crossing the continent - Horizons Unlimited

**the Estradas** · #1 29 May 2002

We are planning a trip from England to South Africa. We are planning on leaving the USA on July 1st for London and there we hope to purchase a vehicle (Landcruiser or Rover) and outfit it. If anyone can offer any help on this, please do, as we need it. We are not sure how much time we will need in London to do all of the necessary work purchasing, repairing and outfitting the truck, plus getting all the necessary documents. If you have done this and can give us an approximate time allowance, that will make our planning easier. One thought crossed our mind today which is, how possible might it be to buy the vehicle here in the states and ship it to England. Do you know anyone who has done this or, do you know how difficult the restrictions are?
We especially need info on how to get safely across from West Africa to East Africa. Do you know anyone who is currently doing this? thanks for your time

**Roman** · #2 29 May 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by the Estradas:
If anyone can offer any help on this, please do, as we need it. We are not sure how much time we will need in London to do all of the necessary work purchasing, repairing and outfitting the truck ...

Hi,
That can be done in a day. There's a vehicle waiting for you - go to www.polandrover.com and look no further.

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Roman (UK)
www.polandrover.com

**GWJ** · #3 31 May 2002

As a suggestion, have you thought of driving from South Africa to the UK. SA is a significantly cheaper place to get all the kit for a vehicle. I returned from SA yesterday having finished a 7 month UK - SA trip in a 110. The Rand is very weak at present although it is strengthening. Examples such as an Eezi Awn Roof tent which is £500 - £700 pounds in the UK is about £300 - £350 pounds in SA. An Engel fridge which is £500 - £600 in the UK is £300 - £400 in SA. Labour is also cheap. Where an hourly rate for a landrover specialist garage in the UK is probably £35 - £40, in SA it worked out at between £8 - £18. Try www.safaricentre.co.za,
www.f rontrunner.co.za
2nd hand prices of vehicles was also much significantly cheaper. An excellent landrover workshop in cape town is LR service centre, ph +27 21 7050474/5 email msm@lrservicecentre.co.za.

As for garages in the UK, main ones include Frogs Island 4x4, Mantec, Nene overland, footloose 4x4. Frog Island are good. They all have websites.