleeping under the stars while listening to the sounds of wildlife in the distance.

We offer camping safaris suited to travellers who may prefer to travel in a younger group (aged 18 to 39). Or, you can choose a mixed age group (18 to 60). A camping safari must not be underestimated and will require active participation which means good health and a fair degree of fitness. We have a tour to suit what you have in mind, so please do not hesitate to enquire with us.

During an African camping safari you will stay in large two-man dome canvas tents which are spacious enough for two adults and your luggage. Or, you can opt to have your own tent by including the single supplement (valid on select camping tours).

Your tents are put up and taken down easily – your Tour Leader will show you exactly how to do this and help out when you are unsure. All tents are well-ventilated by means of a tent-door and window, covered with mosquito net. They also include a fly-sheet for the rain.

Most camping safaris include a sleeping mat (please do check with us upon enquiry). You need to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and towel. All meals are prepared at the truck and you will be required to assist with the preparation.

The African campsites are basic and comfortable and you will be able to upgrade your accommodation at most of the places, but this is subject to availability. Most have warm showers and flushing ablutions, while others may have natural ablutions. Some places visited are bush camps where there are no facilities.

Accommodated Tours:

Accommodated safaris are ideal for travellers who prefer to experience African wildlife and adventure with extra comforts. You are surrounded by vast landscapes and wildlife, curiously roaming at your door-step. It is comfort, without the price tag!

Our accommodated safaris make use of a combination of lodges, hostels, bungalows, chalets, permanent safari camps, hotels and traditional huts. Our properties are ideally located at each destination for an authentic experience with incredible views.

We book Twin rooms if you are travelling with a partner or friend and Single rooms for single travellers (including single supplement). Most of the time we stay in 1-3 star properties with en-suite bathrooms in Southern Africa. In Eastern Africa we offer a combination of en-suite and shared bathrooms. In the case of shared bathrooms, you will be sharing with friends on your tour. Please bring your own towels as these are not always provided.

Select accommodated safaris include a camp assistant to help out with the smaller aspects of your vacation.

The standard of the properties varies along the trip. The Southern Africa properties are much more established than the East Africa accommodation. They vary from basic (but comfortable) to lovely properties. Due to the remote nature of the trips, accommodation choices are limited.

Distances and Road Conditions:

Our tours cover long distances so you can see significant amounts of Africa this means that there will be long days spent on the road often with nothing to look at except vast open plains. You can spend between 350km and 650km a day in the truck so it is important to be prepared.

What will you eat on safari?

Our Africa overland vehicles are fully stocked with dry goods at the start of each tour. We buy fresh produce (fruit and vegetables) almost daily to ensure fresh, good quality and tasty meals. Over the summer months fresh produce is not always available due to the heat and humidity, especially in East Africa and Mozambique – so we may have to skip tomatoes from lunch or opt for rice instead of potatoes at dinner.

Each Africa overland camping and accommodated tour include meals as per the itinerary. Often, we may only include breakfast and lunch, allowing you to enjoy dinner at a local market or restaurant. Drinks such as tea, coffee and fruit juice is included with every meal, but exclude bottle water, beer, soft drinks, alcohol etc. – these can be bought en-route or at your campsite bar.

We do cater for most dietary requirements (allergies, vegetarian, lactose-intolerant). Other requirements (gluten-free) may be more challenging on remote routes (i.e. East Africa) where starch is a stable-food in Africa. Please do speak to us about your dietary requirements and we will advise according to your trip. You will be amazed by the variety of tasty meals prepared on an open-fire!

Almost all your meals are pre-prepared over an open campfire or on the gas stove in your overland vehicle. All cooking equipment such as pots, pans, cutlery and crockery is included for you. Excellent hygiene standards are maintained at all times preparing food and washing up of kitchen equipment. Your guides will provide you with a separate washing up basin to wash hands in warm soapy water before and after each meal.

Our camping tours are limited participation tours, whereby we ask you to help out with daily chores (putting up / taking down tents) and help out your guides at meal times (rinsing, chopping vegetables).

So what are the meals like on tour? We have included a few meal options as a guideline:

Breakfast:

Tea/coffee and juice + cereals + bread/toast + fruit. Take 2 fruits and keep one for a mid-morning snack. An occasional cooked breakfast (bacon, pancakes, eggs) is made when you have more time to allow for this (normally when you spend 2 nights at the same destination).

Lunch:

Juice + bread + cheese + cold meats + salads + fruit (make a sandwich for a mid-afternoon snack)
Juice + fresh rolls + green salad (or rice salad or pasta salad) + fruit.

Dinner:

Tea/coffee and juice + chicken curry + rice, grilled or roast chicken + salad + garlic roll, grilled chicken + vegetables + salad, fish braai + salad, steak + veggies, pasta, stir-fry + rice, casserole, braai (barbeque) + salads + jacket potatoes, soup + fresh rolls.

Drinks

Tea, coffee and cordial drinks are supplied with meals but other cooldrinks and alcohol can be purchased along the way.

What about children on tour?

  • Due to the nature of overland tours the minimum age limit is 18. Younger travellers (10 to 17) travelling with a parent(s) will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the tour, time of travel and tour availability. We do have select tours offering Family Departures, suited for children aged 10 to 17.
  • Privately arranged charter tours’ age limits will be assessed based on the route and type of tour you choose.
  • Please bear in mind that the Gorilla Trekking tours have a minimum age limit of 16 years.

Packing for your tour:

Packing sensibly is essential for your Africa Overland trip. One backpack and one daypack are needed and these can weigh no more than 25kg. A duffel bag is preferable as it will fit into the lockers on the truck, but you can also take a backpack with a compact, flexible, soft shell (without a hard frame). Please do not take suitcases. The airlines implement a 20kg per person limit on international flights for your luggage (your main bag) and a further 5 kg for carry-on luggage (your day bag). A good idea is to include a spare bag for curios that you may purchase, but don’t forget to include this in your weight for your trip home. A moneybelt is a useful item for keeping your money safe and hidden.

Take along comfortable, casual and semi-casual “wash & wear” clothes. Cotton is a good material for when it is hot, and fleece for when it gets cold. Pack clothes that don’t crease easily as the laundry facilities are limited. Find clothes that can be mixed and matched easily and are colour co-ordinated. A great item of clothing is zip-off pants. These double-up as shorts or trousers and are useful for when the weather changes. Reversible clothes are also very convenient and will help to reduce space in your bag.

Clothes:

  • 3-4 short sleeved shirts or T-shirts
  • 2 pairs of trousers or 1 pair and 1 skirt – try not to pack jeans as they take a long time to dry
  • ¾ pants
  • Warm sweater or fleece top
  • 1-2 pairs of shorts
  • Tracksuit pants
  • Light sweater or sweatshirt (can also be used as an additional pillow)
  • Warm fleece top
  • Underwear and socks
  • Hat/peak cap/bandana
  • Gloves
  • Scarves
  • Water/wind-proof jacket
  • Boots or sturdy trainers

Beachwear:

  • Swimsuit
  • Sunglasses
  • Beach towel and/or sarong
  • Sandals or thongs (need to be waterproof if you want to go white-water rafting)

Toiletries:

  • Personal toiletries
  • No electric shavers
  • Hand sanitiser/wipes (waterless sanitisers are convenient)
  • Baby wipes/wet wipes
  • Tissues
  • Moisturiser
  • Face wash
  • Facecloth

Sleepwear:

  • Pyjamas
  • Travel pillow
  • Spare pillowcase
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Fleece blanket

Medication/first aid kit:

  • Prescription medication
  • Anti-histamine cream or tablets
  • Antiseptic cream
  • Sunscreen (high factor) and lip balm
  • Water purifying tablets
  • Pain killers
  • Eye drops
  • Diarrhoea medication
  • Moisturiser
  • Dehydration salts
  • Elastoplasts/band aids
  • Insect repellent (Malaria is a big problem in Africa, so the more protection the better)
  • Sterile dressings

Extras:

  • Water bottle
  • Book (you can swap with the rest of the group)
  • Extra memory/film for your camera (remember to set at the highest resolution as you might want to enlarge the pictures)
  • Head torch
  • Pens
  • Zip-lock bags (medium sized for cameras, snacks, trash etc.)
  • Extra batteries
  • Travel power strip ( a compact three-plug unit that includes two USB connections. With just one wall plug you can charge five gadgets) Buy on Amazon and will help to reduce space in your bag.
  • Penknife
  • Watch
  • Biodegradable laundry detergent
  • Vaccination certificates for some areas
  • Cash
  • Small scrubbing brush
  • A padlock for your luggage locker in the truck
  • The power plugs in SA have 3 round pins. East Africa has British power plugs.

Laundry:

  • There will be washing facilities at most campsites which you can make use of.
  • Please remember to bring some environmentally friendly washing
  • We suggest you take along crease-free clothing as the facilities available for ironing are limited

Safety on Game Drives:

  • When on safari be as quiet as possible at all times and don’t make any sudden movements, this will ensure you don’t disturb the animals and get the most out of your game drive.
  • Do not jump off the truck at any time.

Accommodation (Pre Tour):

  • It is highly recommended to arrive a day before your tour starts so that you do not miss out on the pre departure meetings as it covers important information you need to know for your trip.
  • It is strongly advised that you arrive a day before the tour starts.
  • We do advise letting us know as soon as possible in order for us to make the best hotel reservation for you.
  • Post accommodation can be very easily arranged.

Personal Health:

  • Ensure that the guides know of your medical conditions!!!
  • Let them know how you are feeling.
  • AIDS is an enormous problem in Africa so please be careful and practical, condoms are cheap and freely available.
  • A First Aid Kit is available on the truck for any emergencies.

Vaccinations:

  • Please ensure you seek medical advice from your travel doctor before visiting Africa.
  • You should consult your travel doctor or travel clinic for the latest requirements for Hepatitus A (Havrax), Yellow Fever, Tetanus Booster Shot, Rabies
  • If you are entering a Yellow Fever infected area, you will be required to have a vaccination which can be done at Travel Clinics.
  • Obtain an international Certificate of Vaccination with a valid stamp.
  • Yellow Fever – Valid for 10 years and mandatory for most African countries. It is compulsory to produce a yellow fever certificate when entering Kenya, Zanzibar and Malawi and for taking part in the Gorilla Trek. Failure to present this may result in entry being refused.
  • We also recommend that you ask your doctor about: Typhoid, Tetanus, Hepatitus, Meningitis, Polio, Hepatitus A&B, Cholera
  • Tents have mosquito nets in the vents and it is not generally necessary to bring a separate mosquito net unless you plan to sleep outside, under the stars(in which case you are recommended to bring one)

Malaria:

  • Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes and is more prevalent in areas where there are high concentrations.
  • Malaria is a serious problem in Africa, but if you are cautious and use mosquito repellent and take your malaria tablets you will be safe.
  • Main points to keep in mind about malaria:
    o Cover your skin with long shirts, pants and socks as most mosquito bites occur below the knee.
    o Make sure your mosquito net is tightly closed and doesn’t have any holes in it.
    o Use an effective prophylactic and speak to your doctor about options for anti-malarial tablets
    o Always cover yourself with mosquito repellent, especially at sunset.
    o Please know that malaria cannot be cured!

Water:

  • Dehydration is a common ailment on tour.
  • You should be drinking a minimum of 2 litres of water per day
  • It is preferable to drinking bottled water to avoid diarrhoea, but your guide will advise you as to whether you can drink the water or not.

How others can reach you:

  • The easiest option to keep in touch with your loved ones at home is to buy a SIM card of the respective country you are travelling in.

Photography:

  • You are not permitted to take photographs at the border crossing, government buildings and military institutions.
  • No photographs of the army, police are allowed.
  • Some tribes do not allow their pictures to be taken so please ask your guides before photographing whether it is permissible or not.
  • A fee may have to be paid for photographing the local people.

Crew and Guides

Tour Crew:

Your tour crew are people with a heart of gold and love living in Africa! With an in-depth knowledge of the local culture, history and wildlife, your crew are committed to ensuring a memorable African overland tour, 24/7.

  • Most overland tours include two crew members (Driver and Tour Leader) working as a team managing tour finances, planning activities, preparing meals and ensure you safely experience Africa.
  • Our larger group overland tours (maximum 26 to 30) include a third crew member (Camp Assistant or Cook or Translator – tour depending).
  • A pre-departure meeting is held the day before your tour, where tour crew will brief you on the nature of your tour and what to expect. At this point they would also collect any local payments needed for your tour.
  • We have select shorter small group tours including one crew member, responsible for driving and tour management. It is perfect for an exclusive, personalised African experience.

The Guides:

  • All overland guides and crew undergo extensive training courses, lectures and field instruction on an on-going basis. Specialised guides are contracted for special interest tours (including school and University group tours) or language tours (Spanish and German) or private overland tours (on request).
  • Although overland guides are trained and qualified, remember they are still human. The nature of their work and duration of overland tours, places an enormous demand on them and can be taxing at times. Please treat them with respect and enjoy getting to know them. They are great people!

Climate and Weather Conditions:

  • The weather in Africa can be unpredictable and extreme so be prepared for this.
  • You can find out the type of weather to expect on your tour from your consultant.
  • Always wear sunscreen from October to April.
  • Temperatures can drop to below zero from June to September.
  • It does rain in Africa!

Street Vendors:

  • Like with any 3rd world country you will encounter informal vendors offering you better rates than the banks. We suggest you don’t work with them for security reasons.
  • Please do not display your foreign currency in public.

Passport:

  • A valid passport is required for all international travel.
  • Having all the necessary documentation for your trip is your own responsibility therefore you need to find out by your travel agent what the essential documents for the trip are in order to avoid any complications on tour.
  • Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after returning from your trip.
  • In certain cases foreign passport holders require entry, re-entry or departure permits and/or visas to enter a country.
  • Have enough pages for all visas, at least 2 pages free for every country visiting – the Border Security is strict with this rule
  • A copy of your passport should be given to your guides for safety reasons.
  • Must be valid for 6 months after the date of departure from Africa.
  • Avoid using more than one passport to avoid visa payments when travelling

Visa:

  • Please note that visas are the responsibility of the traveller and African Overland Tours will not be held responsible for the traveller being denied entry should they not be in the possession of the relevant visas.
  • Ensure you have a valid onward/return ticket to leave the country when the tour ends, otherwise you need sufficient funds in your bank account.
  • Visiting the Okavango Delta, you may need a double entry visa for Namibia and or Botswana
  • Botswana Tourism Levy: As of 1 June 2017, Botswana has implemented a tourism levy of US$ 30 per person to be paid in US Dollars cash once you enter.

Insurance

Medical Insurance:

  • Compulsory! No one will be allowed on a trip if you don’t have this. It is for your safety should anything happen while on tour (especially when in a remote location).

Travel Insurance:

  • It is compulsory to have comprehensive adventure travel insurance, on all overland tours. We require your travel insurance details upon booking your vacation, to include on the passenger list.
  • Most travel insurance policies do not include cover for adrenaline sports and adventure activities. These include white-water rafting, sky diving and bungee jumping. So double check your policy inclusions.
  • WorldNomads Insurance offer adventure travel insurance and, most importantly, cancellation insurance. We strongly recommend your travel insurance includes cancellation and curtailment insurance. The majority of tour departures are guaranteed (confirmed to depart) but in the unlikely event of a tour departure being cancelled, you would be protected.
  • In the case of credit card insurance, we recommend you check the fine print to ensure you have adequate cover as credit card companies offer a standard option. Sometimes, just for a simple problem, you may have to be airlifted to South Africa as many public hospitals in Africa are below western standards.
  • If you choose to use your credit card insurance, you will need to call your bank to obtain your policy details. This is how:
    • Phone your bank
    • Give them your Bank Card Number
    • They will ask you to verify your account
    • Then you need to ask for the insurance company name
    • Then you need to ask for the policy number
    • Remember to keep the telephone number you dialled

Single Supplements:

A single supplement is an additional charge you will pay for your own room. Single supplements are optional on camping tours, but compulsory on accommodated tours if you are a single traveller. Single supplements do not cover Activity Packages.

Optional Activities:

Optional activities are not included in the tour price because not everybody wishes to do them. Sometimes the activities are not available due to time, season or weather conditions

What is a Local Payment?

  • A number of adventure overland tours are made up of a Tour Price + Local Payment.
  • The Tour Price is pre-paid to secure your tour seat and include operational costs associated with each tour, such as; guide salaries, fuel, vehicle servicing, maintenance, road tolls and taxes.
  • The Local Payment is a portion of your overall tour cost paid on the morning of tour departure, in either US Dollars cash or ZA Rand cash (tour depending). It includes “on tour” expenses which cannot ordinarily be pre-paid such as: food, camping, national park entry, included activities.

Activity Package:

  • A selection of tours are made up of a Tour Price + Optional Activity Package.
  • The Tour Price is pre-paid to secure your tour seat and include operational costs associated with each tour, such as; food, camping (or accommodation), national park fees, guide salaries, fuel, vehicle servicing, maintenance, road tolls and taxes.
  • The Optional Activity Package combine the popular activities available on the tour, giving you the option to pre-pay this package (and so carry less cash while travelling) or; you can pay it on the morning of departure to your Tour Guide in ZA Rand cash.
  • Activity packages are optional 98% of the time and covers what we consider to be ‘essential activities’ on the tours.
  • It is more convenient to pay these upon your arrival or on the first day of the tour.
  • If you do not pre-book a particular activity it may not be available and you may be disappointed.

Money Matters:

  • Your spending money, visas and optional activities needs to consist of a combination of Cash and Traveller Cheques in the currency quoted (tour specific). Credit cards are only accepted at some places (mostly larger cities) and throughout South Africa.
  • Visas are not accepted in East Africa.
  • In Southern and East Africa, additional credit card surcharges from 5% to 8% may be charged when using your card. It is best to use it only in case of emergency.
  • US Dollars, GB Sterling, Euro and select international currencies are used within Africa, with US Dollar being the most popular. You will find food, taxi, accommodation and optional activity prices are all quoted in US Dollars.
  • US Dollars cash notes must be issued POST 2005. No notes pre-dated are accepted due to fraudulent notes rife in East Africa. You can pre-order US Cash notes from your local bank or foreign exchange office prior to arriving in Africa.
  • It is best to bring a combination of larger denominations (USD100 and USD50) to pay for your Local Payment and smaller denominations (USD50, UDS20, USD 10 and USD5) for spending money, visas and optional activities.
  • ATMs are found throughout South Africa and other major towns and cities through Africa. However, you may not have access to an ATM for a few days, or they may be out of order. Please note that when drawing money from a local ATM, you will receive local currency.
  • ZAR is mostly used in South Africa and Namibia. We recommend USD for Botswana, Mozambique, Livingstone and Victoria Falls area.

Credit Cards:

  • Most of the major Southern and East African cities do have credit card facilities available however they may charge you a surcharge to use the facility.
  • Visa and Mastercard are the two most widely used accepted credit cards in Africa, while diners or American Express may not always be accepted

Banking facilities:

  • There are full banking facilities in the major towns based on weekly business hours. Here you can change money and withdraw cash from a credit card. Visa and Master Card are preferential, as other cards may not be widely accepted.

Departure Tax:

  • Various countries require you to pay an Airport Departure Tax when departing on an international flight.
  • Varies from US$10 – US$60 depending on the departure time

Security:

  • The truck has a safe for passports, money, credit cards and flight tickets only!
  • Keep your cameras, cell phones, iPad’s and other digital equipment close to you at all times (preferably in your day pack) as the operator will not be held responsible for anything that goes missing.
  • Leave your valuables at home!
  • Be vigilant and cautious at all times.
  • Always walk in a group, especially at night.
  • It is advisable to have travel insurance for your personal items.

Quality and Protection:

  • We are proudly bonded SATSA members. Our membership number is 1712.
  • We are also insured by SATIB.
  • SATSA is the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association and offers protection to international travellers against the possible loss of deposits (or monies paid) to a SATSA member (tour operator, car rental company, accommodation provider etc.), in case of liquidation. It is underwritten by Lombard Insurance and Lloyds of London.
  • SATSA is the driving force behind improving standards of tourism in South Africa, as offered by its various members (tour operators, car rental companies, accommodation provider etc.).
  • “Should a SATSA member who is a South African tourism business operation, run into financial problems, the bonding scheme allows the client to claim back their deposit without having to prove in a court or to the liquidator whom or what was paid, but simply to produce the relevant documentation to SATSA.” – Michael Tatalias, CEO SATSA.
  • Satsa Bonding Offers financial protection on all monies paid.

Quick Checklist

  • Make sure your vaccination requirements have been done at least 4 weeks prior to your tour
  • Remember to make sure your VISA is valid for you to go on tour
  • Remember to reconfirm your flights. Airlines vary in their requirements but we suggest you reconfirm 48 – 72 hours before your departure homebound
  • Remember to take your passport, vaccination certificate and flight tickets with you ( a photocopy of these is a good idea)
  • Remember to take a copy of your insurance policy with you
  • Remember to take your travel voucher to give to your crew at your pre-departure meeting
  • Remember to take your Adventure Pass in US $ cash (unless pre-paid)

Checklist

  • Make sure your vaccination requirements have been done at least 4 weeks prior to your tour
  • Remember to make sure your VISA is valid for you to go on tour
  • Remember to reconfirm your flights. Airlines vary in their requirements but we suggest you reconfirm 48 – 72 hours before your departure homebound
  • Remember to take your passport, vaccination certificate and flights tickets with you ( a photocopy of these is a good idea)
  • Remember to take a copy of your insurance policy with you
  • Remember to take your travel voucher to give to your crew at your pre-departure meeting
  • Remember to take your Adventure Pass in US $ cash (unless pre-paid)

FROM

Original price was: R54,950.Current price is: R46,708.

+ Optional Activity Package USD 180

15% OFF departures between 09 Dec 2024 to 31 Mar 2025 | 10% OFF departures between 01 Apr 2025 to 31 Dec 2025 (For more information please speak to your travel consultant)

Currency estimated. Base currency is South African Rand (ZAR)

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