Overseas Adventure Travel has been recommended to me by many, many people. For our first trip to Africa, would we be well advised to go on one of their tours?

We have plannned our own trips to many countries in Europe. We also did our own trip to Central America, but there, we had a Spanish speaker in our group.

Is Africa so different from other countries when planning a trip? Seems that so many people go with tours---


Thanks!

While a number of travelers who post here do travel with OAT to East Africa, South Africa and Egypt.

However, if you take the time to read this forum (see: East Africa Trip Report Index or South Africa Trip Index - do a search for these) you will find that many more travel independently.

Yes, they will be on a tour, but not a group, rather an itinerary that the traveler has designed along with a tour operator, safari planner, in-country outfitter. This way they can decide when they wish to travel, for how long, where they wish to stay, etc. With everything pre-arranged from the time you deplane on arrival and then back to the airport for your homebound departure.

Do a bit more reading here and other research, then feel free to return here with your questions.

We have been on many, many tours with groups. For Africa, we went with another couple, with an itinerary planned by an Africa specialist. It was a good decision. We had good freedom to do what we wanted, without having to wait for everyone else. Also, with groups, you may be limited to the larger camps. We had small camps, and just us 4 in a vehicle. You will meet a variety of other people in the camps.

Here is the East Africa Index that Sandi referred to.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35097205

Here are numerous threads about OAT.

OAT canceling

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35087243


Actually gone--Ultimate
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35085119

Sctually gone—East Africa by Ann NYC
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34897294
report

http://www.winkflash.com/photo/publi...?u=ajennerjahn
pics

OAT and timing the migration
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35120290

Packing, baggage, money exchange, tipping with OAT
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35097205

In general
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34954868

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34960960

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34828547

Thank you each and every one for your help.

I see there is much to study.

Thanks for your input--I'll be back for more!

Our family, a group of 6, took the OAT Ultimate Africa (Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe) trip last June. We had previously done an independent trip to South Africa 3 years before. While we loved both trips for different reasons, I will say that, while South Africa has modern highways and great commercial air access, many other countries do not. The OAT Ultimate Africa trip took us to places we could never have gotten to on our own. The perfectly synchronized flights in small planes (watching wildlife along the way) were a breeze. There was always a Land Rover waiting when our plane landed with cold towels and a cooler of beer and soda. For access to remote destinations, you just can't beat this trip. If you are exclusively doing South Africa, you can easily drive and take commercial flights within the country on your own, but I do recommend using an Africa expert to help you plan your itinerary.