Hi there!
I'm trying to choose a budget trip in southern and east africa through an operator, to avoid some hassle and loss of time on the ground. Searching in the web I finally tend to like:
Dragoman, Intrepid, Absolute Africa, Oasis, African Trails.
It would be great if you could send your opinion, recomendation, regarding these companies (in quality / cost terms).
I don't include Nomad because of past bad experiences in Southern Africa (their guide ripped us off with 40% comision on zimb dollars, their administration never answered etc).
many thanks
Nikos

Let me preface this by saying, I've never done a tour. I've traveled a lot, but only independently. Over the years though, I've asked around and poured over websites because I've always thought about trying one. A friend of mine went on two long Dragoman tours (one in Eastern/Southern Africa) and she thought they were awesome. She thought about becoming a tour guide with them because she enjoyed it so much. I've also heard and read great things about Oasis, it being the more budget friendly of the two.

thanks for the info, I'm considering these two companies plus Absolute Africa mainly.
I also like intependent travel but sometimes these companies get you where it's hard or slow to go for a simple traveller.
Happy travels!

just know what youre getting into

if you are severely time limited then its hard to go faster as a solo traveller than on an overlander..

Bring on the plate shaking
http://overlanding101.com/Wry_look.html
http://overlanding101.com/Part_II.html

East & southern africa are not hard to travel solo, I even did some of it at a super rapid pace -I overtook a overland truck, they caught up to me a week later.

Ive seen a mutiny on an overland truck. the truck equally divided between the 'socialists' and the 'fascists'.