Overlanding Africa.com offers budget safaris, Africa overland tours, camping & backpacking advice for Africa. About us or enquire now.

Get the free Overlanding Newsletter!
Use the Overlanding Google Map

Build Your Trip to Africa

Where?

Where do you want to go?

Close
Close Button
When?

Close
Close Button
How Long?

Close
Close Button

Archive for the ‘Whats Hot!’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Our Top 5 Overlanding Africa Trips

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Overlanders across the planet will be the first to tell you that an Overlanding trip will more or less wreck your ambitions for one day sitting at a desk and a being a responsible corporate type. Yip, these trips are that much fun, and almost without exception, feed that greedy travel bug, just enough to fatten the little #%&%#@$ up. Beware the gluttonous travel bug people!

A post-trip daydream of adventure spanning the length and breadth of this planet is your doggy bag from an overland truck trip… you simply have to get your butt onto an overland truck, it’s the best way to see the crazy beauty that is Africa.

So first timers, the overlanding virgins, and seasoned overlanders, these are our 5 most popular overlanding trips in Africa!

1. Wildlife Wonderland

wildlife-overlanding africa tours

This particular trip covers some of the best game parks in Africa. Starting in Nairobi, traversing the Masai Mara in Kenya, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania and finally finishing up in Nairobi, 8 action-packed days later. This trip is a great introduction to the wilds of East Africa. Visit Overlanding Africa to find out more about the Wildlife Wonderland Trip.

2. Nairobi to Cape Town Epic:

Nairobi to Cape Town Epic Overland Trip

Thread together tons of game spotting, meeting the local tribes, kicking back on beaches and a few adrenaline sports thrown in to keep your pulse bouncing and you’ve got a proper African expedition, we call it The Nairobi to Cape Town Epic, this overlanding trip does everything it says on the can. Get your memories of a life time on Overlanding Africa’s Nairobi to Cape Town Epic.

3. Discover South West Africa:

Discover South West Africa Overlanding Tour

This trip is hands down, our best-seller. It’s 21 days of great game viewing, local tribes, adventure sports and dramatic scenery ranging from beautiful desolation in the Namib to the lush abundance of the Okavango. This overland trip takes you from the mighty Victoria Falls through Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, finishing up in the Mother City, Cape Town. Seriously, could you plan a better 21 days anywhere?!

This journey gets a massive thumbs up, get full details on the Discover South West Africa overland trip here

4. Kruger to Victoria Falls:

Kruger Park to Victoria Falls overlanding africa trip

Discover the beautiful Mpumalanga Province en route to the world famous Kruger National Park where two days of game drives, wildlife and the Big 5 lie in wait. We explore the Polokwane Game Reserve on foot before a couple of days in Botswana and Zambia. A day in Livingstone is just a taste of the adrenaline adventures that await you at your destination, Vic Falls.

Got 7 days? Want to have your world rocked? See our Kruger to Vic Falls overlanding trip.

5. Ultimate Trans Africa Expedition:

Trans Africa overland trip

This is the ultimate African adventure, actually, this is the ultimate adventure period. 280 days from London to Cairo is for the adventurous only. If you like pressed linen and daily showers stop reading now, if you love grit, getting stuck in, camaraderie and life altering experiences set against the most magnificent scenery on the planet then have a look at our tour itinerary for the Ultimate Trans Africa Expedition.

The Overlanding trips mentioned above are the top 5 overlanding trips we offer, but they’re by no means the only trips. We have 164 overlanding trips on our books and that number is growing. We can advise you, assist you and even tailor make a trip for you, contact Overlanding Africa and get trucking!

For detailed information on these trips, and how to get yourself a seat on a overland truck, visit the Overlanding Africa website.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Africa, Just For Fun!, Tours, Whats Hot! | No Comments »

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.

Keep Discovering

Share

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Africa, Just For Fun!, Tours, Whats Hot! | 1 Comment »

OA takes the Cross-Border Agency to task

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

OA General Manager Tania Wheeler

OA General Manager Tania Wheeler

Overlanding Africa General Manager and intrepid Overlander Tania Wheeler featured in the recent Travel Industry Review. She was quoted slating the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency for introducing legislation which effectively sought to block Overland Trucks and any vehicles not registered or licensed in South Africa from entering the country.

The confusion around the legislation caused huge upset when it was reported that some UK based Overland Tour Operators faced having to scrap some of their tours through South Africa after being denied permits.

“We need a clear list of guidelines or, if it is in fact a license issue, we need a way to comply… We will get whatever they want. We just need to know or be given another way to comply”

You can read the full article at Travel industry Review.

Share

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Africa, News Flash, Tania's Rant, Whats Hot! | No Comments »

Shell fracking up our Karoo!

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Karoo Eastern Cape South Africa (WinCE)

Karoo farmers, communities and Environmental NGO’s  are up in arms over petrochemical giant Royal Dutch Shells recent bid to begin drilling the water-stressed Karoo in search of natural reserves of shale gas.

The company has submitted a bid to explore over 30 000 square km using a process called hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’ which if it goes forth could have a seriously harmful environmental and agricultural impact and poison the already limited and dwindling Karoo water supply.

Fracking, or hydrolic fracturing occurs by drilling boreholes 4 to 5 kilometers deep into underground shale rock formations and then introducing a mixture of chemicals, sand and millions of litres of water at high pressures.

This fractures the geological structures and forces a free flow of shale gas which can be harvested and turned into energy. To those of you thinking that this is great news for South Africa and will bring the petrol price down- think again!

Hydraulic fracturing has already been banned in a number of  areas of the United States because of insanely harmful effects that it has on both the environment and the people. Chemicals used in fracking cause cancer as well as a huge host of other diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimers and endocrine disrupting disorders.

More frightening is the very real and dangerous possibility of contaminating the ancient Karoo water reserves and not only devastating the environment but destroying the farming community in the area.

It takes only 1 litre of hydrocarbon gases like shale to pollute 1 million litres of water.  Hydraulic fracturing also requires millions of litres of water, in a semi-desert environment which has just comes out of one of the worst droughts in decades (who are these geniuses?). Fracking also produces vast volumes of flammable, toxic drilling mud which then has to be stored somewhere.

Despite promises from Shell that they will take every precaution to ensure adequate Environmental Management Plans are put into place and the environmental impact is as minimal as possible people are angry and calls of protest are mounting.

The response at the public meetings held so far have been a resounding no, even though these meetings are simply a Shell PR exercise as farmers don’t have rights to minerals below their soil.

Recently the DA has stood up calling for a dismissal of the project. Reuters has also announced a moratorium on future ‘fracking’ bids and exploration rights in the Karoo.

We only have to glance across the pond to see the impact frack mining has had America to realise we want nothing to do with this project. Gasland, a documentary on ‘fracking’ produced and directed by Josh Fox, shows sickly livestock losing their hair and tap water which is contaminated by shale gas spewing forth in a fireball after a match is brought near it! Is the Karoo not hot enough already?

Shell has until the 18th of April to finalise the first round of its public hearings and Environmental Impact Assessments and Management Programme.

We at Overlanding Africa have only one thing to say to you Shell-  you can frack right off back to Deutschland if you think South Africans are just going to let you mosy on in and destroy one of our most beautiful natural treasures!

Keep Discovering

Share

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Africa, News Flash, Whats Hot! | 15 Comments »

Tailor Made Overland Trips Just For You!

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Charter your own overland truck for you and your friends/family/school group/sports club/dive club/motorbike club (and anything else you can think of), and we will customise your itinerary for you anywhere in Africa, anytime!

Overland Truck CharterWhether you have a school group, a large family group or a special interest group, overland truck charters can be tailor made to suit every requirement – and every budget.

Create your own adventure route. Choose the activities you want to do. Have a breathtaking holiday with friends and family, all within your budget.

Why Charter a Overland Truck and let us build your dream trip?
- YOU decide where it goes
- YOU decide the pace
- YOU choose the activities
- YOU choose you own group
- YOU set the budget

You will have the adventure of a lifetime!!

For all overland charter enquiries contact Tania at OverlandingAfrica.com or post your comments below.

Share

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Whats Hot! | 2 Comments »

Garden Route Road Trip: Andre’s Top 5 Discoveries

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

In October of this year I did a 4 day Garden Route road trip with my girlfriend. Here are some of my surprise discoveries from my one and only South African road trip of 2010.

Knysna Loerie#1 Nature’s Valley
Until this road trip, I had never been to Nature’s Valley. 32 years living in South Africa and never had I been there. Disgraceful.

All I can say is that this place is a nature-lover’s heaven-on-earth. Wake up to the sound of the indigenous Knysna Loeries knocking on your window. Go for long walks on a wild and impressive beach. Surf spots on your doorstep, to the east and to the west.

I will be back. Oh yes, I will be back.

Rock Kestral#2 Best Sunday Roast on the Garden Route
There is wildlife sanctuary for birds of prey called “Eagle Encounters” on the N2 near Plettenberg Bay. We discovered this little gem on a rainy Sunday afternoon while travelling from Plett to Knysna. I am big fan of birds of prey, so we decided to stop. Unfortunately the centre was not doing their daily bird flights and educational talks (because of the rain). So we browsed through their shop, and decided to have lunch at the cosy little restaurant.

The restaurant served up the most delicious roast I’ve had all year. The atmosphere was just perfect with the soft rain drip-dropping on the corrugated iron roof. The ladies in the kitchen who prepared our food were laughing and smiling all through lunch.

Definitely happy food.

#3 Pure Luxury at Pezula
During this trip, we were fortunate enough to be offered a couple of nights stay at Knysna’s luxury golf estate, Pezula.

Situated high up on the Knysna heads, the estate overlooks the Knysna lagoon on one side, and the Indian Ocean on the other. The most memorable aspect of our 5-star stay, was the large, comfortable and beautifully decorated room; which had every conceivable luxury including a selection of pillows which could be ordered from reception, based on your sleeping preference. The grounds at Pezula are magnificently kept, incorporating a world-class 18 hole golf course.

Forest#4 Knysna Forest Walk
Part of the charm of the Garden Route is NOT having a plan.

If you like keeping spontaneity alive, then keep an eye on the various signboards which line the N2 as you drive this popular route. There are all sorts of spontaneous rewards awaiting you: Elephant Sanctuary, Bird Sanctuary, Wolf Sanctuary, Puzzle Land, Canopy Tours, and the list goes on…

One of these rewards was a short forest walk (1.5km) we did through a section of the indigenous Knysna Forest. The demarcated walking area is easy to miss while travelling at 100km an hour on South Africa’s second national road; so keep an eye out for the small signboard (on the left hand side) on the stretch between Knysna and Plett. There is parking for about 5-10 cars, and a small hut where the local national parks employees will take your R10 (approx $1) for walking along the boardwalk through this small piece of wooded paradise. There are picnic tables and all trees are marked with information boards. This is a great place to stretch your legs on a long road trip and a must for anyone who simply love beautiful trees.

When I close my eyes and think of this road trip, it is in this haven that I find myself.

AVK#5 Explore more
My final and most important discovery from this road trip, is the realisation that I do not do this enough.

It is so easy to get caught up in the rat-race: work, social commitments, friends, surfing, dinner parties where conversations revolve around things we’ve seen on youtube and where people keep whipping out their mobile phones every 5 seconds.

I have realised that we do not make enough time to appreciate the beauty which lies all around us. Gifts.

My resolution for 2011: explore more.

Share

Tags: , ,
Posted in Southern Africa, Whats Hot! | 2 Comments »

THIS is Botswana!

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

Share

Tags: , ,
Posted in Videos, Whats Hot! | 1 Comment »

5 Things To Do Before You Die – Botswana

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

There are some things you really should see while you are in Botswana. Here are the top 5!

delta mokoroGame Viewing from a Mokoro
Okavango Delta teems with an enormous variety of animal and bird-life. A perfect way to experience the untouched waterways is by mokoro (dug-out canoe), giving you the opportunity to witness the wildlife of Botswana close-up. Your mokoro poler and guide will share their extensive knowledge of how to find the animals, as well as insights as to how to read and interpret wildlife behaviour.

View the Rock Art Site of the San At Manayana
35km west of Gabarone lies the village of Manayana, where dazzling rock paintings are located. Historians believe that the San people created the rock paintings and that Manayana could have been a place of ritual for them. The rock pictures include rhinos, gemsbok, antelope, and a group of giraffes as well as human geometric shapes.

Bushmen in the KalahariGame Walks with Bushmen Trackers
Take a trip to the famous Kalahari Desert in Botswana and witness a culture of people known as the San. Let the San take you into their simple, yet interesting lives and show you how they live, from their saintly methods of stalking game to climbing into giant trees to collect wild fruit. Game walks with bushmen trackers bring you closer to these warm and friendly people that will hide nothing from you, inviting you afterwards to join a chorus of clapping and singing around a fire.

View the world’s largest Salt Pan at Makgadikgadi
View the world’s largest salt pans at Makgadikgadi and be swept away by breath-taking scenery and big blue skies. During the onset of the rains in mid-November, witness one of the most awe-inspiring spectacles in the migrating herds of wildebeest and zebra and see the Pans transform into a water wonder world teeming with migratory water birds, zebra and wildebeest.

ele pushChobe River Boat Cruise
A sunset cruise is possibly one of the best ways to experience an African sunset, at the Chobe National Park. Game viewing by boat is another unmissable experience and the Chobe National Park is abundant with wild animals, notably elephant. The large herds of elephant come down to the river to drink; they are joined by buffalo, giraffe, leopard, lion, kudu, waterbuck, puku, lechwe, impala and baboons.

For information and trips into Botswana contact OverlandingAfrica.com or post your comments below.

Share

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Southern Africa, Whats Hot! | 1 Comment »

Table Mountain Sunset Specials

Friday, October 29th, 2010

table mountainThe days are getting longer and it is time once again for Table Mountain to be seen in all it’s summer glory.

From 6pm every day, from the 1st November 2010 to 28th February 2011, you can take the cable car up and back down the mountain for half price!

That means a glorious view over Cape Town at sunset for ZAR90 per adult (return) and ZAR45 for kids under 18 (return).

Take a picnic and enjoy the view!

Tickets available at the Lower Cable Station. Check out weather info at http://tablemountain.net/

Contact the team at OverlandingAfrica.com or post your comments below.

Share

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Specials and Discounts, Whats Hot! | No Comments »

Top 5 Mozambique Overland Tours

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

We have hundreds of tours on our awesome website but we decided to make it easy for those of you dreaming of Mozambique.

So we chose the pick of the crop – the top 5 tours that cover beach and bush and all the other highlights of this tropical paradise.

BenguerraClassic Mozambique – 14 day Accommodated Overland – from ZAR12,650

Mozambique Explorer – 14 day Accommodated Small Group Overland – from EUR1,295

Mozambique Magic – 14 day Camping Overland – from EUR825

Vic Falls and Indian Ocean Highlights – 14 day Camping Overland – from EUR855

Cape to Vic and Mozambique – 36 day Camping Overland – from EUR1,995

Whether you are going for the beaches, the diving, the Whale Sharks, or the snorkeling, you are sure to find it in Mozambique.

While the rest of the world is only just discovering this piece of paradise you should already have ‘been there, loved it, brought the t-shirt’.

So what are you waiting for?

See us at OverlandingAfrica.com or post your comments below.

Share

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Southern Africa, Whats Hot! | 12 Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

The Surf Reports by Category

Recent Posts

The History of Surfers

The Chilly Bin Surfer Archives