Frequently Asked Questions

At Rock My Adventure, we’re laid-back adventurers and backpackers at heart – but we also appreciate a touch of comfort and style. Our travel style is best described as “flashpacking” – think adventurous backpacking with a little luxury sprinkled in.

Each of our itineraries is thoughtfully curated and packed with amazing experiences, giving you the chance to see and do as much as possible within 2 to 2.5 weeks.

Our trips are fast-paced, full of energy, and designed to give you a deep and well-rounded introduction to the countries we visit.

But don’t expect a traditional group tour. Rock My Adventure trips are informal, personal, and designed for open-minded travellers who want more than just the typical tourist experience.

After years of exploring Africa, we truly believe this is the best way to travel – a balance between structure and spontaneity, adventure and comfort.

We want to show you the real Africa – the beautiful highs, the occasional challenges, and all the rich, authentic moments in between.

If you’re looking for luxury, this might not be the trip for you. While we do stay in plenty of lovely, comfortable places, there are also times when we camp or stay somewhere a little more rustic – it’s all part of the adventure.

But if you’re up for a meaningful, adventurous journey – with a great bunch of people – then you’re in the right place.

You might camp under the stars deep in the bush one night and stay in a charming boutique hotel the next. One day you’ll eat at a local roadside café, and the next you’ll be sipping cocktails at the swankiest bar in town.

Most of the time we travel in a private vehicle for comfort and flexibility, though we occasionally hop on public transport for a taste of local life.

Our trips include plenty of exciting activities, but we also make sure to build in some free time so you can rest, explore on your own, or just do your own thing.

Occasionally, we’ll have longer travel days – unavoidable when exploring vast landscapes without flying – but we keep them to a minimum and always try to make the journey part of the fun.

Some nights we’ll be gathered around a quiet campfire swapping stories, and other nights we’ll be out dancing at the best local spots (yes, we know where they are!).

Throughout your trip, you’ll be accompanied by a Rock My Adventure Group Leader who handles all the logistics and keeps things running as smoothly as possible, plus you’ll meet incredible local guides and experts who will bring their countries to life through their stories, culture, and knowledge.

So if you’re ready for a once-in-a-lifetime African adventure, full of heart, laughter, meaningful moments, and unforgettable memories – come join us.

Our groups are intentionally small – usually between 8 and 12 people – to give you an intimate, authentic travel experience.

Keeping the numbers low means our trips never feel too “tour-like.” Instead, it’s more like traveling with a group of new friends. It allows for meaningful connections, shared adventures, and the flexibility to really immerse yourself in each destination.

Our travel style blends backpacking and flashpacking (that’s fancy backpacking!) with the occasional touch of luxury – giving you the best of both worlds, all at an affordable price.

You might hop on public transport one day (though we mostly use private vehicles), eat at a local roadside joint, stay somewhere rustic and basic, or find yourself well outside your comfort zone – -in the best possible way. It’s all part of the experience.

But we balance that out with comfortable lodges, dinners at stylish restaurants, and a few well-earned treats along the way.

These trips bring together all the best bits of African travel. Every day is an adventure, and you’ll go home with incredible memories and some unforgettable stories to share.

We aim to follow the itinerary as outlined on the website, but please note that adjustments to activities, accommodation, and routing may occasionally be necessary due to availability, weather, seasonal changes, or unexpected circumstances beyond our control.

We’ll send out the final itinerary around one month before the trip, but even then, some small changes may need to be made once we’re on the ground. That’s all part of the adventure!

We’ll always do our best to stick to the plan and ensure you have an incredible experience – no matter what comes our way.

Flexibility is key when it comes to Africa travel. Things don’t always go to plan, and that’s part of the fun! The more you’re able to go with the flow, the more you’ll enjoy yourself.

If you’re very rigid, easily frustrated, or find it difficult to work as part of a team, this type of trip (and Africa travel in general) may not be the best fit.

The style and standard of accommodation will vary from trip to trip – some nights we stay in beautiful lodges, sometimes we camp under the stars, and occasionally we stay in more rustic, simple places. This variety helps keep the trip exciting, authentic, and affordable.

Each accommodation is handpicked for a reason – whether it’s a great vibe, an amazing location, or its commitment to supporting the local community. We aim for a balance between comfort, character, and experience.

You’ll usually share a twin room with a same-sex roommate. Occasionally, room configurations may vary (singles, triples, or quads), depending on the lodge or hotel’s availability.

Couples will always have a private room. If you request a double bed, we’ll do our best to accommodate that, though in some cases, twin beds may be the only option.

If you have specific room or bed preferences, please let us know as early as possible by filling them in on the booking form.

For more details on accommodation for each tour, please check the FAQs on the individual tour pages.

Your Group Leader is there to make sure your trip runs smoothly, safely, and enjoyably from start to finish.

They’ll travel with you throughout the journey, handling all on-the-ground logistics so you can focus on having an amazing experience.

They’re also your go-to person for any questions or support you need along the way, and they’ll coordinate closely with our trusted Local Tour Guides to ensure you get the most out of every destination.

Sometimes Helen will be your Group Leader, and other times one of our equally fantastic leaders will take the helm – it all depends on availability.

One thing’s guaranteed: every Rock My Adventure leader shares a deep passion for Africa and can’t wait to share that love with you!

If you would like to travel with a specific Group Leader, please enquire before booking.

We work with lots of Local Tour Guides in each of the areas we visit.

The Local Tour Guides have been chosen by Helen because they are awesome and experts in their field.

We work this way because our aim is to support lots of local businesses and it gives us lots of interaction with local people from different areas of the countries we visit.

Your Group Leader will liaise with the Local Guides on the trip.

Cool people, obviously!

In all seriousness, our groups are wonderfully diverse – a real mix of ages, nationalities, and personalities. Like Forrest Gump said, “You never know what you’re gonna get!” And honestly, that’s part of the fun.

We’ve welcomed travelers from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Croatia, Romania, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, France, South Africa, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Switzerland, Brazil, Greece, The Netherlands, Albania, Germany, Spain, Argentina, and more.

Most of our guests are solo travellers, but couples and friends often join too – everyone’s welcome!

Our youngest adventurer has been 16 and the oldest 81. The main thing we ask is that you come open-minded, laid-back, resilient, and ready for an adventure.

We have a Facebook group for those who have joined the trips so you will be able to meet, interact and ask questions before you go.

Traveling in Africa is truly in a league of its own!

TIA is short for ‘This Is Africa.’

It means the water might go off mid-shower or be cold (yes, even in the nicest hotels), the power could cut out unexpectedly, the car might break down, and plans sometimes don’t go as expected.

But this is exactly what makes traveling here so unique, challenging, and ultimately rewarding. After all, no true adventure ever goes completely to plan – otherwise, it wouldn’t be an adventure!

Our advice? Relax, stay flexible, bring your sense of humor, and embrace being on “Africa time.” Things work differently here, and it can definitely be frustrating at times. But the key lesson we’ve learned is not to stress when things run late or don’t go exactly as planned – just remember, TIA!

Embrace every moment – these unpredictable experiences often become your best stories and fondest memories. We call it ‘Type 2 Fun’ – the kind that’s tough in the moment but unforgettable and deeply satisfying in hindsight.

In general, the minimum age for our trips is 18. This is because our adventures are designed with a backpacker/flashpacker style in mind and are not child-friendly.

However, we sometimes allow travelers as young as 16 (on special request – please enquite BEFORE booking) if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

In such cases, a parental consent form will be required to ensure that the minor complies with local laws, especially regarding alcohol consumption.

Additionally, minors must be supervised during evenings and nights out, as it is not the responsibility of the group or leaders to look after them.

Most of our travelers are in their early thirties to mid-fifties, but we’ve welcomed adventurers ranging from 20 to 81 years old on our trips!

There’s no strict upper age limit – what matters most is your attitude, health, and willingness to embrace the adventure. That said, we generally recommend these trips for those under 65–70 due to the physically demanding nature of travel in Africa. Think long, bumpy drives, early starts, heat, dust, and a fairly fast-paced itinerary.

Travelling in Africa can be tiring. It’s less about physical fitness and more about stamina and flexibility.

But you know your own limits – so if you’re in good health, young at heart, open to the flashpacker/backpacker travel style, and happy to share the journey with a diverse group of like-minded adventurers, you’ll be more than welcome on our trips!

Each trip’s FAQ section includes details about the fitness level required.

Traveling in Africa can be physically demanding – long, bumpy car or boat rides, early mornings, and hot, dusty days are all part of the experience. You’ll need to be prepared to handle these challenges.

These trips are generally not recommended for anyone with severe back problems or injuries, as the rough roads can be especially jarring.

Some trips include hiking, but you can often opt out if it’s not your thing. Please note that the Uganda & Rwanda trip does involve gorilla trekking, which requires a reasonable level of fitness.

If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us before booking.

Of course – this is your holiday!

If there are any activities you’d prefer to skip, that’s totally fine. Just please be aware that many activities are pre-booked and prepaid before the trip, so if you decide not to participate, we may not be able to reimburse you.

We also build in some free days and evenings so you have plenty of time to do your own thing!

We generally travel overland and avoid flying whenever possible.

Anyone who’s been to Africa knows that the journey is part of the adventure! Why fly when you can travel overland, stopping in unexpected places and meeting locals along the way?

Plus, internal flights in Africa can often be unpredictable.

Between main destinations, we use a mix of transport options – private minibuses, coaches, taxis, safari vehicles, boats, and trains. Sometimes we hop on public buses, ferries, or even tuk-tuks, depending on what’s available.

Air-conditioning? Sometimes yes, sometimes no – it’s all part of the adventure!

For more details, please check the FAQs on each tour page.

Africa is a vast continent, and many of the destinations and attractions are quite far apart, so you should expect some long driving days. That said, we generally do much less driving than the typical overland tours.

Long drives are part and parcel of this style of travel, so if you think that might not be for you, a private trip with flights between destinations might be a better fit.

Travelling overland in a group is one of the most economical ways to explore (aside from public transport). Since we usually have our own transport, you’ll be far more comfortable than backpacking solo on public buses.

Plus, you can take all the toilet breaks you want, and we do our best to make the journeys fun – some of the best memories come from these road trips!

Just a heads up: air-conditioning isn’t always guaranteed in the vehicles. So if full luxury is your thing, a private luxury safari would suit you better.

When on safari, you’ll spend quite a bit of time in the vehicle – that’s just the nature of the experience and can’t really be avoided.

Yes! Absolutely, all the time.

At Rock My Adventure, we are passionate about partnering with and supporting exceptional local tour companies, guides, activity providers, and social enterprises or charities.

This ensures you get the highly personalised African adventure you’ve always dreamed of.

We carefully plan every detail ourselves and never rely on generic, cookie-cutter itineraries.

Throughout the trip we’ll interact wth lots of local people – our guides, out and about in towns and villages, with the tribes we meet and with our local friends.

Having spent a lot of time on the African continent, between us we’ve been fortunate enough to make a lot of local friends in all the places we go and they always want to come and hang out with our groups when we’re in town!

Yes, of course! Before your trip, we send comprehensive pre-departure information to every participant.

This includes everything you need to know about:

• Flights

• Insurance

• Visas

• Health & Safety

• Money & Budgeting

• What to Pack

If you need any advice or support with your pre- or post-tour travels in Africa, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. It’s all part of the Rock My Adventure experience!

However, we can help look for flights and advise on which flights to book!

We are a ground tour operator and do not provide flights so we do not need to hold an ATOL licence.

ATOL applies to companies selling air travel packages.

Yes! Rock My Adventure is a member of Protected Trust Services who are similar to ABTA (who you will probably have heard of as they are the biggest company of that type).

In the unlikely event of the Rock My Adventure going bust, Protected Trust Services provides you with complete protection against us and the suppliers we use as per the UK Package Travel Regulations.

So you can be assured that your money is fully protected at all times.

Most of our feedback can be found on our Testimonials page. This is the feedback taken from the feedback forms that we send out at the end of the trip.

Alternatively, you can find feedback on Tripadvisor and on our Facebook page.

You can also join the Rock My Adventure Community on Facebook to ask questions or get feedback from previous travellers.

We don’t yet have reviews on other sites like FEEFO as they are very expensive to join, so this helps us be a little bit cheaper than most other tour companies of a similar nature.

It depends on the trip!

But generally, we can stay in a mix of mid-range lodges, flackpacker hostels, hotels, eco-lodges, tented camps (glamping) and camping. 

We try and choose eco-friendly, unique and interesting places to stay where available!

Some places are fancier and some are more rustic. When we stay in the more rustic places, it’s usually because they offer something else – great location/experience that you can’t get at the fancier places.

Most rooms are ensuite, but due to the unique nature of the places we stay, occasionally there will be shared facilities.

If travelling solo, we will pair you up with a same-sex room mate and you will mostly sleep in twin rooms.

Occasionally the room split may be different, depending on the availability in the accommodation we use. If you are a couple, we will ensure you always have your own room.

You will find more information about the accommodation used on each specific trip on the itinerary.

If you have any questions or concerns about the accommodation on any particular trip, feel free to ask.

As this is a group trip, most of the accommodation (and cost) is based around shared rooms, however, if you want your own room we can look into this for you.

If you are a couple, we will always ensure you have your own room.

Specific room requests may come at an extra cost.

The only time we will need charge a single supplement is if you specifically request your own single room.

Most places we stay at have regular Western-style flushing toilets.

Occasionally, accommodations will have compost or eco-toilets. These are similar to Western toilets but are usually long or short drop and don’t flush. Instead, you put some sawdust down after use. They’re quite hygienic and not as unusual as they might sound!

Rooms usually have ensuite bathrooms, but sometimes shared facilities are used, especially in more rustic places.

While on the trip – especially during drives or safaris – you may encounter different types of toilets, including:

• Western-Style: Just like the toilets you have at home, with a seat and flushing.

• Flushing Squat: A ceramic squat toilet that flushes, or sometimes you’ll find a bucket of water to flush manually. Common at service/gas stations, but standards vary.

• Hole in the Ground: A squat toilet (long drop) often found in rural villages. Conditions vary widely.

• Compost Toilet: A seated long or short drop toilet usually at eco-lodges or campsites.

• Bush Toilet: Simply find a bush or discreet outdoor spot and squat. This is common on safari or during long road trips.

Yes of course, we’ll help you book pretty much any activity you want to do on the tours, but…

…we won’t book elephant back rides as these are damaging for the elephant and usually the elephants have been tortured into submission.

And we won’t book lion walks, as lion breeding in Africa is big business and often the lions are not going to be released back into the wild as you are told, they are being bred to be sold to hunting farms so people can shoot them – not cool.

Feel free to send us a message if you want more information.

The food varies quite a bit depending on the country and trip.

Some travelers love diving into local dishes, while others prefer more familiar Western options – so we aim to strike a good balance on every trip!

For some meals, we’ll enjoy simple, delicious local foods like maize porridge (ugali/nsima/nshima), goat, chapatis, rice and beans, greens, and fish. We usually have a few meals like this each trip, but if you’re a fan of African cuisine, just let your tour leader know and you can have more of it!

At other times, we’ll find pizza, burgers, curries, salads, or other familiar dishes. Many of the places we eat offer a mix of African and international options, so you’ll almost always find something you like.

Some meals (especially at safari lodges and during certain activities) are set menus, but most are a la carte, so you get to choose. Just keep in mind it’s not always the same variety or range as at home.

If there’s anything you really don’t like or can’t eat, please tell us when you book and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

If you have an allergy or a strong aversion to a certain food, please let us know beforehand so we can advise the chef.

Please note that we cannot accommodate specific diets like keto/paleo/Atkins/low carb etc.

Please be aware that what you say on your booking form is what is communicated to the hotels/activity providers.

So if you decided to be a vegetarian/vegan for example on the week you filled in your booking form – that’s what we communicate and that’s what you will get.

If your food preferences/requirements change between the time you fill in your booking form and the trip – it is YOUR responsibility to let us know.

We always make sure that our suppliers are aware of any dietary requirements, however we cannot guarantee that there will not be cross-contamination or traces of allergens. The understanding of food allergies is not as comprehensive in Africa as it is in some parts of the world.

If your allergy is severe, you must travel with an epi-pen. If you are worried about this, please feel free to discuss this with us.

Yes, to come on any of our trips you need your own travel insurance. If you get sick or injured whilst on the trip, many of the hospitals won’t treat you until they see that you either have the money to pay for your treatment or that you have the insurance to cover it.

We will ask you for your travel insurance details at the beginning of the trip and if you don’t have it you will not be able to join the trip.

Travel insurance doesn’t cost that much, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!

We would advise that you take malaria tablets if going to a malarial zone.

However, whether you take the tablets is entirely up to you and your physician. Some people prefer to take them, some people don’t.

Malaria is prevalent in some of the areas we visit on the trips, but not all, so we would advise that you speak to a licensed health professional to discuss your needs and then take the necessary precautions.

It depends on the trip! Some do and some don’t! And it can also depend on where you are coming from and what you’ve had before!

Please see the FAQ’s for each individual tour for more information and feel free to ask us if you’re not sure.

We will advise in the pre-departure information, however, we advise you to speak to a trained medical professional as well.

You can either:

A) Book via the Book Now on our website.

B) Email us to check on the availability of the trip. We will then send you the info on how to join and pay your deposit for the tour.

Once you’ve done that, we’ll send you your invoice/receipt and your pre-departure information and give you all the support you need to prepare for your trip.

A) Credit or debit card via the website.

B) Direct bank transfer or by a transfer company such as Transferwise (where you can use credit/debit cards). We will email you the details.

The money you pay goes to a trust account as required by UK law. This keeps your money safe until your holiday is completed.

In that case, the full balance is required when booking or asap!

Yes of course you can. Just ask us to set this up for you.

As long as you have paid the balance 62 days before the start of the trip, we don’t mind how you pay. 🙂

We will send you a detailed packing list along with your pre-departure information.

No, please don’t bring sweets or candy. Many of the children we meet won’t have regular access to dental care, and giving out sweets can encourage begging.

If you want to bring gifts, please check with us first. Clothes, pens, and charitable donations are always appreciated – just make sure they’re distributed through the proper channels.

We also support several GoFundMe campaigns for causes close to our hearts, such as breakfast programs and school fees for communities you might meet on your trip. If you’d like to donate, we’ll be happy to send you the links!