East Africa in a Truck!

This January I spent 3 weeks in East Africa, travelling through Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda on an Overland Truck.
This was the first time I have joined a trip like this and it far exceeded my expectations. I travelled with the UK based company Oasis Overland, who I would highly recommend and definitely travel with again.

The driver and guide were both lovely and incredibly competent. Often, the Kenyan driver, had worked for Oasis for 20 years and had been driving and maintaining this particular truck, named Chui (Swahili for Leopard), for over 12 years. Lorain was from Zimbabwe and has been working for Oasis for a couple of years but had spent many years prior to that guiding overland groups in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The truck was well worn but comfortable and well equipped. Often had done a lot of upgrades and modifications that included multiple "above seat" charging stations. But, my two favourite things about the truck were the seating arrangement which was very communal and made chatting as a group and playing games very easy and  the canvas sides  that could be rolled up. This truly transformed the journeys, instead of looking through glass as the scenery went by we could lean out and experience it more directly, waving and interacting with people on the way.

Overland Truck journeys are just a very small part of the travel market and certainly not for everyone.
This particular trip with Oasis, called the Grand Adventure, started in Nairobi and went all the way to Cape Town over 75 days. You can sign up to do do the whole journey or just a section of it, as I did.
​The other members of my group were incredibly varied, interesting and lovely people. The youngest was my daughter at 18 years, who is doing the whole 75 days (along with 5 others) and the eldest was a 56 year old Italian professional sailor, with all the other travellers in the 23-42 age group. However, when I left the group in Nairobi, 5 other people joined including a man and a woman both in their 70's and both travelling solo. So, it truly is for anyone, you just need to have a sense of adventure!

Overland Adventures are not just available in Africa, companies operate in the Americas, Central Asia, South East Asia and the Middle East.

Interested in what I think is probably the ultimate organised adventure?
Get in touch!