Below are the most common questions we are asked about our 4WD Guided Self Drive Tours. If you have a question that is not addressed in this section do not hesitate to contact Debs at info@AfricaExpeditionSupport.com.
Click on any question to read more.
To book a safari or expedition simply complete the contact form or email Debs info@africaexpeditionsupport.com with the trip you are interested in. Debs will confirm availability and send additional information including the booking form and driver’s questionnaire via email.
Complete the forms and return to Debs via email. Once your booking is accepted you will be emailed an invoice for the 20% non-refundable deposit of the Land Price of which you will have 30 days to pay and we will reserve your vehicle. Once the deposit is paid we will confirm the booking.
90 days prior to your trip the final 80% of the Land Price is due.
On day 1 of the expedition the Local Payment is payable directly to the Tour Leader in USD$ cash.
Remember to add info@africaexpeditionsupport.com to your white/safe list so emails are not seen as spam!
We take responsible tourism very seriously, after all, Debs and Thiemo, the Directors, have chosen to make Kenya their home and the African continent their backyard. Protecting game parks and wildlife, customs and cultures are all very important to sustaining communities for generations.
Travelling can bring many rewards to both yourself and the local people you meet along the way. Over the years we have seen tourists unknowingly damage local resources and offend locals.
African people in general are relaxed and often forgiving. We need to remember we are mere visitors in a place we are unfamiliar with and do not necessarily understand. This is exactly why we choose to travel.
Adhering to the following will not only ensure you get the most out of your experience but will also help to protect and preserve Africa for many generations to come.
In addition to the 3 critical points above:
There is always the temptation for clients to bring sweets, pens, notebooks, etc., to give away. While you may feel you are giving something of value to those who are less fortunate and doing so with the best intentions, this may be more damaging than good if not done in the correct manner. Giving away items randomly promotes a hand-out and begging society. We have seen children being removed from school by their parents to collect hand-outs from tourists!
If you do want to give away items, then talk to Debs in the office or our crew first about the most appropriate way of doing this. Over the years we have developed fabulous relationships with poorly funded schools, orphanages and shelters, and have systems in place to ensure items reach those most in need while minimising negative effects to the community.
We truly believe a guided 4WD safari is the trip of a lifetime. You will be experiencing far more than you ever imagined from negotiating road conditions, to searching for lions in game parks to sharing stories with like-minded travellers.
Driving yourself gives a completely different perspective of Africa not found on regular safaris. You will feel part of the action. Every day something will make you laugh, whether it is a bicycle taxi wobbling his way with a sofa strapped to a bicycle tray; students dancing and singing their way to school or being the first to come across a leopard in a tree. You are part of Africa, living her vibe and experiencing her charm first hand.
Much to the surprise of many the concept of traveling overland throughout Africa has been around for over 30 years. In short, overlanding is a unique way to experience not only the places visited but also the journey in getting there.
Overlanding refers to anyone who travels from place to place over land. You may have done a "road trip" with a group of friends or family across the Nulabor, Europe or a weekend to a major festival... These are all examples of Overlanding.
Overlanding is a safe way to travel through Africa with a group of like-minded individuals. Adapted 4wd safari vehicles are used to ensure maximum comfort while experiencing the best Africa has to offer. We are completely self-sufficient, fully equipped with tents, camping chairs, sleeping mattresses, fresh water, complete kitchen (minus the microwave!) and a fire grill for those all-important BBQs!!
All of our guided self drive safaris are supported with 2 experienced crew and a lead vehicle. Their knowledge of the areas, animals, people, politics and places are second to none. This gives you peace of mind; safety and security without it being an over-the-top fully guided tour (please note Africa Expedition Support crew are drivers and leaders/cooks! Not guides - we do not use umbrellas!!); giving you a sense of independent travel but without the hassle of having to organise everything yourself.
Overlanding with Africa Expedition Support gives you a very different and unique insight into Africa not found on a typical safari.
A Guided Self Drive safari is not unlike a tag-along tour; however you will be driving one of our Land Rover Defenders (unless you specifically opt to bring your own vehicle). The crew sort out the day-to-day activities, accommodation, meals and solve any issues which may arise.
Our Guided 4WD Self Drive safaris and expeditions offer you the unique opportunity to drive yourself, making this type of trip an adventure rather than a standard holiday. There is nothing like driving through small villages negotiating donkey carts, herds of cows, bicycle taxis, pedestrians and market shops spilling onto the road. You will be amazed at the colourful activity and buzz each and every village presents.
The lead vehicle sets the speed and route taken on that day; you are given detailed directions and then you are free to travel on your own or with another vehicle. The lead vehicle then becomes the rear vehicle, never far away if you have an issue or problem. We do not believe in driving in strict convoy. After all, this is your adventure.
When in game parks you are free to game drive on your own and at your own pace. This is what makes self drive so unique: you can choose to sit by a watering hole for hours on end and wait for the animals to come to you, or you can drive around to see how many you can find. There is no pressure, nor competition for that perfect photo. Obviously, should you see something interesting it would be polite to inform the rest of the group via your CB radio!
You are responsible for putting up and taking down your tent, and looking after the equipment supplied for your safari. The crew prepares your meals (with some assistance from the group) and organizes activities; you simply drive and enjoy the experience.
On our expeditions and safaris extreme 4WD off-road driving experience is not essential; however you do need to be a capable driver. It is handy to have had some 4WD experience (driving through mud and sand); however, this is not essential.
The crew are on-hand to answer any questions, and if you do get stuck they are only a radio message away from rescuing you. The crew is there to assist you in every way possible; the second crew member is also a driver and therefore is on call should another driver be required.
Road conditions are challenging and unlike roads in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, UK and USA. East African roads are mostly tar, however they have deteriorated leaving pot holes and narrow stretches. Southern African roads are good dirt or tar seal. Animals and people often use the main roads as footpaths adding to the challenge.
80% of the time, the driving will be defensive and often tiring, but rewarding at the end of the day when you sit back and enjoy a beer and laugh about the chaos.
A day’s travel varies from safari to safari. Some days we start at 7am and may not arrive until 6pm, other days we start much later and arrive earlier. Some days will be driving only in order to reach somewhere of interest, and other days we will kick up our heels and not drive at all! Driving is demanding and tiring. If you are not able to drive long distances and up to 8 hours a day, then this may not be for you.
We use Land Rover Defenders as we feel they are the best vehicles for these types of trips. A permanent 4WD with a fuel efficient and sturdy turbocharged diesel engine combined with coil spring suspension provides best comfort as well as off road performance. A very popular safari vehicle means spare parts are readily available should we require to restock.
The vehicles are all manual transmission with 300Tdi engines and therefore are older Land Rover vehicles (1994 – 1998). There is a very good reason why we use these vehicles. Anything built after 1998 and all modern vehicles are computerised – computers hate dust, vibrations and moisture and therefore are unreliable through the African continent. Common rail engines are too sensitive to the quality of fuel and often suffer blocked injectors through areas where the quality of fuel is below average. A 300Tdi engine is robust and does not suffer from low grade diesel.
We have purposely chosen Land Rover, a vehicle that is not complicated, robust and suited to the harsh African conditions; they are comfortable, functional, practical and sturdy working vehicles.
The roads and harsh conditions take their toll on the vehicles despite the extensive mechanical work undertaken prior to and during each expedition. Occasionally we do experience a breakdown. It is unrealistic to think this will never happen considering the harsh conditions. This is totally normal and adds to the overlanding experience as well as an interesting blog and diary entry! If everything went smoothly all the time there would not be any great stories to tell your friends when you return home!
Each vehicle is equipped with an easily erected large free standing Oz Tent (RV3 or RV 5) with inbuilt ground sheet and mosquito netting, camp beds, mattresses, camping chairs, small cooler, inverter to charge small appliances, CB radio for communication, stereo, fire extinguisher, basic first aid kit, cutlery and crockery, spare tyres, basic tool kit and essential spare parts.
The interior of the vehicle has been adapted to maximise storage and security. The lead vehicle carries a comprehensive tool kit, extensive kitchen and food storage, spare parts and extra jerry cans for fuel and water.
Driving through Africa is a unique experience and the last thing we want to do is detract from that. Our safaris and expeditions do not run like classic tag-along tours in Australia or South Africa – it is simply not conceivable to adhere to strict convoy procedures week after week.
Once you are confident and have a handle on the challenges of driving in African countries, the crew, each morning, will explain directions on how to get to the next destination, approximately how long it will take and at what time at the latest you are to be in camp. You are then free to leave and travel on your own or maybe with another vehicle. The lead vehicle then becomes the rear vehicle.
We find that this way of running the day-to-day gives you more flexibility. You may decide to stop for a photo or buy a snack or decide you are hungry and want your lunch at 11 instead of 1. You are free to do so. The lead vehicle stays in the rear of the group so although you have flexibility you also have peace of mind.
The only exception to this rule is when we are navigating our way through a city or complicated town, and then the crew will arrange a marshal point before the town/city and then lead the group through the chaos!
Different people reach this point at different times through the safari/expedition – therefore if you feel more comfortable staying with the lead vehicle you can.
It certainly is! We have had several clients tag along in their own vehicle on our safaris and expeditions. We are more than happy to assist you with the range of things you will need – from international paperwork, insurances, recommended spare parts, equipment, shipping contacts, port clearance procedures, vehicle preparation, etc.
Each safari is accompanied by 1 crew. The driver/mechanic/cook ensures you get from location to location and maintain the vehicles as well as ensure day-to-day activities happen and you fed! Our crew have a wealth of knowledge and experience and are always excited to share this with the group.
For our shorter 7 and 14 day trips we limit the group to 4 vehicles plus the lead vehicle, so the group size will range between 8 and 12 clients.
On our 4, 8 and 10 week trips the groups are slightly larger with up to 7 vehicles plus the lead vehicle. Typically most of our expeditions are couples so the group size is usually around 14 clients.
They most certainly are! In fact, a guided 4WD safari is an ideal family holiday. Travelling as a family on one of our self drive tours is a great way to see and experience Africa. During the day you are in the vehicle travelling as a family, you have your own space and travel at your own pace; then at night you are with the rest of the group sharing experiences and chatting about the day.
Kids love camping, mums like the idea they don’t have to shop and cook every day and dads enjoy driving. Okay, this may be a little sexist, but you get the idea!
As a family, you decide on how you game drive. Maybe your daughter is obsessed with zebra and wants to sit and watch them for an hour or two, or your son is a budding photographer and wants to photograph everything in sight. Travelling as a family in your own vehicle gives you flexibility not possible on other group family holidays.
As a general rule we do not accept children under the age of 8 years old.
A 4WD safari is not about age but attitude! On average most self drive clients range between 35 and 65 years old. However our oldest client celebrated his 75th birthday on one of our safaris. If you have the energy levels for a mostly camping trip, can put up and down your tent and have a positive attitude toward life you are not too old! Africa Expedition Support does not discriminate on age. (We are not that young either!)
You must be in possession of a valid driving permit (without penalty) from your home country and an International Driving permit, be medically and physically fit, be able to drive in challenging conditions and for long periods of time (up to 8 hours) and be able to drive a manual right hand drive vehicle.
The majority of our clients are young 60 year olds. They are full of energy, love the great outdoors and have a sense of humour!
Our 7-day Kenya Migration Discovery trip is 100% accommodated – no camping.
The 14-day Kenya Tanzania Safari is camping.
Our 27-day Dr Livingstone, 7-week Serengeti to Cape Town, 8-week Africa Discovered and 10-week Cairo to Cape Town are a mix of camping and hotels.
We also offer custom (tailor made) self drive tours for individuals, couples, families and groups. These trips are tailored to your specific requirements. Maybe you like the idea of a guided 4WD self drive tour but want to stay in luxury accommodation, or you want to explore other parts of East Africa. Send us an email and we can tailor a trip just for you.
Yes, in most places it is possible to upgrade to room accommodation.
We know not everyone wants to camp all of the time; therefore, we have carefully selected as many places as possible providing options to upgrade to room accommodation. The accommodation varies from country to country. In some places you have the option to sleep in a banda on the beach overlooking the ocean, in a beautifully appointed cottage in the highlands, or a luxury safari tent overlooking a river with hippos. On average an upgrade can cost between USD$10 to USD$50 per person.
Throughout most of Africa we camp, as this is suited to overland travel and the African experience. Wherever possible we camp at well-equipped campsites that provide many creature comforts including western style toilets, showers, clothes-washing facilities, bar/café/restaurant area. Some campsites also have WiFi.
Most of the places we stay have charging facilities. However, keep in mind that power failures are common so bring spare batteries, lead with UK power plug/or adaptor. The vehicles are fitted with an inverter with UK plug to charge small appliances such as camera, camera batteries, iPad and lap top.
Keeping in contact with family and friends is very important. Over the years, the communication network in the areas where we take our guided 4WD safaris has improved immensely. Several places we stay have WiFi.
The mobile phone network throughout most of Africa is very extensive – far better than Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom. Mobile phones that are GSM and unlocked can be used with local SIM cards for phone, texting and internet access. This is often a much cheaper option to international roaming.
Most of the time we supply 3 meals per day except when we are staying in the same place for 2 or more days and when we stay in hotels. When we stay in the same place for 2 or more days we provide breakfast and dinner only, allowing you flexibility in how you spend your day and not being restricted to be back at camp for lunch. While staying in hotels you have the opportunity to try local cuisine or treat yourself to a romantic dinner at one of the many fabulous restaurants.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no shortage of food across the African continent! Our crew know where to buy good quality products and have an extensive varied menu repertoire.
Wherever possible the daily menu will consist of a hot breakfast with muesli/cereal, toast, fresh fruit and condiments; sandwiches or salads with bread/crackers for lunch; meat with plenty of vegetables or salads with potato, rice or pasta for dinner. On most occasions fresh ingredients are used, limiting canned products to only when fresh ingredients are not available. In our experience providing a balanced diet with plenty of fresh ingredients helps keep the group well and healthy throughout the expedition.
The lead vehicle carries an extensive kitchen, ranging from pots and baking dishes to BBQ grill, hence not limiting the range of dishes while on tour. It is possible to cook everything from roasts to lasagne to BBQ dinners.
Food is very important on every safari and expedition, however there may be places where the variety of food may be limited. Think back to the days when winter vegetables where only available in winter and summer vegetables in summer – most of Africa is still largely like this. The benefit is that fruits and vegetables are always fresh and tasty!
The crew do appreciate some assistance in peeling vegetables, stirring the pot and turning the meat on the BBQ!
Meals are planned by the crew to make the most of what is available locally. Fresh meat is available most days and fresh fruit and vegetables are available all the time. Africa Expedition Support ensures the menu is varied, quality ingredients are used and servings large - so you won’t go to bed hungry. On some of our expeditions we will eat at some reputable local restaurants offering you the chance to try local prepared food (or order a burger or pizza if you prefer something familiar!
Yes, most certainly!
Allergies and food intolerances often prevent individuals from travelling. Having coeliac, fructose intolerance and severe nut allergies can make or break your holiday. This topic is often avoided by other tour operators as they simply do not understand or know how to cater for certain dietary requirements.
At Africa Expedition Support, we make every effort to provide a variety of meals to cater for those who cannot eat certain foods. We ensure we have the highest kitchen hygiene standards to prevent cross contamination. Keeping you well and healthy is our priority.
Over the years we have catered for clients with all kinds of food intolerances and allergies successfully from severe nut allergies, fructose intolerance, coeliac to diabetes.
For those with more complicated diet requirements like fructose intolerance, the office will email a list of foods we use for you to nominate what you can and cannot eat. By working together prior to your 4WD safari or expedition we ensure we are fully informed and can plan ahead.
Your health is very important to us and we take dietary requirements very seriously.
You must have Yellow Fever and Covid vaccination certificates (and bring it with you!). For all other vaccinations refer to your Travellers Medical Clinic for advice.
Your best protection is to cover up from dusk to dawn (light coloured long sleeve shirt and trousers), use a strong insect repellent (DEET based) and take anti-malaria prophylaxes (tablets).
There are various prophylaxes available. They all have pros and cons. You have to keep in mind none of them provide 100% protection; they only buy you time to treat the infection. Treatments are available throughout malarial zones for relatively little money. Your best protection is not to get bitten. Malaria is a serious illness!
It is essential you obtain advice from your Travellers Medical Clinic on precautions and prophylaxis that suit you best.
There are several international airlines flying daily to the African continent including BA, Emirates, KLM, Kenyan Airways, Egypt Air, Qantas, Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar.
International flights to and from the African continent are not included in the cost of the safari or expedition. On expeditions 4 weeks and longer we recommend not booking your return ticket home for at least 24 hours after the expedition concludes. This is to ensure if we are delayed you don’t miss your flight!
Below is a list of visa costs. Most visas must be obtained online prior to arrival. For nationalities not listed below please contact Debs info@africaexpeditionsupport.com for specific visa information.
| Country | New Zealand | Australian | EU | USA | Canada | UK | South Africa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Kenya | USD$50 | USD$50 | USD$50 | USD$50 | USD$50 | USD$50 | ***Free |
| Tanzania | USD$50 | USD$50 | USD$50 | USD$100 | USD$100 | USD$50 | USD$50 |
| **Malawi | USD$50 | USD$50 | USD$50 | USD$100 | USD$50 | USD$50 | Free |
| Zambia | USD$50 | USD$50 | USD$50 | USD$50 | USD$50 | USD$50 | Free |
| Botswana | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Namibia | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| South Africa | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
* From 1 September 2015 visa must be applied for in advance and paid online
** From 1 October 2015 visas for Malawi attract a fee of USD$50 for a 7 day visa, prior to 1 October visas are free for all nationalities with the exception of USA passport holders who pay USD$100
*** South Africa passport holders are free for Kenya if staying less than 28 days
For Cairo to Cape self drive safari enquiries, please contact Debs info@africaexpeditionsupport.com for visa information.
On our shorter 7- and 14-day trip, you will need a minimum of 4 passport pages. On our 27-day trip you will need 8 passport pages.
On our 8- and 10-week expeditions, you will need a minimum of 14 pages. For all our trips finishing in South Africa, you must have at the very least 2 clear pages upon entering South Africa, otherwise you will be refused entry.
Like most countries your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your safari or expedition completes.
Those coming from Commonwealth countries don’t need a special license, however we strongly RECOMMEND obtaining an International driving permit from your local Automobile Association. If you are coming from a non-Commonwealth country then you MUST have an international driving permit.
We strongly recommend everyone has an international driving permit, as this is most easily recognised by local police and other government officials.
You must have valid comprehensive travel insurance for the entire duration of the safari. This insurance must cover all activities, including driving. Africa Expedition Support crew on Day 1 of your overland tour will document your insurance details (24-hour medical emergency number, policy number, and insurer).
Everyone has different needs and life styles. It is hard to predict what every individual will spend. As a rough guide we recommend at least USD $40 - USD $80 a day to pay for your snacks, a couple of beers in the evening, souvenirs, the occasional upgrade to a room, as well as e-mails and phone calls home. For example a bottle of local beer (500ml) costs approx. USD$3-5, a glass of wine is more expensive approx.USD$5-7. So if you are a wine drinker - budget more!
Bring ALL your spending and Visa funds in new USD CASH ONLY. Large USD notes (tip: $50 and $100 notes obtain a higher exchange rate than small notes). USD notes must be dated 2018 and above; clean new notes without rips or pen markings otherwise they will not be accepted in East and Southern Africa.
Do not assume the banks or money changers in UK/Europe/AUS/NZ/USA/RSA know you need NEW post dated 2018 USD CASH. You must check the dates and condition of each note before accepting them.
Credit cards are useful to have for some purchases at larger organisations or chains. They are also great to use at ATMs in cities to obtain cash.
Over the years more and more places are accepting credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) and ATMs are popping up in major towns and cities. While this is a great advancement it does not mean we can rely on ATMs as a reliable source of cash. It is not uncommon for ATMs to be out of cash, the connection fails or it is broken! While a good backup source they cannot be relied upon. The same goes for credit cards, while more and more places are accepting credit cards (visa and mastercard) as a source of payment there are regular technical hitches that impede successful transactions.
We will let you know well in advance and ask if you want us to book additional accommodation before and after your trip once your flights are confirmed. Well before your trip starts, we will email the Trip Dossier.
All prices for optional extras/activities, visa costs, etc. are subject to change. Although unlikely, the itinerary is subject to change without prior notice due to road conditions, weather, natural disaster, political unrest, illness, or other force majeure.
In general we do not accept bookings from lone travellers however there have been times we have made exceptions to the rule.
If you are a lone traveller and interested in a guided self drive, please contact Debs info@africaexpeditionsupport.com.
The trip costs are split into 2 sections and are based on 2 people sharing 1 vehicle:
Land Price: Is payable in full 90 days prior to departure. This is payable in United States Dollars ($USD).
Local Payment: Is payable on day 1 of your expedition directly to the crew. This is payable in post-dated 2018 USD Cash only.
Once you have booked, we will send you an invoice for a deposit which is 20% of the Land Price (this is payable directly into a bank account, via internet banking or telegraphic transfer). 90 days from the day of departure the remainder is due. On day 1 of the overland safari your tour leader will collect the Local Payment in USD cash only.
Our philosophy is to keep things simple. You don't have to read between the lines to find out what's included and what's not! No hidden costs, no surprises. You can split this into:
1. Land Price and Local Payment
2. Visas and personal spending money.
The Land Price and Local Payment make up the majority of expenses on the tour, covering the expedition vehicle and running costs, tents, camp beds, kitchen gear, most meals, camping/hotel accommodation, group activities and tours, local guides, park entrance fees, most meals, Africa Expedition Support crew and lead vehicle.
You are responsible for the cost of your visas and personal spending money. Personal spending money covers day-to-day expenditure like drinks, snacks, souvenir shopping, communication, laundry and some meals. Personal spending money also covers what we call optional activities. These are not group activities but options individuals may be interested in such as hot air ballooning, deep sea fishing, and scuba diving to name a few.
On each tour there are different optional activities available. For a complete list contact Debs info@africaexpeditionsupport.com.
We strongly recommend bringing all your cash in NEW USD$ notes as these are most readily accepted and changed into local currency.
The deposit is non-refundable, however if you have to cancel and want to rebook on a future trip we are more than happy to transfer the deposit.
Depending on how far in advance you cancel your trip and if we can fill your vehicle then we are happy to refund the deposit and any monies paid minus a nominal administration fee. If we are unable to fill your vehicle then we cannot guarantee a refund.
We strongly recommend you take comprehensive travel insurance to protect yourself against cancellation.
In the event a client cancels we must be notified in writing. Cancelation fees will incur if the cancellation in writing is received within the following timeframes; 89-61 days prior to departure - 40%, 60-41 days prior to departure – 50%, 40-31 days 75%, 30-0 days - 100% unless we can fill your vehicle in which case we will endeavour to refund as much as possible.
For the complete Terms and Conditions email Debs info@africaexpeditionsupport.com.
If you have time and energy there are plenty of ways you can contribute to the community. Many of our charter tours for school groups include opportunities to get involved. For more information, see our School Trips Community Service page.
In response this exact request we started Napenda Solar Community a community project to bring quality long term solar power systems to poor rural households in Kajiado County in Kenya. There are plenty of ways to be involved from building and installing solar power systems, offering administration assistance, promotion and marketing, project evaluations, needs assessments, etc.
There are also a number of other opportunities in our area from teaching and assisting at local schools to working with women’s groups.
If your questions have not been covered above then feel free contact Debs at info@africaexpeditionsupport.com.
