African Overland Tours Reviews 1

We recently took a 42-day trip through Africa (July–August 2024) booked via African Overland Tours and operated by Nomad. We paid around EUR 14,000 (USD 450 per day) for two people. Unfortunately, it turned out to be our most disappointing travel experience to date. Here is our account of the issues we encountered, shared in hopes that future travelers will be better informed, and that these companies will address their shortcomings.
1. Minimal Activities, Excessive Downtime
• Only about 3% of our first 10 days involved actual activities (e.g., a short safari, brief village walks, a coffee plantation visit). The rest—some 97% of the time—was spent in a cramped truck (8–15 hours daily) or in budget lodges with nothing planned.
2. Uncomfortable Transportation
• The truck seats were very tight for anyone over 175 cm (5’9”), and the microphone did not work. Filtered-water mechanisms were outdated, forcing travelers to rely on questionable water sources.
• We often ate breakfast or lunch while driving on roads filled with bumps, risking spills and discomfort.
• Our group ranged from about 15 to 75 years old; older travelers struggled greatly with the lack of comfort.
3. Lack of Professional Guidance
• We had only a driver and a cook, neither qualified to serve as an actual tour guide. We received no substantial information about local culture, history, geology, fauna, or ecosystems.
• Complaints or suggestions were brushed off with remarks like “complaints will disturb the peace of the crew, the clients, and the company.”
4. Substandard Accommodations and Extra Costs
• Roughly 90% of the lodges were low-budget establishments (USD 30–60), often without hot water—or any water at times. Only 3 of 35 were decent.
• Additional fees for game drives, excursions, and even basic drinks like water quickly added up (e.g., USD 350 for a Tanzanian game drive).
• Travel breaks were limited to malls or fuel stations, rarely involving scenic or cultural stops.
5. Overreliance on Guests’ Labor
• Meals were rushed to about 30 minutes. Guests had to set up tables, chairs, assist with cooking, and clean dishes. It felt like we were doing staff tasks rather than relaxing on vacation.
6. Poor Communication and Organization
• No one checked if travelers had correct documents, and there was no guidance on border crossings. Room assignments at lodges were random, forcing guests to sort things out themselves.
• Time management was erratic. A “30-minute” stop could stretch to over an hour without warning.
7. Dismissive Customer Support
• African Overland Tours took a week or more to reply to emails and offered no real solutions. When we called, the representative interrupted constantly and blamed us rather than taking responsibility.
• We ultimately left three days early with no refund for unused accommodations. When lodging was overbooked and we had to camp instead of staying in a room, there was no apology or compensation.
8. African Overland Tours: A Middleman Concerned with Sales
• They pressured us to decide quickly, implying limited availability. They charge a significant markup over Nomad’s base price but provide no added value, functioning more like sales agents than travel experts.
9. Overall Assessment
• While the natural beauty of Africa’s parks and cities shone through (no thanks to the operators), the disorganization, lack of guidance, and poor service tarnished the experience.
• For the cost, we expected a professional guide, comfortable travel, and a well-planned itinerary. Instead, it felt like corners were cut at every opportunity.

Recommendation
We strongly recommend seeking alternative agencies. Based on our experience, it would be hard to find a more poorly organized operation than African Overland Tours and Nomad. We hope this review prompts them to improve and deliver the quality service that travelers deserve when discovering such a magnificent continent.