Sharing my overlanding adventures and experiences with you.
I am an African nomad and itinerant vagrant, a permanent traveller. Perhaps, and African gypsey.
My channel provides a platform to share my solo overlanding adventures and experiences with you through video. These videos will provide advice and tips on overlanding Southern Africa. There will be reviews of places and campsites, advice on equipment and general options to assist and inspire you when overlanding this vibrant and magnificently beautiful region of the African continent. Join me on my adventures.
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Disastrous video to watch, most negative person, complaining 70% of the video.. Sorry, I didn't get 70% into it, just assuming. Camera mostly on his face, rumbling away moaning. Hotels, and others, need your details. They can send updates, call you if you don't reach your destination, or find you if you stuff up their gas geyser. Stay at home bro, rather look at other people's positive trips through RSA. Wonder why you do the common SOLO thing, if you can't handle it. Did you have a campfire...? did you look at the stars, listened to the night silence, or where you cramped up in you rooftop tent, waiting for first light so you could get out of there... Ai jai jai, tough boy, Africa isn't for sissies.... You must know it by now, jy's al mooi groot.....
I thought Sani Pass was the worst and the most frightening. I have done Sani Pass before and only once. Your voice and your face are a testament that Gamkaskloof is indeed DIE HEL. Thank you for your well edited video
I travelled tru Zambia from Cape town n at every town two army guys wanted to be bribed. At 3rdbpostbthe soldier called reinforcement so I cut the ph wire with my k nife n clobbered them. I was in bus n the entire bus commuters hooted with laughter
Read the book "Die Hel en sy mense" and from the content there were many traveling general dealers that never returned from their sales trip to this place as some inhabitants robbed them and disposed of them. Sounded like a dangerous place at some point in history, yet so sirene today. Great commentary and video. Did the Swartberg many times in my Carolla "4x4". Was advised to turn around on the road to the Hel and never tried it all the way. Thanks for a wonderful video.
Well done for overcoming your fears. I went there some years back and I loved it, but I'm only somewhat frightened by heights. What terrifies me more is the driving you see on the N1 and N2. Looks like there's been a big fire through since I visited.
Watching this video evokes a sense of wanderlust and a deep appreciation for the untouched beauty of our planet. The scenes of overlanding through rugged terrains and then setting up camp amidst sprawling wilderness are a testament to the profound experiences waiting beyond the beaten path. It's a visual testament to the magic of exploration.
At 4:15, that is my bakkie driving past you and at 6:04, that wet patch on the ground in the road, that was me 😁 Lived in Gamkaskloof for a year and did that pass many times, even with a loaded 6 meter trailer You get used to it
The thing about Zambia border formalities is that you have to know what must be done. Acquaint yourself with the 'ground rules'; they're there but those Zambia border officials prey on people's ignorance of those 'ground rules'! And they cash in once in a while if you show ignorance! But go to the ',bosses' office rooms and get what must be done if you don't want to be extorted! Zambia is like that you find some corrupt govt officials and some honest ones who do the correct thing. Finally I am editing a bit by adding that you must be patient, tolerant; yes I hear you 'subservient' is the word because it is like border officials in Zambia wake up in a mood, they have an attitude that morning that will make the nicest person in the world lose their cool, calm and collectedness! It is largely true what you have said about Zambia border officers! Personally sometimes I have exploded. They can try your patience to the max!
I found the Zambian officials very professional and friendly. The problem is their un-co-ordinated systems. So many forms, so many processes, so many checks, so many forms, forms,forms! A time-and-motion studies professional's delight!
I appreciate your driving through the Swartberg pass into die hel and out and explaining some of the driving hazards and reviewing the campsite a bit what with the solar panels . The Otto du Plessis Road is an example of man’s inhumanity to man. Hope you’re now on a nice beach for a while . Have a lovely day . 👍✌️
OK thanks, I'm driving up the Sani Pass with some friends in Jan 24 and we weren't sure whether to head for Bob Phillips camp or Katse dam, the next day
Agree on the form non-sense, it's the absolute last thing you want to do after driving usually an entire day to get there! But otherwise, thank goodness for SANPARKS otherwise our parks would be in the terrible state that our ANC area provincial parks and municipal parks are in!
Great stuff as always, Sean. I don't know if you are much of a reader, but Andre Brink's 'Duiwelskloof' might even be based on this place - have to check that, it's been years since I read it, but it's a good book.
Thanks Iain. When I was little, I devoured books. Now, I devour them being read to me. This is an iconic valley and would, I suspect, have appealed to Brink as a subject. Certainly, his book is set in the "Swartberge" of the Karoo and has to do with in-breeding in a small isolated community. You are probably correct.
So disgusting. Don't paint us as corrupt. You could have just exhausted the required formalities. Zambia is so warm and welcoming a country. Go to Zimbabwe,Congo DR ,and a few others, so that you know the truth. You were just, unfortunately, handled by a few corrupt, thieving elements. It was a syndicate. We're NOT like that.
I'm not sure what you are disgusted about. I agree that Zambians are warm and inviting. It is a wonderful country! I did not come across ANY "corrupt, thieving elements", as you suggest. Nor did I fall prey to any "syndicates", as you also suggest I must have done. Unfortunately however, corruption in Southern Africa is endemic and travelers are cautious - as indeed they should be. I fortunately did not experience any corruption during my visit to Zambia. Nevertheless, in my opinion, crossing a Zambian border is an exhausting test of endurance and patience.
My sincere apologies for the silent audio during parts of this video. I asked RU-vid to remove the copyrighted music. Unfortunately it removed all audio at places. I will re-upload this video with music to which I have the rights. Once again, apologies!
Hi Mac. I like the relaxed style of your videos without the cliché phrases of "epic" and "adventure" and "amazing"...and also no not the sponsored gear that you need to mention in every scene. Your stuff is authentic! I have same setup on a Hilux with Bundutop tent and Oztent RV5. BUT the Oztent does not fit in the canopy. Does the Oztent you carry fit into the Cruizer's canopy? or where do you carry it?
I'm chuffed that you enjoy my content. Thanks for your kind comments. Yes, those cliched phrases really turn me off too! BUT, I'm thinking of starting my next video with, "Yo, whatsup?" I have the Oztent RV3. It does fit in the LC canopy (single cab) with a couple of centimeters to spare. The length is 160cm. I think the RV5 is 200cm?
I'm glad you made it I hope first you find a nice beer or n dubble brandy. I would need a ambulans and a good dokter but first put me out te get me oud there. I saluut you 😁
This is stunningly artistic and well done. What a beautiful land. A land so haunting, playing on memories I am sure that I do not have. Draws me in and I am drifting.... thanks for the wonderful trip to a place I have never been.
Wow......amazing stuff. I LOVE Namibia. Would you mind telling me: 1) What brand of tyre you used on this trail? 2) There are different schools of thought about tyre pressure on this type of terrain. Wasn't traction ever an issue when you drove over this terrain with hard tyres? I just discovered your channel (yesterday - Die Hell) and I subscribed for several reasons, namely the detail you show, your discussions and the way you tell the viewer something. Thank you for sharing your travels in this way. By the way.....I just love the sound of that engine. That Cruiser is probably the best vehicle ever made for this purpose.
@@soloafrika Tx. I lent my ears to the guys in our group and sliced my BFG sidewalls on similar terrain in the Karoo with low tyre pressure. Will remember your advice.
You are SO entertaining!! I laughed out load.🤣😂 Having done that road with a Toyota Raider bakkie (4x2) as well as a Landrover Defender in high range all the time, I managed to do it in 1½ hours. As much as I love your vehicle I would never attempt that route with that Landcruiser. You were very brave....wrong vehicle for the route though. However, my vehicle of choice for Namibia where I also love to go. As a matter of interest...I've seen a Toyota Tazz doing that road. The driver lives in the valley. Thanks so much for sharing. I just loved your way of describing your experience. You're a great story teller.....giggling again.....I can because I'm a woman.😂😂😂
That deck at the lodge is to die for! How did you resist not staying longer? Whew! So glad the ordeal of the border is past you now. I had done the same as you--just had flown into Zambia on the Victoria Falls side--never got the chance to visit Zambia by car. Can't wait for your new vlog adventures!
Namibia borders are straight forward as long as your papers are in order but Zambian borders officials mmmmmmm money is the only language they understand 😂.
Yes, that is what I was told. However, I found them polite, friendly and helpful. No attempts to seek a bribe. Their convoluted systems and multitudes of paper-work and taxes/fees are the problem. A A legacy of the British, I wonder?
Looks as if Katima has changed a bit since I last saw it....didn't recognise any of it at all....mind you, it was forty-one years ago, so a bit of change must be expected. Another very enjoyable presentation, thanks.
