Follow an overland truck across Africa

Name: Matthew Hughes
Age: 23




Hello Matthew, are you well?
Very well, with no medical conditions touch wood!

Where are you going, how are you travelling and for how long?
Africa on the Trans Africa expedition with Oasis Overland, experiencing as many countries as possible on a big truck.

Sounds cool. What made you want to do that?
I've always wanted to travel and Africa is a great place to start. I've always been interested in the continent and think overlanding across it is a great way for me to see the interesting bits in a relatively short space of time.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how difficult was this trip to organise? (1 being popping to the shop for milk, 10 being invading China?)
So simple, I don't think it even deserves a 1 on the scale.

What were the major things you had to do to arrange? Which was the biggest pain in the arse?
Oasis Overland really do take care of most of your troubles. I would not say anything really stands out, other than lots of overtime at work which has definitely been the biggest pain in the arse for me!

What are your best tips for someone else who wants to arrange a trip like this?
Pick up the phone, hand your credit card details over and just generally get excited, I have been for the past year! Oasis Overland are always on hand to answer your questions and the email advice has been brilliant so far.

What are your biggest worries...
I don't really have any; I'll let my mother do the worrying for me.

What do you reckon you’ll get out of the trip? Do you think it will change you at all?
Excitement, fun and an experience of a lifetime. I think it will probably change my direction in life too, it can't fail to really.

What kit have you bought specially for the trip?
Deet spray, sun cream, medical kit and lots of batteries for my digital camera. I don't want to miss out on the photos of the Big 5!

What kit is your mum making you take, which you don't think you'll need?
Sun cream, a hat and too many clothes.

How many pairs of pants?
As yet, undecided. I am sure it is something I will worry about 20minutes before I go.

How much money have you spent so far, and how much more do you think you'll spend before the end of the trip?
Just over £5000, I have spent about £2000 on Oasis Overland services and have not yet started the trip but I am sure I will not come back with change for a tenner!

How've you raised it?
Working incredibly long hours for a year - hence, why I can't wait to leave!

For comparison purposes, what will be the five best things you’ll do on this trip?
I am sure it will be the most unexpected thing which I am unaware of, but seing some of the best natural wonders of the world like the Ngorongoro crater, Victoria Falls. Going on safari and probably going to Zanzibar too.
However, I am looking forward to getting to know a bunch of strangers.

And the five worst? (We’ll ask you again when you get back)
Washing my own underwear. Apart from that, I don't think there is anything else!