Overlander's Handbook
Trip Reports
Colorado to Cape Town - Defender 110 300tdi
| Who | Graham Jackson ~ email ~ website |
| Profession | Chemist, NOT a pharmacist! |
| Born 1972 | Nationality UK |
| Previous travel experience | USA, Southern Africa & most of Europe. |
| This trip | Colorado to Cape Town via London, down the west coast driving all the way! |
| Departure date | Jan, 2004 |
| Number in group | 4 at the start, up to 11 at one point, 2 at the end. |
| Trip duration | 225 days |
| Distance covered | 44,912km 27,907 miles |
| Cost of trip (not incl. vehicle) | Approx $12,000 |
| Best day | Hard to pin down, but seeing a croc steal a cheetah kill in Moremi was amazing. Also days out in the desert away from everything! |
| Worst/ hardest day | Making the mistake of sitting on the Angolan border officials desk when I had dengue and we were trying to get into Angola. Had to apologize to him and his boss and it delayed us by hours until the indignation died down. |
| Favourite place | The deserts and the jungles, although I've always had a soft spot for the Okavango. |
| Biggest headache | Not being able to get a dual entry visa for Angola. |
| Wish I hadn't | Travelled with some of the people I did. Travelling like this can destroy old friendships! Also wish I had spent the money on good quality tire tubes when the shop in Ludlow advised me to. |
| Most pleasant surprise | The ease of everything and how kind and helpful most of the people we met were. |
| Any illness | I got dengue fever and we both had bouts of travellers tummy! |
| Other trips planned | Australia for 6 months including the Canning Stock Route. Small trips inbetween. It will never stop! |
| One overlanding tip | When dealing with border officials, always be patient and act like you have all the time in the world! |
| Type of Vehicle | Land Rover Defender 110 300tdi |
| Age/ mileage on departure | 2001, 10,000km |
| Modifications | Bull bars, winch, sliders, roll cage, roof rack, roof top tent, rear corner protectors, limb riders, window protection, water tank, long range fuel tank, lights, tuffy box, drawer system, inverter, power points, laptop stand, map light, tire rack, steerin |
| Most useful accessory | Roof top tent! |
| Mods you wish you'd done | Additional water tank with shower and water filter. |
| Tyres used | 760R16 Michelin XZL running tubed which is not ideal. |
| Number of punctures |
| Vehicle's weak point | Aftermarket suspension |
| Vehicle's strong point | Everything else. Engine was stellar. |
| Vehicle problems | Transmission failed in Morocco. Had many problems with the aftermarket suspension. |
| Same vehicle again? | Yes! It's paid for! |
| One driving tip | Do not brake hard on washboard! |