Overland truck tours
Most overland tours use a self sufficient expedition truck to get around, fully equipped with everything needed to get you from A to B in comfort and safety. These are rugged, durable vehicles built to cope with travel both on- and off-road.
You’ll travel in relative comfort, with plenty of leg room and seats that are forward facing and raised for good views. If you’re going to be wild camping, then everything you need will be carried with you, including sturdy tents, cookery equipment and a water tank. Each truck will also be equipped with an emergency medical kit and a fridge. Crew are meticulously trained, and have mechanical knowledge to deal with any minor engine problems.
You’ll travel in relative comfort, with plenty of leg room and seats that are forward facing and raised for good views. If you’re going to be wild camping, then everything you need will be carried with you, including sturdy tents, cookery equipment and a water tank. Each truck will also be equipped with an emergency medical kit and a fridge. Crew are meticulously trained, and have mechanical knowledge to deal with any minor engine problems.
What to pack
Space is limited so pack lightly in a soft bag, but since everybody will be wearing the same things day-in, day-out, only having a few shirts to choose from is fine. The most important thing to bring is your patience. You’ll be sharing a confined space for several hours most days, sometimes facing delays. These trips are designed to bring out the sociable side in people, and you’ll bond quickly. “My number one piece of advice is bring a decent pair of binoculars,” says Responsible Travel’s Shannon Donoghue. “It made all the difference.”
Cooking & eating
Most dietary requirements can be catered for with enough advance notice. A truckload of people may be divided into small groups that take turns preparing meals, so if you are a vegetarian for instance, you can be assigned to a group that doesn’t handle meat.
The kitty
Maintaining a kitty is an integral part of many overland trips. It provides flexibility and best value for group expenses, with the crew running the fund, and is paid separately from the tour price. It generally covers everything that the group does while on the ground, including some accommodation such as local hotel and campsite fees, meals whilst camping (but not in restaurants), and some activities that cannot be paid for in advance.
In it together
Don’t be under the impression that you’ll be spending most of your time in the truck. Rest stops and activities are regular. On travel days you can expect to be in your seat for around 6-7 hours but time flies chatting with fellow travelers, playing cards or just absorbing the scenery. If you’re only doing a section of a longer route then you may be joining an established group. Expect to be heartily welcomed aboard and shown the ropes – there’s no room for cliques on this kind of trip, you’re all in it together.
Choosing the right tour
There is huge variety in overland tours, and given the cost involved, as well as the amount of time you’ll be traveling for, you should choose carefully to ensure the trip is right for you. Factors you’ll want to consider are likely weather conditions, medical requirements, the altitude and terrain, the cuisine, and any particular activities you want to do. You may start your research thinking the Trans Mongolian Railway would be perfect, only to find yourself drawn to a six-week overland tour through Indochina.
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Southern Africa overland vacation
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Life onboard
Responsible Travel's Shannon Donoghue unpacks the specifics of life on the road:
"Our truck was a bit more like a coach. I think we were the only overland truck in Africa to have aircon! People were quite cosy and read books, listened to music, maybe had a quick chat here or there. I think on other trucks they have a different setup which includes tables. Some of the people that joined us for the second leg said that on their previous truck everyone had just chatted the whole time, whereas on ours, people chilled out a bit more."
Gelling as a group
“When you're setting up camp most days and helping each other with tents and things, you do bond really quickly. You've all got to get stuck in and help, work in pairs. The sooner we can get set up or packed down, the sooner we can eat.”
“In the Okavango Delta we camped with our local guides and mokoro and on the last evening after we'd eaten, they sang some traditional songs for us around the fire, then pulled us out of our seats for some dancing around the fire. And the Australians in our group, as a brilliant form of cultural exchange, showed them a dance they do to the song Nutbush City Limits by Tina Turner. It was a really special moment.”
“In the Okavango Delta we camped with our local guides and mokoro and on the last evening after we'd eaten, they sang some traditional songs for us around the fire, then pulled us out of our seats for some dancing around the fire. And the Australians in our group, as a brilliant form of cultural exchange, showed them a dance they do to the song Nutbush City Limits by Tina Turner. It was a really special moment.”
Who are overland tours for?
"I think it's a brilliant type of trip. You get some really interesting people who sign up to do an overland adventure. You need to be the kind of person that enjoys staring out the window. People might assume it would all be young folks on a trip like this but on our coach the age range went from 30s to 80s.We had solo travelers, a few couples and a family.”
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