While planning my to Africa, I had a tough decision to make. Did I want to travel independently or join an overland tour? If you’re reading this, you’re probably facing the same dilemma. Many travelers choose to travel in an overland group tour when visiting Africa for the first time. Usually either because of fears of safety or simply because planning an African trip is a bit of a challenge. There isn’t much info out there about many African destinations. Independant travel is an option. Traveling in Africa is easier than you may expect. This guide is designed to give you an honest and rational look at the pros and cons of African overland tours vs independent travel.
In this guide, we will examine cost, safety, logistics, time, and a number of other factors to help you decide. Over the years, I have traveled in Africa both on tours and independently. Personally, I prefer independent travel. There are some destinations that are easier to visit with a tour. Hopefully, this guide will help you to make an educated decision of your own about which type of trip is best for you.
Table of Contents
- Pros of Overland Tours
- Cons of Overland Tours
- Pros of Independent Travel
- Cons of Independent Travel
- Overland Tour Vs. Independent Travel: My Choice
What is an Overland Tour?
African overland tours are guided group tours which travel across the continent in a bus or truck. When selecting a tour, you decide:
- Where you want to go- Tour companies operate different routes all over the continent. You choose the region you want to explore and find the tour that suits you. East Africa tours are probably the most popular. Another popular route is from Nairobi to Cape Town. Single country tours are also available. Some parts of the continent are more popular than others. In West Africa, you only have a handful of options whereas East Africa has dozens of overland companies operating tours at all times.
- For how long you want to travel- Tours vary in length from around a week for one country to several months for crossing the continent. Most tours allow you to hop on or off wherever. For example, if you are in Kampala, you can arrange to join a tour that is passing through if they have space available.
- What kind of tour you want to take- Do you prefer a more adventurous tour or something more laid back? Companies specialize in different demographics. For example, there are budget tours designed especially for the 18-24 backpacker crowd. There are also tours designed for retirees, families with children, and tours in a multitude of languages. Luxury tours are also available for travelers on a higher budget who don’t want to go for a private tour.
What is Included in an Africa Overland Tour?
- Transportation- This is usually a large truck or bus driven by a professional driver. You stay with the same truck for the duration of the tour.
- Accommodation- Most nights you will be camping with a few nights in hotels in select locations where camping is unavailable. Higher priced tours include more hotel stays.
- Food- One of the guides acts as the cook. Simple but healthy meals are prepared at the campsite most nights. The group is expected to help with preparation and clean up after the meal.
- Guide- A local guide accompanies you for the duration of the tour, explaining each destination and helping with visas and any other issues that may arise. Larger tours have multiple guides.
- Entry tickets- When booking the tour, you will decide which destinations you wish to visit. Some have entry fees which you can pay when you book the tour. Some fees must be paid when you reach the site.
What’s Not Included?
- Alcohol- You’re responsible for buying your own drinks when you go out.
- Visas- You are responsible for obtaining your own visas. The company that operates the tour will help you out and offer advice and guidance. If you prefer, you can pay an agency to arrange the visas for you but this comes with an additional cost.
- Snacks- If you get hungry between meals, you’ll have to pay for your own snacks.
- Tips- You are expected to tip your driver and guides at the end of the trip. The amount depends on the duration and cost of the trip. If you are not happy with the service, don’t tip.
- Some outings and tours- Occasionally, you will be given a choice of activities for the day. Some options cost extra and some are free. For example, maybe you’re at Lake Kivu in Rwanda and you are given the choice of going on a boat tour of the lake or relaxing on the beach. If you choose the boat tour, you will have to pay extra. Laying on the beach is free.
What is Independent Travel?
Independent travel involves planning and organizing everything for yourself without the aid of a guide or travel agency. This includes:
- Booking hotels and campsites- You’ll have to find a place to sleep each night. For making reservations in Africa, Booking.com works best. With that being said, I found that in Africa, many hotels have no online presence or rarely check their bookings. Most of the time, you’re better off just showing up, finding a hotel, and negotiating the price of a room yourself.
- Organizing transportation- I’m not going to lie, getting around in Africa is a headache. Transportation options are limited and unpredictable. The cheapest and most common way to get around in Africa is by bus. There are very few train routes and flying is expensive.
- Choosing restaurants or cooking your own meals- Finding a tasty meal is pretty easy in Africa. Small local restaurants are everywhere. Grocery stores are also well stocked if you prefer to cook your own food.
- Arranging Visas- This can get complicated. African visas are expensive and there is a lot of bureaucracy involved in some regions. Policies change often as well.
- Selecting your route- This involves some research on your part. Sometimes visas will be an issue. Sometimes transportation is difficult or time-consuming. Some regions should be avoided for safety reasons. Before you arrive, you will want to do a bit of research to and outline an itinerary.
Pros of Africa Overland Tours
There is no stress
This is, by far, the biggest benefit to taking an overland tour. Travel in Africa is stressful. Waiting for minibusses to fill up, negotiating every purchase, dealing with beggars and scammers, etc. The list goes on and on. Everything is a hassle and takes longer than expected. Sometimes it feels like the world is against you when you’re trying to get something simple done like exchange money or washing your clothes.
When you travel by overland tour, you have no worries. You don’t have to worry about missing your bus, finding a place to sleep, or constantly getting scammed. You just sit back in the truck and relax while the driver takes you to your next destination. When you arrive at the campsite, you enjoy your evening with the group. Your guide accompanies you to a new site every day. It’s an easy way to travel.
Overland tours are reasonably priced
Overland tours cost more than independent travel. The reason I’m putting this in the pros section is because they aren’t that much more. For what you get, prices are surprisingly reasonable. I estimate that you pay about a 20-30% premium for the tour, which isn’t too bad.
The tour companies keep prices down by camping most nights instead of staying in hotels as well as preparing their own low-cost meals rather than going to restaurants. Accommodation and food are two of the biggest cost of any trip. By cutting these down, they can save a lot of money.
When traveling independently, it’s not really possible camp as much unless you are traveling with your own means of transportation as campgrounds are usually located outside of cities. Cooking for yourself is also less likely simply because it’s time-consuming and it gets tiring.
Overland Tours are safer
Africa is, in general, a pretty safe place to travel. With that being said, every travel destination has its own set of risks. There are two categories of crime that you will encounter while traveling in Africa: Violent crime and non-violent crime. Overland tours will, for the most part, protect you from violent crime for three reasons.
- You always have a local guide with you- Part of their job description is to make sure no one is injured or falls victim to a crime. They are there to look after you.
- They will not take you anywhere dangerous or risky- The company will always err on the side of caution. Their business depends on it. If a region becomes dangerous due to terrorism or unrest, they will simply stop traveling there.
- Other members of the group are always around- A criminal is less likely to attempt to rob a group of people. There is safety in numbers.
When traveling in a group, you are much less likely to fall victim to a violent crime. Scams and minor crimes still carry the same risk. For example, a tour guide has no way to protect you from being pickpocketed or scammed when making a purchase. They can’t watch everyone all the time.
Theft is less likely
While traveling, you have to keep a close eye on your belongings. The chance of falling victim to theft is much less on an overland tour for two reasons:
- Your belongings will always be safely locked up in the overland truck- When you ride in a coach a multitude of strangers have access to your bag. Bus company staff, baggage handlers, and even other passengers have been known to open bags and steal items. It’s rare but not unheard of. On an overland trip, theft is highly unlikely. Fellow travelers are trustworthy. Guides are well paid and wouldn’t want to risk their jobs over stealing from a guest.
- The campsites and hotels where you stay on an overland tour will generally be more secure- Overland companies tend to stay in the same campgrounds every time. These places are designed to cater to tourists. Everyone around is either a tourist or guide. When you stay in a random budget hotel, all bets are off. I have heard stories of hotel staff going into tourists rooms and going through their bags while they’re out. Again, this crime is rare but it does happen.
Getting sick is less likely
In Africa, food hygiene standards are lower than you’re used to. Foods sit out too long, aren’t cleaned properly, and are exposed to bacteria that your body isn’t used to. Chances are, at some point in your travels on the continent, you will get a case of travelers diarrhea or food poisoning.
On an overland tour, food is prepared fresh each night at camp. You can watch the guides and fellow travelers preparing the food. You know it has been properly washed and is safe to eat. In a restaurant kitchen, you never know what’s going on.
Western standards are also taken into consideration when the menu is being decided. The people running the overland tours know their clientele. They understand that foreigners bodies aren’t used to the local bacteria and certain local foods. They also offer vegetarian or vegan options which may be impossible to find in local restaurants.
While the food may not be authentic, it is at least safe to eat and reasonably healthy.
You can carry less stuff
The overland company supplies a big chunk of your gear. You don’t have to pack or carry around your:
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleep Mat
- Food
- Cooking gear
- Camp Stove
- Fuel
- Water
This makes your bag much lighter and makes the packing process easier. It also saves you from having to buy expensive gear of your own if you don’t already have it.
While you’re out exploring, you are able to leave most of your stuff locked away safely in the truck. You don’t need to schlep around all of your clothes, toiletries, and electronics everywhere you go. Just bring a day pack.
Not having to drag around a giant backpack everywhere you go makes the trip much less tiring and more enjoyable.
You don’t have to negotiate as much
One of the most annoying parts of traveling in Africa is the fact that nearly every purchase must be negotiated. For whatever reason, people seem to get a kick out of ripping off foreigners. The price of hotels, taxis, minibusses, foods, and occasionally restaurants are all up for negotiation. Even after the price has been settled, it can suddenly change for no reason. It gets exhausting having to barter and argue over prices multiple times per day.
When traveling on an overland tour, you pay for most of your expenses in one lump sum before the tour begins. Everything is covered with the exception of a few minor items. This removes an enormous amount of stress and hassle from the trip. This also greatly reduces the likelihood of getting scammed.
You’re never alone on an Overland Tour
Travel in Africa is lonely. In parts of the continent, you can go weeks without meeting another traveler. Some countries only see a handful of tourists each year.
While on an overland tour, you’re never alone. You always have a guide or fellow traveler to talk to, eat with, and share experiences.
When traveling independently, you can always find a local that is eager to chat, but sometimes you just want to have someone familiar around that you can share experiences with and relate to, like another traveler.
You can see more in less time
Overland tours move right along. You will stop in one destination, see the sites, then head off to the next place on the list. No time is wasted sitting around waiting for minibusses to fill up. You don’t have to spend hours searching for a hotel or restaurant.
If you’re short on time, you can cram all of the main African sites into a short trip if you go with an overland tour. For example, you can make the classic Nairobi to Cape Town trip in just 40 days. It takes you to nearly every major tourist site in between including the Serengeti, Victoria Falls, Mount Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and more. It would be nearly impossible to do the same trip independently in the same time frame.
If you look at the itinerary for a Nairobi to Cape Town trip or an overland tour company like G Adventures, you’ll see that they are on the move every couple of days. It’s amazing what they pack into a 40-day tour. I spent almost 4 months traveling that same route independently and felt like I was moving too fast.
If there is an emergency, someone is there to help you out
Africa is unpredictable. You never know when an emergency will arise. On an overland tour, there is always someone nearby to assist you. Problems that can pop up include:
- Malaria- This is a common disease in Africa. If you travel long enough, you’ll get malaria. It doesn’t matter if you’re taking tablets or not. When you travel on an overland tour, the guides are always around to take you to a clinic if necessary. They may even have emergency drugs on hand just in case. You won’t end up suffering alone in a hotel room somewhere.
- Your credit or debit card gets lost, stolen, or shut off- If you have no way to access your money, you could be in trouble. When traveling on an overland tour, chances are that someone will lend you some cash until you get your finances straightened out.
- You get pickpocketed or robbed- If you need to involve the police, the local guide will help you navigate the system.
Cons of Africa Overland Tours
You have less freedom of choice
This, for me, is the biggest drawback to traveling in an overland tour. Everything is decided for you including:
- What you eat- Meals are chosen by the group or the guides. Maybe you feel like a burger and fries but the group wants spaghetti. When traveling on an overland tour, you don’t really have a choice.
- Where you sleep- Maybe your back needs a break from sleeping in a tent on the ground but the guides decide that you will be camping again.
- The itinerary- Maybe you pass through a town that you particularly enjoy and want to spend a few extra days there. You can’t really do this on an overland tour. The itinerary is pre-planned and fairly tight. I fell in love with Nairobi when I was passing through. It’s my favorite city in Africa. I ended up spending a few extra weeks there just getting to know the city. This would have been impossible if I was traveling with a tour.
The experience is less authentic
On an overland tour, you don’t get to experience much of the ‘real’ Africa. For the duration of the tour, you only interact with people in the tourism industry and other tourists. The guides and employees in the restaurants, campsites, and parks that you visit deal with tourists every day. They aren’t typical African locals.
Everything you see will be mainstream and touristy. For example, you won’t experience basic African hotels without running water. You won’t visit any small villages or slums. The tour company determines exactly what you see and do.
Overland tours are more expensive than independent travel
Even though the prices of African overland tours are reasonable, you still pay a premium for the service. It’s a business after all. I estimate that you pay about 20-30% more for an overland tour than you would for a similar experience traveling independently.
You’re stuck with the people in your group
If you get unlucky and end up with an asshole in your group, you’re stuck with them for the duration of the tour. It’s easy to put up with an unpleasant person for a few hours but imagine being stuck in the same truck, at the same dinner table, and on the same tour with this person for weeks or months on end. Getting stuck with a bad group could spoil your whole trip and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Sometimes people just get under your skin for whatever reason. For example, my buddy told me about his experience gorilla trekking with a tour group in Uganda. In his group, there was one particularly annoying couple he just couldn’t stand. They wouldn’t shut up and always had to be in the front of the group blocking the view with their massive cameras. By the end of the two-day tour, he wanted to strangle this annoying couple. Imagine having to endure that behavior for a few months.
There is also the possibility that you end up in a group that you just don’t fit in with. Maybe you like to go out for drinks and have a good time but your whole group prefers to be in bed by 8 pm. Maybe you like being active and want to go for a hike but your group prefers to lay out on the beach. Everyone has a different idea of a good vacation.
My Experience with this
While traveling independently, I ended up staying in the same campground as overlanders on a few occasions. I noticed that they liked to go to bed early. Usually, I was the last one still up in the campground. As a night owl, I simply wouldn’t fit in with a group like that. If I was stuck on one of those tours, I wouldn’t have enjoyed my trip nearly as much.
Spontaneity is impossible
On an overland tour, the group follows a strict itinerary. These companies have been doing the same tours so long that they have it down to a science. Occasionally, you’ll have a choice of activities for the day, but, for the most part, the schedule is predetermined. Spontaneous decision making isn’t part of the trip. Some travelers prefer to have everything planned out but many find this incredibly boring.
When I set off on my first trip to Africa, I landed in Addis Ababa with no plans. I had done a bit of research and knew some of the sites that I wanted to see, but had no reservations or deadlines. I met some interesting people along the way and ended up traveling places that I had never even heard of.
While in a hostel in Nairobi, I met some fellow travelers with great recommendations about Uganda including beautiful Lake Bunyonyi pictured below. This country wasn’t in my itinerary but I decided to apply for a visa and catch a bus there just a couple of days later. Uganda turned out to be one of my favorite countries that I have ever visited. If I was trapped by a strict itinerary, this trip wouldn’t have happened.
Your trip isn’t unique
Overland trucks are constantly driving back and forth across the continent making the same trips month after month. Your experience will be the exact same as those that have gone before you. Sure, there will be slight variations. Maybe the guide will decide to stop at a different restaurant or campground. For the most part, the trip is the same every time they do it. The tour guides follow the same script and tell the same jokes that they have been using for years. Knowing this makes the trip just a little less special, in my opinion.
You have to purchase travel insurance
I’m putting this in the cons list because it’s an additional expense that is required. Most overland tour companies won’t take you unless you have proof that you purchases travel insurance for the trip. Really, you should have travel insurance either way but it is not a requirement when traveling independently.
In the past, I never bothered with travel insurance. These days, I never travel without it just for the peace of mind.
Pros of Traveling in Africa Independently
