GPS suggestions for Africa expedition

My wife and I are undertaking an overland expedition from London to Cape Town towards the end of 2009.

We have just acquired our Land Rover Defender 110 - the first concrete step towards our trip after copious amounts of research and dreaming. Looks like we'll actually be on our way!

I have been researching GPS devices for our trip. Garmin, which I use for cycling, obviously have a wide range of GPS units available.

I was hoping someone may be able to provide advice/recommendations on any specific models and which ones will be best suited to navigating through Africa.

I have heard that the 276c is probably your best bet. I run a PDA and garmin bluetooth chipset with Garmins QUE software (like mapsource) worked a treat in north africa. As your on a longer trip i think something more robust is needed. As for mapping i will push you in the direction of Tracks4Africa.

Tracks4Africa - Mapping Africa, one day at a time

these guys are updating maps all the time and produce them for most of africa. copules with paper maps for the roads, you could use this to your advantage. The maps also have extensive POI's inc fuel stops, campsites, hotels, water wells etc.

i think its well worth the money. coverage of north and western africa is limited, but further south has been mapped extensively. so much so, they are now developing autorouting in major cities.

If your unsure on GPS units maybe ask the guys at T4A? they may be able to suggest sometihng, or what is most popular. they are pretty helpful

hope this helps.

G

Just back after 7 months working in central and western africa. What route are you planning on taking and i might be able to help.

Enda

endbru - planning on coming down the west coast - Morocco, WEstern Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, then east through B Faso, Mali into Ghana, etc. Will then head south through Angola to Namibia.

Any route advice will be greatly appreciated, including any other info such as GPS waypoints, recommended maps, books, etc.

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GreatTrekSouth said:

endbru - planning on coming down the west coast - Morocco, WEstern Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, then east through B Faso, Mali into Ghana, etc. Will then head south through Angola to Namibia.

Any route advice will be greatly appreciated, including any other info such as GPS waypoints, recommended maps, books, etc.

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Hello GTSouth,
Thats a lot of hassle going the West Coast (Atlantic route)
So many damn countries, and border crossings.
generally not so warm, and generally wetter than East coast, or Middle East route.
have you looked at the following.
Through Europe to Istanbul.
(This can miss out Egypt with the 800% vehicle carnet)
Syria
Jordan
Saudi Arabia to Jeddah
Ferry to Port Sudan or Sawakin
Onto khartoumn
kenya
Tanzania
Zambia
Namibia
RSA.
Cape Town.

Just a suggestion.

Many of the reserves,
Nogorogoro crater,
Etosha
Sarengetti
Okavango
Skeleton

to name a few.
Graham

If you need vehicle tracking so your relatives at home can keep an eye on you let me know. I'm NOT spamming here but if it can be of help....

UK_Vette I just watched your bungy vid. You're either insane or brave but I've not mde up my mind which yet!

Just an edit to my earlier post,
there seems to be a lot of problems in Nigeria just now.
Really a place to keep clear of until it settles down.
Also DRC has a fair few issues to sort out still, there was another uprising there just made known on Aljezeera today.

I would try and stay clear of the DRG if at all possible.

Griffdowg said:

I would try and stay clear of the DRG if at all possible.

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DRG ?

Ryder said:

UK_Vette I just watched your bungy vid. You're either insane or brave but I've not mde up my mind which yet!

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Thanks,
Most frightening thing I have ever done.
but saying that, I would do it again tomorrow ! No hesitation, I might even jump it with backwards roll !

Remember when as a kid, you would look at the high diving board at the local swimming baths, and say, thats not high.
Then possible even climbed the ladder to the top, and thought, oh sh1t, this is too high, big mistake, and unceremoneously, gone back down the ladder, saying all the 'excuse me, excuse me' to all busy going up.:boink:
Well
It really is that high!

uk_vette said:

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Thanks,
Most frightening thing I have ever done.
but saying that, I would do it again tomorrow ! No hesitation, I might even jump it with backwards roll !

Remember when as a kid, you would look at the high diving board at the local swimming baths, and say, thats not high.
Then possible even climbed the ladder to the top, and thought, oh sh1t, this is too high, big mistake, and unceremoneously, gone back down the ladder, saying all the 'excuse me, excuse me' to all busy going up.:boink:
Well
It really is that high!

Click to expand...

Remember... I still do that!

are you planning a solo trip or convoy? im missing my moms cooking and need a bit of a drive......

Hi all

Sorry – I’ve been away so not caught up on my posts!! I’ll try to answer everything in one go.

Route:

Yes - fully aware of the dangers down the west coast but it’s a part of the world I am really intrigued by. My wife speaks French and from the research we have done, that’s half the battle.

Visas will be a headache but from talking to others its not an insurmountable issue and most seem to get through without too much trouble and insignificant backhanders! Again – this is where the French helps.

It’s probably also worth mentioning that I spent the first 22 years of my life in Africa – I know how the mind of an African works and am ready for the challenges!!!

Re Nigeria – we are looking to put the foot on the accelerator to get through there asap. On the other hand, we have a close contact in Nigeria and have arranged for a local escort for hopefully the few days that we actually want to be there. We will use Nigeria as a transit country along with various others. We plan to spend longer periods in safer countries that are more interesting to us –e.g. Senegal, Ghana, Namibia.

Re: DRC, yes watching the situation carefully. From research, there are safer routes through the western part of the country that can be done in 2 nights.

On the whole, we are planning to leave later next year so will spend this time monitoring overall situations. We have not ruled out the possibility of doing an East coast route.

Adventure & high diving boards:

Bring it on !!

GPS tracking:

Yes – I am interested in GPS tracking units for family. I have seen SPOT but this is not widely available in Africa. PM me with the details and we can talk further. I am very interested in other solutions.

Solo or Convoy:
Johnnyafrica – at the moment my wife and I are just going in one car. We would like to hook up with other people for parts of the journey, perhaps the whole journey, but at the same time keep flexibility should we want to change plans en route.

Let me know your plans and perhaps we can put together something more concrete.

I also miss my mom’s cooking back in SA!

What are your plans generally?

just checked out that Bungy vid as well.... (nutter, respect) I'm sure that elastic thing was longer in the other Utub vid. Lucky for you it snapped on some other punter, either that or somebody borrowed it for a bit of snatch recovery.

I am hoping to drive down as well, if/when possible,
anyone thinking of this as well?

J