Victoria Falls to Cape Town tour
An overland trip is all about sharing a great experience with like-minded people. On this tour you’ll travel in one of our purpose built expedition vehicles on an off the beaten track adventure along rugged roads, experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of the world up close. Because we're travelling overland, some long days spent driving are inevitable - but these will be interspersed with breaks of a day or two at a destination or activity.
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with a group of between 5-20 like minded travellers and you'll have 2 group leaders with you at all times. In some areas you'll also be joined by a campmaster, as well as expert local guides along the way.
On an overland adventure you're more than just a passenger, you're part of the crew. Depending on the trip itinerary, your accommodation will be a mix of hotels or local guesthouses and camping - and everyone is expected to get involved and help with setting up camp, pitching tents, shopping for food and even cooking. There are also a number of other jobs that need doing, for example collecting water and firewood, luggage loading, organising food stores etc. These tasks may be assigned to particular people or on a rota system according to group size and make-up.
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
We are dedicated to minimising the effects our trips have on the environment, and are committed to trying to reduce, re-use and recycle as much as is possible, both out on the road and back in our offices in the UK.
All our trips follow our strict environmental guidelines that encourage the respect of natural resources, waste minimisation and recycling wherever possible. For example, all our overland vehicles carry a 350 litre water tank, providing drinking water for the group and minimising the need to purchase bottled water. Rather than using plastic bags when shopping for food, we also provide reusable longer lasting bags.
On the road conservation: For cooking we generally use gas instead of wood, a cleaner fuel and leaves natural resources for local people. Local fuel sources are used but they must be from plentiful resources and not where it would encourage local people to squander resources or compete with local peoples need for precious supplies. All our overland trucks conform to UK emission controls when they leave the UK. All our overland trucks are regularly serviced and maintained ensuring that trucks run as efficiently as possible. Passengers and crew are encouraged to use rechargeable batteries for items such as cameras, personal music systems etc. These can be charged from mains supplies or on our trucks as we travel
Community
Community visit: On this trip we visit the San Bushmen of Namibia. We will go tracking and gathering with the San bushmen, to spend a night and listen to the stories and songs of these fascinating people, presented in their fascinating and unique clicking language. The Bushmen are the oldest ethnic group in Namibia having inhabited Southern Africa for an estimated 20,000 years. Around 30,000 San live in Namibia, but only 2,000 of them still follow a traditional way of life. The San have a deep understanding of nature and the ecology, living in harmony with their environment. Taking part in their everyday lives, you will stay overnight in the village, helping the men track animals and watch the women gather and prepare seeds and plants. A truly authentic experience.
Eco-tourism benefits the San in a number if ways. Primarily it acts as a source of income. The money we pay to the San for the experience and to camp on their land helps negate the need for them to move away from their traditional lifestyle in search of income. It is essential to preserve these ancient cultures and income generation is the most effective way to allow the community to survive in the 21st century yet preserve their traditions. Secondly this form of eco tourism helps to raise the awareness of the situation faced by minority cultures. Too often small communities have no voice, however since we have been visiting the San Bushmen the issues that face them have an international stage.
Economic Community ethics: We use small locally owned hotels, campsites and activity providers wherever possible. We aim to do as much food shopping as possible in markets, where much local produce is purchased. By using the services of local guides and employing local African camp masters, we are supporting the local economy as well as providing our passengers with the benefit of direct interaction with local people. Use of local mechanics, workshops and parts suppliers mean that our economic returns are far reaching and not just directly tourism based.
