Tasmania to Norway, 110 build log

[nickj]

Hi all,

I'm preparing my 130 for a trip across Australia to Perth, onto Durban and up the continent onto mainland Europe and as far north as Norway. The concept is to finish a sailing trip I did alone in 2010, where I sailed solo from Europe to Australia in a small 26ft British boat - so now I will finish the circumnavigation in a British car, by driving from the most southern road in Australia (South East Cape), to the most northern road in Europe (North Cape), Norway.

My build will be as minimal, DIY and 'budget' as these things can get. Mechanically my Defender is good, however I will replace the shock absorbers, clutch, and flanges before departure. I will install an elevated air intake and potentially a winch, but otherwise I will leave the vehicle stock. The transfer case was rebuilt 20,000km ago.

The rear two seats have been removed to build ply pull-out shelving above the seatbox. The rear tray will hold twin spares, extra fuel, water, general storage and a pull-out marine ply kitchen.

For the trip across Australia I will sleep in a swag - once in Africa I will purchase a roof top tent.

The vehicle will have side and rear awnings off of the main canopy - for interests-sake, below are build images of my sewing a new heavyweight canvas canopy with zippered doors. I will add an external frame to the front and back of the tray to act as rear racks for surfboards and awning attachments. The RTT will go above the cab. For anyone interested, the canopy was made from 12oz ripstop heavyweight canvas commonly used for truck tarps, with large YKK zips which have velcro dust covers over the top of them.

I will update as things progress!

Cheers! -Nick

https://i.postimg.cc/2qzKSP2Q/IF2A5820.jpg (https://postimg.cc/2qzKSP2Q) https://i.postimg.cc/JDF6Ktmx/IF2A5912.jpg (https://postimg.cc/JDF6Ktmx) https://i.postimg.cc/B8MwLMVd/IF2A5915.jpg (https://postimg.cc/B8MwLMVd)


https://i.postimg.cc/N2rNnYjc/IF2A5918.jpg (https://postimg.cc/N2rNnYjc) https://i.postimg.cc/68KHMksk/Photo-11-3-19-3-10-07-pm.jpg (https://postimg.cc/68KHMksk) https://i.postimg.cc/Hrt6R6dV/Photo-11-3-19-4-19-11-pm.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Hrt6R6dV) https://i.postimg.cc/Jy4pLjzK/Photo-11-3-19-6-54-19-pm.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Jy4pLjzK)


https://i.postimg.cc/fJm2jwP7/Photo-12-3-19-6-06-40-pm.jpg (https://postimg.cc/fJm2jwP7) https://i.postimg.cc/jCWk26QF/Photo-18-3-19-1-38-52-pm.jpg (https://postimg.cc/jCWk26QF) https://i.postimg.cc/VSGDL5Sw/Photo-18-3-19-12-07-45-pm.jpg (https://postimg.cc/VSGDL5Sw)

[Wicks89]

Dude, SICK. Awesome trip plan and I'm looking forward to heaps more photos of the build up and the trip.

I am green in the guts!

[weeds]

Awesome....

I’m currently building a 110 up to either drive from Brisbane to Iceland via Asia or ship to Hamburg and meander around.

[Zeros]

Fantastic! You’re embarking on the trip I’ve dreamt of for years. When do you depart?

Minimal is definitely the way to go. Nice work on the canopy

It would be brilliant if you’re able to share some more details Re budgets, timeframe, shipping, etc.

Cheers, zeros

[steveG]

Awesome trip plan. Looking forward to seeing more.

Steve

[nickj]

Fantastic! You’re embarking on the trip I’ve dreamt of for years. When do you depart?

Minimal is definitely the way to go. Nice work on the canopy

It would be brilliant if you’re able to share some more details Re budgets, timeframe, shipping, etc.



I will depart on the Australia leg around June/July, with the ship departing Fremantle in November, to begin driving through South Africa in Dec. The shipping is 43 days and is expected to cost $4-5k (I'm still firming up quotes, however they are within this ballpark & includes port fees in Durban), plus another $1450 for the Carnet.

In terms of budget, I will DIY as much as I can and purchase necessities secondhand (I'm currently hunting for a suitable fridge, a secondhand UHF, secondhand jack, secondhand spare Wolf rim etc). I would expect $3-5k still needs to be spent on the car before departure - this includes clutch work and a re-shock.

As for a travel budget, I guess it's a bit hard to say at this point, it depends what goes wrong :)

Let's say $10k to get the car ready and shipped to a minimal spec to Africa, plus another $1500/$2k monthly budget, with 8 months on the road. I have no idea how much it will cost to get the vehicle back from Europe, but I imagine another $5k+... So, as a rough estimate, a project like this would be around $26-30k, not including the cost of the vehicle - don't make me add the vehicle to my cost estimate, otherwise I will cry :)

Unfortunately I do not have a trust fund (!), so, obviously there is a high opportunity cost in lost personal income, all the work before departure, etc. So, it is not a small or cheap undertaking, however this is the reality of such ventures, and in many ways it is probably conservative. These are just estimates though and I'll be happy to be transparent with costs - it's always interesting to see how others go!

Nick.

[Zeros]

I will depart on the Australia leg around June/July, with the ship departing Fremantle in November, to begin driving through South Africa in Dec. The shipping is 43 days and is expected to cost $4-5k (I'm still firming up quotes, however they are within this ballpark & includes port fees in Durban), plus another $1450 for the Carnet.

In terms of budget, I will DIY as much as I can and purchase necessities secondhand (I'm currently hunting for a suitable fridge, a secondhand UHF, secondhand jack, secondhand spare Wolf rim etc). I would expect $3-5k still needs to be spent on the car before departure - this includes clutch work and a re-shock.

As for a travel budget, I guess it's a bit hard to say at this point, it depends what goes wrong :)

Let's say $10k to get the car ready and shipped to a minimal spec to Africa, plus another $1500/$2k monthly budget, with 8 months on the road. I have no idea how much it will cost to get the vehicle back from Europe, but I imagine another $5k+... So, as a rough estimate, a project like this would be around $26-30k, not including the cost of the vehicle - don't make me add the vehicle to my cost estimate, otherwise I will cry :)

Unfortunately I do not have a trust fund (!), so, obviously there is a high opportunity cost in lost personal income, all the work before departure, etc. So, it is not a small or cheap undertaking, however this is the reality of such ventures, and in many ways it is probably conservative. These are just estimates though and I'll be happy to be transparent with costs - it's always interesting to see how others go!

Nick.

Cheers Nick, that all sounds very feasible 👍.

Hopefully you’ll be pleasantly surprised that your estimate for monthly expenses will reduce significantly by free camping etc. ...No doubt any sense of lost income will also be far outweighed by experience gained too.

The only thing holding me back for the moment is other life priorities! I have spent the dollars and mostly have the vehicle ready to roll, and with extensive road trip experience in Australia and a little in South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland and Western Europe, no real excuses!. ...A journey such as yours connecting all the dots is definitely on the cards soonish...you never know, if you’re hooked and stay on the road longer (a common occurrence I think!) I might see you on the road. ...Hope so.

All the best with your preparations. What year is your Puma Defender? Have you greased the adapter shaft between gearbox and transfer case? Also recommend an Ashcroft ATB to strengthen the TC and improve dirt road handling. ...do all that when you get your HD clutch put in. The most vital puma mods IMO.

I’ll look forward to following your journey if you’re keen to stay in touch.

Go well, travel light and go slow 👍

[labrado]

Hi all,

I'm preparing my 130 for a trip across Australia to Perth, onto Durban and up the continent onto mainland Europe and as far north as Norway. The concept is to finish a sailing trip I did alone in 2010, where I sailed solo from Europe to Australia in a small 26ft British boat - so now I will finish the circumnavigation in a British car, by driving from the most southern road in Australia (South East Cape), to the most northern road in Europe (North Cape), Norway.

My build will be as minimal, DIY and 'budget' as these things can get. Mechanically my Defender is good, however I will replace the shock absorbers, clutch, and flanges before departure. I will install an elevated air intake and potentially a winch, but otherwise I will leave the vehicle stock. The transfer case was rebuilt 20,000km ago.

The rear two seats have been removed to build ply pull-out shelving above the seatbox. The rear tray will hold twin spares, extra fuel, water, general storage and a pull-out marine ply kitchen.

For the trip across Australia I will sleep in a swag - once in Africa I will purchase a roof top tent.

The vehicle will have side and rear awnings off of the main canopy - for interests-sake, below are build images of my sewing a new heavyweight canvas canopy with zippered doors. I will add an external frame to the front and back of the tray to act as rear racks for surfboards and awning attachments. The RTT will go above the cab. For anyone interested, the canopy was made from 12oz ripstop heavyweight canvas commonly used for truck tarps, with large YKK zips which have velcro dust covers over the top of them.

I will update as things progress!

Cheers! -Nick

https://i.postimg.cc/2qzKSP2Q/IF2A5820.jpg (https://postimg.cc/2qzKSP2Q) https://i.postimg.cc/JDF6Ktmx/IF2A5912.jpg (https://postimg.cc/JDF6Ktmx) https://i.postimg.cc/B8MwLMVd/IF2A5915.jpg (https://postimg.cc/B8MwLMVd)


https://i.postimg.cc/N2rNnYjc/IF2A5918.jpg (https://postimg.cc/N2rNnYjc) https://i.postimg.cc/68KHMksk/Photo-11-3-19-3-10-07-pm.jpg (https://postimg.cc/68KHMksk) https://i.postimg.cc/Hrt6R6dV/Photo-11-3-19-4-19-11-pm.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Hrt6R6dV) https://i.postimg.cc/Jy4pLjzK/Photo-11-3-19-6-54-19-pm.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Jy4pLjzK)


https://i.postimg.cc/fJm2jwP7/Photo-12-3-19-6-06-40-pm.jpg (https://postimg.cc/fJm2jwP7) https://i.postimg.cc/jCWk26QF/Photo-18-3-19-1-38-52-pm.jpg (https://postimg.cc/jCWk26QF) https://i.postimg.cc/VSGDL5Sw/Photo-18-3-19-12-07-45-pm.jpg (https://postimg.cc/VSGDL5Sw)How about the fuel quality in the Africa? Is puma engine OK with it?

[nickj]

Ashcroft ATB
Defender year


Great tip on the ATB, I'll do some research on this - I have a late 2011 Defender with the 2.4.


How about the fuel quality in the Africa? Is puma engine OK with it?

Definitely this is a concern, however I've been in very remote regions while at sea with questionable diesel supplies and it's all about keeping things as clean as possible before going in the tank! On marine diesels I have run primary & secondary filters, and in very questionable areas I have gravity-filtered fuel from jerry cans. So, I need to do some more research about the possibility of a secondary inline (larger) micron filter (is doing this even a thing?). It's unlikely I will be installing a long range tank and will be juggling fuel canisters...

[inken_dave]

...................
All the best with your preparations. What year is your Puma Defender? Have you greased the adapter shaft between gearbox and transfer case? Also recommend an Ashcroft ATB to strengthen the TC and improve dirt road handling. ...do all that when you get your HD clutch put in. The most vital puma mods IMO.

..................................

+1 to the above! I've just installed the Ashcroft adaptor shaft for the gearbox, and installed the ATB centre diff unit.....very important!

Also, which you would also already know, replace or keep a spare set of silicon induction hoses, and cooling system hoses! Hoses reaching ten years old could give trouble!

In the end though, you can't replace everything..........Sounds like an amaizing trip!

[workingonit]

Hi all, I'm preparing my 130 for a trip across Australia to Perth, onto Durban and up the continent onto mainland Europe and as far north as Norway.

Admire your determination and courage.

Drove 35,000k around Europe decades ago. Got up past the arctic circle in Norway.

[Zeros]

All commonrail diesels are susceptible to fuel contamination. ...but they sell like hotcakes in Africa too. Obviously a Tdi or Isuzu would be simpler, but then there are other potential issues with age.

A second filter can be good insurance, but if it’s fine enough to get past one, it will probably get past two filters. ...I’m in two minds, but I reckon I’d install second fine filter just to be sure if I could. ...Others advice welcome on this.

[nickj]

+1 to the above! I've just installed the Ashcroft adaptor shaft for the gearbox, and installed the ATB centre diff unit.....very important!

Also, which you would also already know, replace or keep a spare set of silicon induction hoses, and cooling system hoses! Hoses reaching ten years old could give trouble!

In the end though, you can't replace everything..........Sounds like an amaizing trip!

With regards to the adapter shaft: My TC was completely rebuilt just two years ago by M.R Automotive after the last owner drove it dry and destroyed it. Is it safe to assume the TC adapter shaft would have been correctly greased by them during the rebuild, perhaps meaning an Ashcroft adapter shaft may not be a mandatory upgrade item while the clutch is being done? The ATB looks amazing, but, $$$ :)

I have a full set of cooling & induction hoses in silicone all ready for installation :)

[karlz]

The trip sounds fun, I've ridden the other way from Europe (including Norway) to Cape Town on a motorbike.
What route from South Africa to Europe are you planning?
This is the route I took.
149653

My advice like others have said, travel light, carry spares but not too much.
I met a guy in a defender and we travelled together thru Zaire, he had so many spares that he ended up snapping several axxles, 2 coil springs and many other issues. Its pretty extreme 4x4 going through Congo. Malawi has the most potholes I have ever seen and the corrugations in North Kenya are horrendous (I snapped my motorbike frame there).

Another suggestions is to get a lot of your vehicle work done in South Africa, it will be a LOT cheaper than Aus, they know what they are doing too, and the cost of living is low.

You'll have a memory of your life.

[nickj]

The trip sounds fun, I've ridden the other way from Europe (including Norway) to Cape Town on a motorbike.
What route from South Africa to Europe are you planning?
This is the route I took.
149653

What year did you do this trip? I would love to go up the the western side like you have done, so I don't miss the Sahara and central Africa, plus I get to go to Morocco and it is much easier to get to Europe from there. However, from all my research so far, I had planned a more eastern route for the purposes of safety, reaching mainland Europe by way of Alexandria in Egypt. This was a secondary option to the more interesting one that does not seem possible, which is Egypt to Israel, then Lebanon via Syria and car ferry to Turkey. However politically this is impossible at the moment.

So, at the moment my intended route is Durban->Cape Town (surfing), Cape Town->Namibia (more surfing) -> Botswana -> Zimbabwe, Mozambique (surfing), Tanzania (surfing??), Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt - car ferry to mainland Europe, then up to Denmark somehow and onto North Cape, Norway.

I'd be intrigued to hear how you went in Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, etc...

I understand the labour cost in S.A is about a third of the Australian labour cost, however, sometimes it is easier to just get things done in a familiar country... I will keep you updated on how this thinking progresses ;)

[steveG]

IMO while I'm sure the ATB center diff is nice, it's not essential. I did 15K kms over 9 weeks in Southern Africa in 2015 - rental Puma 110. They handle well stock and AFAIK the center diff isn't a weakness unless spun unlocked.
We had no fuel issues (Namibia, Botswana, SA).
Are you doing something security wise for the tub? I'd be concerned about only having the canvas.
We found the SA 4x4 forum a good resource, and the tracks4africa maps are great.

Steve

[Zeros]

With regards to the adapter shaft: My TC was completely rebuilt just two years ago by M.R Automotive after the last owner drove it dry and destroyed it. Is it safe to assume the TC adapter shaft would have been correctly greased by them during the rebuild, perhaps meaning an Ashcroft adapter shaft may not be a mandatory upgrade item while the clutch is being done? The ATB looks amazing, but, $$$ :)

I have a full set of cooling & induction hoses in silicone all ready for installation :)

You can probably assume that MRA greased the adapter shaft properly as they sound like they know what they’re doing. Hopefully they also used the four pin centre for the TC. Mine was only the 2pin so the ATB fixed that. I didn’t have the Ashcroft adapter shaft fitted, just a new fully greased genuine one...was advised by my Indi that if properly greased it will be fine. So you’re shoukd be by the sound of it.

[lightwing]

I fitted the ashcroft ATB center diff, reputedly much stronger than the original, I also fitted the ascroft intermediate shaft. Twice, both failed by allowing gearbox oil leaks . After the two attempts I reverted to the original well greased intermediate shaft as advised by my indie.
One thing you really don't want is an intermediate shaft failure in a remote area. One of my failures occurred just after a Simpson crossing which was not very inspiring

[inken_dave]

With regards to the adapter shaft: My TC was completely rebuilt just two years ago by M.R Automotive after the last owner drove it dry and destroyed it. Is it safe to assume the TC adapter shaft would have been correctly greased by them during the rebuild, perhaps meaning an Ashcroft adapter shaft may not be a mandatory upgrade item while the clutch is being done? The ATB looks amazing, but, $$$ :)

I have a full set of cooling & induction hoses in silicone all ready for installation :)

A correctly greased adaptor shaft should do the trick, just make sure it is done with the correct lube when you get the clutch done. My centre diff(out of a 2013 110) had done 130000km but had so much backlash is was not even funny, it was embarrassing to think it could even get that bad. The ATB diff does significantly improve the dirt road touring characteristics too.

It is expensive, but I think the original unit is one of the late model Defenders weak points, along with the clutch and adaptor shaft. Ashcroft does a good job of removing these.

My thoughts are to remove as many possible problems, as there will be plenty left over to worry about[bigrolf]

As listed, some people have had oil leaks from their Ashcroft adaptor, mine so far is completely dry!(I have used a borescope through the bottom drain hole to check)

Like anything mechanical, if you drive it with reasonable sympathy and without massive loads, then you maximise you level of reliability!

[karlz]

What year did you do this trip? I would love to go up the the western side like you have done, so I don't miss the Sahara and central Africa, plus I get to go to Morocco .......

I'd be intrigued to hear how you went in Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, etc...
...

Actually I left Melbourne in 1991 on my motorbike (rode to Europe) and eventually came back in 2008.
I did the african trip around 1997 -98. Thats a long time ago come to think of it, but it doesnt feel that long ago.

Its a shame you miss the Sahara that was a very memorable part.
As was west africa, especially Ghana, in my opinion the friendliest country in the world.

At my time of travel, Nigeria was the only country that would enable you to cross from west to east africa.
It was rumoured to be US$100-$200 at the border bribe to get thru. Many travellers I met who refused the bribe had their passports
scribbled on "refused entry" which meant going back to to the nearest embassy to buy another visa and try again!

Hearing this, I decided to get my visa (usually US$100) in Dakar (Senegal), to cut a long story short I was well received
by the Nigerian Ambassador and I ended up getting a "Gratis Visa - Courtesy of the Nigerian Government" stamp!

At the Nigerian border from Benin, travelling at this stage with 2 other motorbikes and two guys in a defender we were taken into a room.
All the Nigerian border guys had on Sunglasses, then closed the curtains in the room and then started asking us for "presents".
Eventually they got around to me, then saw my "Gratis" visa stamp, asked how come I had one of those.
I responded, "The ambassador is my friend, he told me to write down all the people who were nice to me, and those that wernt..."
:) No monetary bribes were therefore needed by our group, however one of the guys in the defender who had contacts with Britsh Airways had a stash of
1st class complimentary bags consisting of comfy socks,cold eye packs, and some mysterious moisturisers. The Nigerians loved those presents :)

Riding into the the capital city Bangui in Central African Republic, apparently 10kms from the capital, there was an infamous checkpoint that demanded bribes for entry.
Unfortunately, the defender suffered a puncture and needed repair, by the time the repair was fixed it was already dark. (sunshine to dark happens very quick there).
Picture 3 x motorbikes leading a landrover with several spotlights entering checkpoint 10km in the dark!
The barrier was up, all the soldiers were at attention and saluting!!!!
We didnt stop and entered the city freely :)

Anyway, thats a couple of experiences, you will have your own.

Oh, I met my wife (a german girl) in Zimbabwe, not allowed to forget that :)

Africa is such a great place, each country is different, the sub Saharan Africans are SO nice.

[nickj]

IMO while I'm sure the ATB center diff is nice, it's not essential. I did 15K kms over 9 weeks in Southern Africa in 2015 - rental Puma 110. They handle well stock and AFAIK the center diff isn't a weakness unless spun unlocked.
We had no fuel issues (Namibia, Botswana, SA).
Are you doing something security wise for the tub? I'd be concerned about only having the canvas.
We found the SA 4x4 forum a good resource, and the tracks4africa maps are great.

Steve

Re tub security, everything under the canvas will be lockboxes/locked down in one way or another - the canvas is simply rain proofing. Expensive gear (cameras etc) will be inside lock boxes in the cab (removed rear seats), the rear is for spare tires, lockboxes, kitchen, surfboards, jerry cans.

[Zeros]

Will your Defender go into its own ontainer to be shipped?

[nickj]

Will your Defender go into its own ontainer to be shipped?

Yes, 20ft standard dimension container - unless someone wants to share a 40footer :)

[Zeros]

Yes, 20ft standard dimension container - unless someone wants to share a 40footer :)

Ha! ...how tempting that is! ...turning life upside down this year would be tricky...but you never know! [thumbsupbig]

[karlz]

Ha! ...how tempting that is! ...turning life upside down this year would be tricky...but you never know! [thumbsupbig]
How old you are Zeros?
Do you have kids?

?

[karlz]

Yes, 20ft standard dimension container - unless someone wants to share a 40footer :)

When I shipped my P38 Range rover from Thailand (via UK) to Aus in a 20ft container, it arrived with a 2m wide ding in the container, cm's from the car. At least it didnt fall off the ship :)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8r8a8_GtG0)

[nickj]

Project update: I moved over to a 1991 Perentie FFR as the platform for this trip. The reasoning as follows:



A 130 Puma is incredibly expensive to insure
Computerised engine management, hard to bush-mechanic/diagnose in remote places
Simplicity


I found an FFR and am working on it at the moment in Victoria, replacing bearings, hub seals, gearbox seals, shocks, fuel tank repair, painting the camouflage away (probably not a good look in Africa?) etc.

I'll take it to Tas next week, and start the trip in July for a lap around Oz before we ship at the end of the year from Fremantle to Durban.

Is it possible to change the subject of this thread to 'Tasmania to Norway in a Perentie' ?? :)

[W&KO]

Thanks for the update.....

Are you leaving it as a rag top??

[nickj]

Thanks for the update.....

Are you leaving it as a rag top??

Yep, proper African safari with ear plugs in. [bigsmile]

[lightwing]

Hi Nick, this sounds very interesting I am considering a similar trip also with the perentie. I have sent you a pm
Cheers,
Chris

[nickj]

Hi all,

Some updates (sorry to be a bore, but this motivates me, it's like keeping a diary [bigrolf])

I finally got the new 110 Perentie down to Tasmania. I put in new bearings, various seals etc in Vic and spent a very long time trying to sort out a leaking fuel tank, to no avail. Anyway, I temp-repaired it and have a new tank on the way.

The next six weeks will be spent preparing the vehicle, working on it full-time till it's done, as I leave next month to take the slow route to Fremantle where it will be shipped from. I think I will go over the top-end.

I have a full set of Koni Heavy Track shocks on the way (no, not RAIDs, too $$ unfortunately), fuel tank (which will require filler/breather mods to fit) various bits and pieces to plumb in a freshwater system, Maxtrax mounts, sound deadener (butyl rubber) and under-bonnet foam sound deadener. I have six cans of camouflage black paint and a Team Perentie canopy on the way - so the vehicle will be matte-black with an olive green ragtop. I'm sewing up a bunch of internal pockets and storage pouches. There is also basic rear-tray camping setup I will improve upon, made by the previous owner.

For anyone interested in day-by-day progress in images, I have just started an Instagram account Cape to Kapp (@cape2kapp) • Instagram photos and videos (https://www.instagram.com/cape2kapp/)

Nick.

[nickj]

Project update:

I've successfully driven from the most southern road in Tasmania as far as Darwin. 45mins out of home the rear pinion seal went, but after some quick thinking and generosity from new friends, I was back underway a few hours later, able to make south east cape and then up to catch the ferry 24hrs later.

I drove up to Sydney where Expedition Centre & Frontrunner Australia generously supported me with the rest of my fitout. The FFR has now turned into a full overlander and I couldn't be happier with how it's turned out. I then drove up the east coast exploring many different tracks and beaches without a hiccup, until the slave cylinder on the clutch went - I managed to nurse it to Coffs and get some assistance. I then took a visit to British Offroad in Noosa and got some more work done, including heavy duty rear shocks to level out the sag after the weight additions. I also got a new master clutch cylinder and a balance tube to resolve the migrating oil from the TC to the gearbox.

Bored with the huge number of caravans, traffic and grey nomads on the east coast, I turned left instead of heading up to Cape York as per my initial plan, and drove across the Simpson Desert, which was incredible. From Dalhousie springs it was up and across to Alice, then Darwin where the Landy is parked at the moment. I went off to make some more money and will return in three weeks and keep driving to Fremantle where I meet the ship for South Africa.

Pics etc at Cape to Kapp (@cape2kapp) • Instagram photos and videos (https://www.instagram.com/cape2kapp)

https://i.imgur.com/grOtoso.jpg

[prelude]

Mate, sorry I am late to the thread...

This is a wonderful trip you are making! I am envious :) In any case, I have traveled to the north cape in winter in 2017. I am not sure during what time of year you intend to get down there but if you plan to visit in winter I recommend driving through sweden in stead of norway. Norway is a beautiful country, don't get me wrong, and sweden lacks the big fjords but norway is a country that has 6 weeks of vacation in a year in the middle of summer and beyond that it has been my experience nearly all public services are closed of including the public toilets.

When you travel through sweden once you get above the first 1/3 of the country the population severely decreases but along the 2 main north/south roads the public toilets are open, very clean, heated, running water and have trashcans. With almansrat you are allowed to camp everywhere unless specifically mentioned. We camped in our rtt at -30c but had the comfort of a heated public toilet to change close and wash up, it was a blessing :)

Also sweden is considerably cheaper than norway and so is denmark. There are several ways to travel up north if you need some tips by that time just let me know. I live in the netherlands btw so if you pass through, give me a shout and perhaps we can have a cold one! And in case you are around germany in june next year, the abenteuer und allrad messe is one of the largest overland get togethers and might be a nice visit. I'll be there as well.

Safe and happy trucking!

Cheers,
-P

[nickj]

Safe and happy trucking!

Cheers,
-P

Thanks!! Would love to make the abenteuer und allrad messe, that sounds awesome, however I think June might be a bit early for me. I am traveling strategically with the seasons, so right now I am in the north Australian dry season (well, verging on the edge of it now), heading down to lower latitudes in Fremantle for the beginning of summer - the truck then arrives in the South African summer (January), and I make my way up the eastern seaboard in time with the coming summer mid-year in Europe. I hope to make North Cape by Sept/Oct (end of the northern summer) 2020.

I have hitchhiked to the arctic circle and did so primarily through Sweden as Norway was too expensive!! So, as per your recommendation I will most likely do this similar route, however... It would be pretty amazing to drive beside those fjords and experience some of the big bridge infrastructure those Norwegians have built... We will see how much money I have left by the time I get there! :)

I will update here on major legs and hopefully see you in Holland!

[DiscoMick]

This sounds like a great trip - I'm envious.
Do you expect to have any trouble through Sudan? Isn't that rather dodgy at the moment? Looking at the map, maybe you can slip along the coast through Ethiopia and Eritrea - Addis Ababa, Dessie, Djibouti, Mek'ele, Keren, Kassala, Ad'Damar, Karima, Dongola, Abri, Wadi Halfa - and avoid the worst trouble spots. Don't know, just speculating. Stay away from South Sudan.

I wonder how much extra cost it would be to tow a camper trailer on trips like this. Obviously would need to fill a longer container and pay more for shipping.
I reckon the wife might just come at the idea if we could take the camper. She loves our camper.

[DiscoMick]

The trip sounds fun, I've ridden the other way from Europe (including Norway) to Cape Town on a motorbike.
What route from South Africa to Europe are you planning?
This is the route I took.
149653

My advice like others have said, travel light, carry spares but not too much.
I met a guy in a defender and we travelled together thru Zaire, he had so many spares that he ended up snapping several axxles, 2 coil springs and many other issues. Its pretty extreme 4x4 going through Congo. Malawi has the most potholes I have ever seen and the corrugations in North Kenya are horrendous (I snapped my motorbike frame there).

Another suggestions is to get a lot of your vehicle work done in South Africa, it will be a LOT cheaper than Aus, they know what they are doing too, and the cost of living is low.

You'll have a memory of your life.

That's quite a trip. I had understood that route, particularly the Congo and Mali (basically anywhere which used to be French), were pretty dangerous. How did you go?

[nickj]

Stay away from South Sudan.

I wonder how much extra cost it would be to tow a camper trailer on trips like this. Obviously would need to fill a longer container and pay more for shipping.
I reckon the wife might just come at the idea if we could take the camper. She loves our camper.

Do you have specific on-ground experience in South Sudan? Because everyone has an opinion about Africa based on what they see on TV, yet everyone I've spoken to who has actually been to these places, or overlanded them has a very different view. I'm open to actual recent experience, but the amount of fear mongering I hear when I mention this trip to anyone on earth is staggering - the same thing happened when I sailed around the world on my own, all I ever heard were horror stories from men who never left the dock... Meanwhile, I carried on & they're still on the dock rolling cigarettes, 'preparing', and bolting gear on for situations that will never arise...

Regarding shipping, a 40ft container isn't much more than a 20ft, so you could take a camper I suppose.

[W&KO]

Awesome, keep us posted

I’m sure you’ll relevant info once in country or close to the borders

[DiscoMick]

Do you have specific on-ground experience in South Sudan? Because everyone has an opinion about Africa based on what they see on TV, yet everyone I've spoken to who has actually been to these places, or overlanded them has a very different view. I'm open to actual recent experience, but the amount of fear mongering I hear when I mention this trip to anyone on earth is staggering - the same thing happened when I sailed around the world on my own, all I ever heard were horror stories from men who never left the dock... Meanwhile, I carried on & they're still on the dock rolling cigarettes, 'preparing', and bolting gear on for situations that will never arise...

Regarding shipping, a 40ft container isn't much more than a 20ft, so you could take a camper I suppose.No, just heard the usual stories.

[prelude]

Thanks!! Would love to make the abenteuer und allrad messe, that sounds awesome, however I think June might be a bit early for me. I am traveling strategically with the seasons, so right now I am in the north Australian dry season (well, verging on the edge of it now), heading down to lower latitudes in Fremantle for the beginning of summer - the truck then arrives in the South African summer (January), and I make my way up the eastern seaboard in time with the coming summer mid-year in Europe. I hope to make North Cape by Sept/Oct (end of the northern summer) 2020.

I have hitchhiked to the arctic circle and did so primarily through Sweden as Norway was too expensive!! So, as per your recommendation I will most likely do this similar route, however... It would be pretty amazing to drive beside those fjords and experience some of the big bridge infrastructure those Norwegians have built... We will see how much money I have left by the time I get there! :)

I will update here on major legs and hopefully see you in Holland!

Let's just see how your trip will go mate. The abenteuer is late next year since it is coupled to some national holiday. Officially from 11-14 of june. I HIGHLY recommend beeing early, so arrve on the 13th or perhaps a day earlier although that is not officially allowed :) This way you can get the best spots.

Depending on what you wish to see and travel to in europe, you might be able to adjust the route somewhat to make it to germany. No worries if you don't though, but it is one of those things one would like to visit if you have the chance.

Regarding having a peak into norway: There are a few (2 or 3?) roads that cross from from sweden into norway and back so you could opt to leave sweden for a few hundred K's to visit norway. For example the road from sundsvall to trondheim. In Norway you would drive around 600K's or so, which should be doable on a cheap tank of fuel from sweden, fill up your jerry's and buy the food in sweden as well. From there you would take the road to storuman back into sweden and on up north. I am not sure if the fjords on that stretch of road are worth while this would take some googling.

On the other hand, you need to cross from sweden into norway at some point else you can't get to the nord kap. :) I entered norway through finland all the way along the top border of sweden. Since you have been around those area's you probably know already that not many people live there. The road I just mention, the E14 sundsvall to trondheim is sort of population line, above that the density drops of sharply. My dad lives in sweden, 100k's beneath that line and down there you can still drive around seeing houses and villages dotted all over.

Regarding traveling through europe; I know you are trying to follow the seasons and I checked your website which has a itinerary not including most countries I am about to mention but I though I just give you these two cents: In portugal there are a lot of unpaved roads through nice scenery and it is quite easy to camp off the beaten track. Afaik it is legal as wel. In france all roads are public roads unless a sign specifically says you can't enter so it is a sort of offroad haven for us in that regard. There are 3 or 4 area's that are very nice to visit. Wild camping in belgium, the netherlands and germany is strictly forbidden but there are some ways around it. Especially in germany along the motorways you can always sleep as long as you do not act like you are camping. If they should ever ask (the polizei) you can simply claim that you are no longer fit to drive and nobody will bother you.

I am not up to speed with the rest of europe (enough).

If you wish to drive most of your time and spend the least possible time on a boat you would have to travel through denmark since the oresund and storebelt bridges connect the large island with the mainland of denmark and sweden respectively. Denmark is however en seriously expensive country in terms of both fool and food. Pizza for 3 people (that was it!) was 50 euro's a few years back and the toll for both bridges will run you up to 100 euro's. It is great if you can say that you drove it ALL so I get if that is what you want to do, I always take the bridges when visiting my dad. You can't really see much though, there is no touristic stop in the middle or anything so, eh... Whatever floats your boat.

For the same amount of money that you would spend on the transit through denmark you could easily take the ferry from the top of germany, bergen, to trelleborg. It's a night ferry I believe that you roll onto late in the evening and roll off around breakfast. On that same german island sits prora, the massive 4km long concrete building the nazi's built as a holiday resort for the people ;)

Ah well, this is far away for you so :)

Regarding horror stories, you are absolutely right. Contact the locals, contact the people who have recentyl traversed the area and you increase your chances of succes significantly. Also, I mean locals :) not the neighbours next door!

In Czechia they'll warn you about the slovaks, there they will tell you: it's all right here, but the romanians you should be careful of! Once there they'll tell you that bulgars, those are the real criminals.

Don't let me talk you (or anyone else) into a false sense of security though, but in general the ratio of horror vs succes stories I have researched up until now is by far in favour of the succes stories.

Can't wait to read more of your adventure. I'll have something nice to read in our upcoming winter

Cheers!
-P