I will driving down to Burkina Faso shortly in my series 3,1982, station wagon, Land Rover from Central Europe. From past experience in East Africa, I am thinking of making and fitting my own rear window and back door protective grills on either the inside or outside to prevent the windows being smashed and everything being nicked.

Any ideas on this? Is this ask for more trouble, is it really necessary in West Africa or is it a wise precaution?

Anyone had any problems with stuff being stolen or vehicle security. I don't intend to leave the vehicle for even a few minutes but you certainly can not be on top of it every second of the day.

Once bitten, twice shy!

Cheers,

Andy

Hi Andy, it is down to personal choice. As you are aware, making a vehicle look like an armoured car could attract unwanted attention. On the other hand, an overlanders vehicle is very conspicuous anyway.
I have never put grills on any of my vehicles before. The most I have done is put some white painted boards behind the rear windows on a 109 safari to keep sun out and make it more difficult for prying eyes to see what you have got. You are right to minimise the amount of time that the vehicle is unattended. It often pays to employ the services of the largest of the local boys to look after it if you are going into a post office or whatever. Don't pay him till you return!
I had one of my vehicles broken into in Ouagadougou and some cameras stolen from under the rear passenger seat when I went to the bank. It was foolish to leave it unattended and unguarded. The rear passenger door was forced.
I have seen other travellers who have made brackets to enable their sand ladders/psp to be locked over the rear side windows. They then had an internal grill on the back door(visible from the outside) and a dog guard type grill behind the rear seats. This strikes me as a good solution in terms of protecting the gear and equipment locked in the back. without making the vehicle look like an armoured car. If a thief looks in the vehicle, he can see the front of the vehicle is devoid of snatchables(because you have put them in the back)and he can see that he won't get access to the back, therefore there is no point in him smashing the windows.
Hope this helps.

Dear Diff,

Cheers for the info and I agree completely, white paited boards on the side windows and a dog guard between cabin and loading bay is a good deterent. My locks are down right useless and a solid bracket on the doors will also be good.

I am also intending to drive to Ougadougou via the Translantic Route in October.

One quick question though. How easy is it to return to Europe from Burkina Faso.Maybe via Niger, Southern Alegeria and into Tunisia or is it possible to return via the Translantic route?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Andy