Choosing a trip

I am concerned about the political stability of the country through which my trip will travel.

The safety of our passengers, leaders, and operators is a major priority for Royal Derby. With this in mind, we monitor world events very closely and Royal Derby makes operational decisions based on informed advice from a number of sources, in particular the level of travel advisory. If this advisory is at Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ then Royal Derby will either cancel the Royal Derby Travel operated trip or reroute the itinerary to avoid the areas concerned.

How safe are my belongings while on the trip?

While we take all the precautions we can to make sure your belongings are safe, we are traveling to some exciting destinations that are sometimes home to some pretty skilled thieves. Travel insurance is a must, and a lockable bag or money belt will always help too.

What is the best way to carry money?

We recommend having access to money from a variety of sources – cash, cards, and travel money cards are all commonly used. Check your Trip Notes and the relevant Destination Page on our website for more country-specific information.

Our three styles of travel – Regular, Advanced and VIP – cover a whole gamut of travel experiences. To find out which one has ‘You’ written all over it, send us an email for details.

Want to lie in a hammock and not move until cocktail hour? We’ve got a trip for that. Want to power up the side of mountain at high altitude? We’ve also got a trip for that. To determine what type of trip suits you best, each of our trips comes with a Physical Rating to let you know how physically demanding it is… or isn’t. Find out more about ratings via email

Royal Derby offers a wide range of Family Adventures in West Africa. The minimum age (for Family trips) varies depending on the destination, and Royal Derby has set minimum ages to ensure that the included activities suit each age range. Additionally, you’ll notice that some of the more adventurous destinations have a higher minimum age. Please Email us for full details and FAQs associated with our Family Adventures

Who are Royal Derby travellers?

Royal Derby adventures are for travellers with a yearning to get off the beaten track. Whether you’re travelling solo, with a group of friends, or are aged 18 or 70, there is a Royal Derby adventure to suit your interests and comfort level. Each Royal Derby adventure has a physical and cultural grading to help you decide if the trip is right for you. No special skills are required for most adventures, just a sense of adventure and a curiosity about the world. Even on our camping adventures no previous experience is required; our tents are easy to set up, even for first-time campers.

How many people will be on my trip?

Good things come in small packages, which is why we keep our group sizes down. This means we’re small enough to remain flexible as we thread our way through communities without intimidating the locals. On most of our trips you’ll be part of an intimate group of 12-16 people, though our group sizes are on average 10 people. Our Overland trips are in purpose-built vehicles that can carry up to 32 travellers.

Are there age restrictions on your trips?

For the majority of our trips the minimum age is 15. An adult must accompany all children under the age of 18. Our Overland Adventures have a minimum age of 18. Younger children can join us on our Family trips and Short Break Adventures, but check each trip for its minimum age, which is located on the trip’s overview page on the website. Most of our trips don’t have a maximum age limit, but a Self-Assessment Form is required for all passengers 70 years and over.

I’m traveling alone—is that OK?

This is the beauty of the Royal Derby style of travel: many of our travelers join because they are traveling solo and want to meet and share experiences with like-minded people.

If I am traveling solo, will I be charged a single supplement?

As a solo traveler, you will be paired up with another passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you’re not comfortable sharing a room with someone of the same gender, you also have the choice to pay for a single supplement (available on the majority of our trips). If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking, and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly.

Can we book a triple room?

Depending on the trip style you choose, our trips are organized on a twin, triple, or multishare basis. As our bookings are made well in advance, individual room requests can’t be guaranteed.

Can I book a single room?

You can book pre and post-accommodation on a single basis; however, throughout your Royal Derby trip, rooming is organized on a twin-share basis. Some trips do have a single supplement available—check a trip’s overview page on our website, or its Trip Notes, to see whether a single supplement is offered. If so, please request this at the time of booking.

I have special dietary requirements—will they be catered for?

We will try our very hardest to accommodate all dietary requirements, but in some out-of-the-way places it can be very difficult to guarantee. We will let you know if there are places on your itinerary where this is the case. Please let us know at the time of booking of any food requirements or allergies, and we’ll pass the information on to your leader. It is also a great idea to bring a card with your dietary requirements written in the local language for those times you are eating away from the group.

What will the food be like on my trip?

Food is one of the most exciting parts of travel. There may be some familiar fare, but often you’ll be confronted with the new, interesting, and downright weird of the culinary world, but we like to think of it as an adventure for all the senses. In addition to this, our flexible itineraries often allow you to eat with the group or branch out on your own—this means you can eat to suit any budget or desire.

Can I drink the water in the countries I visit?

In some destinations, it may not be wise to drink the local water. For more details, you can find country-specific information in our fantastic Destination Pages, which can be found in the menu bar at the top of our home page or by going to the belo and then choosing the destination you are traveling to.

What is the currency in my destination? How much should I take in credit cards/cash? Can I use my credit card during my trip?

Our Trip Notes include a section on ‘Spending money’. Please refer to this for an idea on budgets. Travellers’ cheques are not common practice anymore so it is a good idea to travel with a credit card and ATM card, or a bank issued ‘cash card’ specifically for travel. Having a couple of options will assure that you are covered if one doesn’t work. In certain countries it comes down to potluck if you can withdraw money. One day it’ll work, the next it won’t, but it will work for your friend… Go figure! Visa cards are more widely accepted than Mastercard.

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