Common To All Destinations
- What is an Escorted Tour?
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On our escorted tours you will be part of a group of likeminded travellers following a set itinerary that features the highlights of each particular region, however on the vast majority of days you will still be able to travel independently and make stops along the way wherever you wish to. Your transfers, hotels, campsites, and motorhome are all included so the only real additional costs that you have to allow for are for your food, your fuel and any applicable fees such as entry into National Parks.
You will also have the benefit of our experienced local tour hosts who will be with you from the day you arrive until the day you leave and who are there to help you get the very best from your holiday. They will follow the same itinerary as you, travel in a motorhome the same as you, stay at the same campsites as you and join you on the all the included excursions.
However our escorted tours aren’t a ‘follow the leader’ tour, you have the freedom and choice to do what you want to on most days, be that setting off early, having a lie-in, taking a side road to explore that bit further or doing additional excursions.
- What are the benefits of having tour hosts?
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As all of our tour hosts live in the country that you are visiting, they are able to share all of their local knowledge to ensure that you don’t miss a thing and to tell you about some of the hidden secrets that only a local would know.
All of our tour hosts have their own unique style of leading a tour and they are able to offer;
- Help with route planning.
- Suggestions of interesting places to stop on your journey each day.
- Recommending photo stops.
- Help with organising and booking local excursions.
- Arranging social events on some evenings such as BBQ’s.
- WhatsApp group chats to help keep everyone informed.
- Advise on local customs and laws.
- Recommend the best supermarkets and places to shop.
- Should any minor issues with your motorhome arise they are there to assist.
- Assist with locating doctors or dentists should the need arise.
You can learn more about our tour hosts on our ‘Your Motorhome Holiday Tour Hosts' page.
- Do we have to travel in convoy on an escorted tour?
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For Australia, New Zealand and Canada the answer is no you don’t need to travel in convoy. On the majority of days, you are free to choose what time you leave, what route you take and the stops you wish to make along the way. There may be the odd exception where there are included excursions or ferries to catch but generally you are free to travel independently of other motorhomes from your group.
The only exceptions to this can be on some of our Southern Africa tours where 4x4 motorhomes are used, this is because in certain areas the roads can be challenging (hence the need for a 4x4) and we have a back up vehicle with a mechanic on board that travels at the rear of the group to help you in the event of a puncture or mechanical breakdown. However, on these challenging Southern African roads, many are gravel which can create an enormous amount of dust so it’s not possible to travel in a close convoy, so there will always be a good distance between you and the vehicle in front. On non-travelling days where you are spending consecutive nights at the same campsite you will be free to explore as you please.
- How many people are there likely to be on an escorted tour?
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For the majority of our escorted tours there are usually a maximum of 15 motorhomes (30 people per tour) plus the tour hosts.
- Can you pre-book excursions or do we do it when we get there?
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We have a huge number of excursions that you can book with us prior to travel and many of them can be found on our excursions page, please contact us for prices and also if there is an excursion that you would like to do but that isn’t listed.
The only time we wouldn’t recommend pre-booking an excursion is if it’s weather dependent (e.g., helicopter rides and whale watching cruises) as these can be cancelled at short notice and if you have pre-booked it is likely that you will have to wait until you return home before we can refund you.
- I have never driven a motorhome before, is that a problem?
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No way! Full one-to-one instruction will be provided at the collection of your vehicle, allowing you to familiarise with the controls and ask questions.
- Do I need a driving licence?
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Take a current, up to date driver’s licence (must be in English, or with a validated translation). Check specific requirements for certain countries.
- Should I take a first aid kit?
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This is always a good idea. Aside from specific requirements for individual cases, the following basics are a starting point:
- Bandages, plasters, aspirin or similar, antihistamine, calamine lotion, antiseptic, tweezers, safety pins, sun cream.
In addition it may be useful to take:
- Contact lens prescription and/or spare glasses
- Prescriptions for medications
- Cold and flu medication
- Relevant doctor’s letters/certificates/vaccination certificates
- Any tips for packing?
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Pack carefully, bearing in mind storage at the other end. Motorhomes can be surprisingly spacious but space for huge suitcases can be limited. (Depending on model, there is usually storage under the bed, in the hold beneath the van, or just on top of an unused bed).
Dress codes everywhere are very relaxed and informal, whether out and about, dining out or on a campsite. Light, comfortable clothes are ideal, preferably suitable for layering. Weather can be changeable so take a rain jacket, and perhaps a small brolly. Walking shoes or boots are invaluable.
- Is a Day Pack a good idea?
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Yes, definitely. You might find yourself on an excursion or away from the motorhome for a while so it’s good to have certain items with you. A small rucksack-style bag is ideal, containing water bottle, camera, fleece, rain jacket, sun screen, medical supplies, sunglasses etc.
- Any Top Tips?
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- It’s a good idea to stock up at a nearby supermarket before setting off for your first campsite.
- Secure cupboard doors and contents: annoying rattling noises in transit can be prevented by packing tea towels and similar items around the offending items. Prime culprits are the metal baking trays in the oven.
- Be aware of your van’s height (think barriers, branches, car parks etc).
- Sun screen is essential: even when it doesn’t feel especially hot, the UV rays can be powerful due to the purer, less polluted air and altitude.
- Take a handy medical kit
- Sandflies can be a nuisance in some areas, so insect repellent can be useful (you can buy this on arrival).
- Take a USB cable or two, and maybe an AUX cable for playing music. They take up little room, and can be very handy.
- A pair of flipflops or sliders are handy for visiting the wash blocks where surfaces can be wet.
- A credit card that incurs no overseas transaction fees is sensible. Alternatively a pre-paid currency card is an option.
- Some take their favourite tea bags to ensure a proper brew. It goes without saying you may have other dietary requirements or preferences.
