Are you looking for budget overland tours in Africa? I worked as a tour leader for more than one budget overland company but I also met every other overland tour operator on the road. In this post, I talk about budget overland tours in Africa and how much does an Africa overland tour cost…
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How Much Does an Africa Overland Tour Cost?
You will need to factor all of the following into the cost of your trip:
- Trip Vaccinations and Medication
- Travel Insurance (Mandatory to join an Africa overland tour)
- Flights to/from Africa
- Cost of the Budget Overland Tour
But before I talk about each of the above, let’s look at the cost versus experience.
What’s Included in the Cost of Your African Overland Tour?
Africa overland tour companies include a lot of meals, accommodation and services in the price of a tour. These include the services of a driver and guide and office support team in case of anything that goes wrong. You will receive at least two meals per day and the tour price will usually include road tolls, fuel and certain park entry fees. There is actually a lot more I could mention but one of the benefits of joining an Africa overland tour is that you share these costs with your fellow passengers.
Should You Go with a Budget Company or Not?
I have a lot of experience working with budget overland tours in Africa. Both companies were fantastic to work for and I was able to run trips that received excellent feedback. However, these budget focused trips are not for everyone because they are without some of the ‘luxuries’ you will find with the bigger tour operators.
For example, G Adventures are one of the biggest tour operators in Africa and their crew will take care of all the cooking and cleaning etc. But you will unlikely find this with the budget overland tours in Africa which are often advertised as ‘participation trips’. This means you will be expected to help prepare and cook food and then clean up after dinner. You might only do this a couple of times each week and it might not sound like a big deal but it was definitely a source of frustration and annoyance for some of my previous guests. The tour guides for more established companies were also more competent, attentive and knowledgeable. I am also comparing these guides to myself when I say this because certain companies use guides who have a lot more training and knowledge.
You must also check what is included for budget overland tours in Africa because the price can sound low until you realize it excludes a major experience or attraction.
Optional Extras and Hidden Costs
Not everything is included in the price of an Africa overland tour. ‘Optional activities’ refers to a long list of side excursions in which you can choose to participate. This might be anything from trekking the mountain gorillas to whitewater rafting the River Nile. If you do not join these activities, you can usually relax at a campsite or town and there are often other free things to do instead of the optional activity. Depending on how many of these activities you plan to do, the cost of an Africa overland tour will change.
Upgrades and Accommodation
A budget overland tour in Africa will usually exclude the cost of your hotel the night before your trip departs. This means you will likely need to book a room for the night before and after your Africa overland tour. Although you will mostly stay at campsites during the trip itself, there are often rooms on site to which you can upgrade. These upgrades might cost anywhere between $15 – $50 and most guests will want to do this at least once or twice during their trip. That said, if you are here looking for a budget overland tour in Africa, maybe you can resist the temptation!
Tips for Your Africa Overland Crew
You should always tip your crew on a budget overland tour in Africa. The driver, chef and tour leader work hard and they don’t get paid very well. It is up to you what to tip but I suggest $3 per day for each member of your crew. When it comes to the optional activites, I suggest you should tip the tour guides between $5 – $10 for their services.
The Cost of Food and Drink
Do you drink alcohol? This is where the cost of a budget overland tour in Africa can get out of hand. I often found the people who drink alcohol on my trips spent twice the amount as the people who did not. If you want to keep the cost of an overland tour down, try to avoid or cut back on spending money on this one. Most of your meals are included on a budget overland tour in Africa but you will still need to pay for some meals. I suggest you budget $5 per day for snacks and water and then perhaps $10 per day for meals which are not included in tour price. It’s still not a huge amount when you compare the cost of living in Africa to the UK, US etc.
Visas for Overland Tours in Africa
The cost of visas on a budget overland tour in Africa will depend on the number of countries you visit. For example, if you go all the way from Nairobi to Cape Town, you will end up spending approximately $300 on visas. But if you only visit Kenya and Tanzania, the cost of your visas should be closer to $100. Each nationality will have a different price to pay for visas on an overland tour.
Medication & Vaccinations
You will need to consult your local doctor or travel clinic for the cost of medications etc. But I do think $200 should be enough to cover the cost of malaria medication and whatever vaccinations you might need for your budget overland tour in Africa.
Miscellaneous
You will sometimes need to pay for laundry, ATM fees and other day-to-day expenses. You can sometimes use your card to pay for optional activites or the bigger supermarkets but cash is great to have on an overland tour. Although you might think this a risky idea, most of my guests carried a lot of US dollars at the beginning of their overland tour. This is because US dollars are widely accepted by exchange bureaus in Africa and save you from having to find the nearest ATM. I cannot give you an amount to take on your trip but keep in mind, some of my guests carried at least US$1k with them as part of their spending money.
Flights to/from Africa with Trip.com
It’s straightforward if you join a budget overland tour in Africa that starts and ends in the same place. For instance, some overland tours start and end in Nairobi, Kenya and others start and end in Jo’burg, South Africa. This means you can simply purchase a return flight to the same destination. However, most overland tours start and end in different locations which means you will need to book two separate flights. I always suggest you arrive at least one day before departure and book your outgoing flight at least one day after the end of the trip. I always use Trip.com for booking my flights to Africa because I find the ticketing and search function to be most reliable.
The Cost of Overland Tour Insurance
You must have personal travel insurance to join an overland tour in Africa. This is mandatory and checked by your tour leader on the day of departure. As a tour leader myself, I dealt with a large number of clients who needed to claim on their insurance. Due to the nature of an overland tour in Africa, you should want to have this anyway! I always use World Nomads for my trips in Africa because they have great customer service and affordable rates. I suggest you at least get a quote on the link below as this takes just a matter of seconds.
Now, let’s take a look at which companies offer budget overland tours in Africa…
What African Budget Overland Tour Companies to Consider
Oasis Overland
Known for adventurous and budget-friendly overland tours, Oasis Overland offers journeys through Africa’s most rugged landscapes. Their trips often emphasize cultural immersion, with opportunities to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. Travelers can expect long road trips in well-equipped trucks, basic but comfortable camping, and group camaraderie. Whether it’s a short two-week safari or a 40-week transcontinental adventure, Oasis Overland caters to those seeking authentic experiences on Africa’s open roads.
African Trails
Specializing in overland adventures across Africa, African Trails provides flexible, long-distance trips through some of the continent’s wildest regions. Their no-frills approach attracts adventurous travelers who enjoy camping, exploring national parks, and experiencing local cultures. With over 30 years of experience, they offer budget-conscious trips that focus on maximizing time in nature. From the deserts of Namibia to the savannas of East Africa, African Trails delivers raw, unfiltered exploration.
Absolute Africa
Absolute Africa is an overland tour operator that focuses on providing affordable, immersive travel experiences across the continent. Their itineraries range from two-week safaris to extended cross-country expeditions. Known for their experienced guides and well-equipped overland trucks, Absolute Africa takes travelers through iconic wildlife destinations, vibrant cities, and rural communities. The tours emphasize both adventure and interaction with local cultures, making it a favorite for those looking to experience the real Africa on a budget.
Madventure
Offering epic overland journeys across Africa, Madventure is geared toward seasoned travelers seeking off-the-grid adventures. Their expeditions often span months, covering diverse terrains from jungles to deserts. Madventure trips are typically hands-on, where travelers participate in camping and cooking, fostering a communal experience. With a focus on low-cost, high-adventure tours, they attract a diverse, international crowd, all eager to discover Africa’s most remote and stunning locations.
Acacia Africa
Acacia Africa is not necessarily a budget company but they do offer a range of overland tours for affordable prices. The trucks are old style and the trips travel all the way from Nairobi to Cape Town. This operators is also one of the first companies I recall seeing on the road back in 2008 and they look to me like a very good operation with decent equipment and crew. You will also find a long lineup of destinations and budget overland tours in Africa from which to choose.
My Top 5 Budget Tours with Oasis Overland
There is sometimes little difference between budget overland tour companies in Africa. Most of them follow the same itineraries and use similar trucks or equipment. That said, I worked for Oasis Overland and know they have a fantastic reputation with past passengers. I’m not sure if it’s still the same way but most of their customers come from word-of-mouth! Anyway, I have confidence in this company and will now suggest some of my favorite budget tours that you might want to consider.
Nairobi to Zanzibar with Oasis Overland (14 Days)
After a short stay in Nairobi, this budget African overland tour ventures down into Tanzania. Here you will have the option of visiting Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater – incredible wildlife safaris not to be missed! Oasis Overland also offer a unique activity at Kilimanjaro where you can trek to the beginning of the Kili climb but without having to pay any of the expensive park fees. The trip finishes off on the beaches of Zanzibar – the perfect place to finish your African overland tour.
Nairobi to Uganda: Gorillas and Gameparks (19 Days)
If you want to trek the mountain gorillas AND see a bit more of Africa, this budget African overland tour offers great value. The trip will take you to Lake Naivasha and Nakuru National Park for a wildlife safari and then into the highlands of Kenya. You visit Jinja in Uganda for some whitewater activities and venture further west for the gorilla trek which is a once in a lifetime experience.
Nairobi to Cape Town with Oasis Overland (56 Days)
The adventure of a lifetime and one of the best value for money tours in the world. If you want a budget overland tour in Africa, I would not hesitate in recommending this trip to you. This is because I have personally led these tours and know all the amazing experiences you will find. The trip takes in multiple wildlife safari destinations and so much more in between. As a budget tour, you should not expect luxury but rather a rough n’ ready adventure through the African continent.
You must show proof of personal travel insurance to join a budget overland tour in Africa. I always use World Nomads and suggest you at least know the cost of insurance for your trip by getting a quote on the link below.
Nairobi to Victoria Falls (56 Days)
If you want to see as much of East Africa as possible, I suggest you consider this epic budget overland tour which goes all the way to Zimbabwe. Gorilla trekking is just one highlight of the Uganda section and Nairobi to Zanzibar is my favorite part of the entire route. That said, there are too many highlights to mention on this trip and a lot included in the tour price.
Nairobi to Cape Town – Coast to Coast (56 Days)
This is an alternative to the previous option. It does not include the ‘gorilla loop’ but instead travels though Botswana and Namibia. A very different experience that will take you into the deserts and arid landscapes which can help you appreciate the diversity throughout the land. You also have just as many activities and interesting attractions on this tour and the benefit of finishing in Cape Town!
