Overland trips and companies

Are organized overland trips for
You?

Companies and
trips

Facts you need to
know

• You will spend much of the trip in the company of
  your fellow travelers – you need to be able to get along with people
  easily.  It is a great way to meet people, and to share experiences and
  thoughts.

• Most trips involve spending lots of time sitting in
  the moving truck.  Countries like India require spending lots of time on
  bad roads and being stuck in traffic jams.

• The trip
  has an itinerary
  and the group can make small amendments to this.  But, you cannot get off the truck for
  a few days, as the truck will go without
  you.

What to
expect

• Almost

  everyday will have an early start (between 5 and 7
  am) – whether it is to get on the road early, or to experience the local
  activities.

• Expect lots of time on the truck.  6 – 14 hours of
  driving per day is normally.  Road quality varies and many will be dirt or
  sand.

• Be prepared to get your hands dirty and muck-in with
  the jobs.  Tables, chairs, washing equipment, tents and everything else
  needed for self sufficient survival need to be prepared, and cleaned at every
  camp.

• Bush toilets are the norm when bush camping

Expect lots of inquisitive visitors when bush
camping.  The locals will say hello, ask  questions and offer their
services.  They are normally very resource people.

Benefits

• Overland trips take the hassle out of
  traveling.  They deliver you from door to door, via monuments and
  national parks.  This is particular good for out of the way places, which
  can take days to visit using public transport connections.

• The

  transport is more luxurious than public transport. 
  Some companies have on board fridges and music.

• The trips are good value when you factor accommodation
  costs, connection costs and the time saved traveling point to point.

Nice
touches

• The good overland companies
  have an army of helpers across the countries they
  tour.  Local guides and their teams meet the trucks on approaches to cities
  to guide them straight to their hotels.  These guides can help you with
  any requirements you might need.  The same guides normally provide local
  transport for your sightseeing around the cities.  If you are lucky you
  might be invited to the guides house for home style cooking.  This is highly
  recommended as the food and hospitality is normally fabulous.  Many
  of the guides have been working with
  overland companies
  for up to
  30 years, and their experience shows when you are in their company.  This sort of personal touch
  make a big difference to your stay in a
  city.

Companies

There a lots of Overland companies.  Here is the
run down on a

few.

Dragoman

Operating trips throughout South America, Africa and
across central Asia, Dragoman are one of the biggest and best companies
operating overland trips.  Whilst chatting with the staff they said they
had worked for a number

of overland companies, and both had come back to
work for Dragoman, who were definitely the best in their opinion.

The Dragoman trucks are custom made, the staff go
through

a 3 month induction period, a large part of
which is actually building and repairing the trucks. Good news indeed.

Dragoman

also operate family trips which are very popular and
perfect if you want to explore Africa or Asia with children.

Dragoman

have taken over the Encounter company, which no longer
runs overland trips, instead concentrating on other areas of travel tourism. 
Dragoman operate several of the Encounter trucks on their old routes,
labelled Encounter trips in

the Dragoman brocher.  The Encounter trips tend to me
longer, cost less but have one trip leader instead of two.

In

Africa
Dragoman employ a full time cook who travels with the truck.

Overland Club

I’ve heard bad
things about this company, and recommend you do not use them.