Our family has just returned back to UK after a year’s overland journey though Africa and the Middle East. If you are dreaming of doing something like this then just go for it, if possible!! We were worried about many things as any parent would be. Our premise was to create family history together. It was just that – and an amazing family adventure.

We traveled in a Toyota land cruiser (an amazing work horse) and pulled a 4x4 trailer where the kids slept.

If anyone wants to do something like this then we have lots of experience. We are also selling the equipment to other potential overlanders. The whole kit will sleep 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children.

Here is a link for further the Toyota Landcruiser and Trailer, and contact details: Toyota Landcruiser HJ80 4.2D VX Diesel Limited Edition and 4X4 Trailer

top outfit. always regarded trailers as being a no no for overlanding (despite having pulled many off road with the military)
would be interested to know how you got on with it as it makes overlanding with a familly more feasable

In principle I agree but in practice taking the trailer worked - gave us ample living space and enabled us to stay out in the bush for long periods of time.

The Landcruiser was strong - it had to be to pull the trailer up the many hills. The trailer was purpose-built out a truck chassis and was also very durable.

Travelling with a trailer made the trip viable. We came through western Tanzania, very undeveloped areas, took it over beaches and through bush. It got stuck twice in clay - but the winch pulled it out. (Invaluable to have.) We were able to carry 120 + 40ltr of water, two gas bottles and a freezer. We met a family of five, similar to us - who traveled RTW in one landrover and two roof tents. It was tight for them to say the least.

I would do it this way again. We'd love to! :-)
BTW - it still has its Namibian plates making it easy to sell at the bottom!
(Our kids were 7, 11 and 13.)

Hi

We're also looking for an overland vehicle to do a trip in africa (maybe only southern and eastern africa) for several months. However, since we're only 2 persons, we're not opting for a trailer. I did have a question though about the Namibian licence plates. Did you buy the vehicle over there? Was it difficult to register a vehicle in namibia as a foreigner? Any information would be welcome!

kind regards,
delphine

Hi Delphine - We bought it from Namibia, (an older gentleman who was really sad to see it go. It was so clean!!) It was straight forward to register it - but you'll need a namibian address. Just ask if there's anything else you need to know!

Thanks for the info! We are also thinking of buying the vehicle in southern africa. Did it take you long to find a suitable vehicle? How did you finally find it; through newspapers/garages/...? And was it already expedition ready, or were there modifications that needed to be done?

We are a bit afraid that the whole procedure (looking for the right vehicle, equipping it, registering it,...) is taking too long, which makes it more costly because meanwhile you need accomodation etc. So it's nice to hear about experiences from other people! Our other option is shipping the vehicle, but that means we have to drive it back to europe, to sell it again... Aaahh , difficult decisions to make! :-)



grtz!

It took us 2/3 weeks to find a landcruiser that we were happy with and another three weeks to work with the car and fit it out so we were happy with it. But in hindsight we'd have prefered to work with the car for longer to get to know the vehicle which would have saved some heartache. (Remember to do a mini trip to test everything for a few days - wherever you're based from.) It also took a few weeks to wait for the carnet etc although this coincded with the time we spent in the garage under the car. And your right, accommodation is a pain all this time unless you have some patient friends over there.

We found the car through SA Gumtree which you can check on-line, useful because you can compare prices. South Africa is really set up for overland travel - there is a wealth of experience and shops there - but I think it may be more expensive, particularly for the car purchase. Better to sell there though.

We have some good contacts in CapeTown we're happy to pass on - but the time in getting the car ready is really something to think about, especially that the car sometimes needs to be at a garage for more than a day ...

Depends what car you find as to how equipped it is - but there'll always be things you'll want to change. We didn't find anything which was fully equipped and ready to go. I don't know if that is typical or not.

Alternatively we know of a great land cruiser, ready to go, fully equipped, even has namibian plates making it easier to sell - and you could go from north to south instead. Middle East and eastern europe has some great places and people in its own right!!

Email anything else you need to know - which ever way you go!

Thanks again for the information. Are you willing to sell the landcruiser without the trailer? And what would the price be? How about the carnet and the paperwork?

grts,
Delphine

Yes - there are possibilities here! Why don't you get in touch - we're happy to chat (or email) and work something out.

Ajay - 01432 352749 / 07546828030
ajay_pindoria@hotmail.com