How to choose an overland tour company
There are countless overland and adventure tour companies on many different scales operating tours and you may find that you are spoilt for choice. Here are the main points to look out for.
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Our recommended adventure tour companies
How to choose your tour company
Consider the following when choosing an adventure tour company:
- Reputation/Recommendations
- Value for money
- Inclusions and Exclusions
- Safety and Backup
- How many drivers
- Type of person the company aims at
What is included in the tour price?
When you are checking value for money you must first make sure that the tour company will include entry to certain National Parks and Game Reserves.
Even though it may say in the brochure, for example, that at the start of week 2 you will reach the Okavango Delta in Botswana - are they including a trip into the Delta or have you just booked yourself onto an incredibly cheap tour only to find that you are paying a fortune when you reach every site of interest along the way! Be wise!!
What meals are included?
It is also important to check what meals are included.
Ideally they should all be included and should all come out of one big kitty (paid at the start of the trip to your driver). This way they will certainly work out cheaper for you in the long run as you they are bought in bulk for the whole group as you go along.
Cooking duties will normally be shared amongst the group while someone else will be on the roster to clean up after you. This actually works out very well and surprisingly, the occasional gourmet banquet is created from the strangest of food combinations.
Some overland companies now include a local cook to help out with the meals on some of the shorter trips allowing you to rest in bed for that extra half an hour in the morning as you hear the sizzle of breakfast through the tent canvas! Hmmmmmm.
Emergency back-up
One of the most important points to check is back-up.
Travelling vast distances over such hostile terrain will inevitably take its toll on the trucks so adequate back-up is essential.
This means that the driver (and co-driver) are fully trained and able to fix most minor problems en-route, but more importantly, spare parts should not be too far away - which either means other trucks racing out to you or else getting the injured truck to the nearest town where help is at hand.
Most of the major tour companies also have emergency radio contact with their headquarters in the UK or elsewhere.
How many drivers / guides?
It is also good to check how many drivers are on your trip. The better trips operate two - a driver and a co-driver - to alternate the driving and also in case one of them becomes ill (Yes, even the leaders can get Malaria!).
What is the average age group?
Have a good read of the brochure and try and decide what kind of person or age group the trip is aimed at.
Most companies say you must be between 18-40 years old. If you ask your travel agent or tour company they will generally let you know the average age of the people in the group on your truck.
Remember - don't forget your travel insurance if you're planning on going on an overland tour!
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Search across over 270 tour operators and help support local communities and protect the environment by booking your next trip through Responsible Travel. | View tours |
|
Highly reputable adventure tour company offering a wide variety of tours to suit even the most adventurous spirit! | View tours |