We are a couple in their 30s planning a 9 month overland journey through southern and eastern Africa.

I have experience driving in many countries (including the third world), but no 4x4 experience. I have some basic mechanical skill (can change spark plugs, oil and basic mechanical items, lubricate joints, etc).

We wish to acquire a 4x4 vehicle (preferably Toyota or Nissan with roof tent and overland gear) in the end of May in the Jo'Burg area and start our journey in June, passing through Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and finishing in Cape Town in February. We would start our wild adventure in Namibia and Botswana, but I am hesitant because it might be better to start in Kruger NP which is more organized and would serve as proper training ground for us (but would be a longer drive involving back-tracking).

We want to see nice landscapes and people and do cheap self-drive safaris. Our plans are flexible, and we would like to have advice on the following:

1) Is it realistic for us to undertake this journey with our experience and skills?

2) Is our itinerary (below) reasonable? Any suggestions?

3) Know someone looking to sell a suitable vehicle with a reasonable price? Where should I look to find one?

Our approximate itinerary is as follows:

end of May : acquire 4x4 and preparations in Jo'Burg
June : Namibia (paragliding, Fish River Canyon, Etosha, Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund)
July : Botswana (Tsodilo Hills, Okavango Delta, Chobe, Victoria Falls, pans, Central Kalahari GR)
August : Eastern South Africa (Blyde River Canyon, Kruger NP, paragliding)
Sept. : Mozambique (Maputo + coast)
Oct. : Tanzania coast
Nov. : Ethiopia (and some places along the way in Kenya)
Dec. : Sudan and Kenya
Jan. : Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania (Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti)
Feb. : Southern South Africa (Garden Route and Cape Town : paragliding, beaches), sell 4x4


Thanks for the help overland buddies!

Kruger is mainly tarred roads, not sure you will learn much there. Roads in Namibia are very good, so why not stick to you original plan?

Yes you are right - my main concerns are about the rest of the journey and the feasibility of it all. Thanks!

In response to your first question; yes it is totally realistic to complete the journey. We are currently on a trip from UK to South Africa and when we started had little knowledge of 4x4 maintenance and no off-road experience. You figure things our at you go and really the hardest part of it all is committing to the trip, getting the carnet and hitting the road. Everything will come together. We did little actual planning and things have worked out well so don't stress the details and just go for it.

Lauren and Dotes

I am out in southern africa on a 6 month tour on a 1951 Harley Davidson , no suspension and minimal ground clearence and have had very little problems, so no experiance in a 4x4 will be fine as long as you realise your limitations. As regards route it would be a shame to miss Zimbabwe, especially the Eastern Highlands and Zambia , South Luangwa park is perfect for self drives and cheap compared to Tanzania . Good luck with your planning .

Gareth

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