Home. Overland Tour Participation

Overland Adventure Participation, and Tings to Know or Do:

Tipping:

Tipping is obviously entirely at your discretion, and based on how you feel the service has been. Our guides do go to great lengths to provide you with an experience of a lifetime, and often go that extra mile to make that special moment. Remember also that it is hours of behind the scenes work that you may not be aware of that will make your tour really special. Please consider all of this when you decide on your tip. It is a 24-hour job that requires dedicated effort.

Fellow Travellers:

Tanzania adventure trips and safaris are based on offering a full multi country African experience. Getaway Africa and partners have designed them to include the absolute very best of Africa with plenty of action, culture swapping, game viewing, flexibility and fun. These tours attract like minded people and past adventurers have come from the four corners of the earth, and from all walks of life - bringing a truly international flavor to the experience. The average age of participants is usually 20 - 45, and the male - female mix is generally even. Suitability for overland trips is not only about being fit and active, it's about being able to cope with the good times and deal with the unexpected with a firm smile and good attitude. Come prepared to make lifelong friends. Over the years adventures have had engagements, weddings, reunions, and all sorts of memorable events-occasions on tour! Thousands of people have travel-ed with us and shared in this amazing continent, and Getaway Africa have made friends from all over the world.

Participation:

The journeys are operated on a limited participation system, which means that visitors will be asked to assist with various aspects of camp and safari duties. Your driver-guides are there to handle all the major responsibilities (after all you are on holiday!) They will definitely spoil African visitors, but they are not visitors personal assistants for the tour and will need visitors valuable assistance. It is vital that backpackers have a positive attitude towards participation and joining in is what turns a great trip into an unforgettable journeys.

Africa backpackers visitors will be required to put up and take down their own tents, help with the loading and unloading of luggage and equipment on the vehicle and assist tour-guides with meals and camp duties.
Visitors tour leaders and courier will explain all of this to them in detail at the pre departure meeting.

Unforseen circumstances:

Although overland-vehicles are well maintained and serviced regularly, the challenging African roads may sometimes cause breakdowns. Do not panic and please be patient and reasonable if this situation should arise. Should a mechanical breakdown or incident occur, good back-up systems are already in place, and there is no need for concern. It does however sometimes take some time to resolve mechanical or logistical problems in Africa, and getting irritated or unreasonable with driver-guides never helps. Overland-guides have been trained to deal with just about anything and take most things in their stride. Drivers will also need to do on tour maintenance to his or her overland-truck as part of their responsibilities. Travel with an open mind and realistic expectations and Getaway-Africa guarantee Africa visitors a good time.

Routes and itineraries:

Driver-guides make every effort to follow the intended route of the itinerary, however changes sometimes need to be made due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. This may result in missed areas and activities, diversions, and variations on night stops. Occasional operational uncertainties make it impossible to run the expeditions exactly to the intended itinerary, so when booking a trip you must accept that itineraries may differ from that published.

The company will not be responsible for accommodation costs, or liable for any airfares or any other compensation to the visitor.

Age restrictions:

Due to the nature of over-land Adventurer trips we are not able to accommodate any person under the age of 14 years. An adult must also accompany travel-lers between the ages of 14 and 18 years old. We do not impose an upper age limit providing the client is fit and suitable to undertake an Adventurer Safari.

What is included:

There are no hidden 'extras', trips have been designed to include National Parks, highlights and attractions, guided activities, ground transportation, the services of driver-guides, camp meals, and equipment.

Tour fare and local payment:

Pricing is made up of the tour fare is payable prior to departure, the local payment will be collected by our guides in cash at the pre departure meeting. Local payment is also not a food kitty - it is simply part of the overall price.

local payment is required to cover a wide variety of on-journey expenses, which can include National Park entrance fees, excursions and activities, certain fresh foods, vehicle toll and entrance fees, as well as some accommodation costs whilst travelling. Local payment is the portion of safari tour fare, which must be paid in cash to the tour leader. Why do we need to operate like this? Well in remoter areas, sometimes there just are no banks! and cash in a hard currency is the only way our guides can operate effectively. The majority of adventure tours in Africa operate using a similar cash local payment system.

Single supplement:

Visitors need not be concerned if they are joining a trip alone - in fact many of clients do. Accommodation is arranged on a twin share basis and THE guide will allocate a room-tent with another member of the same sex. If you do not wish to share, a single occupancy supplement is available.

Please understand that Getaway Africa can't always guarantee single travel-lers the opportunity to share. It all depends if we have other single travel-ler's that want to share. If a visitor are travelling on their own please ask for this information when booking. Getaway Africa will always do the very best to accommodate you!

Passenger manifesto:

Guides will ask visitors to complete details onto a passenger manifesto with all tour participants' passport details. This will be used for getting through borders smoothly and most importantly will reduce the amount of time we spend at border crossings.

Money:

It's very difficult for us to tell visitors exactly how much money you will need. This depends on over-land visitors personal habits - how much you drink, if you smoke and what you'd like to spend you money on as far as optional activities go. The information here is purposefully broad. Please refer to the individual tour pre departure information dossier for specific information on spending money. Generally though, USD 20 per person per day should cover the odd snack, drinks, curios and communications.

Sleeping Bag:

On all camping journeys visitors need to bring their own sleeping bag and small travel pillow if you wish to use a pillow. Backpacker- bags should be a suitable for chillier nights during the winter months. Bedding is provided on all accommodated tours.

Luggage restrictions:

There is a strict baggage limit of one 65-litre travel bag per person. No external frame packs or suitcases are permitted! This is due to storage restrictions on the vehicles. A small daypack for cameras, and personal items is also advised. Africa visitors will also need a sleeping bag for camping tours, and other suggested items are: money belt, water bottle, torch, spare batteries, camera with spare film, UV sun protection, mosquito repellent, personal toiletries, any prescription medicine and a simple First Aid Kit.
We suggest luggage is restricted to 15 - 20 kilos (so it can be comfortably carried - if you cannot carry it then you have too much!).

We recommend that visitors utilise old or inexpensive luggage. Suitcases are NOT suitable.

Please Note: Any excess luggage over the specified weight limit will NOT be loaded inside the vehicle. Excess luggage will be stored and any costs incurred will be the passenger's responsibility!

Travel Insurance:

All travelers are required to take insurance to cover cancellation and curtailment, baggage loss or damage, medical expenses, emergency travel, repatriation and personal accident before leaving their country. It is the passenger's sole responsibility to ensure that they are fully insured. This is also part of our booking terms and conditions, so you will mot be accommodated on any tour without adequate insurance. Driver-guides will check visitors insurance policy at the pre departure meeting, and if you are not insured you will not be allowed to join the tour.
Most travel insurance policies have a restriction on compensation for loss, damage or theft of single valuable items (e.g. cameras). Please check your policy carefully and if necessary insure valuable items separately, (e.g. under a home contents policy with a travel extension). Please take your insurance policy with you on safari. Please also note that travel insurance provided with credit card payment is usually inadequate for travel of this nature.

Extra expenses:

Sometimes political or civil unrest and other circumstances beyond the control of the company will mean, having to make alternative travel plans. We recommend that  visitors bring emergency funds or have access to funds that visitors do not intend to use. Most insurance policies refund only after you have paid out.

Indemnity:

Truck passengers will be required to complete and sign an Indemnity Form prior to joining any journeys. Again these form part of Getaway Africa booking terms and conditions. If visitors do not sign the indemnity form you will not be accommodated.

Visitors health insurance:

Any one participating in an adventure safari must be in good health. Visitors must contact your own doctor for information.

Recommended travel Tanzania vaccination and other health protection vary from country to country. We recommend that you contact your doctor and gain the correct medical advice about travel tanzania vaccination. All clients MUST have full medical and travel insurance cover before joining the tour.

There is an emergency first aid kit on board every vehicle. This kit is for emergencies or serious medical conditions only. If items are used, clients will be asked to pay for them. Clients are advised to bring a simple personal first aid kit.

It must be understood that visitors crew are not able to administer any drugs. It is the client's responsibility to administer medication to him or herself, unless incapacitated, in which case that individuals travel-ing partner will administer medication.

Inform driver-guides about any medical problems or allergies. This is essential and will be treated confidentially. Be sure to inform them if any medical conditions get serious. There are not always hospitals or doctors everywhere along the route.

Africa travel-lers major health risk is Malaria - so take your prophylactics on time. The best way of avoiding malaria is to not get bitten in the first place! Cover up at night and keep your tents closed at all times. Look after your tent zips!!!

Bilharzia is present in Africa. It is not an immediate life threatening disease! Simply have a test when visitors get back home and the treatment is simple and effective. Do not let it spoil your swimming!

All water on overland-trucks is clean and drinkable. Beware of any other water in Africa as it can make you sick!

Good personal hygiene is essential! Wash hands as often as you can, and always before eating - but remember water is precious in Africa.

Visitors visa:

Visitors visa requirements vary considerably depending on the trip and your nationality. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have the correct visitors visa and paperwork for your trip. The company will not be responsible for anyone denied access to any country. Please contact the various embassies or a visitors visa service agent for you visitors visa requirements. You must be in possession of a valid onward/return air ticket or proof of other means of transport enabling you to leave the country in which your trip ends. Alternatively you must have proof of sufficient funds (e.g. credit card) enabling you to purchase an air ticket to leave the country. Should the tour you are joining be re-entering a country, be sure to have a multiple entry visitors visa that enables you to re-enter the country.Visitors guide washington dc tourist

Catering and Equipment:

For the most part on overland-ing camping tours we use formal camps along the way that offer running water and basic facilities. Some of the camps used have great facilities like hot water, flush toilets and even luxuries like swimming pools and bars! Others are a lot more basic like bush or village camps. In addition, visitors will experience one or two nights 'bush camping' where there are no facilities at all. The beauty of these being you will find yourself getting up close and personal with Africa - these camps are always trip highlights!

On the equipment front, we provide large waterproof dome tents, with fitted ground sheets and sewn in mosquito nets. Tents are usually shared by 2 people, but travelers can also pay a single supplement if you want you own. We also provide mattresses - so all need to bring is your sleeping bag.

On accommodated tours we have carefully chosen each night's accommodation for ambience, location and value for money. These are adventure safaris with added comfort. Hotels are usually on a twin share basis with en-suite facilities, but in some cases may be more rustic like cabins or chalet accommodation with shared bathrooms.
Accommodation on these tours is usually on a bed and breakfast basis with some additional meals included and others can be taken at restaurants of your choice.

Mattresses:

There is no need to bring visitors own mattress, as thick comfortable mattresses will be provided.

Food:

Whether guests are on camping or an accommodated trip, we pride ourselves on our food! We know how important it is to visitors to get enough to eat and that food is varied, and healthy. In Getaway Africa opinion going that extra mile for great food is crucial to any travel experience. Guest have fresh foods and vegetables along the way, and of course sample the local specialties of the countries travel in. Meals will be prepared by driver-guides, who are renowned for their amazing fireside cuisine!

Drinks:

Guest will be expected to purchase all of own drinks. Beer, cool drinks, bottled water, local wine and spirits, etc are usually readily available at reasonable prices. Bottled water is normally available in most large towns.