Where would you go???
 

• If you had told the boss that you are leaving end of May
• No real idea of a next job... maybe start a small business. But happy enough to think about it for a good long while
• You were in Ghana
• You had a fully (actually over) equipped HZJ78 sitting in the drive with a few more bits and pieces to do.
• You don't fancy ANY more West or Central Africa
• You have shipping prices to Namibia - through corporate contacts it is a good deal.
• You want to spend at least three months in Namibia
• You have friends in South Africa and indeed all over most of southern Africa
• Carnet issues are theoretically sorted out
• There is also so much to see in Europe later?
• Even North America's wilderness areas has a certain pull

As of last week this is no longer a hypothetical situation for me :clap: So bring on the ideas folks! Another one that appeals is driving up to Spain, sticking it in a container, relaxing for a month and then picking it up in South Africa/Namibia. The only thing I am not into is more of West (i.e. West or East of Ghana - North is no Problem!) Africa or Central Africa. I have seen enough over 13 years for a while. So apart from Driving south basically ANY other suggestions are welcome, Cheers,
Gil

Well, congratulations. I need a bit of time to make suggestions, southern Italy comes to mind (good food and wine and a laid back atmosphere), but just wanted to say good luck with it.:thumbup1:

Spain
France Italy
Tunisia
Lybia
Egypt
....
Middle east
Pakistan
India
and then in a container to............somewhere

roooooad triiiiiiiip *breaks out air guitar*

without a doubt I would go to Armenia.

Hi Gil,
I reckon Chris is talking a whole lot of sense, that would be a great trip......add a Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia loop and your laughing!

Have a great time.......i'm not in the least bit jealous!!
Sam

Tadjikistan
 

I'd go to Tadjikistan. For no Particular reason. Via Mozambique, Uganda and Ethiopia off course. After that, probably Mogolia, Russia, and from there try to get into Alaska one way or another. That's another continent, right? South from there?

Hi Gil,
Well, you kept that quiet !

Me, my choices,
Road trips starting in Namibia,, Okavango, Kariba,Zambezi, Nogorogoro, and keep on east until you get to the water of the Indian ocean.
chill and relax.
then south to Sani pass, then more south to Cape Town,
BIG CHILL
then head north up the west coast road right on through Skeleton, then over orange river, and on up to Van Zyles pass.
Ship out of Walvis bay to maybe Cassablanca for a bit of dune driving before heading into Europe through Gibralter ect for a tour around Europe.

Graham

Well, well, well
 

Gil

your WWF post didn't get you in trouble did it?

Quick thought:

Take up the shipping option to Namibia, spend as long as poss enjoying Nam, then on to Bots, SA, poss Zim, Zam, Moz - see all the must sees, hook up with all your friends and contacts - enjoy Xmas in Southern Africa, then when the roads caling again hit the East coast route north bound, cross into the Middle East - Egypt, Sinai, Jordan, Syria, Israel and ???

Yours options are endless - right down all the places you want to see/visit/experience, listen to recommendations and work out a route, taking advantage of any good offers like the cheap shipping deal.

Looking forward to the next instalment of Gil's adventures

Oh, you lucky b+*%$!

Well, many many thanks guys for all the messages! Lucky yes, but also a bit nervous... not about travel but about jobs, oh well if things go pear shaped I could always come back - probably at a lower level with less stress and less bul****t.

Yes I kept it quiet as I am a firm believer that you never know who is watching the 'net, and I really wanted to tell my MD first. So gives us a few months to think about routes/budgets/paperwork/more car and camping stuff etc. Anyway like I say it is very cool that you chaps are full of ideas and support - appreciated!

Keep the ideas flowing please... I am still chuckling at Chris suggesting that the WWF issue came into it! Funnily enough all the managers here that work with me still don't know we are leaving but the mechanics have noticed increased vehicle mods and keep asking me if I am driving home (well, in between requests that "if you ever leave can you dash me your car?" ). Just shows you who is in tune and who isn't.

Anyway, lets see where this goes!
Gil

Yemen Oman and UAE
 

Gil,

Once you've followed the good ideas re trails that lead to East Africa,cross over to Yemen and Oman.Still one of the worlds best kept overlanding secrets.Drive East to UAE,cross to Iran and home thro Turkey.Give it 4-6 months.

Think South America.

The problem with the wilderness areas in NA - you only get a 3 month visa for the U.S. - and crossing into Canada doesn't change anything. But if 3 months is all you have, then yes, something to definitely consider. Lots of great adventure riding there (and within shouting distance of motorcycle repair/parts).

Hi Tony, I take it you've spent some time around there? I'll be overlanding from Australia with wife and kids, looking at a possible alternative/backup plan to crossing through Pakistan into Iran (in case things go pear shaped in that region, which i really hope they don't).
What do you think about shipping from India to Dubai, and driving up to towards Turkey, either via Mecca (the long way round, via Oman & Yeman), or the shorter way, via the straight road through Saudi Arabia along the border with Iraq?

Kai

Hi Kai,

Yes I lived in the Oman for 6 yrs and UAE for about 12.I have travelled in Yemen on a few ocassions.
It's definitely worth the trip.All these countries are safe(shit happens anywhere)and will more than repay the effort.Great overlanding and open camping everywhere.My kids virtually grew up travelling in the ME.
I have driven from Dubai to UK twice along the 'tap line' route thro Saudi,the second time with my wife and two young kids.No problems at all and Jordan and Syria are both safe and friendly places to travel.
I can't offer you any current advise re Saudi visas but a 3 day transit visa should be OK if your marriage and berth certs are OK.Either get visas before you leave or in Dubai(about 5 days)but check on current regs as they always change.

If you prefer the Iran route(also great)and Pak becomes a problem then you can ferry from Dubai to Iran.

With the Sahara region becoming so 'taped up' a ME trip is a feasible and great alternative.

Have a great trip.

Hello Tony,
I have been following the ME threads with interest.
I have looked into Warrington to Cape Town, in our Land Cruiser, but avoiding Egypt.
The high 800% carnet requirement, and I have been before.
So my alternative route may be, Through Istanbul trough Turkey, then head for a border (?) into Syria, then into Jordan, into Saudi to Port Jeddah.
Ferry to Sudan (Port Sudan or Sawlkin) then a standard route down to Cape Town.

So, your information on travell through Syria, Jordan, and Saudi is most welcome.

My question is, which border crossing from Turkey to Syria would you suggest, and again, which border crossing from Syria to Saudi.

All advice greatly appreciated.

Graham

Thanks for advice Tony, most appreciated!

4x4 not necessary in the ME? We're thinking Mercedes Sprinter, either 2x4 or 4x4 if we can find a good one in Oz... but only if i can be convinced it (the 4x4 version) is worth the extra expense…

Kai

Plenty of suggestions above...
 

... if you want a break from west and central Africa, Yemen will make a refreshing change - one of the most amazing places I've been too but in some ways quite hard work. Yemen's government is modeled on pre-invasion Iraq, with Republican Guards and a fair amount of telephone tapping when I was there. I was filming out there and to avoid calls to locals being monitored we used a sat phone. But despite all this, it was the most fantastic experience, particularly the wedding we were invited to (such was the amazing hospitality we had no choice)

I would also recommend southern Italy as suggested before, get a ferry over to mainland Greece and travel through all the Greek Peloponnese, if the budget is reasonable you can get ferries to Crete and/or Sicily and then to... Africa! And then...

You will of course have the most fantastic time in SA, Namibia and Botswana but there is still a lot of unspoilt europe with the added advantage of good food and wine available for all those roadside feasts.

Have fun