Hi Kai

Africa is huge. I`m not shure if someone who did a transafrica or an african roundtrip (east & west route) can answer your request seriously.

Because even with that travel history, you did just see a tiny bit of a huge continent.

And such know-how will be outdated inside of some years. My experience is 10 Years old - I`m pretty shure, that the sitation I did see at 2012 - did change a bit.

But - we are at 2022 - you can use the internet to get a pretty good picture about anything. Too about which brand and model is mostly used locally.

You can connect and ask officials, car clubs, local insta stars, local mechanics, there are endless ways to get a pretty exact picture Probably even official admission statistics is available from some country`s in africa.

Way more accurate than asking in the internet, and getting answers from people who probably just have a far idea about 5-10% of the continent.

Your conclusion about 2wd or 4wd: it reads like you plan to emigrate or travel in africa for many years, and are planning too to maintaining and servicing your vehicle over the years.
For a trip of one year and 50`000km - you probably dont have to invest a lot, on a well maintained car. Probably it is worth to consider too the timeframe and planned mileage.

But yes: 4wd is optional.

A low profile you cant have, as a probably white dude(?), who is able to drive around by his own car, without carrying goods. In areas where people have to work (by hand) to just survive. It is the circumstance that you are there by car, that you currently dont work, who creates profile. Sorry - I`m not native english speaker, I hope you are able to read it.

Surfy

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Trans-Africa over the west coast