Oasis Overland is to operate its first trips to Africa since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The operator, which works with travel agents and is a member of The Specialist Travel Association (Aito), has five group departures on February 15, 2021, to east and southern Africa.
It has put Covid-secure protocols in place to ensure safe group itineraries.
Before travelling holidaymakers will be fully informed on what to expect in destination and any differences compared with travelling prior to the pandemic. Clients will receive an ‘acknowledgement of risk’ form to complete and an information booklet on travelling during Covid.
Founder Chris Wrede said: “I believe firmly that the time will be right to start to travel again next year. We’ve made extensive plans and taken careful precautionary steps to ensure that our trips will be safe.”
Groups travel in the operator’s own trucks and accommodation is mostly camping although clients can upgrade to lodge accommodation. Tours visit locations including the Masai Mara, Serengeti, Zanzibar, Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta and Cape Town, and shop in local markets and use local guides.
Prices start at £875 plus a local payment of US $545, excluding flights, for the 19-day Gorillas & Gameparks round trip from Nairobi in Kenya.
Other trips departing include the 75-day Grand Adventurer overland trip from Nairobi to Cape Town, from £2,695, and the 53-day Apes & Lakes trip from Nairobi to Victoria Falls, from £2,095.
Currently the Foreign Office advises against travel to all the operator’s African destinations except for Namibia and Rwanda, which were both added to the government’s travel corridors list last month.
For destinations not on the list holidaymakers would need to take out travel insurance which covers Covid for their trip.