African Drums

What our customers ask about this tour

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• D

  Darren

  Asked on February 10th, 2026

  How many have signed up so far? Is it a guaranteed departure? Do you have any more recent comments? I'm travelling solo. Would I get a tent of my own?

  Accommodation

  Group size
  • 

    Absolute AfricaOperator•Written February 2026

    This tour allows for the opportunity to see some of the biggest highlights in East and Southern Africa including the option to trek the endangered mountain gorillas. We visit world famous game parks which are included in the price such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Matopos for a rhino trek and Etosha National Park. There is also the chance to visit world famous natural wonders such as Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta and we stop by Lake Victoria, Lake Malawi and the red-orange dunes of Namibia to name just a few. We also allow time for an optional excursion for a few magical nights on tropical Zanzibar Island for some relaxing beach time, and there opportunities to visit local villages such as the Bushmen to learn something of traditional ways of life.
    
    This trip is part of our main 77-day itinerary with travellers already booked onto the truck and so this is due to depart as scheduled. Currently on this departure we have six people already booked on from Kigali and another two joining later in the trip in Arusha and then Lusaka. We anticipate more bookings between now and May.
    
    Usually on overland tours, tents are shared with another traveller of the same sex. Our tents are three man tents that we sleep just two people in. If you would though prefer to have your own tent, we would be able to accommodate this and you can just request this when you book so we can make a note to let your tour leader know to have a spare tent available for you.
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  Ann

  Asked on October 29th, 2025

  Is it possible to join part of the tour, from Rwanda to Malawi?

  Price / Availability

  Tour Details
  • A

    Ann

    Traveler•Written November 2025

    We like to start from day 1 and leave on the last day in Lusaka, Zambia. Our preference starts from August 10th.
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    Ann

    Traveler•Written November 2025

    Could you please send me the day by day itinerary tour plan? How many person is per tent? Do we need to bring sleeping bags?
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    Absolute AfricaOperator•Written November 2025

    We provide three person dome tents however these are used for two people. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag and also a pillow if you wish to use one.
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  Sarah

  Asked on June 27th, 2025

  Will signal be better in Zambia?

  Travel Support
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    Absolute AfricaOperator•Written June 2025

    They will be in South Luangwa national park for a couple of nights in Zambia which is again quite remote. They should be able to get online in Lusaka though hopefully.
• J

  Joy

  Asked on May 29th, 2025

  I'm considering the Absolute Africa trip next year. I may be booking a smaller trip in the area as well. Do you happen to offer a trip in the reverse direction of the African drums trip?

  Tour Details
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    Absolute AfricaOperator•Written May 2025

    We do offer a few Northbound trips departing from Cape Town or Johannesburg however we do not have the exact same route as the African Drums in reverse. If you are interested in a Northbound route I would recommend taking a look at the following tours: We have the 58 day Flight of the Flamingos tour. This begins in Johannesburg and ends in Nairobi. This tour features many of the same highlights of the African Drums, however it does not include anything from the Okavango Delta down to Cape Town. Instead, this tour offers additional activities. In South Africa we visit Kruger National Park, in Botswana we visit Khama Rhino Sanctuary and in Zimbabwe we visit Hwange National Park. This tour also features more highlights in Kenya and Uganda. You could also take a look at our 73 day Northern Trails tour. This follows the same itinerary as the Flight of the Flamingos but also includes 15 days at the beginning of the tour in South Africa for the famous Garden Route beginning in Cape Town.
• K

  Kathleen

  Asked on May 12th, 2025

  What are the camping accommodations like? Is it in large, permanent tents with cooks doing meals when in camp? Are there private bathroom facilities with shower, toilet, sink, and raised beds, or is it basic camping like in Boy Scouts with tiny canvas tents and sleeping on the ground?

  Accommodation

  Tour Details
  • 

    Absolute AfricaOperator•Written May 2025

    Most nights you are sleeping on the ground in a tent, or occasionally in shared dorms. Tents need to be put up and down often on a daily basis, and camping conditions can be basic. We provide three person dome tents (used for two people) and a sleep mat. We can be out in the bush with basic or no amenities on some nights. Meals sometimes need to be prepared in less than ideal conditions, and everyone in the group takes turns in small groups to cook for the whole group. Everyone relies on each member of the group to get involved and work together to keep everything running smoothly.
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  Christina

  Asked on October 26th, 2022

  I am wanting to know if I do not go to zanzibar what my options would be.

  Other

  Tour Details
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    Absolute AfricaOperator•Written October 2022

    The truck usually parks up at Mikadi beach campsite on the Indian Ocean just outside Dar es Salaam. You are more than welcome to stay here and make use of the tents and equipment for around 8 - 10 USD per night. You would be responsible for your own meals. There is wifi available, a bar and restaurant. You can relax here and access the city centre easily - it is a 5 minute ride in a tuk tuk and a 10 minute ferry crossing. There is also a water park nearby. Alternatively some people organise their own stay in Zanzibar.
• J

  Jack

  Asked on August 16th, 2022

  Very interested in this tour, I realize Visas are my responsibility (US citizen) is there any advice in applying efficiently, as I counted nine countries? This will be my 1st overland to multiple countries, although I have studied, volunteered and lived in Africa before. In addition the $950 required in local payments is a considerable risk, your suggestion from previous tour guides/participants on the safest way to carry in transit & upon arrival in Kigali?

  Payments

  Travel Support

  Visa
  • 

    Absolute AfricaOperator•Written August 2022

    For this specific trip you will need to make online applications for the East Africa visa which covers Rwanda and Uganda and the reentry into Rwanda as well as for Malawi. We send out information about this around 6-8 weeks before departure. The visas for Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe you can get at the border and for Botswana, Namibia and South Africa you do not need a visa. The safest way to carry the cash is to keep it with you during the flight and then keep in the safe at the hotel before you meet up with the truck. Once you join the trip there is a safe onboard where you can keep your cash, passport and cards. Pretty much everyone who joins our trips brings quite a bit of cash along and it has not really been an issue in regards to safety.
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  Tracy

  Asked on February 19th, 2016

  When is the best time to view the migration?

  Other
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    Absolute AfricaOperator•Written February 2016

    The prime time to visit the Serengeti in Tanzania is usually regarded as being from late November through to March when the big herds of wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelle and zebra head on to the southern plains of the Serengeti.
    
    To get the best viewing on the other hand in Kenya's Masai Mara July through to September are usually regarded as the best months.
• J

  Judith

  Asked on February 15th, 2016

  How much will this tour really cost me?

  Price / Availability
  • 

    Absolute AfricaOperator•Written February 2016

    The costs to consider when travelling overland are:
    
    Safari price & Local payment,
    Optional excursions,
    Personal spending money,
    Visas.
    
    We are always very transparent about what a tour will cost and are happy to go through personal, tailored budgets to give you a very realistic idea of what you will spend on your tour - whether you are an adrenaline junkie, souvenir-shopaholic or travelling on a shoestring…
• C

  Chris

  Asked on February 15th, 2016

  What is the local payment?

  Other
  • 

    Absolute AfricaOperator•Written February 2016

    The local payment is a separate payment from the initial price you pay before you leave. If a local payment is required it will be shown with the trip price. This second payment is made in Africa at the start of your trip. It is payable in USD. The local payment provides us with the means for expenses that need to be paid in cash to local businesses en route to be arranged in the most cost effective manner possible, a saving we can then pass on to you. It also means we can operate in a way that directly supports local businesses and wildlife authorities as we travel. Local Payment will not be changed once you have booked your travel arrangements.