If you find yourself sitting at your desk daydreaming of one day driving off and exploring some of Africa’s most remote and beautiful landscapes, sitting round a campfire under the stars with friends and waking up not knowing exactly what adventures the day will bring, you’ve probably dreamed of doing an overlanding trip through Africa. Although it takes more work than planning a week’s beach holiday or bush break, the rewards of overland travel are so much more than you can pack into a short holiday. For real adventure, nothing beats an overland trip.
In June 2011, I set off with my other half on a life-changing trip round Africa, hoping to learn more about the continent we call home. If you’re thinking of doing the same, here are five essential decisions you’ll need to make in order to start getting your plan together:
1.Time
How much time do you have? Can you take a year out to drive from Cape to Cairo, or are you thinking of a three month adventure to Tanzania and back? Or do you have three weeks and want to see some of Africa’s really wild spaces in a relatively short amount of time? You would be surprised how much you can see in just a few weeks if you plan your trip well…
2. Transport
What is your ideal mode of transport? Are you a fitness freak excited by the challenge of powering your way through Africa on a bicycle? Or are you a 4×4 enthusiast wanting to give your school-run Landcruiser something to really sink its wheels into? Do you have any co-travelers whose ideas may be slightly different to yours? You might not be very popular if you cheerfully announce to your other half that you’re planning on buying two motorbikes so you can set off into the sunset together, if she has never ridden a bike before.
3. Route
Together these two considerations will lead you on to the route itself: if you are travelling by motorbike, it is perfectly possible to ride Cape to Cairo in three months, although you could equally decide to cover a shorter distance and give yourself longer to see everything. If you are on a bicycle – and good luck to you – your route might well be confined to Southern Africa if you have time constraints. Travelling by car might offer you a good balance of being able to cover ground quickly but still offering a reasonable level of comfort.
4. Focus
Spend some time thinking about the focus of your trip. If you love wildlife and your idea of paradise is switching off your phone and spending the day in the bush, you could tailor your trip to include some of the continent’s many remote and spectacular game parks. Think about your favourite holiday activities, whether getting out into nature or socializing with the locals and learning about different cultures. To plan a trip you’ll never forget you’re going to need to make sure you are focusing on the right things.
5. Budget
Budget: ah, the dreaded budget…no budget is going to be big enough to do everything you want to do in the high style of your wildest dreams. Now is the time to banish any thoughts of flying out to Lamu Island in a private helicopter to lie on the beach sipping champagne and eating smoked salmon. Think realistically about how much you have to spend and what sort of comforts you need on this adventure. If you can’t face the thought of cold showers and pit toilets, you can still plan something unforgettable. If you are happy to rough it for a while, your money will go a whole lot further. Oh, and don’t think a limited budget means you’ll be forced to travel by public transport (although yes, we know, some people get their kicks being jammed onto overcrowded busses which run several hours behind schedule and break down without warning) – you might be amazed how cheaply you can buy some decent second hand 2x4s and 4x4s. For our big round-Africa trip we picked up a 17 year old Toyota Hilux and kitted it out ourselves for a fraction of the money some overlanders spend on fancy new 4x4s with all the bells and whistles.
Once you have a clear idea of what you want, it’s time to start the detailed planning for your trip. This is where the fun (and the hard work) starts; you will need to plan your route in more detail, think about kitting out your vehicle, work out what vaccinations you need, and organise insurance.
Getaway Adventures offers a range of overlanding packages in Africa – click here for all the packages and to book.
