This is a summary post about how to Overland Africa independently. Ben had an old Toyota 4WD Land Cruiser sitting in Arusha available (but a rental will do just as well) and I was available. We made up the route as we went; we camped in lodges ($10 per night if you have a tent) or free-camped along the way.
I provide details in this post that include maps, costs and logistics as well as links to additional details, photos and videos. This is a self-guided adventure on a shoestring. Follow the links to dig deeper into the adventure.
Background of ‘How to Overland Africa Independently’ Story
The players are Ben Schroder and I. We met at his used sporting goods store many years ago and had crossed paths in the world a few times to share adventures. He had emailed me and asked if I was available for 5-6 weeks to move his car from Tanzania to Namibia or South Africa (basically an independent and unscripted overland Africa trip). I agreed enthusiastically. Fast foreword a few months and I’m in Kenya.
About Africa
Separated from Europe by the Mediterranean Sea, Africa is joined to Asia at its northeast extremity by the Isthmus of Suez (transected by the Suez Canal), 130 km wide. From the most northerly point, Cape Blanc (Ra’s al Abyad) in Tunisia, to the most southerly point, Cape Agulhas in South Africa, is a distance approximately of 8,000 km; from Cape Verde, the westernmost point, to Ras Hafun in Somalia, the most easterly projection, is a distance (also approximately) of 7,400 km. The coastline is 26,000 km long, and the absence of deep indentations of the shore is shown by the fact that Europe, which covers only 9,700,000 km2, has a coastline of 32,000 km.
Our 26-day overland route took us from Kenya (my starting point) or Tanzania (Ben’s starting point) to Windhoek, Namibia, via Malawi and Zambia. I then continue on into South Africa for another 20 days of public transport and local car rental overland adventures. The overland route covered over 8,000 km of road, fields, desert and riverbeds.
How to Overland Africa Independently Part 1 Outline (Kenya – Namibia)
| Day | Country | Details |
| 1 | Kenya | Hell’s Gate National Park, See Video 85, See Kenya Post for Details |
| 2 | Kenya | Longonot Volcano National Park, See Video 86, See Kenya Post Details |
| 3-5 | Tanzania | L’Oasis Lodge Arusha |
| 6 | Tanzania | Arusha to Zebra Campsite, See Video 87, See Tanzania Post for Details |
| 7 | Tanzania | Zebra Campsite – Tanga – Crab Camp |
| 8 | Tanzania | Crab Camp – Saadani NP – Bagamoyo Camp, See Video 88, See Tanzania Post for Details |
| 9 | Tanzania | Bagamoyo Camp – Udzungwa Forest Camp, See Video 89, See Tanzania Post for Details |
| 10 | Tanzania | Sanje Falls Trail, See Video 90, See Tanzania Post for Details |
| 11 | Tanzania | Udzungwa Forest NP – Isimila Pillars – Bush Camp, See Video 91, See Tanzania Post for Details |
| 12 | Malawi | Bush camp – Kiwira Volcanic Bridge – Sangilo Sanctuary Lodge, Malawi, See Video 92, See Post Detail |
| 13 | Malawi | Livingstonia & Manchewe Waterfalls, See Video 93, See Malawi Post for Detail |
| 14 | Malawi | Sangilo Sanctuary Lodge to Mayoka Lodge |
| 15-16 | Malawi | Lake Malawi & Mayoka Village, See Video 94, See Malawi Post for Detail |
| 17 | Malawi | Mayoka Village – Nkhotakota GR – Lilongwe – Roadside Lodge camp, See Video 95, See Malawi Post for Detail |
| 18 | Zambia | Roadside Lodge – South Luwanga NP – Croc Valley Camp, See Video 96, See Zambia Post for Details |
| 19-20 | Zambia | South Luwanga NP, See Video 97, See Video 96, See Zambia Post for Details |
| 21 | Zambia | South Luwangwa NP – Lusaka – bush camp, See Video 98, See Video 96, See Zambia Post for Details |
| 22 | Zambia | Bush camp – Zambizi River Maramba Lodge, Livingston |
| 23 | Zambia | Victoria Falls, See Video 99, See Video 96, See Zambia Post for Details |
| 24 | Namibia | Livingston – Caprivi GP – Hippo Camp, Zambizi R, Katima Mulilo |
| 25 | Namibia | Hippo Camp – Popa Falls – Hoba Meteorite, Roy’s Rest Camp, See Videos 100 & Video 101, See Namibia Post for Details |
| 26 | Namibia | Roy’s Rest Camp – Palmwag Lodge, See Video 102, See Namibia Post for Details |
| 26-27 | Namibia | 4WD Hoanib River (Lions & Rhinos)– Bush Camp, See Video 103 & video 104, See Namibia Post for Details |
| 28-29 | Namibia | 4WD Hoab River, Desert Rhino Camp – Cape Cross, Skeleton Coast NP, Swakopmund, See Videos 105, video 106, video 107 & video 108, See Namibia Post for Details |
| 30 | Namibia | Swakopmund & Dunes, See Video 109 & video 110, See Namibia Post for Details |
| 31 | Namibia | Swakopmund – Spitzkoppe Tented Camp, See Video 111, See Namibia Post for Details |
| 32 | Namibia | Spitzkoppe to Windhoek |
| 33-34 | Namibia | Windhoek |
Note that the Post Details are scheduled for weekly release through the end of September 2019.
Visit the 3minuteAdventures.com Overland Africa Video Posts
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