| One of the things that so many travellers often | | | | like the best fit. Pay attention to the listed |
| don't realise is that overlanding is one of the most | | | | ‘Included' and ‘Optional' Highlights as a trip |
| affordable ways to experience an African travel | | | | that looks more expensive at face value may |
| holiday. These tours are designed to be | | | | actually include more in the price than some |
| cost-effective and accessible, making it possible | | | | cheaper looking ones. |
| for just about anyone to enjoy a | | | | 3. Choose the right travel season |
| once-in-a-lifetime trip to some of Africa's finest | | | | ‘Overlanding' travel seasons work the |
| destinations. The secret is in knowing how to find | | | | opposite to many traditional ‘high seasons' in |
| these tours, and knowing which ones would be | | | | Africa – a great advantage when it comes to |
| best to suit your budget and travel needs. | | | | your budget. Overland high season falls in the |
| To help you find the best African budget tours, | | | | winter months, between May and August, and |
| travel experts advise the following tips: | | | | continues through mid season (spring and autumn |
| 1. Choose your destination | | | | months in the southern hemisphere, March to May |
| Before you do anything else you need to have a | | | | and September to November). |
| good idea of where you would like to go. | | | | Overland low season (December to February |
| Generally speaking, it is often cheaper to choose | | | | – summer in the southern hemisphere) is |
| one destination or a few destinations that are | | | | when most of local Africa has its summer |
| situated near to one another rather than a | | | | holidays, and also when the most independent |
| massive tour from one side of the continent to | | | | visitors from the northern hemisphere come to |
| the other. | | | | escape their cold winters for an African summer |
| For instance, you could choose an East Africa | | | | holiday. For those who are immune to the high |
| overland tour that includes Malawi, Tanzania, | | | | temperatures you will find that although your trip |
| Mozambique and Uganda, or a Southern Africa | | | | price may not vary much, you will save money |
| tour that focuses on Zimbabwe, Zambia and | | | | on any optional activities you choose to take part |
| Botswana. Each destination offers its own | | | | in. |
| highlights and experiences with a host of | | | | African budget tours are therefore at their most |
| attractions found within every single destination | | | | affordable during the overland high and mid |
| across Africa. So regardless of the destination | | | | seasons, when there are fewer independent |
| you choose, you can be sure of a highly | | | | travellers flocking to one particular area. Don't |
| rewarding and memorable trip. | | | | think that this means you will not be able to enjoy |
| 2. Do your research carefully | | | | all the benefits of a safari in Africa however – |
| Finding affordable overland tours is often as | | | | even during winter Africa has a huge wealth of |
| simple as a quick Google search. If you search for | | | | attractions and highlights. The weather is often |
| ‘affordable Namibia overland tours' for | | | | much more tolerable than the scorching summer |
| example, this will bring up a wide range of results | | | | months, with plenty to see and do – ensuring |
| that meet these criteria, giving you plenty of tour | | | | memorable tours all year around at the best |
| options. You can then go through each result, | | | | prices. |
| finding the ones that best suit your requirements | | | | Once you have chosen the place and season you |
| and budget. | | | | wish to travel, and you have found the perfect |
| Alternatively, you could visit a travel agency and | | | | tour, you will be able to enjoy all the advantages |
| enquire about overland adventures on offer within | | | | of affordable overland tours that give you the |
| your budget and preferred destination. Make a list | | | | best value for money – leaving you free to |
| of all the tours that seem to have what you are | | | | focus on your adventure. |
| looking for, and then choose the one that seems | | | | |