Make sure to budget properly for your overland travel trip

Research destinations to find out how much you're likely to spend while travelling

One of the most essential parts of planning any trip is to make sure that you know exactly how much you have to spend on things like food, drink and activities while you're away.

And this is no more true than when embarking on an overland adventure, when you are likely to be away for a long time and travelling through several countries with different currencies and living costs.

To make things simpler, when you go on an overland adventure with Dragoman, we use a kitty system whereby all those going on the trip contribute towards a central fund which is then jointly managed by the group and the tour leaders.

This is used to pay for activities undertaken by the whole group - such as hotel accommodation, campsite fees, meals while camping and excursions.

However, many travellers will want to bring some extra cash for personal spending - which can include things like hotel food, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, taxis and restaurants - and this is where the importance of budgeting properly for your overland trip comes in.

One of the most important factors of planning an accurate budget is to know what the cost of items is likely to be in the countries you're visiting, taking into account different exchange rates.

According to recent figures from Post Office Travel Money, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates have had a significant impact on the cost of travelling in certain countries over recent months - about 80 per cent of world currencies are now weaker against the pound than they were a year ago, while others, such as the US dollar and Kenyan shilling, are significantly stronger.

Travellers should also research exactly what is covered in the cost of the trip and the kitty contribution, and what they will be expected to pay for themselves.

And once you have decided how much you have to spend, try to stick to it once you're away and not be tempted to splash out on extras using credit cards or borrowed cash.

This should ensure you have a fun and memorable travelling experience without breaking the bank.