Pre-Departure Meeting
We hold a pre-departure meeting in London, approximately two weeks before the start of your expedition, where you will have a chance to meet your Tour Leader and Driver and chat to other travellers that are going on your expedition over a few drinks. Information regarding tropical medicine and malaria prevention will be offered by medically trained staff from Nomad Travel Clinic. A brief informative talk will also run through the main aspects of the trip - including the route, what equipment you should take, how much cash and what currencies to bring etc.

We will be sending you supplementary pre departure information 2 months before departure - including information on the location, time and date of the meeting, along with details of what exactly to bring with you.

It is important that you attend this meeting - please let the UK office know if you are unable to.

Please bring the following items to the meeting

• £200 CASH - (this is part of your Local Payment which goes towards food we buy here in the UK before we depart on the trip)

• Vaccination Certificates (plus a photocopy of your yellow fever certificate)

• Photocopy of your Travel Insurance Policy

• Passport AND two photocopies of the photo / details page

Departure
From the UK Oasis will fly you as a group direct to Gibraltar or Malaga where on arrival you will be met by your Oasis Crew and join the expedition vehicle. The flight from UK is usually from Luton Airport and is included in the cost of your trip, so you will not have to pay any extra for this. Checked in baggage is limited to a total of 20 kg per person plus one piece of carry on luggage of approx 10kg. The flight tickets and departure information will be given to you at the pre-departure meeting. The reason we fly across Europe rather than drive is that camping in a European winter is not very enjoyable and most campsites are closed.  This also saves us a 4 day drive across Europe and we can then spend the extra time in Africa!

Post-trip Accommodation & Airport Transfers
This can be arranged with your tour leader during the trip or directly with the hotel / camp on arrival. The return airport transfer are not included and is at your own expense. These services cannot be arranged by Oasis via the UK before departure.

Buying your tickets to fly back to UK or onward to India, SE Asia or Australia and New Zealand.
It is best to do this when you arrive in either Cape Town / Nairobi / Cairo as airlines usually won't issue a ticket 5 or 6 months in advance. Daily flights to Australasia usually depart from Jo'Burg, with many flights to the UK departing direct from Cape Town. It is also possible to fly quite cheaply from Nairobi and Cairo to either the UK or Australasia.

Purchasing return tickets to the UK or onward to India, SE Asia or Australia and New Zealand. Airlines usually don't issue return tickets 5 or 6 months in advance - it is therefore recommended to purchase these when you arrive in either Cape Town / Nairobi / Cairo.  Due to the nature of this expedition, unforeseen delays can be experienced anywhere along the route and we cannot guarantee our arrival dates at the various locations. Daily flights to Australasia usually depart from Jo'Burg, with many flights to the UK departing direct from Cape Town or Jo'Burg. It is also possible to fly quite cheaply from Nairobi and Cairo to either the UK or Australasia.

One way ticket: If you intend to travel on a one way ticket to meet up with one of our trips - we recommend that you contact us at the time of paying your balance. We will supply you with a letter confirming that you are travelling overland on the specified trip that you have booked, in case immigration or the airline queries the fact that you do not have a return flight ticket. It is also recommended that you have a copy of your payment confirmation / receipt ( that you will be sent at time of balance payment) and itinerary as further proof of booking.

It is easy to find prices for flights online, through various search engines (www.opodo.co.uk or www.ebookers.co.uk are but two) and direct with airline websites. But it is worth bearing in mind that you may well be able to find a cheaper fare through a travel agent who's experience may help with complicated itineraries and many of whom offer airline insolvency cover in the cost.

Passports
Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months from your departure date and you will also require the following number of blank pages for different sections of the expedition. Please use this as an approximate guide and consider having a page or two for good luck.

UK to Cape Town   -   20 blank pages
UK to Nairobi         -   28 blank pages
UK to Cairo           -   32 blank pages

If you have dual nationality you can only use one passport for the entire trip. Please also bring 2 photocopies of your passport photo page to give to your tour leader. If there are any stamps in your passport linking you with an entry or visit to Israel (this could include border / immigration stamps from other countries bordering Israel), you will need to replace your passport.

Visas
The information below is to be used only as a guide & may change without prior notice. Most of the nationalities below can currently obtain visas en route, so there is no need to get them before the trip, but we do recommended that you check your personal current visa requirements with the relevant embassies well in advance of travel.

For more information on visas for other nationalities - please checkout www.projectvisa.com

* = Obtain Visas before starting the trip.

All visas are to be paid in € Euros only from the UK to Angola and $US Dollars from Namibia to Egypt.

Please Note: Your Tour Leader will collect a £20 visa kitty per person at the beginning of the trip - which goes towards paying for taxis, photocopies , faxes, communication etc - when applying for a majority of visas as a group. Your Tour Leader will keep a separate account of expenses incurred and will inform the group of any surplus funds remaining at the end of the trip - or any extra that is required.

Spain (Schengen Visa) - Morocco - It is essential that you check before you depart if you need a visa for Spain (Schengen Visa) and Morocco. For those that do, please obtain these BEFORE you travel as these are NOT obtainable on entry to Spanish territory from Gibraltar or at the Moroccan border. Oasis will not obtain Spanish, or Moroccan visas on your behalf.

Zambia / Zimbabwe - If you are planning on going over to the Zambian side of Vic Falls from Zimbabwe - you will be able to get a Day Tripper visa into Zambia costing US$20. This is available at the border and only valid for stays of less than 24hrs.

Rwanda - If you are visiting the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda - a visa is required for the nationalities listed. On exiting Rwanda a re entry visa into Uganda / Kenya will be necessary for everybody.
Unlike other visas we obtain en route - your crew will need to make prior arrangements in order to have the necessary visas awaiting your arrival at the border. Please ensure that the passport details you send to Oasis are of the passport that you plan to use whilst on trip.

Sudan - A registration fee (on top of your visa costs) of US$50 pp is payable to Immigration on entry to Sudan. Entry cannot be guaranteed for American passport holders even if a visa is issued.

Departure Taxes - If you are planning to fly out of any of the following places (Accra - Cape Town - Kenya - Cairo) please check with your Travel Agent or Airline if your flight ticket already includes a departure tax payment out of the country. If it doesn't - please budget for approx US$30 - to be paid in $US only.

Vaccinations
As we are not medically trained - we are unable to give detailed or professional advice on vaccination requirements, so please use this information and chart only as a guide.  Please consult a reputable travel clinic or GP for advice on any medical issues. We suggest allowing 8 weeks to get all your vaccinations. For more information visit: www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk or  www.nomadtravel.co.uk  Oasis travellers receive a 10% discount on vaccinations, medical kits, clothing and camping equipment from the Nomad Travel Clinics - you will receive your discount code on your booking receipt.

Key:
Y = Recommended - consult a GP or Travel Clinic
Y* = Compulsory if coming from an infected area
* = low risk

There are other vaccines not listed here which are sometimes recommended - please see a registered GP or Travel Health clinic for further advice. (Cholera, Diphtheria (all countries advise), Meningitis, Hep B etc)

Yellow Fever - Being vaccinated against Yellow Fever and having a valid certificate and a photocopy is deemed compulsory in some countries we visit, especially at certain borders (Ghana, Nigeria, Angola, Zanzibar Island in Tanzania and Zimbabwe) or when entering from an area / country with risk of transmission.

Rabies - Vaccinations are regularly advised for all countries that we travel through in Africa.

Malaria - In some of the areas we visit there is a risk of contracting Malaria. You must be aware that whatever malaria prophylactics you are taking, they only offer partial protection. They must be coupled with your own physical efforts against being bitten - which is the best prevention. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes come out at sunset so from this time you should wear long sleeves and trousers and avoid wearing overly perfumed deodorants etc.  Exposed skin, especially ankles, should have insect repellent containing 'Deet' applied to them.   Your crew will advise on where the affected areas are on the trip. There are a number of prophylactic malaria treatments on the market & requirements change.  It is also wise to take a sample of whichever prophylactic you choose, a few weeks before you leave.  This way you may determine early on if you have any adverse reactions so you can change the regimen if necessary. www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

Health
Our crew are trained in basic first aid - but as they do not have formal medical training - they are unable to prescribe or administer medication on a general basis. You should be in good general health to join one of our trips.Your medical insurance co' must be told if you have any pre-existing medical condition / allergy or if you are on any regular medication, otherwise you may not be covered under your policies for these. Our crew and the Oasis office will need to know of any medication or conditions you may have. For general health advice log onto www.nathnac.org/travel/

It is a compulsory requirement that you have adequate travel insurance before you join any Oasis Trip & at the very least are insured for all necessary medical & repatriation costs incurred overseas with a minimum sum insured of £500,000.

Your Tour Leader will ask to see a copy of your insurance policy at the pre-departure meeting and you will be asked to provide the following details: 24-hour emergency medical telephone number, your policy number, confirmation that the policy duration is sufficient to cover you for the entire duration of your trip.  It is also wise to leave a copy of your insurance policy with a friend or relative for safe keeping.

We believe that your safety and holiday enjoyment are very important. It is a mistake to think that "it will never happen to me". It is also very important that you are covered for all the activities that you may wish to undertake while on our trip.

For further information on the insurance we offer, the activities covered, costs and how to book - click here or check out the Insurance section of our website.

Local Payment (LP)
LP is part of your overall trip payment and is the most cost effective and practical way to get hard currency to Africa to pay for a variety of your day-to-day local costs (i.e. all meals prepared by the group - 3 per day whilst travelling and 2 whilst in towns, campsite fees, wood, gas, and certain activities listed in the brochure) which cannot be pre-paid from the UK.

We will collect part of the Local Payment at the pre-departure meeting (details of which you will be informed of prior to), with the remaining balance payable to your Tour Leader on departure in either Gibraltar or Spain.

Please note: CASH ONLY is accepted and needs to be in - £ Pounds Sterling, $US Dollars or Euro's  -  the breakdown of which will be given in more detail at the pre - departure meeting. Scottish Pounds are not accepted.

Spending Money
For personal spending money budget on approximately £300 per month (from Morocco to Angola) and £100 to £140 per week (from Namibia  to Egypt) to cover you for visa's, some meals out, drinks, communications, souvenirs and other general spending.

We recommend the following to be used as a guide - including a few days layover in Cape Town / Nairobi:
UK to Cape Town   -   approx £1500
UK to Nairobi         -   approx £2800
UK to Cairo           -   approx £4000

The recommendation above is worked out on the assumption that you will be fairly budget-conscious. Remember, however, telephone and internet access is expensive in Africa, usually £5 to £15 for a three minute call, and around £1 to £3 per half hour at a slow internet cafe. There are also other costs to bear in mind such as post trip hotel and food costs, optional side trips, your time on Zanzibar Island etc. This is an estimated figure as personal spending habits and budgets differ greatly from person to person. Budget on optional activities separately (please see list) and allow extra for your Local Payment contribution.

IMPORTANT:  Please be sure to  read the notice regarding flight prices from Cameroon to Namibia or Kenya - which may be necessary if we cannot pass overland through DRC / Angola - More details provided at the end of Before you go.

Changing money
Your crew will advise you where & when you can change money & with what means.  It is also a good idea to have a small CASH emergency fund, to allow for the unexpected.

How to bring your currency?
As a general rule it is best to bring your money as 1/3 US$ cash, 1/3 Euros in cash, and 1/3 in US$ / £GBP or Euro Travellers' Cheques (TC's). We also advise to bring £50 worth of SA Rand in Cash, as this may be needed if we arrive into Namibia or South Africa on a weekend & the banks/ATM's are closed (only if you are travelling to these countries). US dollars dated pre-1999 are not accepted in Africa so please ensure your notes are dated 2000 onward & Scottish pounds are also not accepted. The rate of exchange for T/Cs & small denomination $US bills are usually slightly less than larger bills, but it is still advisable to bring an assortment of both as some activities and operators will not have the facility to give large amounts of change.

Travellers Cheques (TC's) as well as debit / credit cards can attract 2 to 8 % commission. The use of TC's overseas can be frustrating but at the same time worthwhile as they can be replaced in an incidence of loss or theft. A large number of activities can be paid for using TC's (see optional excursions page).

Credit & Debit Cards - a combination of several types are suggested as not all types are accepted in all places. Visa & Maestro are best, MasterCard has limited access through parts of Africa. Over the counter cash advances can be expensive, time consuming and should not be relied upon - you will be given local currency and NOT US$ or £GB. We recommend that you inform your bank that you will be using your card abroad to avoid it being blocked. Please see the optional excursions page for activities that can be paid for using a Credit or Debit Card.

ATM's - In some destinations we probably won't even see a bank or ATM for days on end.  www.visa.com or www.mastercard.com can give a general idea of locations of ATM's around the world - but please do not rely on this means alone to obtain local cash, please only use as a guide - things change, and ATM's don't always work!
Besides memorising your PIN, it is also important to be aware of your daily withdrawal limit and bank withdrawal costs.

Tipping is often expected and relied upon, as wages are extremely low - It is often a reward for services well done and an accepted means of supplementing an income. If you would like to leave a tip for any activity/individual, you could organize this as a group and give a tip at the end. A recommended amount for restaurants is usually 10% of your total bill and similar for activities.  Some countries also charge an extra Government tax.  Your crew will usually be able to help you with any queries regarding this. Please budget a tip of $10 per person (if you have a good trip) for the Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater safari as this is hugely appreciated by the local guides, driver and cook who will be looking after you.

In the past we have been asked by travellers about tipping your Oasis Crew.  Our guys work very hard at making your trip a great travel experience. Working overseas can often be challenging and they are pretty much on call for you 24 hours a day, so it's appreciated with a thank you for hard work and good service - even if it is just verbally. Although a tip is not expected by either Oasis or our Crew if you have had a great trip and feel you would like to show your appreciation by leaving your crew a tip - an amount of $1 a day  has been recommended to us by some past customer feedback.

Please be aware that tipping and the amount you tip is entirely up to you individually and always your choice.

Stuff to Buy
From carpets and kilims in Morocco, Tuareg swords and daggers in Mali, masks and voodoo relics in West Africa to intricate Makonde carvings and stone chess boards in Tanzania, Malawi chairs and wood / ebony carvings in Malawi and stone carvings and batiks in Zimbabwe.  South Africa has a multitude of crafts from stone statues through to wooden carvings and basket ware. These are just some of the things you can purchase.  Some people spend no more than £20 or £30 on African crafts while others may decide to take home hundreds of pounds worth.  It is also worth taking any shoes or clothes you no longer use as these can be bartered in exchange for most goods. It is possible to post things home from South Africa, Vic Falls, Harare and Malawi.

Become part of the "Souvenir Alert "Campaign - and think before you buy. Tempted to buy exotic wildlife souvenirs on holiday? - check that you may not be breaking the law and endangering wildlife. Your souvenirs may be confiscated by customs on your return.
www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/CITES/

November departures:
Rain is a regular occurrence in Morocco with chilly night time temperatures - especially in the desert. Most days are nice and sunny - and it only gets warmer as we head south. From Mali to Nigeria it is quite humid during the day and we may hit 'short' rains in Central Africa (Cameroon to Angola). In Southern Africa - November to March the weather is hotter and there is summer rainfall, although this is very intermittent when it may not rain for months, or it can rain for a day at a time. In East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) the 'short' rains are around November. The 'rains' usually last for one or two hours each day followed by hot sunny weather. Nights can be surprisingly cold at higher altitude in western Uganda and Ngorongoro Crater. Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt can be very hot (35C+).

March departures:

Morocco to Burkina Faso daytime temperatures can exceed 35C, with nights dropping to 3 or 4C. Ghana to Nigeria can be humid. In Central Africa we again may experience the 'short' rains. In Southern Africa (Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa) the 'dry' season is April to October when the nights can be quite cold (May to August usually being the coldest months). In East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) we may get the 'long' rains (March to May). The 'rains' usually last for one or two hours each day followed by hot sunny weather. Again nights can be surprisingly cold at higher altitude in western Uganda and Ngorongoro Crater. Daytime temperatures in Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt can still be hot averaging 30C+.Click here to view climate chart.

The less you take the less you have to pack, wash & lug home & you can always pick up extras along the way. Most people make the mistake of bringing too much gear.  Clothes washing or laundry facilities will be available at least once a week.  You will be travelling in the heat & camping in the cold, so bring clothes for all climates; rough stuff is best. Pack according to season: allowing for extremes in temperature (from the constant baking heat in the dry season to the cold and occasional frost overnight in the south) Make sure that you bring your gear in a traditional soft sided 70 - 90L rucksack or holdall - suitcases are not suitable.

Remember baggage is limited to 20kg per person plus one day bag.

What to wear - Keeping your arms, shoulders and legs covered will go a long way to prevent causing offence and hassle to yourself. This is true for men as well as women (especially in Morocco, Mauritania, Sudan, Egypt  and predominantly Muslim countries). Avoid wearing tight or revealing clothing, but generally on beaches you can wear what you like. Attitudes range from fairly liberal in such places as the Red Sea coast, to fairly conservative in some of the small towns.  Cities and large towns are also fairly relaxed, but outside these areas dress conservatively.

Even though our trucks are equipped with a comprehensive medical kit, we advise you to bring a small personal medical kit as our truck kit is not for general everyday use. It will also be your responsibility to carry your kit on included excursions and optional activities as some local operators may not have medical kits to hand.

Cameras (incl. Digital & Video Cameras)
An easy to use 'point and press' will get you some good photos. For memorable shots, it may be worthwhile investing in an SLR camera, but be sure to get some practice in before the trip!  Most towns and cities have internet cafes where you can download onto CD/ internet sites - but don't rely on it.
We recommend you bring:

• Strong bag / carry case to protect the camera - zip lock / plastic bags are useful for dusty / sandy conditions

• Spare / extra batteries

• Polarizing Filter / Lens Hood for SLR's - this will help to minimise the washed out effect from very brought sunlight

• Film - this is getting harder to find and may well be out of date or expensive

• Memory / Storage media (2 x memory cards in case one gets corrupted) - again this could be hard to find

• USB cable - to connect in internet cafes or for downloading

We can recommend Clock Tower Cameras for second hand cameras and lenses. Contact Paul or Eddy on 01273 706010 or visit their website: www.clocktowercameras.co.uk

Photography no no's!!
It is forbidden in all the countries we visit to take photos of anything military.  Bridges, border posts and airports are also sensitive, so be careful or be prepared to have your film / camera confiscated by irate officials. Please act with discretion and respect when taking photos of people (especially in areas of poverty) - if in doubt it is always better to ask first before you snap away!

Electrical charging & power supply
It may be difficult to find a power source for charging at times, so a spare battery is a must.
Consider a 12V in-car charger (our vehicles are equipped with a couple of 12 volt cigarette lighter charger sockets - truck trips only) or bring along your 230v mains charger and travel adaptor plug for use at some of the hotels, hostels and campsites we stay at.

NOTE: 12V - 230V inverters cannot be used on our vehicles because of the power drain they cause.

Log onto www.kropla.com  for information regarding the different electrical plugs and voltage used in each country.

As an Oasis Overland traveller you will receive a 25% discount off Lonely Planet & Footprints guides, which give concise info on all countries to help make sure you don't miss out on stuff you want see!

Michelin supply good maps of East & Southern Africa if you want to map your route.

Ref number - Michelin
746 Centre -  Cameroon down to South Africa and up to Kenya
741 North - Morocco down to Cameroon
745  North East  - includes Egypt , Sudan , Ethiopia

Expedition Travel
Firstly expect the unexpected!  If you are looking for a set itinerary where everything runs smoothly, then this is not the kind of trip for you.  Our itineraries can change due to local circumstances, and in such situations we'll always try to minimise any disruption, but bear in mind that from time to time events happen outside our control. It is this very unpredictability which makes each expedition different, exciting and one of the most adventurous things that you will possibly ever do!  As part of this adventure you will be expected to have an active involvement in the day to day running of the trip, be part of the group and get stuck in and help with various tasks, whether it's cooking meals over open fires, pitching your tent or keeping the truck clean and tidy.

Expedition Vehicle
For most of your trip the Oasis expedition truck will be your new home - giving you a comfortable & secure base with which to experience your trip.  We use either a purpose built truck's (generally Nov departures) or 6x4 Scania truck (March departures). Both of which have been converted especially for this expedition, which pass through all types of terrains from soft sand, mud, rock and potholed roads to tarseal. It is reassuring to know that these vehicles can handle the tough conditions that they are put through.   The truck is equipped with all of the equipment we may need enroute, including a professionally compiled expedition Medical Kit, large water & fuel carrying capacities, an extensive range of spare parts as well as a Satellite Phone and GPS system - and the kitchen sink, (well almost!)  So all you need is your sleeping bag, a roll mat and your own personal gear!

Truck stats:
For the technically minded, one of our expedition trucks is an ex-army Renault 4x4, 18 tonne rigid truck, with a 300hp engine, an 8 speed gearbox, plus crawler gear with diff locks.  The other is a 6x4 Scania 93 series truck with a 280hp engine with cross locks double drive diffs, 8 speed gearbox and crawler gear. Both of these vehicles come into their own on some of the tough terrains encountered en route,  meaning much less digging / sandmatting than is encountered with normal 4x2 vehicles which can struggle in certain conditions. But in saying this, they are still able to cruise at 80-90km/hr on better sealed roads.

Crew
We usually have two crew whose duties are extensive and quite demanding, with challenges ranging from driving and maintaining the expedition vehicle to a high standard, to organising visas and border crossings, arranging accommodation, pre-booking some excursions and guides, helping with shopping and cooking as well as finding the best deals, socializing and making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. While our crew are experienced and knowledgeable they are not tour guides as such. Our trips pass through many countries and our tour leaders cannot be expected to have detailed knowledge of each countries history, flaura and fauna and archaeological sites. Even so - they will be more than willing to pass on any interesting and useful information that they have acquired whilst on the road. A rewarding way to gain a better insight into the wildlife, cultural and historical diversity of the countries we travel through is by reading guide books as well as talking to the local people and using local guides.

Adventure travel can be unpredictable and occasionally our crew may have to amend the itinerary to take into account changing local circumstances or because of a delay at a border or because of circumstances outside our control. This can all lead to additional work and commitment for our crew who will do all they can to minimize any disruption to the trip. While our crew are essentially on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week, it has to be remembered that no one is actually expected to work these hours, so at Oasis we are realistic that within a trip there will be times when our crew need 'down time' and a chance to relax and 'let their hair down' as well. They are only human!

Accommodation
Oasis uses roomy three-person tents but only for two people. They are specially made for us to meet the tougher conditions of this expedition and have mosquito netting sewn into the door and windows.  It would also be a good idea to bring your own freestanding mosquito net so as to give you the freedom of sleeping under the stars at night. At bush camps you will be living off the truck, so there will be no showers or en-suite facilities, so digging your own toilet pit with the shovels supplied is essential!  From Morocco to Angola - when out of large towns and cities - the majority of our nights are spent bush camping. From Namibia to Uganda most nights are spent in campgrounds, some of which are well equipped and managed and some very basic. In both Cape Town and Nairobi the truck will have a layover for 3 or 4 days and in this time accommodation in either hotels or backpackers lodges is to be paid for by individuals and not Local Payment. This layover period gives you, the truck and crew a chance to do your own thing and recharge batteries! The route north from Uganda to Cairo allows us to re accustom ourselves to bush and desert camping where possible.  At certain campsites there is the opportunity to upgrade to a private room at your own expense if you are missing your home comforts.

During the day
As a guide - driving days may start at about 8am and finish at about 5pm ( dependant on road conditions , border crossings , delays etc ) - with stops for lunch and buying food, seeing local sights etc. We won't be driving every day, although there will be times when we will drive for more than one day, and very occasionally some long drive days of about 4 to 8 days - for instance  , across the sahara.  We will then stop for a few days and you will have free time to explore, meet local people, do some optional activities or just relax and do your own thing. Expect to sometimes get dusty & dishevelled during the day and although you will be able to shower most nights (except at bush camps), not all camps will have hot showers.

Meals & Cook Groups
When 'on the road' or camping, we usually cook using gas or over open fires in a rota system and you can expect to cook in a group of two or three people approximately once every ten days depending on the number of people on trip and whereabouts you are.   Your cook group will have to decide on what to cook, utilise stocks from the truck stores and locally obtain ingredients from markets, shops etc and rustle up a meal.  But don't worry if you're not a Gordon Ramsay as the rest of the group and the Tour Leader usually lend a helping hand.  Here is an idea of what to expect at meal times:

Breakfasts: Usually simple - we help ourselves to cereal, toast, hot drinks and on occasion we will splurge with a cooked breakfast.
Lunch: Cold and usually quick. The cook group will put out bread, tinned supplies and make a salad.
Dinner: Cooks come into their own in the evening and will always attempt to cook up some delights. When the truck is parked up for a few days in a town or city most people usually like the option to eat out at local restaurants - so we often don't cook all meals when at these locations. Meals whilst staying in Hotels / Hostels (Swakopmund, Cape Town, Zanzibar etc) and whilst on your layover time in Cape Town and Nairobi (Trans Africa) or Nairobi (Nile Trans) are not included in the local payment price.

In the evenings
When at a bushcamp or campsite - you and your tent buddy will put up the tent, and then lend a hand with getting out the tables, stools, firewood and water containers. The fire grates need to be taken out, the fire lit and someone can fill the kettle and make hot drinks while the cook group prepares the evening meal. Then just sit back & chill and enjoy the rest of your evening!

Vegetarians / Vegans
Our Tour Leaders will always do their best to cater for Vegetarians, Vegans or any other dietary requirement whenever possible, but it must be remembered that the variety or quantity of dishes available may not be the same as available to meat eaters. If there is anything in particular you require or would miss from home, it would be best to bring it with you.

Remember that when eating out in local restaurants & hotels - that the vegetarian concept, while often not completely new, is still alien & often incomprehensible to many local people. Fish or chicken has regularly been offered in error as a vegetarian option!! Most large towns and cities, or areas used to tourists, will often have more choice for vegetarians.

The most reliable way to receive messages from friends and family is via email.  This is quite common place in many areas that we visit, but the efficiency or speed of connection is never a guarantee!  You will usually be able to email every couple of days, depending on which countries you visit.   Telephone calls can be expensive usually £1 to £5 for a three minute call, and internet access around £1 to £3 per half hour.  There is also the opportunity to use Skype in some areas.

Postage - For longer trips Poste Restante mailing service is still operated by the main post offices in major towns, and they will normally hold mail for up to 4 weeks.  For information on how it all works www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poste_restante
We will  give you a list of Poste Restante addresses at the pre departure meeting.  Alternatively, you can use the mail holding service operated by American Express & their agents if you are a client or have purchased Amex TC's. Ask for a book of holding addresses in Africa.

Language - A basic understanding of French will greatly increase your enjoyment of West  & Central Africa where it is spoken in quite a few of the countries we pass through. Arabic is the main language in Morocco, Sudan and Egypt, where a few simple words and greetings will go down well with the local people. English is spoken fairly widely in all the countries we visit.  Most African countries have so many languages, they have in many cases, adopted those of their former colonial rulers as the common national language.  Radio and newspapers are usually in English or French.

Online Diaries - A great variety of free "travel blogs" are now available online, they are a good way of keeping relatives and friend up to date with what you are doing and a good place to upload photos, collecting messages as well as keeping a record for yourself, (a great one is www.bugbitten.com). Most towns and cities have internet facilities, so you can update them regularly.

All major cities have their share of petty crime (just like our cities!) and sensible precautions need to be taken.  Wearing expensive looking jewellery / watches and carrying cameras, will draw unnecessary attention to you.  Leave valuables such as passports, excess money etc in your hotel safe or truck safe (we recommend carrying a copy of your passport details page at all times). You may find a simple money belt is more discrete than a bag.   Always be aware of your surroundings and when approached by people you do not know, use your common sense. At night in cities it's best to use a taxi, rather than walking around the streets, single women in particular need to be careful & we suggest that it is safer to be in a group.

On board the truck
Each vehicle is fitted with a hidden, lockable safe to be used for money, passports and documents.  Passengers will be responsible for the safe and Oasis Overland cannot accept any liability for clients' personal or monetary contents kept in the safe or on board the truck.  We advise you to not take items of value that are not essential for the journey. In certain areas a roster may be drawn up for the group to share the task of guarding and keeping the vehicle secure.

Before you go

• Remove unnecessary packaging before you go - waste disposal facilities are often stretched in the places we visit. To avoid unnecessary pollution of local water supplies take environmentally friendly toiletries with you.

• Why not invest in a wind-up or solar-powered torch or media player before you travel or at least rechargeable batteries.

• Learn some of the local language and read up on the local history / culture before you go. You'll get so much more out of your trip.

• Why not pack some pens / pencils exercise books in your rucksack and they can be donated to a local school or project while you're away.

• Take a sturdy water bottle with you from home that you can re-use throughout your trip.

While you're travelling
From experience gained in running trips, we have developed our own practical and a manageable environmental policy which all of our crew practice on the trips we operate, and they will share this information with you at the start of your trip. We welcome your input on this, plus any new ideas you may have, to improve our existing procedures. As a guide here's a few tips to bear in mind.

• Don't waste water. It is a scarce resource in many of the places our trips visit.

• Never buy endangered species or endangered habitat products. Apart from the fact of it being illegal it also encourages the trade to continue.

• Look after and preserve the areas we visit. Be careful about stepping on coral reefs or trekking on undesignated tracks.

• Buy locally made crafts and products helping to support the local economy.

• Don't feel when bargaining that you have to get the cheapest price possible just for the sake of it. Pay what the item is worth to you.

• Try the local food and drinks - this will help to support local farmers and food sellers. Sitting in a local cafe is also a great way to meet local people.

• Dispose of litter appropriately on your trip. This includes cigarette butts. Not only does litter look unsightly it can be lethal to wildlife.

• Where any toilet facilities exist, however unsavoury they might seem to you, they should be used. Where they do not, always bury your waste and amke sure it is never near, (at least 30m) from a water source.

• When game viewing do not encourage your guides to get too close to the wildlife so that their natural behaviour is impeded.

• Respect local customs, traditions and beliefs of the people in the different regions that you travel through.

• Do not take photos of people, ritual events or special places unless you have asked first. Dress appropriately according to local codes and show respect around religious festivals.

• Recycling is almost non-existent in many of the ares and countries we visit - we do the best we can with limited resources & space on our vehicles.

• For books dedicated to travelling more responsibly & ethically see: www.tourismconcern.org.uk

Community Projects
Oasis are active in raising awareness and providing support to a number of projects and local schools where we believe we can make a positive difference. You can also help support these projects or possibly visit them on your trip. To gain further information check out the websites below:

Jinga, Uganda - Providing education and stability to local children - www.softpowereducation.com
Harare, Zimbabwe - Hupenyu Hutsua Children's Home - assisting with donations of food & materials - contact Oasis.
Nairobi, Kenya - Sponsoring Kamboyo, one of the orphaned elephants - www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
Luxor, Egypt - You have the opportunity to visit the Sunshine International Children's Orphanage. Oasis is a sponsor of this independently run Children's Orphanage - caring fro underprivileged youths and orphans - www.sunshine-international.org.uk
Cairo, Egypt - Oasis support the Sudanese Community Development Program -
www.scdp-egypt.com

Wildlife
Click here to view a chart detailing what animals you may see in the various gameparks and reserves we visit between Nairobi and Jo'burg.

Migration
The  'Great Wildebeest Migration' has to be one of the most impressive wildlife spectacles in the animal kingdom. For those lucky enough, this once in a lifetime experience can be viewed in the surrounds of The Serengeti National Park / Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Tanzania and the Maasai Mara of Kenya and can be done before our after your trips with us. Click here for more info on the migration.

Detailed Itinerary

Please note that our itineraries are not set in stone and can be subject to change.

Days 1 to 14

We begin our journey in Gibraltar or southern Spain where your Trans Africa Crew will meet you from your flight. Our first stop is in Gibraltar. Here, the weather is warmer, and as it is a duty free port, we can stock up on supplies for Xmas and New Year.  We cross the Straights of Gibraltar by ferry to Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the North African Coast.  In Morocco we visit Chefchaouen - set in a fertile valley of the surrounding Rif Mountains. We camp on a ridge overlooking this picturesque town with its white roofs , blue alleyways and narrow streets. You can wander around this relaxed town and maybe visit one of the old hammam bath houses. The Roman City of Volubillis is a remarkably well-kept reminder of the Roman presence in North Africa 2000 years ago. We spend some time wandering around the ancient streets and monuments before driving to the fortress city of Fez. Its huge covered bazaar with narrow winding alleys is crammed with craft workshops, restaurants, food stalls, mosques, dye pits and tanneries

Days 15 to 28

Our few days in the capital Rabat is spent organising visas before travelling onto Todra Gorge.  Its massive red and orange cliffs rise a thousand feet on each side of a sandy river. From Todra we cross the Sarhro Mountains and follow the Draa Valley past numerous scattered Kasbahs - Ait Benhaddou being one such example that has been the inspiration for many a Hollywood film set. The old capital of Marrakech is our base for the next few days - allowing you the chance to wander around the Jema el Fna. This square is alive with activity through the day - from storytellers , snake charmers, water sellers & musicians. A nightly ritual sees hundreds of food stalls transform the square into one of Africa's largest local eating areas - the aromatic smells of fresh local food is fit for local and tourist alike. The fishing port of Essaouira is our last major stop in Morocco before we head south following the rugged Atlantic coastline towards Mauritania, & the Sahara Desert. 

Days 29 to 42

After crossing into Mauritania, the remoteness and unrelenting heat and harshness of the desert becomes apparent.  We have now left civilization behind and are in the desert proper.  The security of knowing that our truck is totally self sufficient with food, water, fuel and a complete set of spares is a very comforting thought.  We drive off-road for hundreds of miles, occasionally having to dig the truck out of very soft sand - where the use of sand ladders will be our only way forward. We pass through the Parc d'Arguin, renowned for its bird and sea life. In the small undeveloped capital of Nouakchott, we spend a couple of days re organising the truck and life in general our dusty desert travels.  It is quite incredible to think that slavery was only abolished here in 1980 and it is rumoured that it still continues in some outlying areas. From here we drive inland toward Mali, and some of the poorest regions in the world.

As we get into the Sahel scrublands - we find the road conditions only slightly better than before. After a few days of dusty, stony, corrugated roads, smooth asphalt becomes our main desire! We pass slowly through many spread out villages harbouring free range goats, cattle and hardy chickens - some of which we may buy for a spit roast. Arriving in the capital Bamako, is a welcome relief for most - abounding with lively bars, cold beers, markets with fresh fruit and vegetables and people with different culture, language and dress to those in the Western Sahara. The town overlooks the Niger River and has some good live clubs - allowing the night owls in the group to enjoy some late night drinking and dancing to some world famous Malian music.

Days 43 to 63

Following the Niger River we visit the old mud built towns of Mopti and Djenne.  These towns were important trading centres over 500 years ago.  Not much seems to have changed as you wander through the narrow alleyways - it is hard not to get absorbed into the local hustle and bustle as we go about doing our ritualistic food shop just as the locals do daily. Djenne's huge mud built mosque, said to be the largest and oldest mud brick buildings in the world showcases a weekly market place - where locals from surrounding regions all travel to sell on their wares. On the remote Bandiagara Escarpment we hike out to visit one of most fascinating areas of West Africa - Dogon Country. Situated along a 200km long cliff face - the Dogon people were some of the few tribes who resisted the spread of Islam when its missionaries and forces swept across North and West Africa a thousand years ago. They still maintain most of their traditional religious beliefs. Using a local guide , we spend a few days hiking along the escarpment and staying in Dogon villages - either in adobe lodgings or atop open air roofs where the nightly display of shooting stars can be enjoyed. Our guide will be able to explain some of the history and culture of the area as well as take you to some of the old abandoned cliff dwellings - with tradition requiring a sacrifice of an animal before entry to the area is permitted.

Passing through the friendly country of Burkina Faso we stop at the capital Ougadougou - pronounced Woga-Doogoo !!. This is a little heard of nation - which has a small but thriving film industry.Burkinabes are also renowned for their music and dance bands - as well as having an enthusiastically supported national soccer team. Time permitting - you will be able to enjoy some of the best local and high spirited entertainment in the world.

In Ghana we notice another change in people and culture.  Especially the language!  For the first time in two months we are in a country where English is the main Language. We spend a night in Mole National Park in northern Ghana and get the opportunity to game walk with an armed ranger - hoping to view some of the numerous elephants and other wildlife that inhabit this park. Making our way to the coastline we stop off at Kakum National Park where you have the opportunity to embark on a canopy walk, or walk through the nature trails in the forest. Following the Coastline we pass the castles of Cape Coast making our way toward Accra, where we camp near the capital Accra for a few days and relax on its palm-fringed coastline. 

* Xmas in Mali, New Years in Burkina Faso