In a nutshell, at Encounters Travel an overland tour will give you and it is an unforgettable African experience to anyone young at heart, an open mind, and most importantly, a sense of adventure.
An overland tour is perfect for travellers who love the outdoors - with an overland adventure you're guaranteed to get an experience of the “real Africa” - camping out at night, sitting around the campfire, taking in the beautiful scenery, visiting local markets, and mingling with the locals.
The big question is, are overland tours expensive? Some say overlanding is among the cheapest ways to visit Africa, and provides a great introduction to the continent for first-timers, while others strongly disagree.
At Encounters Travel, we say, the answer to that question is on you - the traveller.
There are several factors a traveller should take into consideration when booking an overland tour. Ask yourself the following questions - once you know your exact answer, this will ultimately decide whether or not an overland adventure is expensive for you.
Africa is a huge continent and it offers a lot of ground to cover so if you have an idea of which highlights you want to see, it will determine which trip is best for you.
Typically, overland tours are either in East Africa or Southern Africa. If your adventure through Africa must include highlights such as Victoria Falls and the Kruger Park then Southern Africa is for you.
On the other hand, overlanding in East Africa will give you a glimpse of iconic places like the Masai Mara National Reserve, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti National Park.
Keep in mind that where you start your route is just as important to think about as where you want to end your overland tour. Remember, this is not a holiday - it’s an adventure.
Once you’re settled on where in Africa you want to adventure to, what you want to see, and experience, the next important factor to consider is when do you want to go.
Overlanding in Africa can be considered as a year-round event. But, there are peak and low seasons that can have a huge impact on your overlanding experience.
You have to ask yourself, do you want to avoid the hot summer or go on a camping trip when rainfall is low? Do you want to see the migration, or go to the Zambezi when its waters are flowing at maximum?
It is safe to say that July and August are popular months to explore Tanzania and Kenya thanks to the excellent Great Migration action. While January and February are primed for Gorilla trekking in Uganda - but you'll only know when you want to go when you establish your goals of the trip.
Aligned with your decision about when to go on your Africa overland trip, is how long to go for.
Keep in mind that the amount of time you have will determine how much distance you can cover.
If you’ve got an open calendar to play around with, then you’ll be able to explore more countries for longer periods of time.
Whatever timeframe you come up with, you need to consider if you can see all the things you want to in that period.
We recommend 9 to 14 days, or more, on the road - this allows you to really engage and take in the experience as well as see many things in a relatively short amount of time.
The next thing to consider is your budget - this excluding flights. Here you need to ask yourself, how much do you have to spend and how much are you willing to spend?
It's important to remember that your budget shapes your experience. For example, a semi-inclusive lodge safari will cost more than a tented safari but can also be more comfortable.
By the end of it, your price ranges can look something like this: 1000 – 2000 USD, 2000 – 3000 USD or 3000+USD per person. Have a look at what overland tours we have to offer here.
Then there are the additional expenses, such as souvenirs, meals that are not included in your tour, last-minute activities you may want to join, guide tips, visas, and so on.
Another thing to consider is your travel style - knowing yourself is paramount to planning an overland tour in Africa. After all, you don’t want to spend weeks on the road feeling tired and especially uncomfortable.
Ask yourself, do you want to rough it out in the wild? Or are you dead-set on not cooking while you overland? Do you need the comfort of a bed each night?
Thankfully, at Encounters Travel, we offer a unique experience for all types of travellers. So, is an overland tour expensive? Ultimately, that's for you to decide - tasking your budget into consideration, of coarse.
This 13-day tour explores cosmopolitan Istanbul and the ancient sites of Troy, Pergamum and Ephesus, features a 3-night cruise in the Gulf of Fethiye on board a traditional Turkish gulet and explores the fantastic scenery of Cappadocia.
Type
Days
Price
Shoestring
13
From
£1597
£1699
CAMPING OR ACCOMMODATED. This two week adventure takes you through the magnificent Lakes and Wildlife parks of Kenya, across Uganda and the Equator, and up into the jungle trekking to see chimpanzees & visit the mountain gorillas
Type
Days
Price
Overland
15
From
£2609
£2899
Need some travel inspiration or looking for some handy travel tips? Our blog provides excellent insight into our travel destinations - from tour updates to country guides, packing lists to little known things to do, you'll find it all in our travel blog.