African Trails

Situation Profile

INTRODUCTION

AFRICAN TRAILS - the experience of a life time!

ABOUT US

At African Trails we have been running camping safaris/overland expeditions in Africa since 1980. Such were the success of these tours that, in the early nineties, we expanded into the Middle East.

We aim for the adventure traveller and our low prices are maintained by keeping our overheads at a minimum whilst not cutting costs on our service or equipment provided. You will benefit from the services of a trained crew, well maintained vehicles and equipment. We feel it is important that everyone gets the mosty out of their journey and we encourage you to get involved in all aspects of the expedition.

We currently run 14 different trips regularly; covering 15 countries with a departure for most trips every month.

ABOUT YOU

The majority of our passengers are in their 20's and 30's and although we do not operate an age restriction, you would need to be in good health, reasonably fit, and of like-minded spirit and attitude.

There is no particular type of person that comes on our trips. Our passengers decided on an overland tour as an easier, safer, cheaper and more enjoyable way to see the best of Africa or the Middle East. Some travel in groups but many travel as individuals as it is a great way of meeting people. Some have travelled extensively and others are travelling for the first time. If you want fun and adventure and wish to participate in day to day activities of the tour, such as drawing water from wells, buying food in local markets, meeting friends for life then our trips are for you.

All that we require from you is that you be in general good health, keep an open mind and have a willingness to get involved.

OVERLANDING - "to travel long distances across land"
We use specially converted and fully equipped trucks that can carry up to 28 people comfortably. The trucks can carry enough fuel, food and water to allow us to travel for long periods off the beaten track and away from civilisation if necessary.

This style of travel has been tried and tested and it is without doubt the safest, most sociable and cost effective method of travelling around in areas where public transport, roads, personal security and finding accommodation can be difficult or even hazardous.

THE VEHICLE
Our vehicles are built, serviced and maintained in our East African workshop. Whilst on the road our drivers service the vehicles.

The overland vehicles are fitted with comfortable coach seats - inward facing which provides everyone with a window seat as well as a wide aisle giving lots of leg room and lots of space to socialise. All vehicles are fitted with stereo cassette players.

There’s a locker for your backpack, accessible from inside the truck, a communal safe for your valuables and a medical kit for emergency use. There is interior lighting and an exterior cook light. The trucks have tarpaulin sides with clear windows that are rolled up most of the time but they can be tied down in cold or wet weather.

There is ample storage for food and we carry over 300 litres of water which we purify for drinking. We carry a range of spares on board.

OUR CREW
Our expedition leaders are all trained in mechanics and are experienced drivers. They are there for advice and help during the trip and have a comprehensive knowledge of the areas we are travelling through.

However, they are not tour guides and so at many sights we use local guides for a more detailed and in-depth view of the places we are visiting.

From January 2004 all African Trips (apart from the Trans Africa) trips will carry a cook.

HOW THE COSTS ARE WORKED OUT
INCLUDED IN THE TRIP PRICE
The tour cost includes transport in fully equipped expedition truck, road taxes and tolls, ferries, services of the driver-leader, use of camping and cooking equipment, and entrance to gameparks as specified.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TRIP PRICE
The price does not include flights, visas, personal insurance, side trips, lunches and meals out. There are a number of optional side trips that you can choose from and pay for on the way.

WE GUARANTEE THAT ONCE YOU HAVE BOOKED YOUR TRIP WITH AFRICAN TRAILS THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN THE PRICE OF YOUR TOUR.

THE LOCAL PAYMENT
The local payment covers two meals a day while on the truck, campsite fees and entrance fees to Game Parks that we visit in the truck. Generally at lunchtimes we eat at small cafes or restaurants where you can try cheap and tasty local food. If no local food is available we eat on the truck.

CAMPING
Accommodation on the trips is mainly camping. We use campsites most of the time; facilities can vary from the very basic with cold showers to the exceptional with warm water swimming pools.

At other times we free camp whether it be on beaches, on the plains or beside rivers and waterfalls. We provide two man tents with sewn in groundsheets, mosquito netting door and fly sheet.

You need to bring your own sleeping bag and mat. In the Middle East the local payment is set at a level that will cover the cost of hotels/hostels for approximately half the time.

COOKING & SHOPPING
The expedition vehicles are equipped with a full complement of basic cooking and eating utensils and gas rings for cooking on (sorry no microwaves or blenders). We normally cook on an open fire and only use the gas when firewood is not available.

We purchase a sizeable stock of food before the trips start and supplement it with fresh food from local markets along the way.

The passengers organise themselves or are organised into groups to take turns cooking. The days cook group (normally two or three people) will be responsible for shopping and cooking lunch (if necessary) dinner and breakfast. Shopping and learning to haggle over prices in the local markets can be great fun and a real insight into the African and Middle Eastern cultures.

From January 2004 all trips (apart from the Trans Africa) will carry a cook. This will, of course, give you more free time to enjoy the beauty of Africa.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
We have detailed dossiers for all our tours. Please click on the tours listed below for further information, rates and departure dates. Just use our on-line Reservation Enquiry button at the bottom of each tours more info page to make a no obligation on-line enquiry. The reply will be mailed to you within minutes or simply book your experience of a life time on-line.

We look forward to meeting you.

PLEASE NOTE:
Until April 2004, all trips that go to the gorillas will visit the SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK in Tanzania. From April 2004 we will change the itinerary to visit the MASAI MARA NATIONAL PARK in Kenya.

Tours on offer from this vendor

ADDITIONAL INFO

VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS

INSURANCE
You must be insured against personal accident, medical expenses and repatriation expenses. We only carry passengers on the understanding that, in most African countries through which we travel, no passenger or vehicle liability is available whatsoever. You should take out insurance when you pay your deposit for the tour or for flights so that you are insured against cancellation (for medical reasons, for example). We can organise insurance for you. Bring your policy with you. Be aware if you travel without insurance and you need to get home urgently due to ill health or family problems, you or those responsible for you could incur bills running into many thousands of pounds.

MALARIA
The risk of contracting malaria in the areas we visit is high. You must be very aware that malaria tablets offer only partial protection against malaria and that you should couple taking the tablets with mosquito bite avoidance. The malarial mosquitoes come out at night ie from the beginning of sunset onwards, so from this time you should cover up in long sleeves, jeans or track suit pants plus socks, as mosquitoes tend to bite around the feet and ankles. You must also use insect repellent containing Deet, bring some you will need it. The use of repellents and covering up can be as effective as the use of tablets, so by coupling both methods of protection together you should be malaria free. Whatever type of prophylactic you choose to use you should try a sample of it well before you travel as adverse reactions can occur particularly with the Larium or Mephloquine type of drug.

You have to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever and will need an International Vaccination Certificate to prove it when we cross some borders.

It is also advisable to be vaccinated against Typhoid; Rabies; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Tetanus; Polio and Meningitis.

If possible start your vaccinations two months (but as late as two weeks is ok) before departure.
Your G.P. can also inoculate but may take a while to get the vaccine in.

VIDEO CAMERAS
Our vehicles have facilities to charge camera batteries, so bring an in-car charger (either 12 or 24V). The trucks use 24 volts so you may need an adapter. In most campsites you can charge from the mains so bring a travel adaptor plug, as you'll come across virtually every type of socket ever invented plus a few others. Most countries run on 220/240 V current. You should also bring at least one spare battery with you, as you will not be able to purchase spares on route.

LIFE ON THE ROAD
There are times when we will have some long drives in order to cover big distances, but on most days that we travel, we only move for half the day. The African landscape and people you pass, are never boring and most find it hard to put their head down and read whilst on the road, for fear of missing something! Most evenings we pull into camp and you and your tent partner will put up your tent, then either relax with a cool drink, or partake in a local activity.

SECURITY
There is a lockable safe bolted onto the floor of the truck for your money belts, however, the Company takes no responsibility for such or for any passengers' belongings. It is very important to remember that if a loss of a passport or travellers cheques occurs it is not always possible for the expedition to wait for those involved. Therefore, when you are looking after your valuables off the truck e.g. changing money in the bank, it is essential to wear a money belt that fits under your shirt. DO NOT wear a "bum bag" around your waist, or a money belt that hangs from your neck. In certain problem areas known to us a passenger roster will be drawn up to guard the vehicle during the day. We advise you not to take any items of value that are not essential for your journey, e.g. jewellery.

SPENDING MONEY
£10 - £20 a day is a good start excluding side trips. Of course this varies from person to person depending on how much you drink, eat and how many souvenirs you buy. Take your money as 25% travellers cheques and 75% cash. US$ cash is best to change till Vic Falls in Zimbabwe, then pounds sterling is just as good or better. Don't bring Scottish money! Bring your US$ cash in a mix of clean new notes. The smaller notes are handy for paying things such as bar bills whereas the bigger US$ (50 and 100) attract a better rate of exchange. You can change travellers cheques in large towns only.

A credit card is handy for emergency spending only, but useless for day-to-day spending. Do not rely on credit cards/switch type cards until you get to Southern Africa as money machines are almost non-existent.

WASHING
Most of the time you can wash every day.

E-MAIL
Can be collected approx every week or two, from £1-£5 to connect.

E.T. CALL HOME
It can be very expensive to call home from Africa, sometimes as high as £20 for 3 minutes. A lot of the campsites don't have telephones.

MOBILE PHONES
Your own mobile phone will work abroad if you have roam facility enabled on a dual band phone. Coverage is generally restricted to large towns. For charging you will need your 240 volt charger and a spare battery, we can not charge of the truck as its a 24 volt system. Although convenient for outgoing calls at rates of around £1 per minute, incoming calls can cost up to £7 per minute to receive.

TAPES
A stereo cassette player is provided. It is up to you to bring along a few cassettes. Remember it's a long trip and if we don't have a good selection of tapes the same music gets rather boring.

PHOTOGRAPHY
African authorities require that tourists do not take pictures of airports, railway stations or military installations. We are often in areas where locals are not used to being photographed and we ask you to show them every respect and courtesy. For SLR cameras we recommend a telephoto of 120mm (or similar) or an 80-200 zoom. High-speed film is usually necessary for photographing gorillas or game in early morning or late afternoon, particularly if using a long lens. It is best to purchase all film prior to arrival in Africa.

SUGGESTED LIST OF CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT
The less you take the less you have to pack, wash, lug home and you'll always pick up extras along the way. You'll be travelling in the heat and camping in the cool, so bring clothes for all climates, rough stuff is best. The best type of carrier is a rucksack (with an internal frame) or a kit bag. Below follows a list of stuff to take.

Clothes
Socks
Shirts
Jeans/long trousers
Underwear
Sweatshirt/jumper
Shorts, T-shirts, swimsuit
Skirt
Sandals/flip flops/jandals/thongs
Walking shoes
Hat and sunglasses

Kit
Small day-pack or bag to carry your daily items
Sleeping bag & sleeping mat
Torch and batteries (cheap torches are available in Nairobi)
Medical kit - bring your own simple kit
Rehydration sachets available from any chemist
Insect repellent containing Deet e.g. "Jungle Juice"
Sun cream
Headache tablets
Plasters
Malaria tablets
Toiletries - You can buy most basic toiletries easily in Africa
Toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss
Soap (in a container), razors
Towel, shampoo
Tampons & condoms(enough for the trip)
Camera (in a protective case), spare batteries and all the film you think necessary
Money belt or pouch to hold your passport
Vaccination book
Travellers cheques
Books and cassettes/CD's - there is a cassette player on the truck you can plug your CD player into.
Torch and spare batteries
Water bottle at least 1.5 litre, an old cola bottle is best but you can buy in Nairobi

The easiest and best way to travel is as lightly as possible, taking just what is necessary. Most people make the mistake of bringing too much luggage.