Overlanding Africa

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I would really like to travel more extensively in Africa and feel that over landing is a good and safe option. Does anyone have experience of such a trip, or a company they have used and could recommend?

Depends whereabouts in africa. It's a pretty large continent ;)

Over landing across some countries would not be advised. If you can suggest which countries you're looking at, could advise more. Or even east west south etc

It is indeed! I have found a trip that was about 4 months and started in the North near morocco and headed down the coast and encompassed all countries on the way. It piqued my interest.

I'd really like to go to Ghana, and expand from there really. I'd like more on the east too Ethiopia, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique.

I've been to a few countries but felt have felt very conspicuous off the tourist trails, and paranoia or not, a bit vulnerable.

You mean overlanding on a bus?

It’s definitely the cheapest way of doing it. And everyone has to pitch in together, which has its pros and cons like any organised group holiday. It’s very safe as you are with an experienced guide.

it’ll he a brilliant way to spend 4 months but you do move very quickly so not long in each place.

there’s lots of overlanding forums so have a look at those and maybe start a thread asking for company recommendations

I went from Uganda to South Africa on an 90 day trip overland. It was years ago but amazing. I used a company called Oasis Overland. I was in my twenties and it is marketed at that age group I think. it’s a shoestring budget holiday compared to the other providers so if you are looking it luxury this isn’t it. But if you want a cheap way to see the most amazing places it’s a winner.

I look back on it as one of the best things I have done but it is gruelling and if there is someone you don’t like on your trip you are stuck with them.

I have refused to ever camp again as 3 months solid was enough for me in this lifetime but it was bloody brilliant and I am so pleased I did it. Go for it!

Don't miss Uganda or Namibia, they are stunning. Oh and try to avoid the worst of rainy season.

I did a trip in a truck in 2001, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa. Took 10 weeks. There were lots of optional excursions, such as microlights over Vic Falls and white water rafting there, skydiving over Swakopmund. Lots of safaris in various places, including a walking safari in the Okavango Delta where I trod on a snake barefoot...

Can't remember the company, but as it was over 2 decades ago, it wouldn't be relevant. Great trip though - I'd definitely recommend it.

Having spent 6 months in Southern Africa - including a stint in Okavango - preoccupied with encountering a snake, I need to hear more about this experience 😬

Was it Exodus? My brother was a driver for them at that time and he used to go to all of those places.

I would recommend Exodus. If they are still going!

Exodus are definitely still going. I'll take a look thank you.

I must admit the constant camping might nearly kill me! I do like the idea of basic and roughing it. I don't want to feel like a voyeur, but more part of things.

What is the showering situation too? Hot smelly people on a bus isn't really my idea of heaven, even if I'd be one of the offenders after a day in a bus.

This is going back 20 years but Acacia and Nomad tours out of Cape Town were both good companies.

It wasn't Exodus, it was a cheaper option- but there are a few companies which do the same routes, and a lot of the drivers knew each other well.

The snake - we did a bare foot safari, where they started by telling us how best to run away from different animals that might want to eat you if they chase you (can't remember the details, and can't dig out my travel diaries just now.) We also had guides with guns, just in case. Fortunately, none of this knowledge was needed. Saw lots of antelopes etc. We were walking through some marshy grassland (it being a delta and all,) and were told to take off our boots to walk through a shallow stream/pond/water of some sort. And just before we got back to dryer land, I put my foot down and realised it was on a coiled black snake. Tbh, I think the snake was nearly dead anyway, and probably even nearer it after my weight pushed it a bit further into the mud - it (fortunately) didn't really react, unlike me, who lifted my foot rather fast and then joined the others quickly.

I'd seen other snakes which were more lively on the road, but that was the closest. (Though there was a pit viper in the road on a previous trip on Borneo, as we walked back to camp, which rose up before slithering off into the jungle. That was quite adrenalin-raising.)

What is the showering situation too? Hot smelly people on a bus isn't really my idea of heaven, even if I'd be one of the offenders after a day in a bus.

Most camps had showers, and sometimes we were in hotels. Got clothes washed en route, too. Depending on the company, you might be in an air-conn'ed bus, though I think you acclimatise better if not. I don't really remember the smell of sweaty bodies being an issue.

I did a 4 month overland with Dragoman and it was one of the best things I've ever done...also 20+ years ago but just looked at their website and they are still going!!! Just phenomenal and has inspired a life long love of Africa (I have travelled back independently several time since and also stayed for longer periods doing voluntary work). Also still have friends today that I met on that trip. I also did a shorter overland trip (just 3 weeks) with Exodus to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and more of East Africa and it was also excellent.

Thanks everyone. I think I need to do some deeper research.

Also realised my work PC has a different user name, but back in meetings dreaming on my handset now!

I did an overland trip in Southern Africa. Cheap truck tour. For a couple of months. The best experience ever. I did it in 98/99 I think. We all had to chip in with cooking, shopping in local markets etc. I loved sleeping in the tent, had to sleep on the floor when I got back as I had got so used to it. Would love my teens to experience it. I, on the other hand have now given up on tents!

I did pretty much this in 1994. I was in my mid twenties. The whole set up was really aimed at that age group, although we did have an older couple on board. They were maybe in their 50s. You have to be ok with not really much privacy for a few months.

The husband and I have done short camping truck trips in Africa with Exodus and Intrepid, max 3 weeks, they were fab. I did a 4 month trip (I think it was 20 weeks) through South America with Tucan travel in 2003, I went on that on my own. Not sure they operate such long trips any more. In all honesty 4 months was a bit long, I made some great friends who I am still in touch with now, but equally there were people on the trip who really grated on me and I was stuck with them for 4 months. I think 10 weeks is probably a good max duration.

I’m another one that did this in the late 90s. We went to the Victoria falls, on safari and Zanzibar amongst others. I remember long days on the bus with very pothole filled roads, pitching tents in hard ground late at night, cooking and eating rice and stew - drying up was done by ‘flapping’. I don’t think I was ever on the shopping team but I remember it was shared out, a great group of people - sad we didn’t stay in touch - before the days of social media I guess. Going through boarders and that took ages. I don’t remember the name of the company (it could have been exodus) but a rival company ‘Africa Explored’ had the nickname ‘Afica Ignored’. To be honest I felt a bit like that on our tour - the places I mentioned above were the highlights but it was mostly driving.

Truck Africa have been going for years and have a good reputation. Yes, it's the lack of privacy and closeness that's fairly off putting!

I'm currently in the early planning stages of Namibia to Mozambique overland but independently, motorcycle. Crossing Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (where I have contacts) all fairly safe from a security point of view, just need a suitable bike as ours doesn't cope with gravel well. You can do the same itinerary with a guide by bike or 4x4. Afterwards we will probably ride down to South Africa to ship the bike home and either fly or pick up a cruise ship back if we can work it.

I'd love to do the whole of Africa but security issues and crazy logistics plus terrible roads mean it isn't really possible in our circumstances 2 up.

@mitogoshi we went from South Africa through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and back to SA in 2017-2018. Was a great trip. Zimbabwe was a real highlight. Haven’t been to Zambia since 2006 but would love to go back there. Enjoy!

Sounds a fantastic trip. We loved Namibia and have sampled a small part of Zambia and Zimbabwe, hence wanting to return in more depth.

Have you done a bike mechanic course to set you up for this?

@EBearhug

Thank you for sharing your snakey anecdotes. I read them just before sleep last night and went on to have snake-based anxiety dreams all night. Entirely my own fault.

OP, have you considered stopping somewhere for a little longer? I had a fantastic time doing a truck trip around southern Africa but the real highlight was when I was stationary in one place, doing some volunteering and getting to know people. The whistle stop tour was really fun but also quite...shallow I guess? Comparatively. I get that there may be time constraints.