If you want to get a real feel for travelling through Africa there's only one way to do it: overland. No flying in comfort in an air-conditioned Airbus... real African travellers get dirty and dusty doing it the hard way.

However, we're not all Camel adventurers equipped with every safari gadget under the sun and a 4x4 to bolt them to. So if you're big on enthusiasm, but low on gear your best option is to join an organised overland trip.

There are a number of different options open to you, depending on how adventurous you're feeling, so here are some of the best trips to choose from:

For the adventurous: Cape Town to Nairobi
Duration: 45 days
Highlights: Sossusvlei, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and the Serengeti.

This is the grandfather of all overlanding trips and has been around since overlanding's conception. This trip takes you far off the beaten track and involves more 'wild camping' (camping without facilities). A Cape Town to Nairobi overland safari is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Just remember that this trip can take a couple of months and is quite pricey, but certainly worth every penny.

For first-timers: Cape Town to Victoria Falls
Duration: 20 days
Highlights: Fish River Canyon, Etosha, Okavango Delta, Chobe and Victoria Falls.

This is the ideal trip if you have never been overlanding before. It's long enough for you to get a real feel of what overlanding is all about, but short enough that the group won't get on your nerves. The Cape Town to Vic Falls trip is a standard trip and all tour operators offer a version thereof.

Creature comforts: South Africa
Duration: 18 days
Highlights: Kruger National Park, Drakensberg, Karoo and the Garden Route.

You like exploring the countryside but you don't like camping? This is the trip for you. Travel around South Africa visiting areas such as the Kruger Park and the Dolphin coast, whilst still enjoying the comforts of accommodation in lodges and hotels around the country.

For the less adventurous: Garden route tour
Duration: Seven days
Highlights: Cango Caves, Tsitsikamma National Park and Oudtshoorn.

This trip is great if you would like to go overlanding, but don't want to venture into the wild. The beautiful scenery, enjoyable excursions and short time span make this a trip not to be missed, especially if you have never visited the Garden Route. This little trip encompasses everything from whale watching to spelunking (caving), with ostriches and bungi jumping thrown in for good measure.

For those who like it hot: Tropical Trek
Duration: 24 days
Highlights: Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, Lusaka, Lake Malawi and Bazaruto.

This tour will see you travelling through six countries; namely South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. This is an awesome trip if you want to enjoy the diversity found in Southern Africa. Enjoy game viewing in the Okavango Delta, white-water rafting at Vic Falls and snorkelling at Bazaruto, all in one neat little package.

All of the above trips are offered by a number of overland operators, and can be booked through most travel agents. You can also speak to your local backpacker's lodge, who will be able to recommend a reputable operator, or consult the authoritative Out There Adventure Guide for listings.