Trip Info The Vehicles Our fleet of almost 50 customised safari vehicles are owned and operated by Africa Travel Co. Most of our overland trucks are Mercedes Benz but we also operate MAN's and Ford Cargo's as well. These vehicles have been designed to give, you the passenger the best in comfort and security. They are fully self-sufficient with cooking and camping equipment, long range fuel tanks, 3-400 litre water tanks, exterior and interior lighting, lockers, windows and stereos.    The Crew On most of our trips we have three crew members; the trip leader, driver and safari cook. All our crew have a lot of love and knowledge of the countries they are travelling through and are keen to share their passion for Africa, which is one of the most important requirements of your trip. We feel that their enthusiasm as well as their experience will guarantee that you have an unforgettable trip.    Food The safari cook generally does the cooking on a trip, although we do ask that you participate in the preparation of meals on a rota basis. Meals and menus will vary depending on what produce is available locally but you will be ensured of three healthy square meals a day when on the road. We purchase fresh food from markets and roadside stalls along the way, which is supported by a bulk buy of goods bought prior to departure. In the towns and cities there is the optional alternative of sampling the local restaurants.    Accommodation On our camping trips we provide spacious 2-person tents with sewn in ground sheets and a separate fly sheet. Most nights you will stay in organised campsites which usually have hot water showers and extra facilities such as a bar or swimming pool. Increasingly many of these have simple roomed accommodation, so on occasion you have the choice at extra cost to upgrade to a bed if you want to. Occasionally, when we are unable to drive any further or when there is no local campsite available, we may have to bush camp. Our vehicles are completely self-sufficient for this and camping out in the middle of the African bush can be a memorable experience. On WLA accommodated trips, accommodation is in 2-3 star lodges, hotels, chalets, set tents and mobile tented camps. Some establishments are quite basic, where others offer a higher level of comfort. Ablution facilities are mostly shared, with a few hotels or lodges offering en-suite facilities.     Local Payment On most of our trips we have a local payment, which is part of the overall cost of the trip but is paid directly to the trip leader at the start of your trip. This enables you to stagger payment for your trip, and the trip leader uses it to cover game park fees, camping fees, food and anything else that needs to be spent during the trip other than optional extras. We ask that you bring along your local payment contribution, if applicable, in US$ cash as this is the easiest currency to change in Africa. **Please note that clients paying in EURO are not required to pay the local payment amount    Pre-Departure Information Prior to your trip we generally have a pre-departure meeting, which in most cases is on the evening before the start of the trip. Please check where the meeting is held on the individual trip pages of this website and bring along your passport, local payment and travel insurance details. The trip leader will discuss the trip, where we are going, what visas are required en route, and whilst it is rare, what changes might be necessary due to political, climatic or other unforeseeable situations that have occurred. Having met your fellow traveller's we generally move on to a local watering hole for a drink.    What's Included Fully equipped expedition truck/vehicle All cooking and camping equipment Meals Game park fees and excursions as detailed in the trip dossier Trip leader, driver and safari cook unless stated otherwise.    What's Not Included Sleeping bag and mat Personal travel insurance Visas Items of a personal nature Optional excursions which are detailed on the trip page and the Things to Do page of this website Restaurant meals and drinks    Safe and Responsible Tourism Wherever you travel there is sometimes an adverse situation happening and as a responsible safari operator we conduct our trips in accordance with the guidelines of the relevant authorities. Africa is an unpredictable continent and your safety and enjoyment are our primary concern, so at times we may have to change itineraries to avoid problematic situations. We are the only overland company to have our own offices in East and Southern Africa, which allows us unparalleled support to our passengers and crew.    Itineraries Over the years we have closely developed our routes we travel on through Africa. Our trips link the major cities to connect to flights and our itineraries are very well set out and cover all the major highlights and much, much more. Our trips are well paces, with time in destinations to explore or relax away from the road. Our trips range between 3 and 63 days, which means Africa Travel Co. can offer something that will suit the need of every adventure traveller. This website outlines our itineraries - where we go, what's included, what's not included, what the options are and what it is all going to cost. There are no hidden costs. For a detailed itinerary, pre-departure information and country profiles simply navigate your way around our website.    Guaranteed Departure Dates Our experience over the years has shown us that with the popularity and success of our trips, together with the reliability of our vehicles and the loyalty of our trip and workshop crews, gives us the confidence to guarantee our departures. We believe that currently Africa Travel Co. are the only operator to make this offer to our clients, so that when you make your booking you can be confident that you will go on the overland trip of your choice. Knowing that the trip is guaranteed to depart is a very important factor when arranging your holiday, especially when there are flights involved. **Please note that the WLA Accommodated Safaris are not guaranteed departures. Please see the trip for minimum departure numbers    Corporate and Special Interest Safaris As one of the largest overland operators in Africa we are able to put together and run individual charter packages for tour coordinators from many countries. If you or your company want to put together your own trip of a lifetime, whether it be a one off or regular, from 7 or 70 days, just contact us. Let us know what you are looking for and we will do the rest.    Vaccinations Several vaccinations are required for Africa, and on some trips malaria prophylactics are advised. Visit www.netdoctor.co.uk and seek advice from your doctor or local travel clinic at least six weeks prior to departure.    Visas Visa requirements vary between nationalities and the individual countries through which we travel. Speak to our consultants about up to date visa requirements or visit www.projectvisa.com.