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Archive for March, 2011

5 more things to jam into your overlanding backpack

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Overlanding is a cheap, easy and fast way to travel and your overlanding backpack should be as well.
You can cram your specially designed everything-resistant backpack with all your earthly belongings and spend hours of your overlanding tour packing and repacking or you can be clever.
Half the experience of travelling is ‘roughing it’ and seeing what you can go without, so you should go for a light easy to carry rucksack packed only with what you need.

How to pack for overlanding Africa

Here are my top 5 backpack items on an Overlanding Tour; along with the ten backpacking essentials we’ve already covered.

Diary and pen: Keeping a travel journal is a fantastic way to keep track of your Overlanding travels. Journaling is an expressive, easy an exciting way to immortalize the memories of your African adventure.  Plus when your memory starts to get a bit hazy you can always relive you’re treasured experiences by reading through your journal.
Snazzy sun hat: A proper hat to protect you from the harsh African suns rays is a definite must on an Overlanding tour.  Take it from me, blistering skin is no fun and lobster is not an attractive shade on anyone.
Comfy walking shoes: You will be doing plenty of walking out in the bush and around the towns on your Overlanding expedition. A sturdy pair of broken in walking or hiking shoes is essential and will let you explore all that Africa whilst still being comfortable.
Refillable water bottles: If you are looking to save some cash on your Overlanding tour carry along some refillable water bottles. You can fill up at taps along the way and it’s a handy trick to quenching your thirst without always having to buy bottled water (read: more money for beer).
Long top/raincoat: You are sure to hit a few rainstorms and chilly evenings as you overland your way through Africa.  A raincoat doesn’t take up much space and it’s plenty to keep you dry and warm.
Think Light, Travel Light
In my experience even if you do pack light, you will probably still have more than you will ever use.
And anything you have forgotten can be picked up along the way. Although this is Africa we do have shops!
For backpacking, travelling and overlanding advice chat to one of our Overlanding Africa experts or check out our tour page to book your Overlanding Africa adventure.
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Cape Town to Vic Falls Overlanding Africa Travel Diary Part 1

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

Tamzyn recently enjoyed a 21 day overland adventure from Cape Town to Victoria Falls. This is the first part of her daily diary entries on her incredible Overlanding Africa experience.

Meeting the Overland Crew

Our pre-trip departure meeting has been postponed until tomorrow as our tour guide’s opening speech is drowned out by the noise of a packed pool party at the backpackers. We’ll receive Innocent’s official welcome speech when we reach our campsite and the need for a mime rendition is negated.
I did however meet some of the interesting travelers I will be sharing the next 21 days with as well as our fantastic friendly crew – 3 Zimbabweans and a Namibian. Everything is ready for a perfect trip and awesome adventure. I have even received my nickname already – Thamsanqa (means lucky in Zulu).

Overlanding Africa Truck

Tomorrow we head into the ragged, rocky towers of the South African Cederberg Mountains north of Cape Town with the chance to enjoy a wine tasting tour before camping at one of the area’s gorgeous wine farms.

Day 2 – Cederberg:

There could not have been a greater start to the trip! Plenty of drive-by photography as we all snapshot the hell out of the some of the insane Cederberg rock formations and the most mind-blowing majestic mountains I have ever seen.

Cederberg-Mountain-View

My world for sunscreen

I have committed one of Overlanding’s cardinal sins and forgotten to wear my sunscreen. The scorching sun has turned my window arm bright lobster red and it’s starting to hurt! Ouch.
We set up our tents for the first night and choose our new tent buddies before spending the afternoon lounging in a clear and cool blue waters of the pool overlooking the vineyards of The Highlander Wine Estate, getting to know the mixture of characters and personalities in our motley travelling crew.

Overlanding Africa learn how to pitch a tent

We are a diverse bunch with everything from adventurous Aussie boys and dynamic young Danes, to a hilarious South Korean Police Officer, an entertaining older Englishman and a Canadian. Many of them are seasoned travelers of Asia, South and North America.

Star-sprinkled evenings

We spend a blissfully quite evening under a sparkling star-filled night sky at the vineyard bar before turning in to our tents for our first night on nature’s orthopedic mattress, the ground. Useful Hint: Before choosing a tent buddy asks who snores.

Cedarburg Campsite View
We are all extremely excited about crossing over South Africa’s largest river the Orange River tomorrow, which is currently in flood and has reached its highest level in 24 years!

Our usual campsite is sitting under water, so we are crossing our first border into Namibia to camp on the Namibian side of the riverbank.

Day 3 – Orange River:

A gorgeous sunrise greets us this morning as it rises and lights up the enormous vineyards before we set off on the truck towards Namibia.

On the road

Kim’s, the Police Officer, hilarious stories of life in Korea and travelling through South America keep us laughing our asses off the entire way. Did you know: melons are imported into South Korea and are so expensive that they are given as gifts in boxes?
After a roadside lunch of tomato and cheese sandwiches in the dry Karoo heat we arrive in the historic town of Springbok, our last stop before entering Namibia. The Northern Cape’s largest town, Springbok is centred round a strange hill which now shows off some of Namaqualand’s strange floral life.
The Namaqualand area is known for its spectacular transformation in spring in which the dry scrub-land bursts forth in a dazzling show of flowers.
The heat is frying our brains as it visibly rises off the road in front of and as we cross the flooded Great Orange River and Namibian border. Our first border post of the trip- YIPPEE!!!

Overland through Africa Namibia Border Post

Felix Unite, tonight’s campsite on the banks of the Orange River has had its lower bar and lodges flooded. The pool and poolside bar overhanging the river offer up an awesome view and the best spot to watch the sun go down over the river whilst we enjoy a few pre-party drinks.

Felix Unite Deck Orange River

Orange River Punch Anyone?

Tonight is punch night and the entertainment is proudly provided by the duly appointed punch master and punch bitch!

A few of us choose to play drinking games and have refreshing late night swims in the camp pool, laughing into the early hours. We are going to regret this in the morning when we have to spend 7 hours on the truck!

Orange River Namibia Punch Night 7's

I wonder if the Fish River Canyon is more or less beautiful when you are wearing vodka/beer/cane/shooter goggles.

Stand by for the next installment!

[Read part 2 here]

For information about overlanding in Africa or to find out more about this trip, contact the team at OverlandingAfrica.com.

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Learn to speak Swahili – 10 phrases to get you around Kenya

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

Even though English is one of Kenya’s main languages, its great fun learning new cultures and a bit of local Swahili speak will help you appreciate the people and country even more.

Here is Overlanding Africa’s guide to a few helpful Swahili phrases to get you out there chatting up the locals:

Hello –                 Jambo (Ja-mbo)
How are you?-            Habari (Ha-baa-ri)
Fine-                Mzuri Sana (Mz-oo-ri)
Goodbye-            Kwaheri (Kwa- hee-ree)
Thank You-            Asante Sana (a-san-tay sa-na)
How much is it?/Yes/No-    Ngapi Shillings (Nng-api Shi-llings)/ Ndiyo (Ndee-yo)/ Hapana (Ha-pa-na)
Thank You-            Tafadhali (Ta-fad-haa-li)
I’d like a cold Beer-         Tafadhali Nataka bia (Ta-fad-haa-li Na-ta-ka Bee-a)
I don’t understand-         Sielewi (See-le-wee)
No problem-            Hakuna Matata (Ha-koo-na Ma-ta-ta)

Learning to Speak Swahili

Try out your Swahili knowledge

Try out these neat phrases on your Kenya safari, you might not get it right all the time and a few of the locals might crack out laughing but most will appreciate the gesture!
For more information on any of the Overland Tours you can visit our Overlanding Africa tour page, contact one of our friendly Overlanding Africa experts or post your comments below.
Have you been on a Kenya Overland tour lately? Share your Kenya safari experiences and photographs with Overlanding Africa by e-mailing us at info@overlandingafrica.com.
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Namibia Overland Namib-Naukluft Park Tour

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

No Namibia Overlanding tour is a success without a visit to Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft Park.  Its infinite desert vistas, towering lunar mountain ranges and unique wildlife encounters are dumbfounding.

With endless landscape vistas stretching from the caramel colored sea of sand dunes in the Namib Desert to the eye-popping purple Naukluft mountain range, the Namib-Naukluft Park is the greatest natural wonder on any Namibia Overlanding trip.

Whether it’s running up one of the world’s largest sand dunes, bundu-bashing your way along one of the infamous 4×4 Namibia trails or soaking up Namibia’s vast wildlife the Namib Naukluft Park has something for all tastes on a Namibia tour.

Here is Overlanding Africa’s guide to Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft Park top 5 things to do and see to make sure you get the most out of your Namibia overlanding trip. (more…)

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Take a hike on Namibia Safari

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

Hike up the rippled caramel dunes of the Namib Desert and through the purple volcanic rock gorges of the Namib-Naukluft Park and watch the desert spring to life around you on a Namibia Safari on foot.

Dust off those walking shoes and take a hike through the pumpkin orange dunes of the Namib Desert, carved towers of the Spitzkoppe rock formations and lush green gorges of the Otavi Mountains to explore the unique natural wonders of a Namibia Safari.

Don’t let Namibia whiz by in a trail of dust outside your car window. Hiking tours are the perfect chance to appreciate the Namib Desert and Nature Reserves whilst learning about Namibia’s fascinating wildlife.

Here is Overlanding Africa’s guide to the top hiking trails for a thumping great Namibia safari experience.

Namib Desert Hiking tour

Slow it down and watch the desert come to life on your Namibia Tour as you explore the Namib Desert dunes around Swakopmund on a ‘Living Desert Tour’. Get yourself lost in amongst the towering caramel-ripple and rusty sand dunes of the oldest desert in the world, the famous Namib Desert, racing up the sheer faces and tumbling back down again.
Your passionate guide will show you all the fascinating wildlife underfoot, often missed in a car, as you learn about the weird and wacky creatures and plants that have adapted to the harshest environment on earth.

For more information or to book a Namib Desert Tour visit Tommy’s Tours and Safari’s.

Tok Tokkie Guided Hiking Tour

Hiking-in-Sossusvlei

Explore the vastly different terrains of the desert as you hike through grassy gold plains past quirkily shaped acacia trees, up burnt orange dunes and over rocky mountainsides on the Tok Tokkie Hiking Trail. Starting at the popular Namibia travel spot Sossusvlei, the Tok Tokkie guided hiking tour leads you into the heart of the Namibland Nature reserve to uncover the secrets of the Namib Desert buzzing with life. Soak up the spectacular lunar mountain ranges, insane rock formations and the world’s tallest dunes sparkling in a bright sea around as you sip on a local beer or three.

For more information or to book a Tok Tokkie guided trail hike on your Namibia tour visit Tok Tokkie Trails

Mundulea Guided Hike

Leopard Otavi Mountains Mundelea Hiking tour

Calling all wildlife lovers and adventurous hikers the Mundulea guided hike through Namibia’s Mundulea Nature Reserve will go down a treat on your Namibia tour. Revel in the unspoiled Namibian bushveld as you trek through the lush greenery of the Otavi Mountains, making your way up rugged hills and steep gorges with never-ending views of the Waterberg Plateau before exploring Mundulea’s network of caves and the cool waters of the underground lakes.

Two hours from Namibia’s popular Etosha National Park, the Mundulea Nature Reserve is the chance to spot herds of wildebeest, eland and kudu as well as the elusive mountain leopard.  Your passionate Namibia tour guide will explain the unique wonders of the bush as you explore Namibia’s fascinating environment on your tailored walking safari in Namibia. After a rewarding full day hike, marvel at the clear desert night sky overhead as you sit around a blazing fire enjoying some hearty Southern African tucker.

More information on the Mundulea nature Reserves hiking trails here.

Namib Naukluft Park Hiking Trails

Your hiking shoes are the perfect way to explore the the purple-jagged mountains and rugged rocky trails of the Namib Naukluft Mountains rising up from the desert floor of the Namib Naukluft Park. There are plenty of trails which crisscross the Park, lasting from one to up to eight days.  The most popular trails are the Olive Trail (10 km/5 h) and the Waterkloof Trail (17km/7 h). Revel in the lunar landscapes stretching out endless panorama’s underneath you as you trek across plateaus, the dry Naukluft River bed and gorges with refreshing rock pools. Quiver Trees line the wide mountain valleys which are buzzing with the wildlife sounds of an epic Namibia safari. Keep your eyes peeled for the rare Mountain Zebra as well as klipspringer, kudu and rock hyrax’s galore as you soak in all the raw energy of the Namib Naukluft Park’s vast mountain ranges and desert floor.

Spitzkoppe Guided Hike

Hiking-Spitzkoppe

Enjoy proper bush camping on your Namibia travel experience and a guided tour from a friendly local community member who will expose you to the rock formations, history and culture of the towering granite peaks of Africa’s Matterhorn, the Namibia Spitzkoppe. Run by the local community, the campsite and guided tours are a chance for you to give back on your Namibia tour. Learn about the famous san rock paintings, the fascinating Spitzkoppe shapes carved by the wind and how to survive off the land. You can even learn to greet in the local Damara language.
Hike up one of the smaller rock formations at the campsite for sundowners as the sun sinks behind the Pontock Mountains and the sky burns in a bright rainbow of colours. At night camp in the shadows of the towering Spitzkoppe nothing but the quiet African bush around you.

For more information visit the Namibia Community Based Tourism Initiative.

Don’t despair! Prepare!

All the hikes require a solid pair of hiking shoes as well as plenty of water (min. 3 litres per person).  And don’t forget a hat and sunscreen unless you want to glow bright lobster red for the rest of your Namibia travel tour. A camera and pair of binoculars will come in handy as well.

Namibia Safari on foot

Whether it’s hiking up the caramel coloured dunes of the Namib Desert at Swakopmund or across the golden plains of the Namib Naukluft Park, using your feet will allow you to see and appreciate a lot more of the natural wonders and wildlife on your Namibia tour.

For more information on a Namibia safari to one of our Overlanding Africa experts or check out our tour page for Namibia tours.

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Better than sex – Swakopmund Top 5 Adventure Activities

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Swakopmund is an adrenalin junkie’s paradise, and if that’s how you get your kicks, this place is better than sex. The air, ocean and sand adventure activities in Swakopmund will get the heart racing whilst exploring and enjoying your Namibia overland trip.

Namibia’s adrenalin capital, Swakopmund, is a candy-store of adventure activities to quench the thirst of even the most extreme adrenalin junkie on a Namibia overland tour.

The beautiful seaside holiday belies the host of exciting and unique adventure activities which are the ultimate way to explore all the natural wonder and beauty of a Namibia overland whilst getting your adventure fix.

Here is Overlanding Africa’s guide to Swakopmund’s top 5 adventure activities to make your Namibia tour legendary. (more…)

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Guide to climbing Namibia’s Namib Desert Dunes

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Walking-up-Dune-45

Namibia overland tours are the perfect chance to test yourself against the epic sand dunes of the Namib Desert whilst insanely beautiful views of the Namib-Naukluft Park Desert expanses wait for you up top.

A top treat on any Namibia overland tour is a trip to the Namib-Naukluft Park and Namib Desert, with the chance to conquer one of Namibia’s monstrous sand dunes.

Whether it’s from the top of Dune 45 (148m) or Big Daddy (380m), Namibia’s dunes offer the best perspective from which to appreciate the infinite sea of sand of the Namib Desert on a Namibian overland trip. Take note of which dunes you can and can not climb, venturing beyond the public perimeter in this protected area will land you with a fat fine and a swift escort out of the park.

Namibia Overland Safari Dune Challenge

The Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft Park is not only the world’s oldest and most beautiful desert but it is also home to the world’s tallest sand dunes, with some towering in at over 300m.  The shifting wind and sand create a glistening new sheer dune face each morning, just asking for you to climb and conquer them on your Namibia overland trip.

Sunset and sunrise offer climbers their just reward, lighting up an endless panoramic vista of the desert floor in every shade of red, gold and caramel you could ever imagine.

Summiting a Namibia sand dune can be a heck of a climb, especially if the six-pack you prefer comes in cans.

Here is the Overlanding Africa guide to becoming a champion Namib Desert Dune conqueror on your Namibia tour so you can brag to your mates back home (more…)

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Last Minute MASSIVE Discounts on Africa Overland Trip!

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

Really need a holiday?

Need it right now?

Look no further!

Best of Botswana Game ParksSave a massive ZAR 3,050 of the Best of Botswana Game Parks accommodated overland trip when you book the 15th March 2011 departure.

Book now to save disappointment!

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WIN a Overland Trip in Africa! March Competition.

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

The last of our competitions for a while as we battle the coming overland high season…

lake malawi22 days of bliss travelling from Zanzibar through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana and Kruger National Park in South Africa, before finishing in Johannesburg.

It is ridiculously easy to enter!

Check it out here…

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The History of Surfers