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africa
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 Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:31 am Post subject: Driving across Africa |
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Can anyone tell me which is the best machine to take me across Africa?!
Thanks! |
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GJF
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:43 am Post subject: |
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Are we talking GPS or four wheel drive?
After lots of driving in West Africa, as well as the dangerous un-finished roads and the even more dangerous natives, i would suggest an aeroplane with a resident navigator is the best bet.
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africa
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:48 am Post subject: |
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| GJF wrote: | Are we talking GPS or four wheel drive?
After lots of driving in West Africa, as well as the dangerous un-finished roads and the even more dangerous natives, i would suggest an aeroplane with a resident navigator is the best bet. |
Sadly no plane! 4wd across West Africa from Tangiers to Dakar... Any ideas? |
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MaFt
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 11:28 am Post subject: |
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| moved to off topic as not gps related |
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DennisN
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 11:45 am Post subject: |
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I remember a TV programme a few years ago about a "Car for Africa". They had two 4x4s made mostly of wood, with extra wide wheeltracks to deal with bridges which are often two "planks", the width of lorry wheeltracks, and the engines and mechanics were very primitive. Everything designed to be repaired by very local blacksmiths and the like.
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GJF
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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Driving in Africa can be a challenge, roads not often finished, both in surface and length.
I think you will find the most popular makes are Land Rover and Toyota, popular meaning that you can find spares and workshops.
Are you on holiday, an expedition or race?
Give us more details to guide us.
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DennisN
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Skippy
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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Find out what the locals drive and get one of these because the chances are that when you break it, there will be someone with the parts and knowledge to fix it. There is no point taking (say) a Land Rover if everyone drives (say) a Toyota Hilux.
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GJF
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| Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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| DennisN wrote: | | I remember a TV programme a few years ago about a "Car for Africa". They had two 4x4s made mostly of wood....... |
Although i can see from your above links that this car doesn't exist due to the Company involved being done for fraud, have you seen the size and quantity of the termites in africa, they would have eaten this wooden car overnight and you would be driving a chassis. 
The designers were obviously potty.
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GPS_fan
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| Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Skippy wrote: | | Find out what the locals drive and get one of these |
Locals use camels don't they 
Joking apart, if you can find out what what is driven in the area then that would be a start.
Watching wildlife/conservation programmes, I seem to recall thet Toyotas are popular - but I could well be wrong
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JockTamsonsBairn
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| Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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You could have a look at the Toyota Hilux. I'm sure it could be suitably modified. I'd probably keep the gun holder, although the chances of coming across polar bears is probably quite low
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GJF
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| Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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| BGF wrote: | | ..........I'd probably keep the gun holder, although the chances of coming across polar bears is probably quite low |
Travelling in "deep" Africa is more than an experience, in one night through the bush i was stopped by soldiers three times, had a machine gun poked in my neck twice and spread-eagled across vehicles - and they were the friendly ones.
What ever you do don't get rid of the gun holder, the natives are worse than polar bears.
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