Frequently Asked Questions

Most of our vehicles carry 24 people in comfortable coach seats. A typical group size is around 8-18 passengers.

It's difficult to say. It's advisable to book overland trips at least 3-4 months before departure.

Our groups are made up of British, Australians and New Zealanders predominantly in their 20's - 30's. It's normal to have a fairly even mix of sexes. Expect about 50% of the group to have booked overland holidays on their own and the rest with a friend or in couples.

Overland Club is undergoing a big change in its staffing on the road. In the past we have attempted to employ African Road Crew, however we have found that the increasing service level required by our clients requires a higher level of representative on the road, therefore this means that in 2007 the majority of our road crew will be new crew who's origins are either British or Australian. All new crew are issued with a comprehensive contract and schedule of responsibilities. We place high expectations on our crew and it is true that sometimes the very people we employ to deliver your expedition fall short of the high level we require. (Those that do not reach the level are dismissed) Our aim is to have the best road crew on the Overland. Please understand that certain crew will be doing their best while reaching this level of competence. Remember: Crew are there to facilitate, Passengers make there own Tour!

Generally speaking the majority of nationalities (British, New Zealand and Australians) require visas for several of the countries that we pass through on our overland trips however these are obtainable en route so there is no need for you to get them before you leave.

Definitely. We require everybody to have their own travel insurance. The crew will ask to see a copy of your policy before you join the tour.

We suggest that everyone brings along their own personal medical kit. In the event of an emergency Overland Club Road Crew are instructed too seek professional medical advice immediately. We no longer administer first aid of any kind. At the end of your tour, you may wish too donate your medical kit to a local family or village or organisation.

Yes, all our vehicles have a secure safe or strong box on board where we recommend that you lock your monies, passport and valuables etc. Overland Club is not responsible for any money or possessions placed in the safe, clients do so at their own risk. The security of the box is conducted by a member of the road crew and a member of the clients.

No, most diets can be catered for but please bear in mind that in Africa and the Middle East sometimes ingredients can be limited. If you do have a particular dietary requirement (or medical condition), other than being a vegetarian, please advise us at the time of booking.

There are very few ATM machines in rural Africa, so you will need to take a lot of your money in $US dollars cash and some traveller's cheques. Upon booking you will receive a pre-departure pack with information on how to bring your money including suggested amounts and denominations etc. Please remember banks are few and far between in some parts of Africa.

As far as we know the prices quoted are correct at the time of publishing. We do attempt to keep these current and we have the ability within our website administration to change them instantly. We advise that you check the budget planner again before you depart on your tour. That said Overland Club is not responsible for the optional activity or the prices. On the tours we have preferred suppliers for most of the optional activities and the reason for this is that they have come recommended by past clients, they have the necessary license to operate the activity, they have satisfied us that they are reputable and have the correct insurance. It’s true some of these activities can be found U$10 or U$20 cheaper; however be warned if you choose an alternative supplier to that offered by Overland Club then we may ask you to sign a disclaimer, in our experience it has been brought to our attention that some suppliers are disreputable when dealing with foreign clients. Please bare this in mind.

If you take the opportunity to visit us in our modest office in Sedgefield, you will discover that we are in fact a small company, we do not have numerous staff in various departments. We work on marketing, sales, reservations and operations all between the 3 of us. Our structure means our overheads in the UK are much lower and we can therefore bring to you a more competitive tour and tour price. Over the 10 years or so we have operated we have become much more cost effective passing the saving on to our clients.

To charge you’re IPod, MP3 player, Camera, laptop and mobile phone. You will need a DC 12 volt adaptor the type that can be used from a cigarette lighter in your car. Some digital cameras can only be charged by mains AC 220-240 volts. Normally with these types of camera the batteries are charged independently of the camera via the mains. So you will need a multiple adaptor as in Africa you get many different types of power sockets.

All our overland tours are camping trips. Although we stay at established campsites; electricity, hot showers and cold beers etc can be erratic due to the very nature of the tour and continent. Accommodation upgrades can be arranged subject to availability from as little as U$5 - U$10 pppn extra. Most campsites we stay have accommodation upgrade options.

All food is prepared by the group on a rota basis. The food shopping is done by the road crew and members of the group in local markets and sometimes supermarkets. Breakfast and evening dinner are provided on most days. Lunches are not included; it is easy to buy good cheap lunches along the way.

It is true we get unhappy passengers, in the same way that Easyjet has unhappy passengers, when passengers realise that it is a no-frills airline. Usually the complaints we receive can be attributed to the customer not understanding the product which they have purchased. To be assured of Overland Club and its ethic, we suggest that you read the website (not once) but several times and all of the literature we provide you. Be clear in your mind what it is you are getting for your money. Most people choose Overland Club because we aim to deliver a low cost high value tour. Any person that does not feel they are receiving value for money must first of all discuss the issue with their road crew and then of course you are welcome to contact us here in the office, we will attempt to explain or improve the service. Those that write bad reports about Overland Club are probably unhappy with the service: more than likely because they had the wrong expectations.

Our aim is to deliver a Low Cost High Value tour we provide the basics to get you from A to B, such as the vehicle and the road crew. What then happens on your tour is then up to you. Your tour is going to be different from fellow travellers as you may have different preferences while on tour. You make your own tour and therefore your own happiness. If however; you feel you are unhappy with the basics for which you have paid Overland Club then you must first discuss this with your road crew, they are then responsible to attempt to rectify the problem so that you are happy once again. If this is not resolved then ask the road crew to contact the head office for advice and we will endeavour to assist. At the end of the tour we want all clients to be happy. It is important you approach your tour with a positive outlook.

Every year, over one million wildebeest move through the Serengeti plains in search of food and water. The phenomenon of these animals moving en masse through the African savanna is known as the Migration. Their movement is driven by the seasonal rains that water their grazing pastures. It is impossible to predict in advance exactly how or when this progression will take place, but there is a pattern.

Generally from mid-December through May the herds are feeding in the Southern Serengeti. During February thousands of calves appear on the plains. Between June and July, the wildebeest begin their annual migration north reaching the Mara River that marks the Kenyan border sometime between the end of July and beginning of August (this is the 'peak' tourist season). The actual river crossing cannot be timed or predicted and we cannot guarantee that you will get to see the actual river crossing.

After the first short rains, usually in the beginning of November, the herds move back into Tanzania's Serengeti and make their way to the southern pastures where they rest and feed through the rains until their search for better grazing leads them to begin their annual migration once again. Even when the "migration" moves into Kenya for the summer months, there are many resident herds in the Serengeti and there is always an incredible array of wildlife to experience there.

The daily spending allowance or spending money is required to cover drinks, lunch, souvenirs, emailing, telephoning, taxis, occasional meals when not with the truck such as when participating on an optional overnight excursion, and also if you wish to upgrade from camping to a dorm or double room.