TRUCK LIFE AND DAY TO DAY ON THE ROAD
The style of travel is group camping. Everyone participates in the daily routines. Day to day we keep physically busy and you are responsible to assist with setting up camp including pitching your tent and taking turns in rostered tasks like cooking and shopping, packing away, fire lighting and cleaning. You will probably find the more effort you put in, the more you get out of your time in Africa. Those travelling with you are usually like minded people and equally committed to chipping in to get the most out of the trip. Your crew get involved as well, the courier/safari leader in particular assisting with the meal preparation each day.

Be aware facilities at campsites vary and the variety and quality of food available will not be the same as in the western world. Day to day there can be some long dusty drive days and it needs to be appreciated that you are living "off a truck" "on the road" and so in rougher conditions with few home comforts. There are some free, more relaxing days scheduled into most safaris but they do vary in pace and you need to be ready to keep busy. Generally these trips are designed for physically active people between 20 to 35 years of age.

Group meetings to discuss the ongoing day to day schedules are organised on the road by the courier/safari leader. Group rosters, the different options available, as well as weather and road conditions and other variables impacting on the safari's progress and itinerary are discussed. Security, safety and hygiene procedures are also vital to the safe progress of the trip and the group's well being. The safari leader will go through these procedures at the start of the trip. To ensure all runs smoothly everyone in the group needs to follow the outlined procedures. Day to day on the road we also visit some very different destinations such as game parks and sites with specific risks. It is essential everyone follows all instructions and signs carefully in these places.

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
In the different countries through which we travel you will in all likelihood be exposed to diseases and parasites you may not have come across before including malaria, tsetse fly and water borne parasites such as bilharzia. It is essential then that you speak to a medical professional who specialises in travel medicine before you depart to discuss where you will be travelling in regards to the above, your immunisation schedule and other requirements. When travelling in malarial areas you will be required to take a course of antimalarial prophylactics and to adhere carefully to other preventative measures. Carrying an adequate amount of DEET mosquito repellent is essential. We also ask that you carry a small personal medical kit. Do be aware as well that there is a high incidence of HIV aids in the countries on route.

Your crew are experienced travellers in Africa and will keep you informed and advise to the best of their ability. Our staff though are not doctors and if, on the off chance, you do feel unwell we will get you to the nearest medical facility as quickly as possible. The trucks are fitted out with a medical kit in the event of an emergency. It is also recommended that you have a medical check up that covers tropical diseases upon your return after your travels.

INSURANCE - ASPECTS TO REMEMBER
It is essential to be adequately insured for the safaris including arranging the recommended level of medical and accident rescue cover as well as for cancellation. Theft is an issue in many travel destinations. Ensure your luggage and valuables are protected. Many of the itineraries also include adventure sports as optional excursions. Activities such as white water rafting, scuba diving, quad biking and tandem sky diving may require a separate level of cover. Do make sure your insurance does cover for all adventure sports you might want to do. Should you need cover for one way travel remember as well to arrange this. It is also of note that travel policies usually only cover expenses while overseas and a policy to cover future consequential loss eg loss of earnings, medical care should also be considered. We have a comprehensive travel insurance available. For further details don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

ADVENTURE TRAVEL, FOREIGN OFFICE TRAVEL ADVISORIES AND YOUR SECURITY
In adventure travel there is an inherent element of risk, particularly when travelling in third world destinations and as many of the places where we travel do not adhere to western safety standards. Basic infrastructures are regularly not of the same level as those in countries in the West including road, transport and building conditions, post and communications and medical facilities. Banking facilities are also often poor. There is a higher level of crime in many African countries often related to poverty and economic and political insecurity. In general then day to day standards and service delivery in camp grounds, restaurants, bars and hotels and from different local operators used during the trip, will at times not be the same as you might find at home.

Some countries where we travel are also subject to political and economic instability. Foreign Office Travel advisories are an important source of information and we would encourage you to keep yourself informed.

Do be aware also that itineraries need to be treated with a level of flexibility due to operational uncertainties. Itineraries can change for a variety of reasons before or during the safari. We cannot then, whilst it is unusual, always guarantee that your crew have always been to a specific area on route nor always guarantee the arrival and departure dates. Departure and particularly arrival dates may vary by a few days. Please arrange flights accordingly allowing at least for two days overrun in particular. We regret that we cannot be responsible for any additional expenses incurred due to the late arrival or departure of any trip, however caused.

Safari itineraries in the brochure are presented as a guide only. We do endeavour to maintain routes true to the published itinerary but changes are at times unavoidable.

Do also be aware that optional excursions such as white water rafting, scuba diving, horse riding, sky diving, quad biking are not included in the price and that these excursions are of an essentially adventurous nature with the accompanying risks. So that all runs smoothly our safari leaders may help organise these for you as a service to keep all running to schedule but they are not operated by Absolute Africa and we are not necessarily recommending these. When considering an optional activity once in Africa before booking and paying do take note of all the information available at the time. Excursions are operated by local operators and standards of safety are NOT always as you might find in the Western world.

We have been involved in overlanding in Africa since 1979 and bring a wealth of experience to your safari. As much as can be reasonably expected itineraries, locations and facilities are carefully monitored day to day. At our African workshop, office and crew quarters in Tanzania, the vehicles and equipment are serviced by dedicated staff. Ground arrangements and transfers are also organised here. Much work goes on behind the scenes to check and reconfirm arrangements. Where significant changes occur ahead of time we inform you of these at the earliest. At the same time to book on an adventure 'tour' you need to accept there are risks, partly as Western safety standards may not be adhered to in the places where we travel. It also needs to be accepted there is an inherent flexibility that is part and parcel of this style of travel and that makes structured itineraries impossible. If you would like more information as to any aspect of a safari you are considering including any possible security issues or route changes, specific optional activities or as to the style and pace of specific safaris feel free to ring our office for more information.

We look forward to assisting in your travel plans.