To simplify the complex and deliver an unparalleled communal experience, G Adventures rethought overland camping in Africa with the Lando, an overland adventure vehicle that brings together like-minded travellers who want to dive into the wildlife, culture, and rugged landscapes of countries across Africa. So, what can you expect from an overland adventure in a G Adventures Lando, and where can it take you? Let’s get into it.
What is overland travel?
Overland travel (also called overlanding) is when you travel long distances entirely over land. When you travel with G Adventures, one day you could be parked up while trekking to see gorillas in between forests and volcanoes in Uganda, and the next, you’re crossing by land into Rwanda to experience the capital city of Kigali. G Adventures changed the game by designing our own purpose-built overland adventure vehicle, and it goes everywhere.
Introducing the G Adventures Lando
The G Adventures Lando overland vehicle was designed specifically for roaming throughout eastern and southern Africa. Combining a fun level of outdoorsy roughing it with practical comforts and impressive durability, the Lando doesn’t just get you there — it curates the entire experience. Seating up to 22 travellers and two CEOs (Chief Experience Officers who lead the trip, cook, and drive), you’ll be in good company for the ride.
Vehicle features of the Lando
– Reclining seats with extra shoulder room and seatbelts
– Large front and sliding windows that are ideal for wildlife viewing and photography
– Fully equipped mobile kitchen
– Indoor storage for luggage, including a day‑pack shelf
– USB ports at every seat, camp charging stations (220V to 240V)
– Onboard safe
– Air‑conditioning
The Lando in numbers
– 22 seats make up the Lando’s typical capacity (numbers vary by season)
– Trips range from eight days to 55 days for full-length overland travel
– 12-item 220V charging station to keep your tech and gear ready to use
– 250L drinking water tank
– Two fridges
– One onboard safe
– Endless fun
Overland group dynamics
Built for rider comfort and safety, the Lando is your travelling fortress. Equipped with a steel body, heavy‑duty bumpers, emergency‑exit windows, and a rear camera, it’s rollover-tested and ready to get you to some of the continent’s most remote corners. The Lando takes you places that most other vehicles can’t, bringing you face to face with wildlife in their natural habitat. It’s as immersive as it gets — you might even have a few bathroom stops in the bush (there’s no toilet onboard). If you love the true spirit of adventure, overland camping in Africa is the experience for you.
Where does the G Adventures Lando go?
A better question would be where can’t it go? We take this revolutionary mode of transport anywhere from the world’s tallest dunes to gorilla-filled jungles flanked by lofty waterfalls. It’s that tough. The Lando was built with confidence for overlanding in eastern and southern Africa, and G Adventures’ travel styles have a wide range of different experiences to choose from.
Africa by G Adventures Lando tours
In East Africa, we roam through the savannas, grasslands, and mountainous landscapes of Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, and Uganda.
In Southern Africa, we explore the rich biodiversity of globally renowned national parks, river deltas, and arid landscapes of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
G Adventures overland travel trip types
Overland camping in Africa can take many different forms on a continent that is so diverse in landscapes and cultures. Each of our trip types focuses on a specific region to give an in-depth exploration of lesser-travelled areas.
Southern Africa Southbound: Dunes, Deltas, and Falls
Roam throughout southwest Africa with a crew of travel buddies over three weeks of thrill-filled sights and activities. Your adventure begins by seeing the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, followed by drives and camping across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. We’re talking wildlife drives through vast wilderness, ridiculously tall dunes, and tons of “did you see that [insert safari animal of your choice]” moments in between. Wrap it all up in Cape Town, a renowned city backed by staggering mountains.
Trip duration: 21 days
Countries: Botswana, Namibia, South Africa
Experience it for yourself on: Southern Africa Southbound: Dunes, Deltas & Falls
Kenya, Tanzania Overland Safari & Participation Camping
Overland from Kenya to Zanzibar in a little more than a week, stopping along the way to see the famed “big five” of the Serengeti. It’s a safari dream punctuated by tropical paradise, wrapping up in the gorgeous island of Zanzibar, where gorgeous beaches dot the coastline in abundance. Begin in the busy streets of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city, and close your trip in Stone Town, Zanzibar’s archetypal coastal trading port. You get a little taste of it all on this trip.
Trip duration: 10 days
Countries: Kenya, Tanzania
Experience it for yourself on: Kenya, Tanzania Overland Safari & Participation Camping
Southern Africa: Bush Camps & Wildlife Spotting
Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa form a perfect trio for untamed wilderness exploration in this overlanding trip. Between Zimbabwe’s Matobo National Park and South Africa’s Kruger National Park, the ground we cover in just over two weeks immerses you in an array of wildlife viewings and cultural heritage. Hike, kayak, and camp your way through some of the region’s most legendary sights and sink into the comfort of the Lando for everything in between. Start and end in Johannesburg after an epic loop around the region.
Trip duration: 15 days
Countries: Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa
Experience it for yourself on: Southern Africa Encompassed: Bush Camps & Wildlife Spotting
Uganda to Rwanda: Gorilla Treks and Safari Drives
Full of impactful experiences, Uganda and Rwanda are the definition of the road less travelled. On this eight-day trip from Kampala to Kigali, wildlife drives throughout the region bring you up close to chimpanzees, gorillas, elephants, and hippos in remote settings that are unlike your typical safari expedition. Visits to the Kigali Genocide Museum and the Nyamirambo Women’s Center and staying at a guest farm allow us to learn more about the region’s recent history and longstanding culture. There’s no shortage of scenery either; rainforests, open savannas, and sprawling wetlands await.
Trip duration: 8 days
Countries: Uganda, Rwanda
Experience it for yourself on: Uganda to Rwanda: Gorilla Treks & Safari Drives
Namibia to Victoria Falls Overland Safari & Camping
Between meeting the San people in the Kalahari Desert and paddling the Okavango Delta in a dugout mokoro (a traditional canoe), this nine-day trip will leave you with the type of in-depth stories you’ll be telling for ages. You begin in Windhoek, Namibia, wind your way through Botswana, and end with the stunning natural sights of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Expect plenty of “is this really happening?” moments, such as coming face to face with towering elephants in the middle of remote wilderness where few have roamed.
Trip duration: 9 days
Countries: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe
Experience it on: Namibia to Victoria Falls Overland Safari & Participation Camping
A day in the Lando life
If you’re wondering what to expect when overlanding Africa, you’re not alone. Below, we cover some of the basics.
What are the group dynamics like on a Lando trip?
You meet a ton of awesome people from different backgrounds and get close through action-packed days on the road. Team building happens during the daily moments, like setting up camp, and also the extraordinary ones, such as discovering something incredible together. The more technical answer is that sometimes groups can change if a shorter tour is combined into a longer one. We’ll keep you in the loop depending on your individual trip itinerary of what to expect group-wise.
What about driving days and road conditions?
Driving days can be long. It’s not uncommon to pull 10- to 18-hour stretches on bumpy and rough terrain (often called an “African massage”). Although there’s air conditioning, sometimes it might be off depending on the engine’s load. The good news is that we have plenty of windows and endless fresh air in the remote destinations we frequent, not to mention the best views. The Lando turns a long ride into an iconic experience.
Overland camping life and other accommodations
During your overland adventure, we’ll be participation camping, meaning everyone is responsible for setting up camp as a collective. Together, we rotate daily chores, such as setting up tents, cooking, cleaning, and packing up the Lando. Sharing this purpose among the group fosters a sense of bonding and teamwork, strengthening bonds during those transitory moments.
Two-person dome or safari canvas tents are the norm in basic bush camps. Sometimes we might have permanent tented camps. We provide all camping gear except for a pillow and a sleeping bag (plus whatever else you need for quality zzz’s). Facilities depend on each camp. Some sites include flushing toilets, bars, and hot showers, whereas others are totally rustic or wildlife‑adjacent bush camps.
Meals, supplies, and connectivity
The CEOs who lead the trips also lead the meals. We like to switch it up between continental and local dishes, always making sure individual dietary needs are accommodated. Just give us a heads up about what you do or don’t eat, any allergies, or other preferences ahead of time.
We take snacking seriously. We make regular food stops throughout the adventure at local shops and supermarkets, making sure everyone is stocked up with essentials for long drive days. Wi-fi and data can be patchy in remote areas, but our onboard USB plugs keep your devices charged.
Early starts
Early alarms between 4:00am to 7:00am are the norm on the road. Our days begin with packing, breakfast, and a Lando load-out to get ready to roll. Overlanding can be physically and mentally tough, between the constant movement, variable weather, and camping strain. Highs and lows are part of the experience, but those highs make the bits of exhaustion entirely worthwhile.
Wildlife close-ups
Wildlife encounters are as common as morning coffee when we’re on the road. What you see depends on your itinerary, but a few common neighbours during overland adventure trips in Africa include elephants, hyenas, baboons, and zebras. At camp, always keep your tent zipped and shoes stored securely.
Why choose the G Adventures Lando
There’s a lot to consider when picking a provider for your overland adventure across Africa: the vehicle itself, routes, price points, and who you’ll be traveling with. The G Adventures Lando was designed for 18-to-Thirtysomethings who want to experience it all without breaking the bank or their own comfort. We’ve combined just the right amount of roughing it with safety and practical bells and whistles to make your trip a smooth one, besides the occasionally bumpy roads.
The G Adventures Lando is:
– A modern, safe, and comfortable alternative to older outdoor adventure vehicles.
– Young adult-focused (18 to 39), fostering social connectivity and authentic experiences.
– Affordably priced so that you can experience it all without damaging your bank account.
– Deeply immersive through camping, cultural engagement, wildlife excursions, and the navigation of diverse landscapes across multiple countries in Africa.
