Overlanding trips are a popular way of exploring a continent and travelling through more remote places in the world.
We call it ‘independent travel without the bulls**t’. We get you from A to B but what you do at B is pretty much up to you. That means you don’t have to organise anything logistical (like transport and accommodation – the ‘bulls**t’ bit), but you still have the flexibility to explore each destination whichever way you like, (the independent bit). Some trip itineraries are flexible, some are not, some highlights and sites are included in the price, some aren’t – but overland travel is still far more flexible than most other organised tours, and cheaper too!
Africa Overlanding trips are a safe way of travelling through Africa via road, with a group of like-minded travellers. It is not a coach tour from one place to the other, with your hand being held by your Crew and everyone waiting on you hand and foot. It is a way of experiencing Africa, the expected as well as the unexpected, which means you have to pitch in and help a bit and be prepared for the unexpected.
Gone are the 18 – 25 yrs party trips – most travellers are in their 20 and 30’s - however fit, older travellers in their 50’s and 60’s are occasionally found on a overland truck too. All nationalities, all walks of life, all different personalities....
Most travellers are also travelling by themselves – so there is nothing stopping YOU from taking an overland trip even if your mates don’t want/can’t afford to come with you. We will pair you up with a tent buddy so no need to worry about ‘going it alone’.
Overlanding has moved on a lot from the first hippy travels of the 1960s and '70s, when one driver would head off into the unknown with other adventurous spirits clinging on to the back of a truck/London taxi/double decker bus. Now the open-sided trucks have almost gone and the comfort levels have shot up, with most trips offering the use of basic accommodation and/or campsites with full facilities for most of the trip instead of non-stop side-of-the-road bush camping. Some trucks have reclining seats, build in iPod docking stations, electric fridges and proper windows! But don't get me wrong - bush camping still happens!
There are arguments both for and against each of these ‘improvements’ however although some companies have chosen this direction we still believe that it’s more about the journey than anything else; and sometimes to fully appreciate how good you have it at home, you have to travel rough.
OverlandingAfrica.com still promotes the ‘old school’ adventure travel style of Africa (even though we do have 'flash-packing' trips as well). If you are adventurous at heart and not too bothered with your daily comforts like a queen sized bed and hot shower, you will be quite at home on an overland truck.
Overlanding is about camaraderie and spending time with like minded people discovering the continent ‘hands on’. From digging the truck out of the mud in Uganda to bartering for veges at a local market, it’s all part of the experience. Living with strangers on a truck for weeks or months and walking away with awesome photos, fantastic memories, and friendships that can last a lifetime is all over and above what you will learn and gain from travelling through the continent itself.
If necessary, quit your day job and jump on an overland truck for a journey of a lifetime and of self discovery, learn about new places and cultures, and get a new appreciation for your own country while you are at it.
"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow". Lin Yutang
Happy Travels!
Dayne
