Africa Overland

Our trucks

All of our overland vehicles are custom built for the Peregrine experience and come equipped with:

• Two-person crew; local leader and driver
• Onboard inverters for charging equipment (camera gear, phones, etc)
• Overhead storage racks and rear exterior luggage compartment
• Integrated cab/passenger compartment
• Large sliding windows
• Onboard lighting
• Onboard fridge and safe
• Some vehicles have front and roof window hatches for additional visibility

It is important to note that while our vehicles are not air-conditioned, all windows do open to allow for fresh air. But please be aware that road travel in Africa comes with its fair share of dust, so while curtains are fitted to trucks in East Africa to minimize the dustiness, and windows are tinted in Southern Africa, it can get hot and windy.

Accommodation

You will be staying in a range of comfortable accommodation with private amenities (except on houseboats), from locally owned hotels to mobile or permanent tented sites and safari lodges. While standards can vary drastically across the continent, our properties are generally around the 3 to 4 star mark (by local standards). That said, some properties are located in remote areas and access to amenities may be limited, meaning air-conditioning will not always be available and access to laundry facilities, wi-fi and ATM’s will generally come every 2 to 3 days. When staying within national parks, power will be either solar or powered via generators that are switched off at night. However, don’t let this put you off! Most of our passengers find this opportunity to completely switch off in the African bush to be one of the best experiences of the trip. 

Packing essentials

• Binoculars. Our vehicles will always have a pair on board, but it is recommended that you bring your own for better viewing. 
• Warm clothing. Early morning and evening game drives can become quite chilly, so consider packing a wind-proof jacket, a fleece, beanie, hat, sunglasses. • Extra memory card for your camera. You’ll take more photos than you can imagine! 
• Spare battery for your camera. All lodges and campsites will have charging facilities but some of these will be powered by generators that are often switched off at night and at other times you may be out on full day game drives, so a spare is a good idea. 
• Converter and double adaptor for gagdets. 
• Small travel pillow to make long rides more comfortable 
• A head lamp or torch for navigating pathways back to your room at night. 
• Wet wipes, tissues and zip lock bags. Things can get pretty dusty on safari. 
• A good book to enjoy between drives.

Group size

Our intimate group sizes means you'll only ever travel with up to 12 other travellers in your group on any tour. That means more quality time getting to know your group and your leader and less time queuing for facilities.

Travel days

Africa is immense. To put its true size in perspective, consider this; the African continent can fit the entirety of China, India, the United States and most of Europe within its borders. Given this, it should come as no surprise that all of our itineraries feature some long travel days. While we’ve done our utmost to reduce this where possible, it is recommended that you pay close attention to our given approximations of distance and driving hours. 

Crew and leaders

All of our trips are accompanied by an expert leader and qualified driver who will ensure your trip is as safe, and enjoyable, as possible. Your leader will look after the overall operation and offer localsonly insight into what to see and do in the region. Your driver’s main duty will be to get you to your destination safely; they are also responsible for maintaining the vehicle along the way. 

Conditions

The African landscape can be tough on vehicles (and bumpy on the bottom at times too!), and we are the first to admit that flat tyres are not an uncommon occurrence while travelling across the continent. That said, we fastidiously maintain our trucks and hire only qualified drivers so as to actively avoid any unnecessary stopping. 

Meals

Most included meals on this trip will be had at the camp or lodge that you are staying in. On the occasion that we are out on an all-day game drive or travelling to our next location, we will offer packed lunches or stop to make sandwiches at a designated road side picnic area. Lunch is prepared from the truck by your crew. 

Game drives

Game drives on your trip may be done in the truck en-route to your next destination, as a full day out in the park and also in the truck, or in 4x4’s. In this instance, the group may be split and you will be accompanied by English-speaking specialist driver/guides. 

Itineraries

While we always endeavor to stick to the planned itinerary, travelling in Africa can be unpredictable at times. Borders can close, there may be extreme weather conditions, strikes or even road closures. And though we are prepared for these alterations, sometimes they are unavoidable. After all this is not your traditional touring experience. 

Physical preparation and health

Our overland safaris do not necessitate exceptional fitness levels, but a general level of physical movement is required. For example, you need to judge yourself physically fit enough to handle entering and exiting our vehicles several times a day and must be prepared for long (and often bumpy and hot) travel days. For everything else, just sit back and relax!

Baggage restrictions

The weight limit for luggage on all of our trucks is a maximum of 15-20kgs per person, plus a maximum of 5kgs for your day pack. Backpacks shouldn’t have an external frame unless it can be easily removed and stored separately to avoid damaging other people’s luggage. We strongly advise passengers to travel with a backpack or a duffel bag, and it is essential that no hard suitcases be brought on tour.