Overland in Africa is a South African-based adventure travel company with more than 20 years of experience creating unforgettable adventures across Africa.

Our experienced travel consultants have explored Southern and East Africa extensively and have a genuine passion for sharing the incredible landscapes, wildlife, cultures and experiences that make this continent so special.

Over the years, we have built strong and trusted relationships with reputable ground operators throughout Africa, allowing us to offer a wide range of well-organised, great-value travel experiences with the support and expertise you need along the way.

Our speciality is group adventure travel. From small-group journeys to larger overland expeditions, our tours are designed for travellers who want to experience Africa rather than simply pass through it.

Whether you want to camp beneath African skies, explore national parks and wildlife-rich wilderness areas, meet local communities, enjoy adrenaline-filled activities or simply share the journey with like-minded travellers, there is an adventure waiting for you.

We offer a variety of small, medium and large group tours, with different levels of comfort and styles of travel to suit different travellers, budgets and interests.

Our job is simple: to help you find the African adventure that is right for you!

With expert advice, carefully selected tours and years of experience behind us, we make it easy to discover Africa, meet incredible people and create memories that last long after you return home.

An adventure or overland tour is about the journey as much as the destination.

Rather than simply travelling from one hotel to another, overland travel allows you to experience Africa from the road - travelling together as a group, exploring remote areas, enjoying incredible wildlife encounters, meeting local communities and sharing experiences with people from around the world.

Our tours are designed for travellers who want to get off the beaten track and experience the real Africa, while keeping the cost of travel accessible.

Travel Together. Experience More.

One of the biggest differences between an overland adventure and a traditional package holiday is the group experience.

You travel together, eat together, explore together and experience the unexpected together. Along the way, friendships are formed, cultures are shared and people who may have arrived as strangers often leave as friends.

Our groups attract travellers from all over the world, with a mixture of solo travellers, couples, friends and families. What they tend to have in common is a curiosity about Africa and a willingness to experience something a little different.

Depending on the tour, groups can range from smaller groups of around 12 travellers to larger groups travelling in purpose-built overland vehicles.

Africa Doesn't Always Go to Plan - And That's Part of the Adventure! Africa is wonderfully unpredictable.

Road conditions can change, weather can affect routes, mechanical issues can occasionally occur and wildlife doesn't exactly follow a timetable. While we plan carefully and do everything possible to keep to the published itinerary, flexibility is an important part of adventure travel.

If circumstances require a change, our experienced guides and operators will make decisions based on safety and the best possible experience for the group. Where necessary, an alternative experience of comparable value will be provided.

The unexpected moments are often the ones you remember most.

Every tour is different, but your days may include:

1. Wildlife and game-viewing experiences
2. National parks and remote wilderness areas
3. Cultural experiences and interaction with local communities
4. Camping beneath the African stars
5. Comfortable lodge, hotel or permanent-tented accommodation
6. Scenic overland journeys through some of Africa's most spectacular landscapes
7. Optional adventure activities such as white-water rafting, skydiving and other adrenaline-filled experiences
8. Meals shared with your fellow travellers
9. Plenty of opportunities to meet people from around the world

The emphasis is on experiencing Africa together, rather than simply ticking destinations off a list!

We offer a variety of group sizes and styles of travel.

Our tours range from smaller group adventures to larger overland expeditions, with vehicles ranging from smaller 7-seater vehicles to purpose-built overland trucks accommodating larger groups.

This means you can choose the type of group experience that feels right for you - whether you prefer a more intimate journey or the energy and camaraderie of travelling with a larger group.

One of the great things about overland travel is that you can choose your level of comfort.

Camping Tours

Camping offers an authentic African experience and is an excellent option for travellers who want to get close to nature while keeping costs down!

You will travel with the same group and guides, enjoy the same activities and follow the same routes as accommodated guests. The difference is that you'll sleep in a tent rather than a bed.

Our camping tours use sturdy canvas dome tents with built-in mosquito nets and comfortable sleeping mattresses. Campsites generally have bathroom and shower facilities, although some remote bush camps - such as areas of the Okavango Delta - offer a much more basic experience.

Camping also means getting involved. You may help put up your tent, assist around camp and enjoy meals prepared by the guides and crew. It's all part of the experience.

Accommodated Tours

Prefer a bed at the end of the day? Our accommodated tours offer a more comfortable alternative while still giving you the full overland experience.

Accommodation generally ranges from comfortable 2–4 star hotels and lodges to permanent safari tents, with the majority being twin or double rooms and many offering en-suite facilities.

You still travel with the same group, follow the same routes, enjoy the same activities and share meals and experiences - you simply have a bed waiting for you at night.

A typical day starts with the sun.

We make the most of the daylight hours, whether we're heading out for a game drive, travelling to our next destination or exploring somewhere new.

On camping tours, evenings are spent around camp - setting up tents, preparing meals, sharing stories and enjoying the sounds of Africa around you.

On accommodated tours, you have the added comfort of a bed at the end of the day, but the spirit of the journey remains exactly the same.

There is no single formula for an African adventure, and that's exactly what makes overland travel so special!

Meals are an important part of the group experience and, on most tours, three meals a day are included unless otherwise stated in your tour dossier.

Meals are generally prepared by the guides and crew at camp, with everyone eating together.

We can accommodate many dietary requirements, although options can be more limited when travelling in remote areas. If you have specific dietary needs, please let us know when booking so that we can advise you on what can be accommodated on your chosen tour.

Whether you're looking for a short African escape, a longer overland expedition, a family adventure or the ultimate multi-country journey, our range of group tours offers something for different travel styles, ages, budgets and comfort levels.

Choose your group. Choose your style of travel. Choose your adventure.

We'll help you find the right way to experience Africa!

Our published itineraries provide the planned route and experiences, but Africa can sometimes have other ideas!

Weather, road conditions, local circumstances and other unforeseen events can occasionally require changes to the itinerary.

Our experienced guides and operators will always aim to provide the best possible experience while keeping safety as the priority. If a published activity or destination cannot be provided, a comparable alternative of similar value will be arranged wherever possible.

One of the best things about group adventure travel is that you don't need to have someone to travel with you.

Many of our guests travel solo and quickly become part of the group. Others arrive with a partner, family member or friend and end up making connections with travellers from all over the world.

You share the road, the meals, the wildlife sightings, the laughs and occasionally the challenges - and that's what makes an overland adventure so memorable!

You don't need to be a backpacker or an experienced adventurer to join an overland tour.

Our travellers come from a wide range of ages, backgrounds and nationalities. Some travel solo, others travel as couples or with friends, and selected tours are suitable for families.

The most important requirement is an open mind and a willingness to join in.

You should be comfortable with travelling as part of a group, spending time on the road and occasionally getting out of your comfort zone. Some tours are more physically demanding than others, particularly in East Africa, and activities such as gorilla trekking or Mount Kilimanjaro require an appropriate level of fitness.

We also welcome older travellers who are fit, active and comfortable with the style of travel. Ultimately, suitability is about your attitude as much as your age or fitness.

Budgeting is probably the hardest part of planning any holiday. We have made it easier by outlining what to keep in mind when creating your budget for an Overland Tour:

Basic Overland Tour Cost:

Tour Price + Local Payment or Activity Package (where appropriate) + Single Supplement (single travellers where appropriate)

Additional Overland Tour Costs:

• International flights

• Visas

• Pre- and Post-tour transfer + accommodation

• Spending money (guesstimate USD10 to USD15 per person per day)

• Optional activities

• Money for curios (optional 100 USD max)

• Emergency cash-stash (optional 50 USD)

• Guide tips (approximately USD 3 – USD5 per crew per day)

• International Travel Insurance

It can be challenging to budget for an overland, but we will ensure you find the best tour to suit your tight budget.

We can also assist in booking international flights, airport transfers and any accommodation you may need. Just let us know your city of departure and when you prefer to arrive and depart.

There are many factors to consider when calculating your budget for an overland, so let’s take a closer look at all the things you should consider when drawing up your budget.

Your spending money, visas and optional activities will be paid with a combination of cash and traveller cheques in the currency quoted (tour specific). Credit cards are only accepted at some establishments (mostly larger cities) and throughout South Africa.

While in Southern and East Africa, additional credit card surcharges from 5% to 8% may be charged when using your bank card. We would recommend only using your card in case of emergency.

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 the cash in the local currency.

Local Payments must be paid in US Dollars cash or ZA Rand (South African Rand) as required by your chosen overland tour. Not all tours require a local payment, and only tours to Uganda with the Gorilla Trek Activity will require a permit.

Gorilla permits can be pre-paid (on select tours) and usually in US Dollars cash on tour departure. But rest assured, we will advise you about permits based on your chosen tour.

Spending money varies on your personal spending habits. While we cannot say for sure how much you may need, we would estimate USD10 to USD15 per person per day should be sufficient to cover snacks, drinks, souvenirs, internet café’s etc. Keep in mind you may spend more on some days and less on others.

Some meals are excluded on tour, allowing you to enjoy the taste of local cuisine from the local markets or restaurants. Light lunches consisting of a sandwich, fruit, snack and cold drink will cost below USD12. While a dinner of starter/desert and main meal with 2 drinks will cost an average of USD30 to USD40.

Optional activities vary based on your chosen overland tour and your personal preference. These will be listed as optional activities on your chosen tour, so add the costs of the activities you choose and see how this fits into your budget.

All your optional activities can be booked with your Tour Leader once you are on tour. Either pay in cash or traveller cheques, based on the currency in which they are quoted.

We also offer semi-inclusive camping or accommodated tours, already including popular excursions available en-route. This makes your budget for an overland tour easier to calculate, as well as meaning you will carry less cash on tour.

There are full banking facilities in major towns, these will be open during weekly business hours. Banks will exchange currency and facilitate credit card withdrawals.

Visa and Master Cards are preferential, as other cards may not be widely accepted.

Each country you visit in Africa has it’s own currency, so check which countries your tour travels through.

ZAR: South African Rand
N$D: Namibia: Namibian Dollar
BWP: Botswana Pula
USD/ $: United States Dollars used in Zimbabwe (the Zimbabwe Dollar Z$ has fallen away)
ZKW: Zambia: Zambian Kwacha
MWK: Malawi Kwatcha
MZN: Mozambique Meticas
TSH: Tanzania Shillings
KSH: Kenya Shillings
USH: Uganda Shillings
MAD: Moroccan Dirham

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.

It is important to note that US Dollar cash notes must be issued POST 2005. No notes pre-dated are accepted due to fraud in East Africa. You can pre-order US Cash notes from your local bank or foreign exchange office prior to arriving in Africa.

We recommend you 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.

Tipping is entirely at your own discretion. You can also follow the below as a guideline:

• Driver/ tour leader: USD 3 to USD 5 per person per day

• Camp assistant / cook: USD 2 to USD 3 per person per day

• National Parks guides/optional activities: USD 2 to USD 3 per person per day
  Restaurant or Bar staff/waitrons: 10% of total bill

You should also consider emergencies when looking at your budget for an overland adventure. Sometimes political or civil unrest and other circumstances beyond our control will mean the group has to make alternative travel plans. Therefore keep some extra cash on hand for these occasions.

Emergency cash stash will come in handy, which should be budgeted for separately. Usually US Dollars are the best to keep in cash.

Keep in mind that with most Travel Insurance policies – you need to cover the expense upfront and then claim from your insurance.

Starting from October 1st, 2024, the Zanzibar government will require all foreign travelers to purchase compulsory travel insurance. This insurance is provided exclusively by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) and costs $44 per person. It’s valid for 92 days, covering the duration of most tourist visits. The information on this insurance is constantly changing and we advise that you keep an eye on the Visit Zanzibar site for more updates closer to your travels.

For more information, the ZIC has put together a set of FAQ’s which can help you understand the need for this mandatory insurance.

• Wildlife Adventures – ATC

• Sunway Safaris

• Nomad Adventures & Tours

• Jenman Safaris

• Kiboko Adventures

• Drifters

• Tanzania Experience

• Namibia Experience

• Chameleon safaris

• Ailis Adventures & Tours

• Great Lake Safaris

• Acacia Adventures