Hi,

I'm about to rent a self-drive 4x4 in Mongolia. Has anyone heard of GOBI.RENT? Otherwise, do you have any tips for checking this company since there's no info on their website (e.g., registration number on the RCS)?

Thanks

Hi,

I’m looking to rent a UAZ without a driver for about ten days at the end of June. Does anyone have any contacts there?

Thanks,

Stéphane

Hello fellow adventurers,

After many self-drive trips in South Africa and 30 days in Namibia last April with a rooftop tent, I’m planning a relaxed 15-day trip to Kenya in a simple 4x4 (like a Rav4) without a tent. The goal is to visit Amboseli and Tsavo East and West parks in January. I’ve read about the differences in climate, vegetation, and wildlife between the two Tsavo parks... We’re thinking of spending one week in the parks and ending with 5-6 days on the coast. I have a few questions about the reserves and the 4x4, and I’d love any tips or observations: - January is the dry season: Is a simple 4x4 enough? - Since we’ll end near Mombasa, is it a good financial and tourist plan to rent the 4x4 only until Mombasa and then take the train back to Nairobi at the end of the trip? - What’s the general condition of the roads, and are there any to avoid? - I read that in Tsavo East, only the Galana River still has water in January. Is it a good idea to enter through Maniant Gate and take the road along the river south, or is it better to head north on the tracks? - Is it better to look for lodging inside the parks, or are there long queues at the park entrances in the morning during this season? - I also saw two reserves around Mount Kenya that look nice. How much time should we plan to visit them, or is it better to focus on Tsavo? What’s holding me back a bit is that the entrance fees have skyrocketed: $80/day/person!! Anyway, if you have any thoughts or ideas, I’d love to hear them to help with my planning!

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are planning our very first 4x4 trip. We recently bought a used Toyota Land Cruiser 150, still completely stock but in great condition. This is a big first for us—until now, our travels have been more hiking-focused, but the idea of trying out a 4x4 has been itching at me for a few years.

We’re thinking of heading to Morocco for a few weeks, probably in the spring. The plan is to mix the Atlas Mountains, southern valleys, and some easy trails between Merzouga, Tata, Foum Zguid, or the Draa Valley. Nothing extreme—we’re total beginners.

I’m in the middle of outfitting the vehicle and could really use your input, especially from those who know the country or have prepped a 4x4 for this kind of itinerary.

For a trip like this, is a stock Land Cruiser 150 enough, or should we consider a few upgrades (AT tires, sand ladders, compressor) to feel more confident on the southern trails?

For a first off-road adventure: would you recommend bringing a kit of wear-and-tear parts (filters, belts, hoses), or is a good pre-trip inspection with just the bare essentials enough in Morocco?

Finally, I’m torn between three roof tent brands: James Baroud, Autohome, and Roof Space. For heavy use in Morocco (heat, wind, daily setup), which brand do you think is best in terms of ventilation and mechanism durability? Are there any key criteria to consider when choosing?

Thanks in advance for your advice! We’re finalizing the budget and gearing up the vehicle, so all real-world feedback is welcome.

Julien

Hi there, I’m planning a 3-week trip to Oman this coming November. As I list the different places I’d like to visit, I’m trying to match each one with whether: - a basic sedan is enough - a small SUV with higher ground clearance is really necessary - a 4x4 is absolutely essential.

This is to keep costs down and avoid renting a vehicle that’s too expensive for the whole trip.

Would you have any thoughts on the vehicle choices in the attached file?

Thanks for your insights, and have a great evening! Christophe

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a trip to South Africa / Zimbabwe this summer—4x4 with camping gear... After some reading, I’ve put together this first draft of an itinerary:

D0 Johannesburg - arrive around 11 AM + visit Soweto? D1 Vic Falls - arrive around noon D2 Vic Falls D3 4x4 familiarization + Hwange NP D4 Hwange NP D5 Hwange NP D6 Bulawayo D7 Bulawayo / Matobo NP D8 Mapungubwe D9 Mapungubwe D10 Waterberg D11 Waterval Boven D12 Golden Gate Highlands NP D13 Sentinel Peak D14 Tugela Falls or another hike D15 Additional hike to be determined D16 Return to Johannesburg + drop off 4x4 - flight at 5 PM

Any thoughts on this itinerary? Ideas for improving it?

One alternative would be to visit Gonarezhou Park, which really appeals to me... But that would take more time and change the rest of the route: probably going back through Kruger. And I’m not sure I’d have enough time for the Drakensberg.

I still have other questions... But I’d rather finalize the general itinerary first to sort out the 4x4 rental...

Big thanks to the travel community 😉

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Russia and Mongolia, starting from France. Crossing the border at Poland/Belarus or Georgia/Russia—other borders seem either closed or complicated. Tourist visas for 3 months with multiple entries. Do you have any info on Russian companies that cover a 4x4 vehicle for 3 months, and what prices in rubles or euros you’ve paid?

Which bank did you use for expenses? (EuroMastercard and Visa cards no longer work.)

Regarding Russian SIM cards, a new system called "Gosuslugi" has been introduced. How long did it take you to get one, and what steps did you follow?

Thanks

hi, Now that I’ve got my new VW Syncro T3 (4x4), I’m hoping to explore some new tracks on my next trip at the end of 2025. Back in winter 2022/23, I wanted to try a recently extended track that continues the one leading to Aït Kine. After the village, I was able to drive on a good ten kilometers of tarmac, which then turns into a nice dirt track as soon as the climb to the pass begins (beautiful ravines). Almost at the last hairpin turn, I didn’t have enough power or traction to make it (my old T3 was only 2x4). I had to turn around, clenching my cheeks the whole way. Has anyone managed to take this track, which should lead to a main road (Igherm or Taliouine?) further north? And where exactly? Is it fully paved now?

Hello, Is it possible to consider wild camping with young children, mainly in the Anti-Atlas? It’s not an option for budget reasons but rather a way of traveling we enjoy.

If we get the landowner’s permission and offer compensation, is it feasible?

Happy New Year to you all

Hi there, I’m heading to Lesotho in a few days and I’m struggling to find info on the best route between Katse Dam and Sehlathebe National Park. There’s a fairly "direct" route from Thaba Tseka, but the roads seem rough, and we’re not exactly 4x4 pros. Anyone have any tips to share? Thanks!

Hi, For those who’ve driven on Iceland’s gravel roads in their own or a rented Duster, could you tell me what tires were fitted on the vehicle? Were they All Terrain tires or more "standard" ones like all-season tires, for example?

Follow-up question: if they were "standard" tires, did that cause any issues on the gravel roads and rough terrain?

Thanks so much for any info you can share. Best, Marc

Hello my friends, You can't imagine how happy I am to be back on my beloved site, loved by its traveling men and women!!!!! I want to travel with my little family (by car, not 4x4) from Taliouine to Tafraoute—it's a route I haven't taken yet (I've already done the one via Igherm), and I don't know the condition of the R106 road. Then, once that's done, our destination will be Zagora via Foum Zguid. I don’t want to go to Tata; my wife can’t stand that city. (I don’t mind because there’s a little local bar that’s not bad ;)) If you have any info, especially about the road conditions in October, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks so much, and I’m so happy to be back here.

Hi everyone, I’m starting to plan an itinerary for September 2027 focused on Zimbabwe and Zambia. I’d love to visit Gonarezhou National Park—I see there are two sectors: the Mwenezi Region in the south and the area around the Runde River in the north. Should I cover both sectors or just focus on the northern region? For the parks along the Zambezi River, is it better to visit Mana Pools on the Zimbabwe side or Lower Zambezi on the Zambia side? Thanks in advance for any tips on the parks in these two countries. Have a great day, everyone.

Hello, We're hitting the road again in 2027 to discover new countries and cultures. Could anyone give me some tips on driving from Ulaanbaatar to Lake Baikal and the route to take? Thanks, and safe travels to those who are setting off!

Hi Botswana lovers! Has anyone recently crossed the Third Bridge coming from North Gate? What’s the bridge like? And is North Gate open? Thanks in advance! Patricia

Hello, what’s the best road map? How reliable are GPS devices, and what downloads do you recommend before departure in case Wi-Fi isn’t available?

February 2025: A new fully paved road (just a few kilometers missing near Tisguine n'Aït M'Rao) from Alemdoun to the Dadès. Gorgeous pass.

Hi, I'd like to do Ouarzazate-Telouet-Marrakech by 4x4 with one night in Telouet. What are the difficulties on the route? Thanks

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a road trip through Southern Africa during the 2025 austral winter—South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi... and if I feel like it, maybe back to Namibia, Botswana, etc. To make this happen, I’d like to ship my 4x4 in a high-cube container and pick it up in Durban. Has anyone had experience with customs clearance at the port of Durban (South Africa) using a CPD (Carnet de Passage en Douane)? Thanks in advance for any tips or firsthand experience on this!

Have a great day! Salar de Uyuni - Bolivia

Hi, Does anyone know the current condition of the track from Afellah Ighir to the N7 north of Imitek, passing by the Akka Mines? About 57 km total, with the first 14 km (up to the Mine) paved and the rest unpaved. Thanks in advance

Hi there, Has anyone recently taken the track between Iknioun and Alnif? What’s its condition like?

Also, is there a well-marked track between the Jewish Dune and Mhamid?

Thanks for any info! Jean-Marie

Hi there, I'm planning a 4x4 road trip from Darwin to Broome with a rooftop tent in July 2026. I'd like to know if I need to book overnight stops in advance or if I can just wing it and stop wherever I feel like it? Some evenings, we'd like to stop and make use of campsite facilities (restaurant, shop, showers, toilets). What do you recommend? Do I need a permit?

My rough itinerary looks like this: Darwin - Kakadu Kakadu - Nitmiluk Nitmiluk - Kununurra Kununurra - Purnululu Purnululu - El Questro El Questro - Mt Elizabeth - Bell Gorge - Broome

Do you have any tips or great deals to share?

Thanks

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Iceland for next July-August, with a car and tent, and I’m wondering about booking campsites. From your experience, is it necessary or even essential to book campsites in advance, or do you always manage to find a spot to pitch your tent?

We’ll also have the option to sleep in the car without pitching the tent. Does that give us the flexibility to stay outside a campsite for a night here and there?

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! Mpec

Hello, we’re starting this discussion to share our project and get a little help.

We’re French and passionate about Southern Africa. For over twenty years, we’ve taken several trips to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia, always traveling independently and on the move. In 2009, we took a sabbatical and spent eight months in Southern Africa. To do this, we bought a vehicle in South Africa, with the help of a Frenchman living there who guided us through the registration and insurance process. Unfortunately, he has since passed away.

Now, we’d like to spend several months a year in Southern Africa, mainly in Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia, but also in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

We’d like to buy a 4x4, either already equipped or to be outfitted, but we’re not sure where it’s best to buy it: South Africa, Namibia, or Botswana?

We’re looking for someone who can help us with the registration and insurance process (we’re not bilingual, on top of everything!). Do you have any contacts you could recommend? We’d appreciate any information or recommendations to help us with our project.

We’re also looking for a rental or guesthouse in Johannesburg for November 2025, run by French speakers or people who speak French.

Once we’re there, the question of the 90-day tourist visa will come up. Apparently, it’s no longer possible to leave the territory for a few days and re-enter. We’re considering applying for a Retired Person Visa. However, the process from France seems complicated: no response from the South African embassy in Paris or from Botswana… So, we’re thinking of looking into it directly once we’re there.

Thank you so much for your help. Pedro Lyon (France)

Hi there. We’d like to drive across Thailand from Bangkok to the north of the country by car, in several stages, far from the beaten track. Could anyone give us some tips on this kind of trip? Thanks so much, Laurent and Marie

We're planning a round-the-world trip in a 4x4 with a roof tent and all the gear. We're wondering which African country allows tourists to buy a vehicle (left-hand drive)? Thanks for any tips—they’ll be super helpful!

Hi there, Can you tell me if the road between Zagora and M'Gouna is easy or difficult for a 4x4? How much time and how many kilometers should I plan for? I’m traveling in May. Thanks!

Hi there, I’m looking to find a company at Salt Lake City airport that rents vehicles for gravel roads: Burr Trail, Cottonwood Canyon, etc. Thanks

Hi there, we found a local Tunisian agency for our 4x4 tours in southern Tunisia. This local agency in Djerba has great reviews online, and we’d like to confirm that it’s a top choice. So if anyone has already traveled with GSA-VOYAGES, we’d love to hear about your experiences. Thanks. Théodormonod

Hello, We’re planning a trip to Zambia in 2 years. This will be our 4th trip to Southern Africa—the last one this year was Moremi, Boteti, KCGR, and KTP as a self-drive with campsites and no guide, just my wife and me. For this year’s trip, we prepared 2 years in advance—bookings are really complicated. We were lucky to get a spot at Bitterpan in KTP (there are only 4 chalets).

We’d like to know if it’s easy to get around Zambia, especially when it comes to restocking supplies. Should we rent a 4x4 in Zambia, Namibia, or South Africa? Botswana is very expensive. Which parks are the most interesting? We’re into wildlife photography.

Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks in advance! Best regards, Jean-Marc