Overlander's Handbook
Trip Reports

Belgium to Cape Town ~ Land Rover Discovery 200Tdi

Who Rob ~ email
ProfessionGeographer
Born 1974Nationality Belgian
Previous travel experienceBackpacking in Europe and Northern Africa. Algeria
This tripBelgium - Cape Town
Departure dateSept 2003
Number in group1,5
Trip duration9 months
Distance covered30.000km
Cost of trip (not incl. vehicle)Don't know exactly guess around 9.000€
Best dayDon't really know. A few very strong moments in Mauritania, Burkina, Nigeria, Kameroun, Congo, Angola, Namibia and Botswana
Worst/ hardest dayThe day my GF left
Favourite placeBurkina and Botswana, but also Nigeria, Angola and the Sahara
Biggest headache-
Wish I hadn'teaten that steak on christmas eve
Most pleasant surprisesanta claus also visits burkina. There's a little Burkinabe running about named after me.
Any illnessupset stomach after eating that steak on X-mas eve
Other trips plannedaround the caspian sea
One overlanding tipUse your intuition. By large, most people have good intentions, so relax.
Type of VehicleLand Rover Discovery 200Tdi
Age/ mileage on departure10 years 150.000km
Modificationsbashplate, rooftent on thule bars, organized the back, split charge battery, air horn
Most useful accessoryroof tent, gas cooker
Mods you wish you'd doneNothing really. Should have had better front springs.
Tyres usedBFgoordrich all terrain 225 75
Number of punctures
Vehicle's weak point-
Vehicle's strong pointextreem good value for money, comfortable
Vehicle problemsfuel solenoid, diff lock linkage, clutch slave cylinder
Same vehicle again?next is a lada 2104, have an Iveco 4x4 coming up. Maybe later.
One driving tipIf you give up early you can always revers out and try again.