Overland Expeditions

Introduction and suitability

Our Overland Expeditions offer a fun, economical and exciting way to gain a genuine insight into South America and East and Southern Africa. Travelling on a high quality, custom-designed expedition vehicle, you’ll travel comfortably through rugged landscape and over a variety of terrain. Please note that Overland Expeditions can sometimes involve certain hardships not associated with our other styles of travel.

Overland Expeditions are popular with younger-thinking travellers who are reasonably fit and active, so it is important that you are aware you will need to harmonise with this kind of group. If you love the great outdoors, and enjoy the rewards that camping offers, then these tours are well suited to you. Based on the nature of this travel style, Overland Expeditions are generally suitable for people aged between 18 and 60 years old (recommended maximum age of 65). If you have any questions about this please contact us or speak to your travel consultant.

Degree of difficulty/ fitness

Although no camping experience is required, a high percentage of these tours are spent under canvas which, by definition, can involve certain hardships not associated with hotel accommodation.

Accommodation: Camping and hotels

Our self-contained expedition vehicles carry all the necessary top quality equipment to ensure that camping is well organised and fun. As well as spacious two-person tents, there is a full complement of gas stoves and kitchenware for the group’s use (you'll need to bring your own sleeping bag and mat). You are expected to participate in the setting up at each campsite and in the preparation of meals for the group. Your expedition leader will organise groups to do various duties on a roster basis.

On our Overland Expeditions we have three distinct styles of camping.

Camping: This means passengers will be expected to erect their own tents as well as participate in preparing meals and other communal duties.

Assisted Camping: This will mean that you will have your tent erected for you and meals will be prepared for the group. Places that include Assisted Camping include the Serengeti National Park and Okavango Delta

Tented Camping: Staying at camp sites with permanently-erected tents that come with beds. This is the case in the Masai Mara.

While much time is spent camping on these expeditions, it is impractical to camp in many major cities and areas where the weather is unreliable or facilities are lacking. On these occasions we use small hotels and guest houses conveniently located near town centres.

Ensuite rooms are usually available, however on some occasions facilities may be shared. At other times you may be sleeping in cabins, in local peoples’ homes or even in hammocks.

All camping fees and accommodation are included on Overland Expeditions, unless on optional overnight excursions, from the arrival day until checkout time on the final day of the expedition. The approximate ratio of camping to hotels can be found in the facts box of each tour dossier.

Single supplements

There are no single supplements on Overland Expeditions so you must be prepared to share with other group members of the same gender in twin or triple rooms, occasionally multiple share, and share a tent while camping.

Optional accommodation upgrade

Optional cabin upgrades at campsites and room upgrades at hostels are often available during your tour, subject to availability. Upgrade prices vary between US$5-20 per person per night and can only be booked locally with the assistance of your tour leader.

Pre and post tour accommodation

Pre and post tour accommodation is available if you would like to spend more time exploring your joining and departure cities. You will find Overland Expeditions pre and post hotel prices listed on our website. It is best to book your pre and post tour accommodation at the same time that you book your tour. Please contact us or speak to your travel consultant for more information.

Accommodation is included from 1pm on day 1 until checkout time on the morning the tour ends. If you wish to use the services of a room before or after checkout time, or you are arriving very early in the morning of day 1, you will need to book an extra night, which we can arrange for you.

All rooms are on a bed only basis unless otherwise indicated. There is an extra charge if you change your hotel or transfer reservations once booked or if you add a hotel / transfer reservation to your booking within one month of the tour departure date. Please refer to the booking conditions for more information.

Meals

All food while camping is included plus lunches when travelling between hotels. There is always a huge variety of fresh fruit, vegetables and meats which are purchased at local markets and supermarkets by you and your tour leader.

Good food is paramount to a successful tour and it is our policy to buy only the best and freshest ingredients in generous quantities for each and every meal. This generally means three meals a day and includes a healthy breakfast, usually salad rolls for lunch and often a one or two course evening meal.

Meal preparation, washing up and cleaning the inside of the expedition vehicle are all undertaken by group members on a roster basis. When staying in hotels, meals are not included and you are free to enjoy the local cuisine at a variety of enticing local restaurants.

Our vehicles carry all the necessary equipment required for the group to prepare food as well as tables and campstools for your convenience. All other snacks and drinks on the tour are at your own expense.

Please see the country dossiers for more information about the local food you can experience on tour and see the tour dossier for information about the number of meals included on your itinerary.

Excursions

Overland Expeditions offer a variety of included excursions, such as visits to national parks, local communities, ancient ruins, museums, and other natural and cultural highlights of your chosen destination. Some excursions such as the Inca Trail Trek or Lares Valley Trek, gorilla trekking, the Masai Mara and Serengeti National Parks need to be booked in advance of travel. You can opt out of these in advance if you prefer to have some free time instead.

You can also choose from a range of optional excursions which you can book locally with help from your tour leader - you can find the full list on the appropriate tour page. Please contact us or speak to your travel consultant for more information.

Transport

The majority of the travelling time on Overland Expeditions is spent on our modern, comfortable, custom- built expedition vehicles. Onboard you will find superior comfort, from our carpeted interiors with curtained and tinted windows, to modern coach seats, overhead storage shelves, writing tables, a small library and a stereo player for the group’s use. Most vehicles also have a refrigerator for food and sometimes cold drinks. There will also be plenty of storage space for your luggage and souvenirs as well as kitchen equipment, tables and camp stools carried for picnic lunches. Tucked away in storage we carry specialised equipment for the maintenance and upkeep of the vehicle. On rare occasions it may be necessary to utilise a privately hired vehicle for the duration of the tour.

Although modern and comfortable, some vehicles may not include all the facilities and equipment listed above. Please refer to our expedition vehicles pages for more information. On some optional excursions you will use locally hired vehicles.

Transfers

Airport transfers are not included in group tours but can be booked through Tucan Travel at an additional cost. If you would prefer to make your own way to and from your hotel, you can find details on public transport and taxis in the joining letter for your tour.

Driving times

The distances between attractions can be great in parts of South America and Africa so please be prepared for some long travelling days. The longest travel days are about 8 -10 hours although toilet and lunch stops will be made throughout the day. This time spent travelling is unavoidable but you will not be disappointed once you arrive! There will be travel on modern highways as well as bumpy gravel roads. Please also note that there are many short travel days and many non travel days which leave you free to explore at your leisure.

Group size

The average group size is between 15 and 24 although our vehicles comfortably seat up to 34 on some popular dates. In Cuzco and on some included excursions this number may be larger.

Staff

Overland Expeditions are accompanied by a Tucan Travel tour leader and Tucan Travel driver. You may be assisted at other times by Tucan Travel reps, local guides and local reps.

Tucan Travel tour leaders are genuine travel addicts and will share their passion for their destination with you. A tour leader will accompany you on your tour and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the tour, so you are free to sit back, relax and enjoy the journey.

Tucan Travel drivers are an integral part of the group and are of varied nationalities. They are used to the varied road conditions of our destinations. Safe driving is their priority and they are experienced in vehicle maintenance.

Tucan Travel representatives will escort you at times when your tour leader may not be available.

Local representatives own and operate their own local businesses and on occasion they are responsible for transfers.

Local guides accompany many of our excursions, such as visits to archaeological sites and the Inca Trail Trek. Their knowledge of the local area and familiarity with its customs and history will enhance your experience and lift your journey out of the ordinary.