Reviews of Madventure. (Travel Agency) in Oxford (Oxfordshire).

Madventure

43 Reviews

43 Comments

Travel Agency

Tour operator

10 Ablett Cl, Oxford OX4 1XH, United Kingdom

Description

Information of Madventure, Travel Agency in Oxford (Oxfordshire)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

This business has received very good reviews from their customers, so probably it’s a place you should try if you are looking for this kind of services.

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Reviews of Madventure

C. C.

I have just completed the Iceland trip. What an incredible experience! The Madventure team was phenomenal. Karen's people management skills, amazing cooking, outstanding leadership, diplomacy, and all-round wonderfulness; Leanne's efficiency and adaptability, passion for Iceland and geology, and fabulous personality; Nicola's bubbly spirit, super vegetarian cooking skills (as I heard but did not experience), and spirit of adventure, all made for the trip of a lifetime in an incredibly beautiful country. We had a fabulous group of people, who all made the absolute best of really bad weather. I am a Madventure convert for life now! Cannot wait for the next trip in December.

J. C.

Iceland is a unique place full with natural wonders. And road trip is the only way to experience many of them. I did a road trip circle Iceland years ago by myself and I enjoyed immensely. In 2021, when I looked at the itineraries offered by Madvantures, I realized that is the trip tailored for me. Madventure offers a great way to see Iceland. Will, Karen, Anto and Kevin are experienced expedition leaders and a first-class team. And just like that, we’re on our way to everywhere. Amazing trip. Strongly recommended!!

L. H.

Just completed Madventures first ever Abrabia Overland tour, and it was just amazing. For anyone with a love of travelling, this is the perfect way to explore the beautiful but misunderstood Arabian Peninsula. The area itself was far more diverse than anyone expected, and beautiful too. It was a privilege to have been on the first ever overland truck through Saudi. The trip itself was run in a very professional manner. The Madventure team ensured the trip ran exceptionally smoothly, and made sure we saw as much as possible. On a personal note, Karen and Will bent over backwards to make sure people were happy. They are lovely people who genuinely care about their guests. Thanks again, Looking forward to the next Madventure ❤

T. D.

I have just completed the Madventure “Arabian Exploratory “ tour from Dubai to Cairo via Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Egypt. The trip was simply stunning- there are no other words that can express this experience. Both Will and Karen ( and Brenda) worked relentlessly and professionally to ensure that the journey went smoothly. No hurdle was too much and they delivered so much more than was advertised. We saw some amazing sights and were very well looked after from start to finish. It was fantastic team work and nothing I mean nothing was too much trouble. I would take this opportunity to thank everyone at Madventure for sharing this journey with me. I am very much looking forward to my travel later this year from Kathmandu to Dubai. Tim Draper

S. T.

June 2021 - Around Iceland tour …….. Madventure were the first overland people to get organised since the shutdown of countries and they didn’t disappoint. It was an amazing journey following the wild rugged coastline, camping in beautiful sites and seeing the wildlife, including close up to puffins. We also had the added excitement of the volcano blowing up and spewing out lava. Great food and value for money and have made some lifelong friends too.

A. H.

I just did a Madventure 17-day camping trip through Iceland with Madventure: they did a super job - professional staff, first rate organization and good care to every one. First rate all around - and I’ve traveled with many overlanding companies. I’d definitely travel with them again.

S. H.

I have recently returned from the trip of a life time. What started with the overland trip in Arabia in November 2021 ended in Canada nine months later! It was my first overland trip and I chose Madventure. Best decision ever! I got totally hooked and for me overlanding is the way to travel. While these trips involve a lot of camping, Will (not only is he an excellent driver) found us the most amazing camping spots in the middle of nowhere. We were 36 keen travellers all hungry at the and of the day. Karen, a fantastic chef, managed to deliver delicious food, vegetarian as well as meet dishes out of our camping kitchen. It was at the end of the Covid lockdown restrictions. We still had to do a lot of PCR tests and Covid tracker apps, the Madventure team handled every single hurdle with ease. I felt we were very well looked after. To cut a long story short, Will and Karen invited me to come and visit them in Oxford while I spent some time after the Arabia trip in London. So I did and ended up traveling with them back to Saudi Arabia, joined the transit trip from Canada to Alaska and decided I don't want to go home yet and stayed on the truck from Anchorage to Calgary. Now being back home I cant wait to get back on the truck and travel with them again. Thank you Will and Karen, Team Madventure for the best trip ever! Sabine

K. P.

We had a great two weeks camping around Iceland this summer with Madventure despite some challenging weather! Having looked at quite a few trips we chose to our previous excellent experience with Madventure (we travelled on the 2010 UK to Oz overland trip) and the incredibly reasonable price. Make no mistake, Iceland is EXPENSIVE! This trip was fantastic value for all it delivered. The highlight of our trip had to be the beautiful and remote Central Highlands. Setting for the Tom Cruise movie Oblivion, it's like the surface of the moon. Our driver Adam did a fantastic job fording rivers in our mighty orange truck and edging us through some narrow rocky roads. The weather was mixed-but we expected nothing less from Iceland and packed warm (bring warm clothes and a good three or four season sleeping bag!) Karen did a great job of cooking delicious meals for us all which kept us warm! Other high points were the beautiful walks near Lake Myvatn (scene of some memorable Game of Thrones episodes) the puffins at Latrabjarg, whale watching in Husavik and the ferry across the fjords to the Westfjords. Some tips-bring an eye shield in summer cos it's light all the time and unless you're really well off then you should buy beers from the bottle shops for less than three quid-it's about a tenner a pint in pubs! In summary-this trip is a great way to see Iceland on a budget but still visit some places off the beaten track-and parts of Iceland are pretty off the beaten track! Five stars for everything from our tent which I really should have waterproofed again before we left. Would recommend A+++

G. H.

My husband and I have been on a two weeks overlanding trip to Iceland last summer with Madventure. Even though the weather was really bad Madventure gave us a fabulous experience for a reasonable price (not cheap, but a low-cost alternative with good value for money compared to what you would pay for it when doing it on your own or with tour operators based in Iceland). The trip included all the places you wish to see (like Jökulsarlon, Snaefelssness, Husavik, puffins, whales, vulcanos, waterfalls) and even more. With the big 6WD truck we were even able to enter regions like the Highlands and the Westfjords, unforgettable places that you can't go easily on your own or where you easily pay €200 for a day-trip. Our driver Adam was awesome - he managed to go through areas where I probably wouldn't dream about going with a smaller car. Cool guy! Despite any problems with the weather, the roads and and a moody alternator he managed to get us through the trip without any delays and he was always in a good mood. Our tour leader Karen was a wonderful chef and we always had more than enough great food and she cared really good for the vegetarians. She was also very helpful with all the special request from the passengers for tours (eg. horse riding, glacier climbing, hot pools). Overall the tour was very well organised, even though it was one of the first trips to Iceland for Madventure. The group of passengers was fun - quite a few different nationalities (UK, US, German and more), but not a party crowd (not that I missed it - just to cold to hang out long at night :-) ). I would recommend this trip to everyone who wants to see Iceland beyond the usual Ring Road and who doesn't mind to stay in a tent even though the weather may gets unpleasant.

K. S.

In 2011 I did the six month UK to OZ trip. I met some wonderful people, visited some wonderful places (see the website) and had a truly fantastic time. I enjoyed it so much that I obtained my licence and got a job with a 'competitor' as a driver/mechanic. Fast forward seven years, I've now travelled, lived, worked and driven all over the world and returned to a 'normal' life. Holiday time came around. I have always wanted to go to Iceland. The main obstacle to this was cost. Accommodation, transport and food are expensive! I mean, Iceland is EXPENSIVE. I came across an ad for an overland tour of Iceland with Madventure. After working for and alongside other companies, I knew the only one I would travel with was Madventure. Two weeks of travel on a custom built 6x6 Mercedes Benz truck; tick. Campsites included; tick. Breakfast and dinner included; big tick! The main advantage of the truck is that you can go where buses can't, and where only all-wheel drive vehicles are allowed to go (you can't take a National Express over a lava field!). In two weeks in 2018 I saw puffins, whales, glaciers, icebergs, waterfalls, geysers... some truly incredible sights. And I swam in a volcano. Also on the truck were people from many different countries, from nineteen to eighty years, singles, couples and a family of four. Our tour-leader was Karen. She made sure all ran smoothly. She also did all the cooking, which was good as she is a fully trained chef. She is an all-round good 'igg' (she's a Kiwi. They talk funny). Our driver/mechanic looked after the truck and did a fine job of getting us to our destination safely. In fact, he did such a good job they made a film about him; The Fantastic Mr. (Adam) Fox. If you want more than just a holiday, talk to Madventure first.

M. W.

Awesome way to experience Iceland. Six wheel drive truck allowed us to get up into the spectacular Highlands, view the majestic fjords and glaciers and visit the Golden Triangle. Brilliant trip. Can't wait for the next one!

B. L. S.

Here are some questions for you: Do you desire to genuinely experience a country or region? To visit not just the pretty, touristy spots, but also explore the places in between day by day on the ground? To have authentic contact with the people who live in these places? To camp in beautiful remote sites, to get dirty, to be flexible, and be willing to positively contribute to this unique style of group travel? If the answer is "Yes", then Madventure is for you. I've spent more than one year total travel time with the Madventure team; ten months in Africa and three months in Arabia. I can say conclusively that Madventure answers the above questions resoundingly and provides the opportunity for amazing life experiences! Madventure is dynamic and doesn't stick to some well trodden route or calendar. It's all about genuine travel. You should do yourself and your life a big favor and give Madventure a try!

R. T.

Just completed the 64 day Arabia trip from Dubai to Cairo and it was such an amazing adventure. Will and Karen are amazing people and do everything possible to ensure the best, safest, and most fun adventure you can image. They are very professional, approachable and flexible in every manner. This was an exploratory trip, which made us the very first overland group to travel around the Arabian Peninsula. They handled the trip like pros, always planning ahead for border crossing and COVID requirements as we made our way through this virtually uncharted area. It was awesome to visit 8 countries in just 9 weeks. If you love overlanding, camping, good food, seeing amazing places, and meeting like-minded people, I highly recommend Madventure for your next adventure.

K. J.

I just completed the Arabia overlanding and it was such an incredible way to see such a unique part of the world. I've traveled extensively and this was the best trip I've ever taken. We were in such good hands with Will and Karen. Everything was organized well and clear, including the PCR testing. Food was phenomenal bc Karen is an incredible chef. If you really want to see a country and meet interesting people you must travel with mad. I can't wait to get do more trips with them! The more you travel places you realize there are to go!

J. H. W.

Iceland 2021 - Took this amazing overland tour of Iceland in June of this year. My main reasons for booking it were that the itinerary was one of very few that included the Westfjords (and puffin sightings) and I liked the look of the truck. As it turned out the truck was unfortunately stuck in Namibia, so we travelled in 5 small 4-wheel drive vehicles instead. But the trip included all the other adventurous aspects of an overland expedition, including participatory camping, and we did see puffins! Actually, very little participation was required as Karen, who is an excellent chef, did all the cooking. The rest of us pitched in to set up and take down the dining/kitchen tent which took a total of 15 minutes per day. One morning, at Isafjörður, I awoke to snow on my tent, and we even had a brief blizzard on the way to Seyðisfjörður. We saw all of the major sights including Snæfellsjökull, lava beds, geysirs, boiling mud pots, erupting volcanos, Jökullsarlón, Skaftafell National Park and Þingvellir. The company owners, Karen and Will, look after everyone and ensure that each has what he or she needs. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone seeking an adventurous and affordable alternative for visiting Iceland. Africa 2021 - I just returned home from a seven-week overland expedition through Africa with Madventure and it was super. We picked up the Mercedes 6x6 truck in Windhoek, Namibia and proceeded through the northern part of that country, Zambia, Tanzania and Burundi and finished in Tanzania a second time. The highlights included Spitzkoppe, Twyfelfontein, the Petrified Forest, Etosha, Bwabwata, Mudumu, Ngonye Falls, Victoria Falls, Kafue NP, North Luangwa, Katavi, Gombe Stream, and the centers of Burundi's historic, cultural and political life, Gitega and Gishora. At Gishora we witnessed an unparalleled performance of drumming and dancing. I think that it was the most moving cultural experience I've ever had. As with many of Madventure's trips this was mainly a participatory camping trip. About 2/3 of the camps were in organized campgrounds with facilities (and often with upgrades available for people who wanted something more posh), 1/3 were bushcamps with no facilities but offering beautiful views and incredible sunrises and sunsets. Even at the bushcamps, a shower tent was always available for those who needed a daily shower. Will and Karen (the owners) were both on this trip, so we were treated to Karen's fabulous cooking most mornings and evenings. Will provided the inspiration, driving and mechanical expertise to ensure that the truck got where we wanted to go. He was also open to suggestions from the group for stops at sights along the way. We were usually on our own for lunches unless in a really remote area where no stores or restaurants were available; then we had a roadside lunch off the truck. The only routine task was managed by a daily roster for sweeping out the truck, along with two more extensive truck cleans along the way. As we proceeded, Will took care to not place us in situations that a mature group couldn´t handle (many of us were senior citizens); so we avoided national parks and other areas that would potentially require extensive digging and sandmatting. In North Luangwa we got into a situation where we had no choice but to dig and sandmat: after dark stuck in a sandy riverbed with a leopard lurking in the shadows. The next day, on leaving the campsite, we had to do it all over again, but at least during daylight. In both cases, everyone pitched in without hesitation, and I think that we all felt in the end that we had met the challenge. That's what adventure is all about. As with Iceland, in Africa we kept moving, usually staying in a different camp each night. On our second night at Meserani Snake Park outside Arusha one of the other participants remarked to me that whenever we had more than one night in a place it felt like we had come home. I agreed. But really when you travel with Karen and Will you always feel at home, because you're part of a family.

A. S.

I joined the 2021 Iceland tour and highly recommend this fantastic trip with Madventure! This two weeks adventure is for everyone who seeks a great mix: exploring the ‘real’ Iceland outside usual tours while not missing out on the must-see attractions, all combined in a flexible and stress-less schedule. For me it was my first ever overland and camping tour so I didn’t know what to expect and yes, I was nervous. Already in the pre-trip communication Will gave me a good feeling and took the time to chat with me. I was impressed by this personal service. When I was asked whether I could extend by one day so we could add the erupting volcano to the itinerary I knew this was the right trip for me. During the trip the madventure team with Will, Karen and Anto made it very easy to settle, enjoy and just go with the flow. Our ‘secret elves’ (as I like to call them) looked after us, planned, informed, cooked, (re)organised with ease and created a great & caring group feeling. What I really liked was that the schedule & activities remained flexible, Will had an open ear for stop requests but the day was never over-packed and there was still enough spare time to do things yourself. Thank you, Will, Karen and Anto, for all these wonderful fun memories I experienced with new ‘mad’ friends. I really had an amazing time and would always join a tour with you again.

M. M.

In 2019 I joined madventure on the 5 month Cape to Cairo tour - and it was amazing! I had the time of my life on this trip - I ticked off many bucket list items, met a great group of travelling companions, and experienced true African culture. From the moment I stepped on board I was welcomed as part of the family, and for the next 5 months felt very at home. We would visit some of the most beautiful locations in the world, and then set up camp right there! Also, for what is a budget trip, the included meals were great - with everyone sharing the load in cooking and cleaning. Karen and William are amazing at what they do - both are VERY experienced overlanders, and professionally handled anything the unpredictable African continent threw at us. They clearly love what they do and it shows - they are all about ensuring the passengers have a great time (we did), by being flexible and open to suggestions to the itinerary. I have come away from this trip with so many memories, unlimited stories, and new lifelong friends. So If you're feeling adventurous, and looking for a way to escape your comfort zone - I can not stress enough how much I recommend Madventure!! Things wont always go to plan, but that's just part of the fun. I will definitely be travelling with them again one day, and I suggest anybody considering travelling with them does so!

K. L.

What an adventure we had in Iceland! We did it all- ice lagoons, mt climbing, glacier walking, horse back riding, off road climbs, walking under waterfalls, hiking through the wildflowers, checked out the wildlife in the forest and the bars, toured some towns, edified at museums, shopped a little, changed some tires, waved to some whales, communed with the puffins, bounced on & off big balls, geocached, ate scrumptious meals, played silly and serious games, chilled with Netflix, camped in the elements or stayed in guest houses, swam in the chilly waters, took zillions of photos, roasted marshmallows at a live volcano and best of all made new friends including Will and Karen, our gracious hosts who fulfilled our every (reasonable :) wish.

M. M.

An amazing trip!! My first Madventure trip took place in June 2014 from London - Sydney. The trip was everything I imagined it to be, hard work and so much fun! Madventure is a down to earth company who deserve more recognition for their amazing overland trips! I never knew anything about Overland travel until I stumbled across these guys whilst trying to find a trip to do. Our drivers Will & Adam made our trip so memorable and Brenda, our tour leader who dealt with all the ins and outs of the trip into each destination. I can't praise this company enough in words, if you want to experience proper Overland Travel then you need to book yourself onto a trip and experience it all for yourself! I would highly recommend & use Madventure again.

Z. N.

This is my personal review of the Alaska to Brazil overland tour I did with Madventure. It was, without a doubt the best trip of my life! Although hard work at times (the odd long drive day and having to put up with the the trip twat that never stopped complaining!) it really was an amazing experience! The good far outweighed the bad by a long shot, the camp food was awesome - really great variety, the accommodation was so much better than we expected or could have hoped for considering it was a budget trip, the truck was the best on the road and the itinerary was incredibly extensive but with a great mix of free time and drive days. I have been fortunate enough to do a lot of long overland trips in my life with most of the other overland companies out there and my trip with Madventure was the best of the lot. After saving up for the last few years I'm now booked on their London to Sydney Expedition and am literally counting down the days! I see they are doing the Alaska to Brazil trip in 2017 for the last time so my advice would be to DO IT! Nothing compares to that trip. So cheers Madventure, can't wait to hit the road with you again next year!

C. D.

I’ve used Madventure 2 times. Once for an overland to Australia a few years ago and once this summer (2018) to visit Iceland. I think they are a great company - passionate about what they are and what they do. Clear about what is and what is not included so passengers know what to expect. With their trips you get to experience things you’d struggle to do solo, and meet people you wouldn’t otherwise meet. I have met some great people and built some lifelong memories on their truck. I will use them again when time allows! Fab.

L. N. (. I.

Going on tour from London to Sydney with Madventure is the best thing I have ever done! The experience was second to none! Everything met my expectations and surpassed them; the vehicle, meals, camp-sites, hostels, tour leader and driver. I can't thank Madventure enough for their tireless efforts and commitment to ensuring that myself and the rest of the group were having a good time. I would recommend Madventure and their tours to anyone! In fact, I have recommended the trip to many of my friends since returning home and we are planning to get on the next available trip! If any one reading this would like more information, feel free to message me and I will happily add to this positive review.

G. T.

I travelled with Madventure in 2012. I did the 6 month London to Sydney tour following the northern Silk route. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I travelled solo but by the end of day one we were all one happy group of 20. People from all over the world, all ages and backgrounds. We all got involved with cooking, cleaning and so much more. It really is a learning experience - I saw so many countries, cultures, camping in hard conditions, getting ill and better again! I would recommend this company to any one wanting a no frills, life changing travel experience. It is excellent value for money, all hostels/hotels are provided or suitable camping places. Food is prepared on camping nights - with a mix of local and western food. We ate really well with foods such as fajitas, pasta, stews, salads and lots of variety. You have to be prepared to get involved, do your research for what to see in each stop, its lots of driving and truck time - but the views are amazing, where else can you find wild camels in Mongolia or Yaks in The Stans? Would sign up for the next trip in a heartbeat if I had the money and time.

J. M.

Overland travel is not for the fainthearted, however after 4 journeys with the Madventure truck, this is definitely my preferred travel choice. This year I travelled round Iceland with Madventure, camping in what turned out to be the worst weather Iceland had seen for 104 years. Although a more civilized journey than other overland trips as camping was in campsites and our tour leader cooked delicious meals each evening unlike longer overland madventures when the travellers take turns in cook duties. On overland journeys you need to be adaptable as unforeseen problems mean the itinerary is sometimes changed at short notice. e.g. roads closed for various reasons, landslides, tribal disputes, new border rules enforced or just bad weather. However new experiences and breathtaking landscapes far outweigh any inconvenience and I am addicted to travelling halfway across the world on the big orange Madventure truck

J. P.

I have travelled on 2 big trips with Madventure - Alaska to Brazil in 2007 and London to Sydney in 2011, as well as joining part way through a London to Sydney in 2012 as the route was different to the year before. As well as a number of other overland trips with different companies over the last 11 years. Overlanding is a great way to see the world providing security from knowing that logistics/food/some where to stay is all sorted, whilist giving you flexiblity to do your own thing in the places you travel through. Madventure are the best for me. The trucks are excellent , food is great, and they take you to some amazing places. I recommend them to everyone.

D. B.

Firstly, this trip is not for everyone and by no stretch of the imagination is it an easy way to travel. However having said that, if you love adventure and are capable of taking things in stride, it could turn out to be the most amazing journey of your life. I took the 2017-2018 London to Sydney trip, and when my friends asked would I do it again, I didn't hesitate to answer...in a heartbeat. Extreme respect goes to our driver James who did a great job all the way, not just getting us there but also in keeping the truck in good working order. Gayle our guide had the unenviable task of keeping things running like clockwork (even if she didn't always have us all on board). Sure things went wrong, as they inevitably did but that all added to the adventure . Would I travel with Madventure again?...in a heartbeat!! Thank you for the most amazing 7 months of my life.

S. T.

I travelled with Madventure to Iceland July 2018. Very well organised. Thoroughly enjoyed the 2 weeks. Though weather not brilliant, Karen and Adam made the experience so memorable. Karen made sure we had delicioius meals every day despite things being expensive in Iceland. Adam did fantastic job driving through and up the most remote and difficult terrain. I would travel with Madventure again.

W. M.

Joining the Madventure crew on this unbelivable, overland expedition is easily one of the most amazing things I have ever done in my life. My expectations were high when we left London in that Big Orange Truck but even I wasn't prepared for the incredible experiences that lay ahead. Yes there were some hiccups and issues along the way but Will and Karen solved each and everyone of them fast and professionally and always ensured everyone was having the best possible experience, wherever and whatever we were doing. And lets be honest, if everything went perfectly as planned it wouldn't be much of an adventure, would it? It was so easy to make friends with my fellow adventurers on the truck, even though we came from such different backgrounds and age groups, and I still keep in contact with a lot of them. I actually ended up living with one of them for a year in Australia and we have become life long friends. I would definitely recommend Madventure to anyone wanting to see the world in a much more unique and personal way. It's truely an experience like no other. It's much more than a Tour, it's a Madventure.

E. P.

I did my first Overland adventure with MAdventures for the Silk Route trip in 2014. I was only able to do 1 month of the 6 month journey, but i appreciated the flexibility right away that I was able to do just a segment of the trip and it was easily accommodated. Although I jumped into the group a couple of months while they were into it, I felt welcome and I quickly got the ins and outs of the truck. Overlanding is tough work, but it brings an adventure that you won't find anywhere else. We had a fairly good split between camping and hosteling/hoteling and being my first overland, I really didn't know what to expect as far as cooking. This was well taken care of and well organized with cook groups and it was good teamwork throughout. I found the dinner meals quite tasty and impressive! I also enjoyed the flexibility and independence of the trip, you could go sightseeing and exploring once we reached a destination or lounge around. Our trip had quite a mix of people from early 20's to late 60's, which makes it all the more interesting. It was also SUPER helpful to have both driver and guide, I felt very well taken care of as far as organizing on the go, they worked hard to make the best out of all situations, difficult situations at that (the adventures of overlanding!), all to our best interest. Key to overlanding is going with the flow as it is guaranteed you will hit some hurdles along the way, but that is why it is what makes overlanding an adventure compared to other "group" travels. I was really happy with my time with MAdventures, the Stan's are so unique, and hope to meet them again someday! I miss that bright orange truck! :-)

B. M.

In September 2019 I completed the 10 month Africa Encompassed trip and it was definitely a once in a lifetime adventure. We travelled overland to over 30 countries around Africa starting in Morocco, through the Western Sahara and onto the challenging West African nations, then straight into the heart of the Congo jungle before arriving in Cape Town, South Africa five months later. South and East Africa offered amazing game viewing opportunities with the likes of the Kruger and Lower Zambezi National Parks with remote camping on the banks of the mighty Zambezi where Hippo and Elephant appeared in the night to graze among our tents as well as plenty of beach time in the Indian Ocean in Mozambique and Zanzibar. A definite highlight was seeing the mountain gorillas and we were also so fortunate to see one of the biggest spectacles in the animal kingdom as thousands of wildebeest and zebra took the plunge across the Masi Mara river in Kenya. Heading further north started to enter Arabic Africa. Ethiopia offered dramatic landscapes and diverse cultures as well as my personal highlight Dallol! Finishing the trip on a roof top bar overlooking the great pyramids in Cairo topped off the experience of a life time for me. The food was great on the trip and I enjoyed shopping from local markets (even though it can be quite stressful from time to time as fresh food is limited and proper supermarkets are few and far between) and the truck was fully stocked up in the UK with western staples for the journey including supplies when there is no fresh food available (which was a lot of the time in some remote villages). The pre-departure support and communication from Karen was great and Wills guidance through visa processes was first class ("we just say what ever it takes to get the visa") and meant we were issued visas when some of the over overland companies were refused and had to fly across - we successfully overlanded the entire route! Dodgy border guards and breakdowns are par for the course on the road and we were able to overcome every obstacle we encountered under Will's guidance. Day to day life is like travelling in flat with wheels, there’s drama, romance, breakups, a few arguments, lots of sweat, sometimes tears and a little blood, but someone is always down for a beer and up for anything with plenty of antics. As with all adventures things sometimes go astray and such memories include fixing a broken leaf spring in a remote jungle village, trying to cook dinner in the Nubian desert during a sandstorm, waking up in a sodden and muddy tent after a torrential thunderstorm or falling asleep in a dank mosquito ridden hotel and they all make the best experiences and yarns to tell. Experiencing Africa on the ground and off the beaten path was an eye-opening experience. Madventure definitely gets you to intrepid locations that you’ve never heard of and what you do there is entirely up to you whether you’re a foodie, adrenaline seeker, nature lover or just along for the ride. It's very hard at times, it's budget so don't expect luxury and it's all hands on deck so you have to be willing to graft and I'm already saving for my next big trip! So thanks Madventure for an amazing adventure which I'll never forget!

N. D.

I have done THREE Madventure trips over the past four years and I’m a huge fan of this company and this unique style of travel and I can’t rate them highly enough and I will continue using them for future trips - I am booked onto their amazing Alaska to Brazil 2020 and I cannot wait! All my trips have run as smooth as they can when you travel by overland truck but you really have to go in with an open mind and go with the flow as best as you can as some days are exhausting, hard work and push you to your limits but the majority are incredible! If you do this you'll have an amazing time as the countries and places we travel are often undiscovered by tourists, off the beaten track and they can be difficult which is why I love it! Things do change along the way so be prepared for that as this is all part of the journey. I have stories and memories that I wouldn’t change for the world and I have also made life long friends and have many beautiful photographs. You get to really live and see a country this way, the good and the bad. The trucks were great, the food was really good and the accommodation was as expected - sometime really great, most of the time very good and sometimes a bit rough and basic (depending where we were) but overall it was better than I expected for the price. You live once.... give it a go!

O. R.

I just came off the Madventure Arabia Overland Tour. This was a phenomenal experience, and one I'll be telling stories of for years to come. Their custom overlanding truck enabled us to travel far from the beaten track, and explore the distant reaches the Arabian peninsula. The staff were as friendly and helpful as could be. Both the driver and the tour organiser were highly experienced overlanders, that knew how to navigate the complex visa processes and border crossings, which made the process much smoother. One of my favourite things about this company is that it doesn't babysit it's guests. This means that outside of transport, accommodation, and itinerary attractions, you're totally free to do as you wish. This company is not afraid of long stints of camping, which means the guest will all play their part in cooking for the group, and I wouldn't have it any other way! With Madventure's reliance on the cooperation of crew members all working towards the success of the trip, the true expeditionary nature of this company cannot be overstated. With a company like this, you get out what you put in. Not only is the one of the most budget friendly companies out there, it is my opinion that they offer a much more authentic expeditionary experience than its competitors. This was my second Madventure trip, and for overland adventures I simply can't see past this company. I highly recommend Madventure to any of you adventurers out their, that wants a challenging, yet entirely achievable tour that will reward them with amazing memories, and fantastic new friends.

C. S.

As an overland travel virgin I can tell you I was really nervous joining a big group of people who I didn't know and I was probably a little reserved at the very start of the trip.....but then I soon got into my stride and the trip is geared up to get everyone involved in cook groups and truck cleaning duties to keep everything ship-shape. And then the trip itself (I did their original London to Sydney trip) it was awesome, travelling through places and countries most tourists are not lucky enough to see. Camping under the stars in such diverse places as the village green, the garden of some luxury hotel (where you get to use the facilities including the bar!) and in open fields and bush where the night skies are simply spectacular! The people you meet on the way and the experiences you have will stop with you for a lifetime, from paragliding at Elu Deniz to helping to dig the truck out of some muddy road in the Himalayas believe it or not you'll even treasure that memory. If you love adventure and travel and want to see far flung places that you won't get through a "package" holiday then this is the company to go with....they'll open up a whole new World to you!

C. H.

In what now seems a life time ago I spent a crazy 40 weeks travelling from the freezing temperatures (-27 degrees brrr) of Alaska to the amazing beaches of Brazil plus everything in between with Madventures back in 2007. For me I wanted an overland experience where I still had the flexibility to make the experience my own but without the hassle of having to organise accommodation, transport etc. This is where Madventures really excel, they are there to help and share their knowledge but at the end of the day it was my trip and I was able to make it just that. What I loved about this trip was how there were just so many different and amazing experiences to be had in each and every country along the way. Just a few highlights of the trip for me were the amazing Alaskan landscapes, the black bears in Canada, the bright lights of Las Vegas, fish tacos in Mexico, $9 bottles of Rum in Nicaragua, fishing in El Salvador, the colourful traditional dress of Guatemala, fish and chips on the beach in Colombia, the markets in Ecuador, biking down the world’s most dangerous road in Bolivia and all the fancy dress shops, the wine in Argentina, hiking to Machu Picchu, Iguazu falls and of course the Rio Carnival plus sooooo much more. From start to finish this was an amazing adventure with a good mix of camping, free camping, hostels, camp fires and getting dirty.

m. r.

I enjoyed my Madventure trip through the Stans so much i did their southern Asia route the year after & would definitely go on another tour with them. I have done several overland tours with 5 diferrent companies & can honestly say Madventure were the best value for money, I was amazed at some of the meals we were able to cook & at some of the places we were able to see, going to places like Tibet & Iran independently would be tricky but Madventure take all the hassle out of it & you get to make new friends in the group along the way.

J. B.

This is my review of the 2014 London to Sydney. It was the trip of a lifetime, would highly recommend it to anybody. The amazing sights and locations we visited make some unforgettable memories. Met some great great people including the Madventure team. Tough at times but well worth it.

W. J.

I have been on 5 overland adventures with Madventure, one of my favourite trips was the London to Sydney 16 of us set of on this epic journey of a lifetime we travelled through 27 amazing countries in a large self contained truck so we had plenty of room to stretch out, The food was great as was the crew we had a truly fantastic experience,You make lifelong friends I recommend this type of travel every young person should do at least one trip.It can be hard at times you have to help with the cooking and changing wheels etc and not be afraid of getting your hands dirty.I recommend Madventure to anyone you don’t need to be super fit.

C. H.

This is not for everyone, but the people its for will love it. Understand what you are getting into and be ready to take on anything and you will have a fantastic time and you can trust them to get you there.

J. T.

I have a lot of love for this amazing company, they took me on a life changing, incredibly challenging adventure. you'll be thrown in with a variety of people from all around the world, who you'll make memories with and life long friendships. You'll essetinally be given a crash course in what it means to be human enjoy the hell out of it.

J. W.

Enjoyable value for money experience, friendly staff. Met lots of interesting people on my trip. Was a trip of a lifetime.

D. G.

does anyone know how to contact them?

R. R.

D. E.

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