Overland advice UK to South Africa
Discussion
I'm considering an overland trip from UK to South Africa in the next two years. I've read a fair few blogs and magazine articles, but am looking for other sources of advice online.
Can anyone recommend sites they have read? I'm thinking less of the vehicle, but more mundane stuff about the Carnet, and shipping the vehicle back from SA.
All advice gratefully received though!
Can anyone recommend sites they have read? I'm thinking less of the vehicle, but more mundane stuff about the Carnet, and shipping the vehicle back from SA.
All advice gratefully received though!
Have you got a copy of "The Vehicle Dependant Expedition Guide" by Tom Shepherd?
If not... Get a copy. It has everything you need to know.
Specifically though, for Carnets, you need to have a chat to the RAC as they're the ones who issue them these days.
As for the car, all I'd say is pack light and keep the weight to an absolute minimum. Just coz you have space, doesn't mean you have to fill it. The lighter you keep the car, the less likely you are at breaking down.
Keep the mechanical side of the car as standard as possible. Avoid the temptation to 'modify' as this makes parts difficult to get hold of.
However, picking a safe route is always the main problem with a N-S crossing of Africa. Do your research, read travelogues and familiarise yourself with the FCO website.
Above all though, enjoy... The hardest part of any trip is putting the date in the diary. Once done, the more research you do, the easier it all becomes.
M
If not... Get a copy. It has everything you need to know.
Specifically though, for Carnets, you need to have a chat to the RAC as they're the ones who issue them these days.
As for the car, all I'd say is pack light and keep the weight to an absolute minimum. Just coz you have space, doesn't mean you have to fill it. The lighter you keep the car, the less likely you are at breaking down.
Keep the mechanical side of the car as standard as possible. Avoid the temptation to 'modify' as this makes parts difficult to get hold of.
However, picking a safe route is always the main problem with a N-S crossing of Africa. Do your research, read travelogues and familiarise yourself with the FCO website.
Above all though, enjoy... The hardest part of any trip is putting the date in the diary. Once done, the more research you do, the easier it all becomes.
M
nw28840 said:
There is a member on here who has done this in a Porsche 924.
Can't remember his username , but do a search and you should be able to track him down.....
Thanks - his name is Ben Coombs. It was his book that got me started on this! I figured if he could do it in a Porsche...Can't remember his username , but do a search and you should be able to track him down.....
camel_landy said:
Have you got a copy of "The Vehicle Dependant Expedition Guide" by Tom Shepherd?
If not... Get a copy. It has everything you need to know.
Specifically though, for Carnets, you need to have a chat to the RAC as they're the ones who issue them these days.
As for the car, all I'd say is pack light and keep the weight to an absolute minimum. Just coz you have space, doesn't mean you have to fill it. The lighter you keep the car, the less likely you are at breaking down.
Keep the mechanical side of the car as standard as possible. Avoid the temptation to 'modify' as this makes parts difficult to get hold of.
However, picking a safe route is always the main problem with a N-S crossing of Africa. Do your research, read travelogues and familiarise yourself with the FCO website.
Above all though, enjoy... The hardest part of any trip is putting the date in the diary. Once done, the more research you do, the easier it all becomes.
M
This is really helpful. I hadn't event heard of that book, so will get myself a copy. Thanks again.If not... Get a copy. It has everything you need to know.
Specifically though, for Carnets, you need to have a chat to the RAC as they're the ones who issue them these days.
As for the car, all I'd say is pack light and keep the weight to an absolute minimum. Just coz you have space, doesn't mean you have to fill it. The lighter you keep the car, the less likely you are at breaking down.
Keep the mechanical side of the car as standard as possible. Avoid the temptation to 'modify' as this makes parts difficult to get hold of.
However, picking a safe route is always the main problem with a N-S crossing of Africa. Do your research, read travelogues and familiarise yourself with the FCO website.
Above all though, enjoy... The hardest part of any trip is putting the date in the diary. Once done, the more research you do, the easier it all becomes.
M
Horizons unlimited (Google hubb) is probably the best resource for this kind of thing.
As has been said, talk to the RAC about Carnets and if you don't yet have a vehicle it's worth thinking about the size of Carnet guarantee as its related to new purchase price.
We found a shipper when we got to SA, so don't worry much about that now.
And have a think about route as the Arab Spring has buggered the two usual ones. Hopefully Libya will settle quickly but going via Syria isn't going to be an option for a while I suspect.
As has been said, talk to the RAC about Carnets and if you don't yet have a vehicle it's worth thinking about the size of Carnet guarantee as its related to new purchase price.
We found a shipper when we got to SA, so don't worry much about that now.
And have a think about route as the Arab Spring has buggered the two usual ones. Hopefully Libya will settle quickly but going via Syria isn't going to be an option for a while I suspect.
Having bought a LC the first time I planned to do this trip and found Toyota reliability wanting (not to mention the bits to modify it hard to get hold of and/or expensive) when we actually did it we took a Defender.
You're British and going to Africa, how could you choose anything else?
You're British and going to Africa, how could you choose anything else?
It's swings & roundabouts... You can bugger a Toyota, just as easily as you can a Landy. For sake of keeping this thread on topic, let's not get into the usual Toyota vs Land Rover mud slinging.
Frankly, it comes down to what you know best as they're both capable of the job in hand. You're the one that has to service it and if you break it in the middle of the jungle, you're the one that has to fix it.
M
Frankly, it comes down to what you know best as they're both capable of the job in hand. You're the one that has to service it and if you break it in the middle of the jungle, you're the one that has to fix it.
M
camel_landy said:
It's swings & roundabouts... You can bugger a Toyota, just as easily as you can a Landy. For sake of keeping this thread on topic, let's not get into the usual Toyota vs Land Rover mud slinging.
Frankly, it comes down to what you know best as they're both capable of the job in hand. You're the one that has to service it and if you break it in the middle of the jungle, you're the one that has to fix it.
M
Reckon I am more confident fixing a Land Rover. At this stage I am more focused on the other aspects of the trip anyway: routes, paperwork, timing. The links above are providing me with plenty to think about.Frankly, it comes down to what you know best as they're both capable of the job in hand. You're the one that has to service it and if you break it in the middle of the jungle, you're the one that has to fix it.
M
Having said all of that I will be the first to post picture when I find some appropriate mode of transport.
Checko out www.horizonsunlimited.com they're good. I've jsut driven a BMW E30 from UK to South Africa - still in one piece - touch wood!!
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