Frequently Asked Africa Overland Holiday Questions |
 Where do I stay at the start and the end of the tour? |
| Why Travel with Africa-in-Focus instead of other overland operators? |
| Do I need visas? |
| Do I require Travel insurance? |
| What about vaccinations and first aid? |
| What does the Local Payment pay for? |
| Who will the crew be? |
| What luggage do I need to bring and how much packing space will I have? |
| Do you sell flights? |
| What is the rest of the group like on your overland trips? |
| What do I need to know about camping? |
| Can I listen to my music on the truck? |
| How do I Charge my Digital Equipment? |
| How do I store my digital photos? |
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| Q |
Where do I stay at the start and the end of the tour? |
| A |
There are hotels in both Nairobi and Cape Town that we recommend. We have chosen these as we feel that they are the best value for money with a comfortable and homely feel. You are welcome to find alternative hotels or backpacker lodges. Please contact us for suitable alternatives as there are a large number that we could recommend in Cape Town and only a few in Nairobi.
Nairobi Accommodation:
In Nairobi there are two choices of hotel run by the same chain. The Fairview Hotel ( www.fairviewkenya.com ) has a comfortable country feel set in 5 acres of gardens which makes it less crowded than the majority of large hotel chains. Visit their website for more information on the rooming options, as there are several categories. Rates are between £50-£60 for singles and £70-£80 for a double.
The tour will start from the Fairview Hotel between 8-9am on the day of departure. The pre-departure meeting will also take place at the Fairview on the day prior to departure. Tours also finish at this hotel.
If the Fairview is a little over your budget then the Country Lodge ( www.countrylodge.co.ke ) is managed by the same hotel group, and is next door to the Fairview hotel and offers a modern look and feel but is still quiet and clean. Visit their website for more information on rooming options. Rates are between £30-£40 for a single room and £50 for a double or twin.
If you would like Africa-in-Focus to book your accommodation in Nairobi please contact us well ahead of your departure or arrival date as these two hotels are quite popular.
Victoria Falls Accommodation:
In Livingstone the campsite where the tours stay can also provide lodge accommodation. The option of en-suite chalets is available at US$85 for a single or US$65 per person sharing for a double. Alternatively there are walk-in bedded tents available, which have two single beds, a light, fan and power point. Ablution facilities are shared with the campsite. The bedded tents are available at US$38 for a single and US$28 per person sharing for a twin.
Cape Town Accommodation:
Tours start and end at a B&B Lodge in the Seapoint area. The Bellevue Manor ( www.bellevuemanor.co.za ) is a friendly establishment offering personal service with en-suite rooms. Singles are approx £35 per night, and doubles are £45 per night.
Please note that should you require accommodation at the start or end of the tour please email the Africa-in-Focus office ( info@africa-in-focus.com ) with your requirements well ahead of your arrival/departure date.
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| Q |
Why Travel with Africa-in-Focus instead of other overland operators? |
| A |
After working for several overland companies over a period of 5 years, Jeremy, Africa-in-Focus owner and director, felt that overland travel needed a new approach and perspective. His goal was to cater for those wanting more personal space and comfort while traveling in a group and to focus more on the photographic opportunities in Africa than the average mass-market operators do.
Thus the A-i-F expedition vehicle was custom built for a maximum of 16 clients (as opposed to 24-28 or even 30 clients). Over a metre of leg room between each set of seats gives you the space you need to stretch out and relax while traveling. There is ample personal, accessible storage for your belongings - as opposed to a communal packing area underneath the truck as is the case with the majority of other operators vehicles.
Coupled with this your tour leader is a qualified photographer who will provide insight into better photographic techniques throughout the duration of the tour. These take the format of informal talks and demonstrations while on tour. We also provide clients with digital cameras the opportunity and facility to download their digital images to several laptop computers. These images can then be burnt to CD/DVD. To our knowledge we are the only overland company to provide this innovative service.
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Do I need visas? |
| A |
Generally speaking the majority of nationalities (British, New Zealand and Australians, USA and EU) require visas for several of the countries that we pass through on our overland trips. However all these visas are obtainable en-route so there is no need for you to get them before you leave.
Our comprehensive trip notes which you will receive upon reserving a seat will give you more up-to-date information regarding visas and the costs of these for each nationality. The trips notes will also provide other general information.
Do check with our office if you are unsure about the visa requirements for your particular passport.
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Do I require Travel insurance? |
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Travel insurance is mandatory for all passengers travelling with Africa-in-Focus. Please arrange for this before travelling to Africa. |
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| Q |
What about vaccinations and first aid? |
| A |
We do carry a comprehensive first-aid kit on the truck, however we do suggest that each passenger brings along their own personal kit (plasters, headache tablets etc). We advise that you seek medical advice regarding vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis. More information on this will be provided in the A-i-F trip notes which you will receive once you book with us. |
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| Q |
What does the Local Payment pay for? |
| A |
There is a Local Payment that is payable to the tour-leader at the start of the tour in either US Dollars or Pounds Sterling only. This contributes towards all food (3 healthy meals a day, except Zanzibar) - which is provided by our now legendary Kenyan cook - tea, coffee, juice and toilet paper plus camping/accommodation fees for the duration of the tour. The local payment does not cover alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, snacks or bottled water.
NB: US$ notes should be post 2002 editions only, and in $50 or $20 denominations. If paying kitty in Pounds Sterling notes should preferably be in £20’s.
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Who will the crew be? |
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Our crew of three (driver, photographic tour-leader and cook) will endeavor to make your trip a truly memorable experience. Your driver will ensure you have a safe and comfortable trip. Your photographic tour-leader will be responsible for your general wellbeing and the day-to-day routine of the tour. The tour-leader is a qualified photographer who will provide insight into better photographic techniques throughout the duration of the tour. He will provide you with the information and help you may need to capture the best images. He will run workshops during the trip on subjects of interest, e.g. lighting, composition, special techniques. Our legendary cook will provide you with 3 healthy meals a day - all we ask is that you help him with the food preparation. |
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| Q |
What luggage do I need to bring and how much packing space will I have? |
| A |
Our Pre-departure document will give you advice on what you will need in the way of clothing and various other items. Each passenger has the use of two twin lockers, one is located in front of you in the passenger area of the truck for your day gear and cameras and contains its own safe for the safe keeping of travel documents, passports and money. The other locker is accessed from outside the truck and is for your main luggage. Click on the locker images for dimensions of the lockers. |
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Do you sell flights? |
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What is the rest of the group like on your overland trips? |
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Our tours are geared toward those that wish to gain better insight into the countries that we visit. Our general age range is from late twenties/early thirties up to about 75 and from all walks of life. If you are over 55 we ask that you fill out our “Over 55 questionnaire” and obtain a doctors note stating that you are fit to travel. This document is informal and is for your own peace of mind as well as ours. Our tours are not aimed at the Gap year market, as we do not focus on hitting the local bars every night! |
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What do I need to know about camping? |
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All our tours are run on the basis of camping and group participation. Camping allows us to be flexible – we provide large 4-person dome style tents for each 2 passengers – providing extra space, comfort and privacy. A foam mattress and pillow is also provided. Upgrade to bedded accommodation is available at some of the campsites en-route. Please notify your tour-leader ahead of time should you wish to upgrade, so that he can enquire about availability.
While in Swakopmund we stay in chalet bungalows with two twin rooms with a shared bathroom. You will therefore have your own room if you are a couple but will share the chalet with another single/couple. If you are a single traveller you will need to share a room your tent mate. In Zanzibar we stay in en-suite chalets and if you are a single traveller then we will ask you to share. If you would like a room to yourself then please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
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| Q |
Can I listen to my music on the truck? |
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With the advent of ipods and MP3 players, and thus the ease of transporting your own music, Africa-in-Focus has decided that for the comfort and enjoyment of other passengers music will not be played via the truck sound system. You are more than welcome to bring along your ipods and MP3 player and listen to your music with headphones. |
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How do I Charge my Digital Equipment? |
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To charge your ipods, MP3 player, camera, laptop and mobile phone you will need a DC 12 volt adapter - the type that can be used from a cigarette lighter in your car. There are five of these 12 volt adapters in the passenger area of the vehicle that you can plug in to while on the road. Alternatively the majority of the campsites we stay have electricity points so we advise that you also bring along your normal charging adapters as well. We have a number of electrical adapters and extension cords to allow you to connect your equipment up near our vehicle. You will need to ensure that you have the correct country adaptor for your specific charger. |
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How do I store my digital photos? |
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Africa-in-Focus is the only overland company (to our knowledge) that provides our clients with the opportunity to download their digital photos to one of several onboard laptop computers. These operate with XP or Vista basic. All images can then be burnt to CD or DVD. We also provide a multi-card reader that can read 23 different types of memory sticks. |
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