FAQs
About the Adventures
What is an overlanding safari?
An overlanding safari is an immersive journey through remote wilderness areas using equipped 4×4 vehicles. It combines wildlife, landscapes, culture, camping, and adventure travel into one expedition-style experience. All of our safaris are referred to as Adventures, because they are more than just a safari.
Which countries do your expeditions visit?
Our Adventures primarily explore Southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, Zambia,Botswana, Namibia (ZimZamBotsNam:-) We can arrange Advenures further afield on request.
Are your Adventures self-drive?
Most of ourAdventures are self-drive, so you have a vehicle, either your own or a rental. We facilitate vehicle hire, selecting one most suitable for your journey. While we recommend at least 2 persons per vehicle for any Adventure (to share the driving and the wonders of the experience) solo drivers are welcome.
What does guiding entail and what is the role of the guide?
“Guided” in our offerings means that you are accompanied by a dedicated guide throughout the Adventure. They fulfil the logistical and navigation roles, but beyond that, they are qualified nature guides who bring the wild places we visit to life with facts and stories about the ecological environments we journey through.
They will lead the way in a separate vehicle, staying in touch through two-way radios to keep you informed and connected throughout the Adventure.
Do you offer unguided Adventures?
We offer Trip Planning, Booking and Execution services for guests and groups who would like to travel without a guide. The word ‘unguided’ is a misnomer because, should you choose this option, you are fully supported with all you need for a successful, admin free journey. To facilitate this you receive a Guided Wild Digital Itinerary which provides a map, day by day itinerary, accommodation, destination information and travel documentation to support your self-drive adventure.
How many vehicles are usually on an Adventure?
Group sizes are intentionally kept small to maintain flexibility, safety, and a more personal wilderness experience. We accommodate between 2 and 5 vehicles with a minimum of 4 guests.
What makes your Adventures different?
Guided Wild Africa focuses on wilderness experiences and exploration. Our journeys are authentic wild Adventures on carefully curated routes. We are conservation-minded and offer the genuine spirit of expedition travel.
Are your expeditions luxury safaris?
Not in the traditional luxury safari sense, but we do include options for tented or more comfortable accommodation where possible and especially on the longer Adventures.
Vehicles and Driving
Do I need my own vehicle?
For most of our Adventures, yes. Our guests participate in their own or in a hired vehicle.
What type of vehicle is required? 4x4 or 4x2?
The short answer is both, but that depends on the Adventure. Most require a reliable low-range 4×4 vehicle in good mechanical condition, but some routes are navigable in a 4×2 (and still offer great experiences!).
Do I need previous off-road driving experience?
Not necessarily. Some routes are suitable for enthusiastic beginners, while others can be demanding and most are somewhere in-between. Take time to complete our ‘Find Your Wild Quiz’ in the main menu, which gives you an idea of the various levels and we will guide and advise you on which Adventure is optimal for you.
What vehicle equipment is recommended?
Essential equipment includes a rooftop tent (or a strong ground tent), vehicle fridge / freezer, gas cooker, kitchen essentials, water container, recovery gear/ air compressor and a navigation tool. The secret is to stick to the absolute essentials and especially as you start out. Every unnecessary item be comes an unwelcome companion in restricted space and the sooner one masters ‘camping minimalism’, the better.
Will there be difficult terrain?
Depending on the itinerary, travellers may encounter deep sand, corrugations, mud, rocky tracks, water crossings, and remote wilderness roads. Conditions vary depending on location and time of year. Your guide will assist you through any challenges, and for self-guided Adventures we take this into account during route design to help minimise risk.
minimise the risk.
Are trailers allowed?
Generally yes, although there may be exceptions on certain routes or where the terrain or crossings are particularly challenging.
accommodation
What type of accommodation is used?
Adventures include a combination of fenced and unfenced camping, remote tented bush camps and some lodges depending on the itinerary.
Do I need camping equipment?
Own vehicle : For camping-based Adventures, yes. We provide an essential equipment guide for you if you are travelling in your own vehicle.
Hired vehicle: Equipped rental vehicles provide all the essentials and ensure that you only need to bring personal clothing and travel equipment.
A recommended personal travel packing list will be provided before departure.
Are there ablution facilities at campsites?
Facilities vary greatly depending on the remoteness of the destination. Many camps offer full ablutions, while the other end of the scale can have basic wilderness facilities such as pit latrines and bucket showers. Tented camps ordinarily have full ablutions and lodges always do.
Will there be electricity or mobile signal?
Not always. Many areas are extremely remote with limited or no cellular reception or power supply, but we can expect to pass through areas with reception, at least every few days. The guide will carry a satellite phone for emergency needs.
safety & logistics
How remote are these expeditions?
Some routes travel through isolated wilderness regions where services, fuel stations, and medical facilities may be far apart.
Is medical evacuation cover required?
Comprehensive travel and medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended for all participants.
Are families and children welcome?
Certain itineraries are family-friendly, while others are better suited to adults due to driving distances and/or challenging terrain and/or unfenced camps.
What happens if a vehicle breaks down?
Expedition travel requires flexibility and teamwork. While travellers are responsible for the condition and recovery of their own vehicles, no traveller is left behind. Your guide will assist with coordination, practical support, and decision-making, and the journey will be managed to keep the group safe at all times.
Do I need a passport and visas?
Yes. Travellers are responsible for ensuring that passports, visas, vaccination requirements, and border documentation are valid for all countries visited.
Will I receive a detailed itinerary before departure?
Yes. Each guest will receive a Guided Wild Digital Itinerary which provides a digital map, day by day itinerary, accommodation, destination information and travel documentation.
What should I pack?
A detailed packing list will be provided for each expedition and typically includes camping gear, vehicle essentials and recovery equipment, clothing, medical essentials, and personal travel items.
Bookings & Payments
How do I book an Adventure?
Once you have contacted us, we work together to ensure that you choose an Adventure that closely aligns with your objectives. We then supply you with a quote which contains the trip route, cost with inclusions, exclusions and the booking terms and conditions. A booking is confirmed once the booking form and the required deposit have been received.
What is your cancellation policy?
Expedition arrangements require advance payments to lodges, camps, permits, vehicle providers and third-party suppliers, and so cancellation fees may apply. Unless stated differently in the quote, our general cancellation terms are:
- More than 90 days before departure: 25% of total booking value
- 60–89 days before departure: 50%
- 30–59 days before departure: 75%
- Less than 30 days before departure: 100%
Where possible, we will always try to minimise cancellation costs or assist with transferring a booking to another traveller or departure date.
Comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation and medical evacuation is strongly recommended.
wildlife & conservation
Will we definitely see wildlife?
Wildlife is abundant but some sightings are less frequent than others (like the ever popular predators). While these can never be guaranteed, our itineraries are designed around some of Southern Africa’s most productive and rewarding wilderness regions.
Are your trips conservation-minded?
Yes. We strongly support responsible overlanding practices, low-impact travel, respect for local communities, and conservation-focused wilderness ethics.
Do you visit national parks and transfrontier conservation areas?
Yes. Our trips focus on remarkable protected wilderness areas, and iconic destinations (like the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls). While not the only region, many are centred around the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which links 5 countries in one of the world’s largest wilderness landscapes.