Overlanding Africa
Good article giving the scoop on
over landing through Africa:
Head
South, young man
Abi
Gibson
Sunday May 4, 2003
The Observer
If you're lucky enough to have three months or
more, an overland trip across Africa is a great way to make the most of your
time without breaking the bank.
Overland trucks carrying foreign tourists
have been raising dust along the roads and tracks of Africa for well over 20
years. It's very popular among first-time travellers who want to get out there
and experience the continent but perhaps don't have the confidence to tackle it
alone.
The most popular route is between Nairobi, Kenya and Cape Town or
Johannesburg, South Africa. The route goes via Tanzania for the Serengeti and
Zanzibar, Malawi for the beautiful Lake Malawi and highland scenery on Mount
Mulanje and through Zimbabwe - due to recent disturbances in Zimbabwe most are
now going via Zambia. You can add Mozambique for some great beaches and Botswana
for the central Kalahari game reserve.
This route offers great variety and
is relatively straightforward travel. Highlights are the Great Rift Valley,
Serengeti National Park, Victoria Falls and, of course, the chance to spot the
'Big Five' - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo.
These trips
also enable you to take a few relaxing days on a beach in Zanzibar, go on a
canoe safari, explore the Stellenbosch wine lands or the nightlife in Cape Town;
so you really can make it as adventurous or relaxing as you please.
The
main advantage is that you don't have to worry about how you're going to get
from A to B, border officials and road closures. Circular routes are available
and all routes start and finish in a major city with an international airport.
The lowdown
Costs: Nairobi is a popular starting
point and is the main gateway to East Africa. The capital of Kenya is served by
a number of the major European airlines, including British Airways (0845 773 3377) and
Lufthansa
(0845 7737 747).
Overland prices can range from £500-plus for a 14-day
trip, £1,500-plus for 62 days and £2,800 for 18 weeks. These include all
highlights, game park fees and game drives, camping and cooking equipment, meals
when camping, all road tolls and vehicle taxes but don't include international
flights, departure taxes, airport transfers, visas and accommodation in certain
locations. You will also be expected to contribute to a meal kitty - amounts are
stated. Most itineraries include adventure options such as rafting, canoeing,
bungee jumping and trekking on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Numerous tour
companies offer these trips, the best-known are : Encounter Overland
(01728 862222); Exodus Overland
(020 8675 5550); Kumuka (020 7937 8855);
Acacia
Expeditions (020 7706 4700).
Visas: Get them before
you leave the UK - be warned, some are quite costly.
Alternatives
South America: fly to Rio and get your return flight out of Lima.
Try KLM
(0870 507 4074); or Iberia
(0845 601 2854). With a well-planned itinerary you can relax on the beaches in
Rio, see the Iguaçu waterfalls, Patagonia, the Lake District, the Bolivian salt
flats and Machu Picchu without doubling back on yourself. Journey Latin America
(020 8747 3108), South American
Experience (020 7976 5511) and Explore Worldwide
(01252 760000) can organise all, or parts, of your trip as well as multi-country
air passes. Visas are not normally required, but check
anyway.
Australia and New Zealand: Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef,
Cape Tribulation, Fraser Island, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Lord of the Rings,
glaciers, beaches, rainforests... convinced yet? Get yourself down to
STA Travel
(08701 600599) or Bridge the World
(0870 443 2399). You'll need a visa but don't waste your working one (you
only get it) unless you actually plan to work.
'Cheapie': India.
If you're really scrimping you can live off £6-11 a day depending on where you
are. This will mean eating basic meals such as dhal and rice, and dormitory
living. From London to Delhi, Aeroflot has low season return
fares, going via Moscow, from £380.
Virgin Atlantic (01293 747747) flies to
Mumbai from London from £348. Charter flights again, may be cheaper. Visas are
currently about £30.
The Gap Year Book published by Lonely Planet will
be available in October this year.
