When it comes to overlanding, every journey starts with a destination in mind. For us, that destination was the untamed beauty of South of Africa.
But as any seasoned overlander knows, getting there isn't always as simple as hopping on a plane. No, we needed our vehicle by our side to experience the thrill of off-road exploration for longer than a few weeks.
SO, WHY DID WE CHOOSE TO SHIP OUR CAR ?
Well, time was a major factor. We have a limited window to explore South Africa, and shipping would give us the opportunity to start our travel around September. Even when overlanding is about the travel and not necessary about the destination, for us it is clear that at least we can start calm and not being rushed.
Now, shipping a car across continents isn't exactly a walk in the park. It requires careful planning, coordination, and finding the right shipping solution. Our vehicle isn't your average car – it's a Defender with a rooftop rack and custom build-ups to tackle any terrain. This meant that a standard shipping container simply wouldn't cut it. We needed a high cube container to accommodate our vehicle comfortably.
But here's where things get interesting – instead of going it alone, we would like to share a container with someone else, aka finding a "container buddy." This help split the costs, but it also adds an extra element of coordination to our journey. Finding one - turns out - is harder than expected.
SO, HOW DID WE GO ABOUT FINDING OUR CONTAINER BUDDY ?
We didn't leave it to chance, that's for sure. We put our social media to work, sharing our plans and reaching out to overlanding communities on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. We also tapped into our network of friends, family, and fellow adventurers to spread the word.
Facebook Groups :
• Overland Community by Expedition Overland
• African Overlanders
• Overlanding Southern Africa
• Overlanding Africa
• West Africa Travellers
• Afrika auf eigene Faust
• Südafrika Reiseforum
• Expedition Ready Defenders
• Land Rover Campers
• Land Rover Defender
• Blacklandy
• Buschtaxi - Die Gruppe
Forums :
ADDITIONALLY, WE CONTACTED SHIPPING COMPANIES DIRECTLY ...
... inquiring about other travelers looking to ship their vehicles to South Africa around the same time as us. While we did encounter some promising leads, finding the perfect match proved to be challenging.
Shipping companies :
Nevertheless, we remain optimistic. We know that the right container buddy is out there, just waiting to join us on this incredible journey. So, if you or someone you know is gearing up for an overlanding adventure in South Africa and is in need of a shipping solution for their vehicle, don't hesitate to reach out.
OUR ROUTE :
from Europe (preferably Germany, Netherland, Belgium)
to South Africa (Cape Town)
anticipated shipping date: July-August 2024
MAKING IT WORTH YOUR WHILE
But, we also wanted to share our journey and make it worth your while. We've got an Instagram channel for cool visuals, a blog for gear and travel info, and a shop for prints and stickers to spruce up your space.
We're not just about asking for support; we want to add value. Our content will recommend tracks, share hidden spots, and spill the beans on local cooking, so you can get inspired at home or plan your own adventure.
Planning hasn't been as easy as we thought. We'll share not just the fun stuff but also the challenges we face. So, our journey is fueled by passion, love for remote travel, and a desire to share.
Join us on this rollercoaster, highs, and lows included.
Follow our journey for the latest updates. And if you want to support us, check out our webshop for unique prints and stickers.
Thanks a bunch for being part of this journey. Your support means everything, and we can't wait to share more with you. Safe travels!
Tatjana