I often tell people not to worry too much about things going wrong on their trips: after all, those make the best stories. Not that this is much comfort at the time. Three years after one of my worse treks, I still groan as I remember some of the worse parts of our overland camping trip from Zimbabwe to Kenya. We met wonderful people and observed truly amazing wildlife but we have yet to forget (or forgive) the tour operator that provided the Safari from Hell.

Making an overland journey to Africa can be accomplished, for most people, only with the assistance of tour operators. And so, it was with great expectations of a trouble-free trip that we purchased a three-week overland tour of East Africa from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Nairobi, Kenya in 2007. The most important reasons for choosing an overland tour was to have a knowledgeable guide, safe and reliable transportation, and someone to arrange game drives and tours. more…