Prices for African Overland Truck Adventures
Savanna Dawn
Kenya,
Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe
For an Africa
overland safari with a myriad of experiences, landscapes and cultures in one
trip, embark on our Savanna Dawn Kenya to Zimbabwe safari. From visiting two
of the worlds best known gameparks in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater,
lying on the white sands of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean to the fresh water
of Lake Malawi and seeing one of the wonders of the world in Victoria Falls,
African safari travel does not get much more varied than this. What’s more,
you’ll have a real adventure while still having the time to relax.
DAY 1 - 4 Our Kenya to Zimbabwe safari begins! We depart Nairobi
early morning and immediately find ourselves in hot savannah grasslands with
thorn trees and acacia providing the only shade. We should see some game,
usually zebra and giraffe as we head south and cross into Tanzania
and the town of Arusha. Here we use a local African safari travel
company to guide us through Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti
National Parks. On the crater floor you can spend the day viewing the
abundant wildlife including Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, White Rhino,
Buffalo, Hippo, Antelope, Crocodile and Pink Flamingos. From here you
can also choose to go into the Serengeti for a day where vast herds of
wildebeest roam the plains. There is also the option, for those who wish to
visit a local Maasai Village and learn about their culture and way of
life.
DAY 5 - 9 It's one-day drive to Dar Es Salaam, and just
another day in the life of an Africa overland safari. We’ll pass a number of
small towns and villages along the way and, if we are lucky, we may see the
towering peak of Kilimanjaro. At Dar Es Salaam we camp for about 4
nights in a campsite on a beautiful Indian Ocean beach. From here
most people take the ferry out to Zanzibar for the full four days and
venture into the narrow bustling streets of StoneTown and its famous
spice markets, old slave forts and dungeons. There is also time to
enjoy yourself on Zanzibar's famous white beaches before returning to Dar Es
Salaam.
DAY 10 - 12 After meeting the Zanzibar ferry we begin the journey
through the interesting and often mountainous hinterland of Tanzania.
In the afternoon, after negotiating some appalling roads, we pass through
the peaceful Mikumi National Park. African safari travel is
synonymous with wildlife, and in this national park we usually see
Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra and Antelope from the roadside. We now pass
rivers and small waterfalls as we head for and enter Malawi which is
dominated by its huge fresh water lake.
DAY 13 - 17 The next 2 days marks the midpoint of this Kenya to
Zimbabwe safari and will be spent on a small laid back campsite on the edge
of Lake Malawi. Camping here sums up the spirit of an Africa overland
tour with Oasis Overland. From here we follow the lake shore south and spend
a further 2 or 3 nights on one of the fully equipped larger camps where you
can windsurf, scuba dive, water ski etc. If you are more inclined to
just relax there is no better place than on the shores of Lake Malawi. This
really is a warm friendly country and some people will go off for a couple
of days and stay in one of the many villages nearby, or visit a school or
one of the craft markets, where artisans produce some exquisite pieces of
furniture and carvings out of ebony and mahogany.
DAY 18 - 21 From here we continue on to Blantyre in the south
of the country where we stop for two nights. Here we organise our Mozambique
visas as well as possibly visit the local brewery - which is always
eagerly anticipated! From Blantyre we cross into Mozambique and head
for Zimbabwe to continue our African overland tour.
We follow the infamous ‘Tete Corridor’ which was well known in the days of
Mozambique’s long running civil war as the ‘Gun Run’. Thankfully these days
things are a lot different! We enter Zimbabwe and travel to Harare
where we spend two nights to round off the first leg of the Savanna Dawn
overland safari.
Those on the 21 Day Kenya to Zimbabwe tour finish here in Harare,
while those on the 31 Day tour carry on to Victoria Falls.
DAY 22 - 24 From Harare we head south to Gweru. Here we visit
a privately run horse and game ranch where you can go game viewing on
elephant and horseback or even take a walk with Lion Cubs! Its our
destination for the next two days and always a highlight!
DAY 25 - 27 From here we travel to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins
which was once the greatest medieval city in Sub Saharan Africa and where
the name Zimbabwe derives from, literally meaning ”house of stone”.
From here we continue south for Bulawayo, where our African safari
tour continues.
DAY 28 - 29 You have the option of leaving the truck for a day and a
night and using a local safari company, venture into Matobo National Park
where you may well see the elusive Black Rhino amongst hordes of other
game. There is also the opportunity to visit Cecil Rhodes' grave and
Worlds End view point before catching an old colonial style sleeper
train to meet up with the truck again at one of the greatest adventure
playgrounds of the world - Victoria Falls.
DAY 30 - 31 For some, Mosi oa Tunya - ’The Smoke That Thunders’,
is the highlight of their African safari. From the main road, in the bush 20
kms away, a cloud can be seen against the blue sky. As you get closer a low
rumble of thunder can be heard. When you arrive it is a surprise to discover
the enormity of Victoria Falls. One mile wide and hurling over 5 million
cubic metres of water a minute into the Zambezi Gorge this is the setting
for the most awesome of grade 5 white water rafting in the world.
There is something here for everyone to end off this Kenya to Zimbabwe
safari: a day trip over the great Victoria Falls Bridge into Zambia with
its excellent views of the Falls, a more sedate canoe trip, the Flight of
Angels over the Falls in a light aircraft, microlite or helicopter, Sunset
Boat Cruises, the Gorge Swing, an Abseil and one of the highest commercial
Bungee Jumps in the world – a perfect way to end your African
experience.
Victoria Falls marks the end of the Kenya to Zimbabwe safari. From
here you can travel by bus, train or plane to Johannesburg or Harare to
connect with international flights, or begin another Africa overland safari
to neighbouring countries.
What's
Included
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Ngorongoro Crater
& Game Drive
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Mikumi Game Park
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Lake Malawi
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Private Game
Ranch*
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Overnight Sleeper
Train*
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All transport on
Oasis Expedition Truck
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All Camping fees
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Camping and
Cooking gear
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3 Meals per day
while travelling (2 in towns)
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Services of Oasis
Crew
*31 day trip only
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What's NOT
Included
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Flights
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Airport Taxes and
Transfers
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Travel Insurance
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Visas - £20 - £90
(depending on nationality most can be obtained en route),
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Meals taken while
in hotels/hostels
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Drinks
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Tips and Optional
excursions as listed.
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KEY FEATURES OF OVERLAND EXPEDITION VEHICLES
When you travel overland, you will travel in our sturdy
purpose-built trucks. For our Africa and Middle East tours, conditions are
more extreme, and so all the vehicles visit our Harare workshop every three
months for extensive servicing. During the trip preventative maintenance is
carried out by our drivers who are trained at our workshop in the UK.
Vehicles are built in the UK, with practicality and comfort in mind.
All trucks are equipped with:
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Inward-facing coach seats with head rests, providing more
storage space for your souvenirs and luggage as well as more leg room to
stretch out on the longer journeys as we travel overland. It means we can't
pack as many people in as with 'bus' type forward-facing layouts with narrow
aisles, but the extra space is always appreciated!
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The Beach - a unique feature which enables several people
at a time to be up and out in the open with panoramic views on our Africa
and Middle East tours.
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Under-seat storage for your backpack so you have easy
access even when driving.
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Side and rear roll-up windows, providing extensive views.
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Large water, fuel and food carrying capacities.
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Onboard truck safe and library, overhead lockers,
cassette stereo and a professionally-compiled medical kit.
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Comprehensive range of spare truck parts and tools.
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Spacious two-person tents with in-built ground sheets and
mosquito netting, gas cookers, cooking gear and cutlery, cooler boxes,
tables,
campstools and all-weather awnings (for cooking and shade).
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All overland expedition trucks for our Africa and Middle
East tours are equipped with sand mats and, where necessary, tyre chains and
tirfor winches.
Our crew has gained a considerable knowledge and
experience of travelling even before they join us. They have a passion and
enthusiasm for their work and for the countries and places we visit.
All overland expedition vehicles have two crew - except in exceptional
circumstances. Their experience and knowledge will enable you to get the
most out of your trip and to have an unforgettable experience as you travel
overland.
The diagram below provides a general idea of the layout of an expedition
vehicle.

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Essential Africa Travel Information
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We offer the perfect option for
overland adventure or gap year travel in Africa. However, before you depart,
read here for information on travelling with us through this vast, wild and
beautiful continent.
Starting and Finishing your Trip
Nairobi, Harare, Victoria Falls and Cape Town are the start and finish
points in Africa. We recommend arriving a couple of days before your trip
starts in order to acclimatise and give yourself a free day. Most people
also leave time spare to visit Cape Town and some will carry on with travel
to South Africa for a couple of weeks. Or, if you’re embarking on gap year
travel in Africa, a trip with us might be the perfect way to kickstart it,
and the end point of Cape Town is the perfect place from which to continue
your year abroad. We can advise you of places to stay and can book
accommodation for you, as well as advise you on general Africa travel
information. Contact
us today and see how we can help you!
Travelling Style in Africa
We camp in either designated campsites, or bush-camps using two person
tents. We usually cook over open fires in a rota system. Driving days
normally start around 8am and finish around 5pm with stops for lunch and
buying food, seeing local sights etc. We won’t be travelling every day,
although there are times when we will travel for two days in a row. We will
then be stopped for three to four days relaxing somewhere.
Passports and Visas
Most nationalities require visas for some of the countries that we travel
through, including travel to South Africa, Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
However we get these en-route. The costs listed below are a guideline,
please note that prices and conditions can change at anytime without notice.
Please ensure that you bring US Dollars to pay for your visas. If you are
embarking on travel in Africa, be aware that you will need at least one
blank page in your passport for each country you enter, which must be valid
for at least 9 months. If you have dual nationality you can only use one
passport. Contact us for further Africa travel information regarding
passport laws.
Uganda - At present all nationalities require visas. We obtain these
on the border for most European nationalities, Australian and New Zealanders
costing US$ 30 to $50.
Kenya - Tourist visas are currently US$20 to US$50 and are issued on
arrival for British, Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans. You
will need a valid yellow fever certificate and an onward ticket to show
immigration on arrival. Americans and Canadians should check with the
embassy before travel.
Tanzania - At the moment we can obtain visas on the border. British,
Canadians, South African and Americans require a visa currently costing
US$60. New Zealanders $30 Australians $50.
Malawi - No visas required for most nationalities.
Mozambique - All Nationalities require a visa. We can obtain a
transit visa on route for US$20 so it is not necessary to have this visa
before travelling.
Zambia - While in Victoria Falls we usually cross into Zambia for a
day. A one day visa can usually be arranged locally at no cost.
Zimbabwe - At present most European nationalities and Australians and
New Zealanders require an entry visa, but this is easily purchased on the
border. The visa costs US$30 for a single entry and US$50 for a double
entry. United Kingdom and Ireland passport holders require a visa costing
US$55.
Botswana, Namibia and South Africa - Most nationalities do not
require a visa.
Climate
Even though we cover fairly large distances during our travel to Africa, the
climate does not change significantly. In East Africa the year is divided
into the ’short’ rains (November) and the ’long’ rains (March to May). The
’rains’ usually last for one or two hours each day followed by sunny
weather.
Travel to South Africa and Southern Africa means that the ‘dry’ season is
April to October and the ‘wet’ season is November to March. Although at
night temperatures can be very cold the days are usually hot. If you’re
embarking on gap year travel to Africa, you’ll experience all the different
seasons. Because of this, make sure you pack appropriate equipment and
clothing for all weather types.
Spending Money and Local Payment
At the beginning of your trip the crew will collect the Local Payment in
Cash, Sterling or US Dollars. For personal spending we suggest an average of
£80 to £120 per week. Personal spending habits vary hugely depending on
individuals. We cannot specify every cost, but you need to allow for visas,
drinks, occasional meals out, curios and local crafts, telephone calls and
emails etc. Budget on optional side trips separately. Credit cards are
virtually useless outside main cities so you need to bring at least a third
of your spending money in Cash US Dollars and the rest in Sterling or Dollar
Travellers Cheques. For those continuing with travel in Africa, major cities
have cash points and foreign exchange facilities within easy reach.
Health
Vaccinations - You will have to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever
and will need an International Vaccination Certificate to prove this when we
cross some borders. It is also advisable to be vaccinated against Typhoid,
Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A and Meningitis. Consult your doctor about the
necessity of having Hepatitis B and Rabies shots and further Africa travel
information regarding medicine and vaccination.
Malaria - Some GPs are quite well versed in tropical medicine,
vaccination requirements and malarial prevention. However, many are not! If
you are not happy with the information your doctor has provided, contact a
reputable travel clinic in your area or phone us and we can give you the
number of several clinics. There are a number of prophylactic malarial
treatments on the market and requirements do change. Also, a particular
regimen might suit you better than another. It is also wise to take a sample
of which ever prophylactic you choose, a few weeks before you leave. This
way you may determine early on if you have any adverse reactions so you can
change regimens if necessary. For gap year travel in Africa or other long
periods of travel, a vaccination booklet is an easy way of keeping records
of your immunisations.
Prices for African Overland Truck Adventures |
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