Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > 4 wheel Overland Travel
4 wheel Overland Travel NON-technical 4 wheel forum, for subjects specific to TRAVEL with 4 (or more!) wheeled vehicles. e.g. Driving Techniques, Shipping etc.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 15 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sydney
Posts: 23
Accommodation - Free camping versus all other

When we set off on our RTW trip (mid 2013 hopefully) we’ll have our own very comfortable accommodation and which I expect we’ll use extensively in lots of Central & S/America, Africa, and Asia, and I presume (= hope) that lots of the time we can basically “pull up and camp” somewhere rather than have to go into what we call in Oz a “Caravan Park”.

I also imagine that in the USA the opposite will apply and we’d mostly have to go to Trailer Parks. And as for Europe, well, we very recently lived in Switzerland for 3 years and think we have a pretty good feel for the options in Western Europe. Eastern Europe is an unknown though.

Having said all this, however, we will frequently opt to stay with locals in B&Bs / Pensions etc for how else can one really get close to the feel of the place. And I'm sure the boss will regularly want to stay in a hotel with a proper shower etc.

Nevertheless, I would like to ask of those 4wd-ers who have travelled with on-board accommodation, what proportion of their trip saw them staying in Free-Camping vs Caravan Parks vs B&Bs vs Mud-Huts/Yurts etc vs Hotels/Motels etc. If replies could be broken down by Continent then that would be even more helpful.

With thanks,
DickyBeach
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Mar 2012
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 971
Hi,

Of course its allways nicer to camp in the wild far away from the next city

Offroad extrem: Im 4x4 LKW durch Afrika

but sometimes there is just no wild place or its to dangerous and specialy in some more civilized countrys it is somtimes even illegal to camp outside of campingplaces.

Have fun, Tobi
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
Hi,
Over two seperate 5 week trips in north west Africa (Morocco - Mali), i reckon we're running at about 80% wild camps, 20% cheap local option (often still camping, but with at least basic facilities).
I expect our trip to Cape Town later this year to be a similar ratio.
It's the wild camps, their visitors & the nights with local families that always stick in the memory.

IMG_2 (516) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
2 (785) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
2 (268) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
2 (525) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Happy travels
Sam

Last edited by Niva Say Never; 16 Mar 2012 at 00:09. Reason: sp
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 16 Mar 2012
DLbiten's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Camano is. USA
Posts: 440
USA
In the USA You can camp in most any campground with a 4x4.
In most states you can use a "rest areas" for 8hr. No tent but other than that you are good. You can wild camp in most National forest and BLM land free. It was all free at one time but now there are more laws as people left a mess still most are open. In some sates you can gust pull off the road to sleep. Gust get well off the road. If no one sees you pull off on to a side road and there are other cars you can spend the night there such as a suburb. Gust dont set up anything and no one will know or care. Many camping areas have shower some little to nothing.
There are few campgrounds in the USA that are tent only. You can see some one on a push bike with a small tent next to 40 foot RV. There are some campgrounds that do not alow tents at all.

For hotels there is motel 6 cheap and clean most of the time. But for about $40 to $60 there not bad. The nice places can run much more.

B&Bs in the USA can be run from not to bad at $100 or so to a few $1000 a night
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sydney
Posts: 23
Sleeping ..............

Many thanks for the replies, just what I was hoping to hear actually.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 Mar 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: In Ireland, Working to save for the next trip
Posts: 291
In Morocco there are areas that are great for "dry camping" which is a phrase that means no facilities, just a patch of ground. They are often somewhere really nice, and they may have a guardien, which is a guy that collects the nightly fee, and sort of keeps an eye on things. No walls or fences, but there is an unwritten rule that your stuff will not be touched. We're using them a bit as you can still be over 100 metres from your nearest neighbour, but they are often within walking distance of a town. Tafraoute in Morocco is a great example where it works well.

there are even guys that cycle around in the morning selling fresh bread etc, so it makes it nice to stay there.

the cost: 10 dirham. That's less than a Euro.


we would be wild camping (meaning way out there, no one else involved, somewhere private) about 50% to 70% of the time. It depends on where we are, hard to wild camp in a city, and almost mandatory when crossing long stretches of desert etc.

What I would say is that now we are set up as we like, we PREFER to stay in our truck than the idea to go into a hotel. almost 3 months on the road and loving it!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 19 Oct 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 33
wild camping

In 6mths we stayed in 3 Hotels, Bishket ,one night inHotel, awful, so slept in car park in the pop up tent on vehicle, a great night sleep, needed motor bike ear plugs, which we take all the time. ,Uzbekistan, Russia(Magadan)expensive ,and bad mattresses, all where noisy ,the rest of the time traveling the Stans , wild camping in Forest ,etc, well away from the road, absoulutley brilliant, often local people would bring us milk and yougart for breakfast, home made bread.We thought no one knew we where there!
Have a great time where ever you go!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Countries that allow free camping. Add those you know or search to find out! Warthog TRAVEL Hints and Tips 107 31 Jul 2023 05:06
Camping on the Brazilian Coast wetpanda SOUTH AMERICA 3 30 Dec 2014 22:42
Importing vehicle on Carnet into South Africa Duty Free (Returning South African) langebaan sunset Trip Paperwork 6 14 Nov 2013 19:28
for sale complete camping outfit BRISTOL UK englisharchie TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 1 25 Jan 2012 00:46
Mereenie loop - camping, bikeshops, tire detonation Fredontour Sleep and Eat, Aus - NZ 0 3 Sep 2009 11:56

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:17.