Overlanding first-timer - thoughts and advice?

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MikeV8SE

MikeV8SE

New Member
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Hi all,

I’m relatively new to Land Rover/Range Rover ownership, but for a long time now have wanted to try my hand at overlanding and have yet to decide whether I wanted to do this on a motorbike or in a 4x4. As my motorbike is totally unsuitable for such endeavours (yes I could do a Nick Sanders and use my sportsbike, but I don’t want to ruin it, thanks!), and the Range Rover - a '91 V8 Classic - (could be) ideal, then that seems to be the obvious option.

I’ve never been to Africa so this appeals as a destination, and I did think about heading to Dakar, just because! Well, why not? I am aware that to get to Dakar you do have to go through Mauritania (unless you take a HUGE detour), which is part of the reason that in recent years the Dakar Rally has been held in South America. Is this still an area best avoided as a traveller? Is it still a very real risk for western travellers?

I would probably get a ferry to Santander from Portsmouth (no point driving through France, done it a million times before!), then drive down through Spain towards Gibralter, ferry across to Morocco (Tangers or Tangiers?) and then on down to Dakar. And then back again!

Also, how much vehicle preparation is required? I guess it all depends on the terrain we’ll be covering, and if I’m honest I’m not entirely sure what terrain is involved across North Africa – as I said, the idea is still in its infancy and I’m just gathering information at present. Clearly a full set of tools, a selection of spare parts, fluids, etc are needed for the car, and appropriate campling gear (perhaps a roof rack + tent?), first aid kit and food/water supplies for us, but anything else in particular? I am guessing my RAC cover is unlikely to extend to Morocco... ;)


So, any advice, tips, recommendations or warnings would be greatly appreciated!
 
There are loads of sites that can help you , Try THE HUBB, Africa overland , Foleys specialist vehicles (they have a links page to loads of overland expedition reports inc one on going thru Mauritania ) HTSH
 
Also, how much vehicle preparation is required? I guess it all depends on the terrain we’ll be covering, and if I’m honest I’m not entirely sure what terrain is involved across North Africa – as I said, the idea is still in its infancy and I’m just gathering information at present. Clearly a full set of tools, a selection of spare parts, fluids, etc are needed for the car, and appropriate campling gear (perhaps a roof rack + tent?), first aid kit and food/water supplies for us, but anything else in particular? I am guessing my RAC cover is unlikely to extend to Morocco...
Click to expand...

Been in convoy with a Range Rover...the RR is a very capable vehicle and will cope very well. The main downside for us was the suspension - particularly at the rear. Although we used "beefed up" suspension, we will be going for much heavier duty shocks - and there will be 2 in each corner at the rear. The died pretty early on during the trip and Rangies are very bouncy without shocks! Boing boing Not fun!

In Algeria the RR did not suffer from the heat - it coped very well with that. We do have an oil cooler and Twin Kenlowes just incase though. Our V8 did not struggle with the fuel grades. The only thing that got hot was the auto box - it was fine until we had to work it hard (i.e got stuck) - you could smell it was getting hot! - we will be fitting a gearbox cooler to it. Other than the shocks dying, the RR did not have any problems at all.

The rest of the stuff is up to you really - some will make their "overland" vehicle into basically a 4x4 campervan with all the mod cons, others prefer just to have the essentials...depends on your mindset and what you want from the vehicle.

The terrain? i am assuming you want to do plenty of off road/pistes/etc stuff? I have only been to Tunisa, Algeria and Morocco in North Africa....terrain varying from soft sand, sand dunes, mountains, and hard rock stuff which makes you feel like you are on the moon! Nice set of strong AT tyres will do the job :)
 
Hi rustyrhino - some great advice there, thanks. Sounds like you have plenty of experience too! Are there any countries you would recommend/avoid for a first timer?

I was planning on camping - no intention of kitting out a Defender like a camper van, just my stock Range Rover, a tent and whatever essential I'll need!

Surprised the rear suspension failed on the RR - was it heavily loaded over the rear?
 
If your RR is auto change auto trans oil to Redline synthetic , will handle heat far better , and as mentioned transoil cooler a good move .
The suspension on RR tends to get a hammering as they dont transmit how rough the terrain is to the driver as much as a lot of other vehicles , as RustyR says twin rear shocks really help , even just the standard items doubled up , nothing fancy required . If your car normally runs on the cooler side then OK , if it tends to get hot in hot weather fit an oil cooler , they are very efficient for size . The V8 is not a high oil pressure engine and if gets hot the pressure drops off , more so with mineral oils less so with synthetic.
 
There is not really any other way than Morocco/Western Sahara/Mauri

As Tacr pointed out, the HUBB has the most upto date info on kidnappings in the area. Its been hotting up there lately, particularly in the last 2-3 years.

If you get going soon, we should be in Dakar by end of April. Meet for a beer?

G
 
MikeV8SE said:
Hi rustyrhino - some great advice there, thanks. Sounds like you have plenty of experience too! Are there any countries you would recommend/avoid for a first timer?

I was planning on camping - no intention of kitting out a Defender like a camper van, just my stock Range Rover, a tent and whatever essential I'll need!

Surprised the rear suspension failed on the RR - was it heavily loaded over the rear?
Click to expand...

Not particularly heavily loaded - but when you add lots of water, fuel, spare wheel, jack, food, tools, spares it soon adds up! Would be fine if we were doing regular green laning or road use, probably wouldn't even notice it...but do a few thousand miles of hammering the suspension and its a much more accelerated wear than you would normally get. Depends where you go and how quick you drive I guess!

Your plan sounds basic, I like it :D

Places to avoid as a first timer? Umm...what is your idea of a perfect drive? Might be somewhere to start before deciding that! My first trip was to Mongolia. But if you do want somewhere really easy, and you like the idea of rocks, mountains and desert and relative safety, Morocco is an easy start.
 
Griffdowg said:
There is not really any other way than Morocco/Western Sahara/Mauri

As Tacr pointed out, the HUBB has the most upto date info on kidnappings in the area. Its been hotting up there lately, particularly in the last 2-3 years.

If you get going soon, we should be in Dakar by end of April. Meet for a beer?

G
Click to expand...

April is probably a bit soon TBH, but thanks for the invite!

Mauri sounds like a place to avoid then - a kidnapping would really but a downer on the first trip! :p

rustyrhinos said:
Your plan sounds basic, I like it :D
Click to expand...

I'm quite a basic person by all accounts - haha!

I am wondering if a diesel Defender would be a more appropriate vehicle than the V8 Range Rover - not to mention cheaper! 200 miles to a tank is a lot of fill-ups....hmm.....
 
Yeah I know!! It is at the shortest point of Mauri too, but if it's particularly dangerous then maybe a different destination?

Could just get into North Africa and do a loop around Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia...?
 
MikeV8SE said:
Yeah I know!! It is at the shortest point of Mauri too, but if it's particularly dangerous then maybe a different destination?

Could just get into North Africa and do a loop around Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia...?
Click to expand...

you cannot enter Algeria from Morocco, the borders have been closed for a long while now. You could do down through Algeria into Mali, but Im pretty sure the borders are closed or iffy there to. Its also mostly uninhabited and a serious overland trip through virgin Sahara desert. Coupled with the fact its completely lawless and your more likely to get kidnapped from there (previous kidnappings from northern Mali/Niger border).

stick to the N1 and cross through Mauri, dont drive at night, dont tell random people where you are heading or when.

worth looking around the HUBB, much more knowledge there on individual countries/current situations etc.

G
 
Awesom, thanks for the info G. You sound very knowledgable about all this, so is there anywhere in particular you would recommend?

As I said, I'm completely open to ideas and suggestions! Would rather head somewhere hot than somewhere cold, hence why I was aiming for Africa rather than Scandinavia! Other than that, I'm open to ideas... :)
 
I don't really fancy the Mali border.

Go to Tunisa then Algeria and do a loop in Algeria - plenty hot enough there :) - got some info on my website if you fancy it :)

There is also my interpretation of the border situation for North Africa (as of a few years ago when I made it) more details at The Rusty Rhinos - Saharan Rally 2009 - our route if you are interested

s_route_prob.jpg
 
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