Africa all the way round!

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Thimba

Member
Posts
53
Location
The Netherlands
Hi all,

In January I'll start an overlanding journey of about 12 months through Africa, that will take me to Cape Town along the West coast and up to Egypt along the East. A solitary trip. Well, almost, since I'm taking my dog Thimba (Swahili for "Lion Hunter") as my companion and guardian angel.
I've just launched a website, Travels with Thimba, and appreciate any suggestions, advice, comments, your experiences, or support!

Happy trails,

Gee

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shakedown trip Morocco 2013 | with daughter Mees

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Thimba eager to hit the road!


Africa overland 2014
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Wow! It's something I really love to do sometime!

Also would to bring me dog "Leo" along who is also a ridgeback :)
Part of the fun of heading to South Africa is because of his breed origins I suppose. Would be brilliant to see how it reacts when driving through the national parks too.


Best of luck on it! Will be very interested to see how you get on. Been to Africa before and down to Capetown but would amazing to drive there
 
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I'd love to do it one day, and take our ridgeback nala and our Labrador saffie

Would need something more reliable than my 90 tho
 
Hi there my fiancé/wife when we leave... Our springer bella And I are in the middle of sorting our lives out so we can hop in the disco here in Oxford. And head for Capetown. I have one or two questions for you that I've not found an answer for yet! We're still a year an a half away from leaving due to her being in the process of getting a British passport (she's originally S.African). So are still in early stages of planning.
What's the best way to carry currency? How are you planning onit?
Is there a more safe route than others. I'm not fussed where we go. Or how long it takes us to get to CPT. But I would like to see morocco nambia Botswana and Zimbabwe. I'm aware these aren't all In a direct route but we have a year. I'm just unsure on the bits inbetween these places. Obviously safety is number one

I'm also going to point out were discussing driving all the way down stopping in morocco first for a few weeks then the rest of way down in a month or 6 weeks and using Her fathers place as a base in CPT and driving off to each place for 6 weeks at a time.

I hope that all makes sence I'm typing on a phone :). Your help is appreciated

Oh and one last thing. I think I no what it'll cost us per day but what's would you think it costs per day?

Thanks rob
 
I did the trip to South Africa in 1972 with a series 2A and left the UK with 400 quid and made it to Cape Town but had to work there and Rhodesia for 2 years to be able to afford to ship to Australia.
Would like to do the trip again but looking at all the hassels with the countrie now I think ill stick to the Russia the stans and Mongolia for a while
 
Hi there my fiancé/wife when we leave... Our springer bella And I are in the middle of sorting our lives out so we can hop in the disco here in Oxford. And head for Capetown. I have one or two questions for you that I've not found an answer for yet! We're still a year an a half away from leaving due to her being in the process of getting a British passport (she's originally S.African). So are still in early stages of planning.
What's the best way to carry currency? How are you planning onit?
Is there a more safe route than others. I'm not fussed where we go. Or how long it takes us to get to CPT. But I would like to see morocco nambia Botswana and Zimbabwe. I'm aware these aren't all In a direct route but we have a year. I'm just unsure on the bits inbetween these places. Obviously safety is number one

I'm also going to point out were discussing driving all the way down stopping in morocco first for a few weeks then the rest of way down in a month or 6 weeks and using Her fathers place as a base in CPT and driving off to each place for 6 weeks at a time.

I hope that all makes sence I'm typing on a phone :). Your help is appreciated

Oh and one last thing. I think I no what it'll cost us per day but what's would you think it costs per day?

Thanks rob

Hi Rob,

Sounds great!
USD are the most commonly used currency. Carry enough local currency for food, accommodation, fuel, etc. There's a growing number of ATM's in the larger towns, but no guarantee that they work. Take VISA credit card(s), as they are better accepted than Master.
Most overlanders budget around €50 for "on the road" costs, including visa's, fuel, etc. and excluding all preparatory costs. See this thread on the HUBB for a
post from an experienced African overlander.

Hope this helps.

Happy travels,

Gee


Africa overland 2014
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Sounds awesome- i'm V jealous!!
I'll be tracking your progress- i plan to do something similar in a few years once my GF (& navigator!) finishes med school.
VVrroomm!!
If you do, give me a PM - myself, another doc, and a paramedic and my Gf are all planning heading off autumn 2015. So if your GF has finished medschool by then, be happy to have a fellow truck along side us.
 
good effort, how will you go about getting the dog over the borders? no need for quarantine?

Hi,

No need for quarantine. It needs to be vaccinated against rabies, with a recent bloodtest in its passport. Some African countries want you to register with an authorized vet when entering the country, but from what I heard from a few other overlanders who took their dog, most border officials couldn't care less.

Happy travels,

Gee


Africa overland 2014
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Lost 5th gear
After a relaxed trip through Europe and a smooth ferry crossing from Tarifa to Tanger, happily driving on the péage from Tanger to Rabat, the car suddenly lost its 5th gear. Shock and unbelief. Well, unbelief: with a nearly 25 year old Defender, even when it's very well serviced and maintained as mine is, you can expect anything. The gearbox is still original after 400.000 kilometers and it was running well so far. Fortunately the box had not completely gone on me, and 1st to 4th gear were still working properly. So I limped to Kenitra on the coast, not far from Rabat, thinking that it should be possible to have the car fixed there - if anywhere in Morocco. At an average speed of 65 km/hour, much to the discontent of my fellow Moroccan drivers.

More on Travels with Thimba


Africa overland 2014
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Of a friendly taxi driver and lousy Land Rover service
I'm trying to find my way in the hustle and bustle of Casablanca's insane traffic, looking for Salim on 625, Boulevard Mohammmed V. Salim is the dealer for Britpart in these neck of the woods, and Britpart in the UK has a gearbox ready to be shipped. We all think that with a Moroccan company clearing customs will be less of a hassle.

More on: Travels with Thimba

trafiic_casa.jpg



Africa overland 2014
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Last edited:
Of a friendly taxi driver and lousy Land Rover service
I'm trying to find my way in the hustle and bustle of Casablanca's insane traffic, looking for Salim on 625, Boulevard Mohammmed V. Salim is the dealer for Britpart in these neck of the woods, and Britpart in the UK has a gearbox ready to be shipped. We all think that with a Moroccan company clearing customs will be less of a hassle.

More on: Travels with Thimba

trafiic_casa.jpg

Id rather stick with 4 working gears than fit a britpart gearbox. I think you will be going from the frying pan to the fire.
 
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