East African Family Overland (FEA)

Nairobi to Dar Es Salaam 17 days, departing 11 Aug 2013

• Comfort Zone: Basic ModerateLuxury
• Physical Challenge: Easy Moderate FitnessHard
• Trip Style: Family Adventures
• Route: Nairobi to Dar Es Salaam
• Length: 17 days
• Transport: Hard Sided overland safari vehicle, boats, jeeps
• Accommodation: Camping in national parks and in grounds of hotels and comfortable 3-4 star hotels.  Whilst camping outside national parks, upgrades to rooms are available on most nights.   Meal Plan: 16 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 12 Dinners.

Countries Visited

Kenya

Kenya is a country full of life and colour; of tribes and tradition and of wildlife and game parks.

In the lively capital of  Nairobi there are so many attractions to fill a few days. The Karen Blixen museum was donated by Denmark after popularity of 'Out of Africa'. The location of the museum now is also home to some beautiful wildlife including horses. Most visitors also take in the elephant orphanage and giraffe sanctuary, offering the chance to feed the giraffes from a raised platform.

Of course it's the wildlife that draws most people to Kenya due its excellent national parks and reserves such as The Maasai Mara (also known as the Masai Mara to the Mara to locals), Nakuru and Samburu . Of course most people want to get a snap of the big five but there are also good chances of seeing the lesser predators of the genet, jackal and hyena.

Mount Kenya is the country's highest mountain and is the 2nd largest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro. Standing at a height of over 5000 metres, it towers over the surrounding plains and is no mean feat to scale with most climbers regarding it as more of a challenge that it's taller cousin in Tanzania .

Kenya's music scene is one of the most eclectic in the whole of Africa. With over 40 regional languages across the country, the folk music of Kenya is incredibly varied. Many of the regions have their own type of music, and one of the most inspiring is the Polyphonic style of the Maasai region in which chanting makes up the song's rhythm.

Tribes all over Kenya are proud of their products, whether it is music or textiles or food. The staple diet is mainly maize based and although each region has its own specific taste, there are many that are common across the country. One of these is Sukuma wiki. It is a phrase that means "to push the week". This meal is full of seasonal vegetables which will last a family a week.

Kenya does pack a lot into a small space but don't underestimate the country, in terms of tourism it is Africa’s biggest hit!

 

Tanzania

Tanzania is the place for the classic East Africa safari experience, home to some of the world’s most famous game parks. The wide open plains of the Serengeti, green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season and home to thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators, is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa. Flat and rolling with long grasses the plains get its name from the Maasai word siringitu, "the place where the land moves on forever". Game viewing in the Serengeti is amazing and as you camp out at night, don't be surprised to hear lions in the distance as you recount your amazing sightings during the day. Most visitors either choose the Serengeti as their favourite game park or the Ngorongoro Crater. This huge caldera - a volcano which collapsed in an immense explosion measures 19km in diameter and 265km² in area. There is an excellent chance of spotting many of the Big Five as well as many, many other species.

Tanzania is also home to the Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. It stands at nearly 6000 metres. There are many routes to the summit and each bring a fantastic sensation of accomplishment. Standing at the foot of this giant, is the town of Moshi and not only does it boast one of the most magnificent landscapes in the world, it is also a central region in Tanzania's coffee district.

After safari or mountain climbing where better to relax than the island of Zanzibar. From the white beaches with the lapping sky blue waves, to the stone paved walkways, you can disappear into a world of calm. There is opportunity to visit the slaving forts of Stone Town, visit the spice farms, or scuba dive on the islands fantastic coral reefs.

Tanzania is a country full of challenges and beauty, but also it is a chance to relax. Pick your challenge and discover Tanzania.

Day 1: Nairobi

Sun 11 Aug 2013

Jambo!! Welcome to Kenya. 

Today is an arrival day.  The truck and your crew will meet you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel in Nairobi.  You will have an initial group meeting with your trip leader and head out for Dinner.   We stay in a comfortable hotel with en suite facilities and a swimming pool.

Day 2: Nairobi

Mon 12 Aug 2013

After breakfast we head out in the truck to visit the Giraffe sanctuary and the Elephant Orphanage.  The rest of the day is free at your leisure to explore the sights of Nairobi or simply relax by the pool.  Tonight we stay in the same hotel.

Day 3: Arusha

Tue 13 Aug 2013

We leave Nairobi early today as we have a relatively long drive day ahead of us.  We overland through Kenya and cross the border to Northern Tanzania as we head to our camp site outside of Arusha.

Day 4: Arusha

Wed 14 Aug 2013

This morning we take a camel ride or walk to a Maasai Village.  The Maasai guide takes us through the Maasai Cultural Museum first so that we understand what we are seeing in the village.  The village is totally as they live – nothing fixed up for tourists.  We will also visit a free clinic, AIDS orphanage and a free Education Centre set up by students from Nottingham University and now run by a Charity called Livlife.  After lunch we head back to our campsite to prepare ourselves for our safari.

Tonight we stay in a camp site with good facilities.

Day 5: Serengeti National Park

Thu 15 Aug 2013

We are up early this morning as the jeeps are ready to take us into the Serengeti National Park.  We spend the morning travelling into the park and Game driving in the afternoon.  We overnight in a basic campsite with limited facilities.

Day 6: Serengeti National Park

Fri 16 Aug 2013

If you have pre booked a balloon flight over the Serengeti you will be collected from the camp very early this morning.

We spend all day game driving in the Serengeti National Park with time for relaxation at the luxurious Seronera Lodge located in the middle of the Serengeti.  We overnight in a basic campsite with limited facilities. ities.

 

Day 7: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Mto Wa Mbu

Sat 17 Aug 2013

This morning we spend game driving out of the Serengeti as we head towards the Ngorongoro Crater.  We descend into the crater in our jeeps for more game driving. We have lunch in the crater and leave late afternoon returning to our campsite in the village of Mto Wa Mbu.

Day 8: Marangu

Sun 18 Aug 2013

Today we Journey from Mto Wa Mbu to Marangu in the foothills of Kilimanjaro. We camp in the grounds of colonial hotel with a swimming pool, excellent facilities and on a clear day - views of Mt Kilimanjaro!

Tonight we camp in the grounds of the colonial Marangu hotel.

 

Day 9: Marangu, Mshiri Village

Mon 19 Aug 2013

A clear early morning is rewarded with excellent views of Kilimanjaro.  After breakfast it is short drive to the village of Mshiri where we will visit the Village Education Project, learn about the Chagga people and taste a delicious local lunch.  We will make a our way back to camp late afternoon where you can relax in the grounds of colonial hotel

Day 10: Lushoto

Tue 20 Aug 2013

Today we leave the slopes of Kilimanjaro behind us as we climb up to approx 2000m above sea level to the cooler, less frequented Usambara Mountains.   We base ourselves in the old German colonial village of Lushoto and stay in rooms in a colonial hotel.

Day 11: Usambara Mountains, Lushoto

Wed 21 Aug 2013

After breakfast we have a Half-day easy hill trek to Irente lookout and community visit to Irente villages. The rest of the day is free for you to explore or simply relax

Day 12: Dar Es Salaam

Thu 22 Aug 2013

Today is our second big drive day of the trip so far.  We head out to Dar Es Salaam where we base ourselves for 2 nights at the Kipepeo Beach Lodge on the Southern Beaches of Dr Es Salaam.

re or simply relax

Day 13: Dar Es Salaam

Fri 23 Aug 2013

Today is a free day for range of optional beach activities.

Day 14: Zanzibar

Sat 24 Aug 2013

This morning we travel to the Dar Es Salaam port and catch a local ferry to Zanzibar. The ferry is quite comfortable with airline type seats and toilets are available. The journey time is around 90 minutes. When we reach Zanzibar we must clear customs and immigration after which we will make our way to our hotel.  The Mtoni Marine is situated on a beach outside of Stone Town and has excellent facilities’ and swimming pool.

overnight in a basic campsite with limited facilities.

Day 15: Zanzibar

Sun 25 Aug 2013

After breakfast we set off on our guided spice tour, which takes in the sites of Stone Town and a local lunch. The afternoon is free for optional activities.

Day 16: Zanzibar

Mon 26 Aug 2013

Today is a completely free day for optional activities and our last night on the beautiful island of Zanzibar.

Day 17: Dar Es Salaam

Tue 27 Aug 2013

Today is the final day.  After breakfast we catch the ferry back to Dar Es Salaam and transfer as a group to the airport.

 

Visa Information:

Important Notes

Serengeti Balloon Safari

The Balloon Safaris in the Masai Mara and Serengeti must be pre-booked through the UK and is subject to availability.

The routes, activities and places visited described in these trip notes are intentions and are meant as a rough guide only.

We intend following the planned route but exact night stops cannot be guaranteed. It sometimes happens that we decide to make a change to our basic planned itinerary. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, road or bureaucratic conditions may demand it. By their very nature overland itineraries need to be flexible and the regions that we are travelling through are often unpredictable. We run adventure journeys in off the beaten track areas, often in areas without western infrastructure. You should expect that some these areas do not adhere to western safety standards.

Visa Information

Most countries we visit on our travels will require visas.  Some are best obtained before you leave home and others can be obtained en-route. Whilst the ultimate responsibility for obtaining visas is yours, we will endeavour to assist you wherever possible.

The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. The information provided is given in good faith and we do try to keep the visa information as up to date as possible.  Please be aware though that rules do change, often without prior warning, which is why it is important that you check for yourself.

For visas that are needed in advance you can choose to submit the applications directly to the relevant embassy /consulate.  However our recommendation is that you use a visa agent to assist you with your applications. While this does increase the cost it will make the process much easier for you. Dragoman have teamed up with ‘The Visa Machine’ to create a safe, secure, hassle-free way of obtaining visas and visa advice. Our unique link within their website is designed to make the visa process as straightforward as possible.  Simply go to https://dragoman.thevisamachine.com and click on your region of travel followed by your trip route and ‘The Visa Machine’ will advise you about not only the required visas but also the dates by which you should apply.  ‘The Visa Machine’ can then assist you in the actual visa application thus taking all the worry and hassle out of the process.  This should apply for ALL nationalities and countries of residence.

As you will need to submit your passport together with your applications, we recommend that you avoid making any travel plans in the weeks leading up to your departure. However if you do need to travel in this period please let us know as soon as possible so that we can help you work out the options for your visa application process. 

Kenya

Kenyan visas are required by most nationalities.

Single entry visas are available at the point of entry to most nationalities and cost $50USD or $20USD (post 2003 US dollar bills) for transit visas. (Some nationalities require visas to be purchased in advance - you MUST check before departure).

Multiple entry visas are required for people travelling to Rwanda to visit the Gorillas.  We recommend that you obtain this in advance as you cannot obtain a Multiple entry visa at the border. However if you are unable to obtain a multiple entry visa before travel you will have to purchase Single visas upon each entry into Kenya at the border. 

For more information, including application forms and visa fee rates, is available at http://www.kenyahighcommission.net. Kenya there is an airport departure tax of $20. Payment is also accepted in Kenyan Shillings. This tax is normally included in the price of airline tickets but if you are unsure, you should check with the airline or travel company.

Tanzania

A visa is required by visitors of most nationalities including from the EU, USA and Australia. It is recommended you purchase your visa in advance. The cost is approximately US$75 depending on nationality.

However it is possible to obtain a tourist visa for a single entry at the main ports of entry to Tanzania including Dar Es Salaam airport and the land borders.  This is recommended if you are short on time before departure or travelling on a long combination trip that would mean a 3-month visa expiring before entry.

At the present time you do not require a multi entry visa to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda due to an agreement between the three countries (ie if you exit Kenya to Tanzania you can re enter Kenya on the same visa). However if your trip visits Tanzania twice after a visit to a country other than those listed above, you may need to purchase two visas.

If you do require a multiple entry visa you will need to arrange this through a Tanzanian diplomatic mission before your arrival in Tanzania.  Otherwise you will have to buy a single entry visa each time you enter the country.

If you do decide to obtain your visa in advance please use the following address on the application form:-

KipepeoBeach& Village

P.O. Box1520

Dar es Salaam,

Tanzania

Tel :+255 (0)754 276 178

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission.  This is particularly relevant for those travelling to Tanzania from neighbouring African countries.  See the Tanzanian Government website for more details: http://www.tanzania.go.tz/immigration.html.

Departure tax

On the 2nd of July 2012 the Tanzanian Government announced an increase to it's passenger airport service charge from 5,000TSH to 10,000TSH for domestic departures, and from 30USD to 40USD for international departures.

This change comes into effect from 1st of July 2012 and will be included in any new Airline ticket costs. Passengers who have already purchased tickets will be required to pay the difference on departure.

What else you need to know

Currencies & Cash

It is not really worth trying to buy local currencies before you travel.  Do also bear in mind that many countries have strict regulations about the amount of their own local currency you are allowed to import - if you are found with amounts in excess of the allowed amounts, it may well be confiscated!

For obvious security reasons we hesitate to recommend you bring lots of cash with you, a sensible mix of cash, travellers cheques, cash passports such as TravelEx cards and ATM cards is best. However, most of our past passengers have said they wished they had been told to bring more cash. Apart from the convenience of being able to change money in many more places, you will sometimes get a much better exchange rate for cash. 

You should take a mixture of denomination notes. Banks and moneychangers in most countries will now only accept bills with a metallic strip running top to bottom of the bill and which are dated from 2003 or later. You should not take worn or damaged notes, or any that have been written on.

Cash machines are readily available in most of East and Southern Africa but are not always reliable therefore we recommend that you do not rely on them as your only source of cash. Please note that there are no cash machines in Sudan.

Credit cards such as Visa and American Express are the most commonly accepted, but be prepared for very high commission charges. Please do not rely on cards for daily use, as they are not always accepted outside of larger towns and cities. Please bring a mixture of small and large denominations as in more remote areas it can be hard to change amounts over $50.

Family trips with Dragoman

Our Family Adventures are designed specifically for the spirited family. We understand that travelling with kids sometimes requires a slightly different perspective. Keeping this in mind, we travel at a slower speed - recognising that showing your family around our exotic destinations can take time. By travelling at a relaxed pace, while still offering plenty of optional activities along the way, we're providing your family with the ultimate travel experience together.

We limit travel times so that you're usually not on transport for more than seven hours or travelling too long after dark. We also try - where possible - to ensure you have at least two nights in each destination so you are not constantly having to unpack those bags.

Best of all, we find trips with children are so successful because kids have such a special ability to break down barriers with their natural curiosity, and because delighted locals always greet them with much affection. For all these reasons and more, you'll discover that Dragoman Family Adventures are an amazing experience for all.

 

Who travels with Dragoman?

Our passengers come from around the world and are always an interesting mix of nationalities and ages (Minimum age of 7 years old).  One of the beauties of family group travel is the camaraderie and friendships that are formed along the way and as well as the variety of people that you will meet.

 

Pre and post trip accommodation and connecting flights

At Dragoman we believe you should make the most of the places you visit, so if you would like to see more of your joining or finishing point cities, why not book additional accommodation to extend your stay. Dragoman can take away the hassle of time zones and language barriers by making the booking for you. This accommodation is only available at the joining or finishing city of your trip, immediately before or after the trip you are travelling on.

While Dragoman is happy to assist with booking your pre and post trip accommodation, it is important that you understand you may be able to book your own room at a cheaper rate directly through the hotel or on the internet.  Our additional accommodation prices are based on the hotel’s rate plus an administration fee. Please note our rates do not reflect last minute walkin rates or internet specials.

We can also book arrival airport transfers for you as long as we have your flight arrival details.  These are normally payable in cash upon arrival, however we do have pre paid transfers in a few destinations.

Please contact our reservations team for details of the accommodation and transfers that we can offer as not all hotels offer this service.

 

Accommodation on tour

Accommodation is chosen carefully to ensure your family gets the best of both worlds, with some of the creature comforts of home as well as experiencing accommodation unique to the region you are travelling through. Wherever possible you will stay in hotels with small comforts to make your stay more enjoyable - such as restaurants nearby, or accommodation with a pool.  The campsites will range from basic to those with excellent facilities, including swimming pools, restaurants and bars. In some cases it may also be possible to upgrade locally to bungalows, lodges or even tree-houses. One of the highlights of overlanding is that in more remote areas we will wild camp. This allows us to get far away from the tourist crowds to some beautiful, secluded spots.  We will also arrange as many village or local homestays as possible, allowing us to get close to indigenous populations and ensures our money stays within local communities.

 

Group size?

The maximum group size we take on our overland journeys ranges from 19 to 22 depending on the geographical location, however the average number of passengers is more likely to be around 16.

Our Community

At any time before or after you book you can join our community - Dragoland. This is a great place to ask questions before you travel and catch up with your fellow travellers once your trip has finished. You can share photos, videos and stories You can also download a selection of free travel apps. See the home page to sign in, it's free and easy.

We also have a Facebook page where travellers regularly swap info with each other - you can join here

Our crew and guides

Our crew are passionate about travel and always up for adventure. It takes someone special to become a Dragoman leader. Our crew undergo the most intensive training program of all overland companies, spending 10 weeks learning the ropes at our base in Suffolk, UK and then up to six months on the road as a trainee. On all Dragoman overlanding trips two western crew who are responsible for the group and the overall organisation will accompany you. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad knowledge of the places visited and to offer suggestions of things to do and see. In East and Southern Africa we will also have an African camp master/cook who is in charge of running the camp and organising all of the meals. Their knowledge of the local produce makes shopping at the markets great fun and you will learn how to prepare and cook some unusual dishes. In the rest of Africa, South America and the majority of Central Asia and China we use local guides who may stay with us for just a few hours or will actually travel with us for some or all of the journey. In these cases they become a third crew member and are able to offer their local knowledge as well as a real insight into the lives of the local people.

(If travelling in East & Southern Africa, also please see the note about our code-share crew)

Your tour leader has a duty of care to all of their passengers and therefore they have the authority to ask passengers to leave the trip if they require medical assistance, are behaving in an anti-social manner or refuse to comply with local laws and customs. In all matters relating to the trip, the leader's decision will be final and we appreciate your respect of this.

Medical conditions

We ask all of our passengers to declare any pre-existing medical conditions and in some cases you will be asked to complete one of our medical questionnaires. For trips that travel to areas of high altitude we also require all passengers to complete an altitude questionnaire. The ratings for each trip are a good indication of how challenging they are and in some cases passengers should be prepared for some long driving days and possible limited facilities. We are always happy to give extra advice if you have additional concerns.

Vaccinations

Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to region and recent bulletins issued by health authorities. It is essential to get the latest advice on the region(s) you are planning to travel in. It is essential that you check with either your doctor or a travel clinic in good time before you travel.

In the UK we have been working with Nomad Travel for many years and their website has comprehensive, up to date vaccination and health information. Dragoman customers will receive a 10% discount off all vaccinations given at Nomad Travel clinics.

A  good source of up to date information is the World Health Organisation - http://www.who.int/en/

Malaria

Get expert advice before travelling about types of malaria pills and take them as instructed. Recommended types do change from time to time and from area to area. Consult your vaccination centre for the most up-to-date requirements

The mosquito usually bites between the hours of dusk and dawn and so covering up by wear long-legged and long-sleeved clothing, preferably light coloured and buttoned at the wrists can help. Do not sleep without closing windows, tent doors or, if sleeping out, use a mosquito net. Wear repellent applied directly to the skin or soaked into clothing.

Treating clothes and mosquito nets with a Permetherin solution provides significant protection. It should be available at most travel stores.  Mosquito coils are useful on still nights, in hotel rooms but cannot be used inside the tents.

Meals and group participation

On an overland journey you are more than just a passenger, you’re part of the crew, pitching in to set up camp, shop for food, cook and generally help out. We operate a rota system, dividing the group into smaller units of 5 or 6 people, so that these duties are shared equally amongst the group. These jobs will include things like collecting water and firewood, loading the back locker, supervising the kitty and food stores etc. While camping on overland journeys, all meals will be included in the kitty and this means that you will be working as a group to prepare meals and cook for your group. (On trips south of Nairobi we have a cook on board the truck, however you will still be required to help prepare meals). If you have any dietary requirements please tell us at the time of booking and also remind your crew at your welcome meeting. A typical camp breakfast might be toast with spreads, cereal and something hot such as eggs or pancakes as well as tea and coffee. Lunch is almost always a sandwich heaped high with healthy salad and assorted fillings, with fruit to follow. Dinner might be a BBQ, risotto, pasta dish and there is always the chance to try some local cooking. Generally our passengers find the more they put into a trip, the more they benefit for it.

Responsible tourism & code of conduct

Dragoman is committed to ensuring that we have a positive impact on local communities and that we implement policies to minimise any negative impact on the local environment. We are dedicated to making sure that we adopt a responsible attitude to the areas through which we travel and believe that our trips should benefit the local people and their environment. Dragoman recognises that we are guests of local communities and strive to make these communities our partners, so that they benefit directly from our visit.

You can find full details of Dragoman’s responsible tourism policy linked from the home page. All passengers are required to obey all laws of the countries through which we pass. This particularly applies to the smuggling of contraband and possession of narcotic drugs, firearms, antiquities and ivory. Any passenger found contravening such laws or customs may be required to leave the trip immediately with no refund of the trip price.

Overland travel and security

One of the real advantages of overland travel is that the vehicle provides a very real level of security when travelling. There is no doubt that a properly equipped overland vehicle, with safes, fully lockable doors and windows is an obvious advantage when travelling in much of the world. We recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt whilst travelling for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items (although most of these can be locked in the safe whilst you are on the trip) and advise passengers to leave any valuable jewellery, watches etc at home. Generally speaking, you will not be travelling on local public transport and will have the added security of travelling in a group with experienced crew on hand to offer advice.

In East Africa we use our specially designed soft sided safari overland truck. This is far more sociable than the traditional “bus” type Dragoman overland vehicle and is ideal for families. Both the working directors have taken their families and friends on these vehicles and know from experience that they add another dimension to the trip. 

The vehicles have security cages for your belongings but have the real advantage of allowing passengers to feel that they are not secluded from the environment. This is a more authentic experience.

Please note: Any personal effects that are left on the truck, even if they are stored in the safe, are left at your own risk and Dragoman cannot be held responsible for any damage or theft that may occur.

The safety of our passengers, leaders and operators is a major priority of Dragoman. With this in mind we monitor world events very closely. By the very nature of the adventure travel that we take, there are risks and hazards that are inherent in our itineraries. Dragoman makes operational decisions based on informed advice from a number of sources:

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice

Reports from other travel companies and local suppliers

Leaders reports from off the road

Local contacts we have built up over 29 years of experience

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. You should always make yourself aware of the travel advice before you book and again before you travel. Below are links to some of the websites

Britain. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country

Australia. http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

New Zealand. http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

United States. http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html

Canada. http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp

Dragoman has comprehensive passenger liability protection and tour operator insurance. These policies have total indemnities of £3,000,000 and £10,000,000 respectively. This is in addition to local vehicle insurance and your personal travel insurance.

Emergency contact

We have a dedicated 24 hour telephone number which should only be used once you have left the UK and in the event of a real emergency. Should you need to call the number, we will do what we can to help but please bear in mind that real progress or action may not be possible until normal office hours.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, please let us know and then make your way to the joining hotel as instructed in theses trip notes. If you cannot get through leave a message and a contact number as these will be regularly checked and the crew informed if necessary.

Emergency Number: +44 (0) 7985106564.

Insurance

It is a condition of booking that you have comprehensive travel insurance. Without evidence of valid travel insurance you will not be allowed to start the trip.

Whatever policy you choose, you must ensure that it is designed for adventure/overland travel. As such it must cover you for adventure activities such as white water rafting, trekking, horse-riding and that the 24 Hour Emergency Assistance Company must be experienced in handling situations in developing countries – for example they have the ability to arrange repatriation from remote areas such as the Sahara or if you were trekking in the Andes. Please double check if you have annual travel and/or credit card policies to ensure they have the cover you require, as many of these policies are not able to cope with adventure travel to remote areas. We recommend that any policy has the following minimum levels of cover: Medical (incl. repatriation) £5,000,000 Personal Liability £5,000,000 Cancellation and Curtailment £5,000 Loss of Baggage, personal effects, money and other inclusions are down to personal choice.

Issues on the trip

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or our local partner straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction. If this is the case please contact our customer relations department on customer_relations@dragoman.co.uk. You may also choose to provide details in your feedback questionnaire which we ask you to complete at the end of your trip but we do ask you to be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is complete.

Passports

Check that your passport will still be valid for 6 months after the end of the trip - this is important as some countries WILL refuse entry to anyone whose passport is due to expire. A temporary or "visitor's” passport is not valid on our trips. You will need to provide us with your passport details prior to departing for you trip. If you change your passport please remember to inform us.

Luggage & Kit List

Although you will not have to carry your main bag long distances you will need to help load and unload them onto the truck. For this reason we recommend that you use a backpack or soft bag rather than a heavy suitcase. During your trip your main luggage will be kept in the back locker so you will also need a small daypack. This can be used to carry your camera, water bottle and other personal effects for daily use.

The size of baggage that can be brought on this tour is limited by the locker space on the truck. Different trucks have different-sized lockers however to be safe we recommend that your bag be no larger than 66cm deep, 30cm wide, and 30cm high. The weight limit for luggage on all trucks is maximum 20kg.  Backpacks should not have an external frame unless it can be easily removed and stored separately to avoid damaging other people's luggage.

Your clothes and equipment should be appropriate for the conditions you are travelling in. On overland trips Dragoman will provide all camping equipment apart from sleeping bags and ground mats (except on routes between Nairobi and Cape Town where ground mats are provided).

The clothes and equipment should be appropriate for the conditions you are travelling in, which will vary depending on which part of the world you're heading to. On overland trips Dragoman will provide all camping equipment apart from sleeping bags and ground mats*, so you'll need to bring those with you. Think about the climate and altitude of the areas you'll be travelling to, there's nothing worse than being cold at night so it's worth investing in a decent sleeping bag if it's likely to get cold. And remember even when it's warm during the day, it can often get cold at night, particularly in desert regions.

*Ground mats are provided on our non "in-depth" overland trips that run in South and East Africa, between Nairobi and Cape Town.

For a general idea of what you need this list provides a guide:

• Sleeping bag - Check the expected climate en route. Nights in desert and mountain regions can be very cold in winter months
• Mattress or compressed foam
• A day pack is useful for short hikes in the countryside, wandering around cities, etc and also for keeping inside the vehicle for items used during the day
• 2 sets of comfortable travelling clothes (light, easily washable cotton clothes are best)
• 1 set of casual but smart clothes for evenings out. Women should bring a skirt that covers their knees and a scarf for visiting places of worship
• 2 pairs of shorts
• Sun hat or warm hat if trekking
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• Warm sweater/fleeces
• 1 waterproof jacket with hood
• 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes/boots (or ankle height canvas jungle boots)
• 1 pair of sandals or flip-flops
• Underwear and socks (thermals are also a good idea if you are travelling to altitude or to the desert as it can get very cold at night)
• Swimwear
• 2 small towels
• Washing kit, including a small mirror
• Clothes washing detergent, small scrubbing brush & washing line (just a length of cord)
• Head torch/flashlight with spare batteries & bulbs (only the 3 standard sizes of round 1.5v batteries are widely available en route)
• Passport photos (average of 2 per country for which visas will be applied for en route)
• Good water bottle at least 1 litre
• A pouch or money belt worn inside your clothing, or unobtrusive pocket sewn into the inside of a pair of loose fitting trousers, is a must.
• Alarm clock
• Pocket calculator (useful when exchanging money)
• Writing materials & notebook/diary
• Multi purpose knife
• Cotton sheet sleeping bag (or sheet folded and sewn up on 2 sides).  It will help keep your sleeping bag clean, and can be used on its own on warm nights.
• Mosquito net - The tents supplied by us have mosquito netting and you will only need a net if you think you will sleep out under the stars a lot of the time.
• "Wet Ones" (moistened tissues) and hand gel
• Toilet paper – this can be purchased almost everywhere en-route but one roll is worth packing
• Assorted sized plastic bags - protects clothing and equipment from dust and damp

For a comprehensive kit lists take a look at the Dragoman kit list that Nomad Travel have created.  Dragoman customers will receive a 10% discount on all equipment purchased either online or in store. Click to see the kit lists www.nomadtravel.co.uk/kitlist/overlanders-kit-list

Water

The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in bottles, the production of a 1 litre plastic bottle takes 2 liters of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion end up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments.

Please avoid the purchase of bottled water by using the chemically sterilized water stored in the purpose built storage tank or in water jerry cans in your Overland vehicle. You are free to refill your bottle as many times a day as you like. You are helping the environment and your hip pocket!

Personal medical kit

All of our trucks have a fully stocked medical kit onboard for use in emergency situations only.  Therefore in addition to this we recommend that you purchase your own personal medical kit. In the UK we have teamed up with Nomad Travel Stores and Clinics to produce the Dragoman Travel Medical Kit. It has been designed in conjunction with the truck kits  and contains everything you would need for any minor accidents. For more details please visit their website:

nomadtravel.co.uk/catalog/view/dragoman-medical-kit

Electrical equipment

Your vehicle will be equipped with a 12 volt socket so to charge your iPod, 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. Please be aware that only one piece of equipment can be charged at a time and it will not be allowed if there is a risk of running the vehicle’s batteries low. Batteries may also be recharged from hotel room wall sockets and the majority of the campsites we stay at have electricity points so please bring along your normal charging adapters as well. You will need to ensure that you have the correct country adaptor for your specific charger.

Contingency emergency fund

Sometimes, civil or political unrest, or reasons beyond Dragoman's control (e.g. a natural disaster), can mean that an itinerary is disrupted and we have to make a contingency plan. This may involve hiring alternate transport or even the whole group flying over an area. Although Dragoman will help organise travel arrangements, in circumstances outside Dragoman's control you should be prepared to contribute towards the costs and therefore we ask you to bring along a 'Contingency Fund' of USD400. In almost all cases trips run smoothly and this fund is therefore never used. We also recommend that you take along an internationally recognised credit or charge card with a decent limit in case of emergencies, such as medical treatment en route, or even the need to be repatriated; though these occurrences are rare. Remember that travel insurance policies usually only refund you for expenses after you have already paid out.

Tipping

Tipping is entirely voluntary. The Dragoman crew may be travelling with you for many weeks and usually they become good friends with most members of the group. It is sometimes easy to forget that they do work hard to ensure that you do have a great trip. If you feel you would like to tip them, they certainly would appreciate it. On a number of our trips, we also use a local guide as well as our own Dragoman crew. These guides live and travel with you through their home country and it is usual to tip them when they leave. We recommend USD10 to USD15 per person.

These trip notes have been compiled to help you prepare for your journey, once you have booked. They include the full itinerary and dates, information and kit lists, meeting hotels, insurance, vaccinations, visas, and other information that will help you get ready for your trip.

Please ensure you have an up to date version of these Trip Notes

These trip notes were printed on 20/05/2013