Hi there, could you please share your feedback on renting a 4x4 for a 21-day self-drive trip in Uganda? Thanks

Hi everyone,

We’re planning a 13-day family road trip in Morocco this July, with six people in a Toyota Prado 4x4 (renting in Marrakech). We’ll alternate between bivouacking and small hotels/riads depending on the stops.

Here’s the planned route (in this order):

Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Draa Valley → Zagora → Erg Chegaga → Lake Iriki → Foum Zguid → Tata → Tafraoute → Aït Mansour → Tiznit → Mirleft → Taroudant → Back to Marrakech

Our goal:

Atlas Mountains + desert + dunes + plateaus + valleys + a bit of coastline. We’ll cover about 1,700 km in total.

We’re planning:

Bivouacking in the Chegaga/Iriki area Flexible for the rest (booking the day before or same day) Sand gear: traction plates, compressor, tow strap, roof rack

Questions:

Is the Zagora → Chegaga → Iriki → Foum Zguid crossing in July doable on our own (single vehicle, no guide)? Are there any truly technical or risky sections between Chegaga and Iriki? Does the overall itinerary seem manageable in 13 days without rushing? Any suggestions for great bivouac spots or particularly interesting stops along this route? The points on the route are provisional overnight stops. Some spots will include two nights in the same area.

We’re used to off-road driving, but not yet in the Moroccan desert. Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips! 😊

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

Hello, We just spent nearly 3 weeks in Costa Rica and had rented a car from ADOBE RENT-A-CAR. For the occasion, I had provided a document from my bank confirming that my VISA Premier card (gold card) covered—by far—the additional CDW insurance that this rental company strongly recommends. On-site, when it came time to pay the mandatory third-party insurance, my card was declined (luckily, we had another basic debit card that worked without any issues). The reason given by the rental company: my card was invalid or I had a banking problem. The same result and comments occurred at a second ADOBE agency. After contacting my bank and their customer service, they confirmed there was no issue! What’s more, throughout the trip, we used this same card to pay for various purchases (gas, restaurants, attractions, etc.) without any problems... After expressing my dissatisfaction to this rental company on Trustpilot (you can check the site), ADOBE refused to address the issue but admitted that this mandatory insurance is required... In reality, it’s clear that this rental company refuses this card so that tourists will purchase their additional insurance. The travel agency we booked through has requested a meeting with ADOBE for clarification. I’m waiting for their conclusions. Additionally, I noticed on certain sites like tripadvisor.ca or itinego.com/fr/costarica/guide/43/location-voiture-suv-4x4 that this card is no longer accepted...

So, BE CAREFUL: Before leaving, make sure to check with the rental company you’re using to confirm that your card is accepted Always have another bank card as a backup

Best regards

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, 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

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a road trip in Kenya and I’m wondering about renting a vehicle. I’d like to know if a 4x4 is really necessary if I book safaris directly through the lodges in the reserves. If I only need a vehicle for long trips (e.g., Nairobi->Masai Mara and Masai Mara->Amboseli, then later to Mombasa), is it worth renting a 4x4?

Thanks in advance for your feedback—I’m not sure about the road conditions here! !

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip to Argentina, and we want to do the northern loop followed by the southern loop starting from Salta. Since I’ve read conflicting advice, I need your help to figure out if an SUV is enough or if a 4x4 is absolutely necessary—prices are really different! I’d also appreciate recommendations for "reliable" rental agencies. Thanks for your help

Hello, We’re about to book the Saharan Loops 4x4 tour with Fram for April. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this trip. Thanks in advance! Best regards, Michel

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 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

Good evening I could use some advice 🙂 Our trip to Namibia is planned for June/July 2026. We’re struggling a bit with timing and choosing activities for the part of the trip between Sesriem and Brandberg.

Day 1: Sesriem to Mirabib Day 2: Mirabib to Swakopmund – visit Swakopmund, overnight in Swakopmund Day 3: Sandwich Harbour – overnight in Swakopmund Day 4: Kayaking with the seals + the living dunes – overnight in Swakopmund Day 5: Moon Landscape, Henties Bay + Cape Cross – overnight at White Lady Lodge in Brandberg

Does this itinerary seem realistic to you? Is Cape Cross really worth the trip? If I had to choose between Cape Cross and kayaking with the seals, which would you recommend? Thanks in advance for your help! Hélix

Hi there,

We’re planning a 4x4 trip from Belgium to Central Asia, passing through Georgia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

For these countries, our national insurance obviously doesn’t cover the vehicle, so we’ll need to get local insurance.

Will it be a problem if the vehicle is registered under person A and the national insurance is under person B? Both A and B will be in the vehicle, and both will be listed as drivers on the insurance.

When we get the local insurance, if we again list A and B as drivers, does the order matter? Could we get stuck at the border for this reason?

Thanks for your help! :)

Hi everyone, we're planning a trip for August (Drakensberg, St Lucia, Blyde, Kruger, Marakele). There will be 4 adults and an 11-year-old child. That’s the intro!

Our issue is choosing the right vehicle. With luggage plus food for picnics and breakfasts, we need space. And since we’ll be driving for several hours, I’d prefer not to be squished with 3 in the back.

So, what would you recommend? An SUV? A van? And where should we rent from if you have any great tips—I’m all ears.

Thanks everyone

Hello,

I’m traveling through Argentina and Chile (as well as Paraguay and Uruguay) with a 2019 Toyota Hilux Euro 6. Could anyone tell me if the local diesel is suitable for its engine, or if I need to take any special precautions (like adding an additive, for example) for these countries? I’d also like to know if driving at high altitudes is possible, and up to what elevation—or if I should worry about the vehicle going into limp mode? If that happens, what should I do?

Thanks in advance

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

February 2025: The M'semrir-Tamtatoucht link via P7104 is now fully paved, making it possible to do the Dadès-Toghra loop via the pass.

Hi,

We’d like to travel from Aswan to Luxor by private car, with stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu—but without a guide. I contacted an agency that’s offering the trip for 140 € for 3 people. I don’t really have a sense of pricing yet, but it seems a bit steep since the two cities aren’t *that* far apart. I get that the driver might have to return empty. Also, the agency wants us to leave early due to checkpoints where drivers have to report by a certain time. They’re also asking for copies of our passports in advance (government rules?).

Is this always the case, or is it possible to travel without these constraints? Thanks, Aquab10

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

Hello, I’m preparing for a Tunisia-Algeria road trip. I need to know if we can cross the Sahara to reach Djanet and Tamanrasset by road freely, After that, obviously off-road in the desert with a guide. What do the authorities say? My trip: northern and southern Tunisia, a stroll in the desert. Crossing the Tunisia-Algeria border via the Taleb Larbi customs. I’ve already done this route through an agency, but this time we want to do it on our own. Then heading down to Djanet for eight to fifteen days in the desert with Mouloud, a local guide. Direction Tamanrasset: road and tracks, the mountains of the Assekrem, the Hermitage of Père de Foucauld. Return via the Trans-Saharan Highway. Visit to northern Algeria, then back by boat from Oran to Spain. Dates: late December to mid-February. We’ve got plenty of time. If another crew is interested, we’re already two vehicles. Looking forward to your replies.

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 there!

I'm considering doing a round trip of Africa, starting in Morocco, then following the west coast down to the south, and finally heading back up along the east coast.

However, I have some big questions about the route:

From what I've gathered after a lot of research, the road seems quite doable without a 4x4 as far as Senegal, or even Benin?

It's between Benin and Namibia that it would get really tough, and I'd either need a 4x4 or to ship my vehicle if I'm in a converted H2L2 van (not 4x4)?

Could someone clarify this for me?

Otherwise, it seems like Southern, Northern, and Eastern Africa are accessible without a 4x4?

As for the vehicle, if a 4x4 is essential, I'm torn between: Kangoo 4x4 Lada Niva 4x4 standard C15 C15 4x4 Renault Trafic 4x4 (H2L2, so still quite large) or a Subaru Libero 4x4

Or would it even be possible with a simple Twingo? ^

But is that enough, or do I absolutely need a 4x4 like a Toyota, Land Rover, or something similar?

Those are my current questions! If anyone has some answers, that would be amazing!

Thanks so much!

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?

I'm looking for info on the route between Imilchil and Tabant—is it a dirt track, and what condition is it in? Any paved roads? We’ll have a 4x4. My GPS shows a track that would connect Imilchil directly to the Cathedral of Rocks (near Tilougguite), without taking the big detour via the R 306. I can’t find this track on any map. How long should we allow for the trip between Imilchil and Tabant? Is this route doable year-round? Are there any wadi crossings?

Thanks for any recent tips on this route! Best, Dominique

Hi everyone. We want to drive from: Makopong Border to the Mabuasehube gate. We’ve seen that there’s a lot of sand—no problem for us—but we’d like to know if the route isn’t closed. We’ll be there on November 19, 2025.

Thanks in advance for any replies

Hi everyone, I’m planning to explore the western part of Madagascar from May 1st to 5th, specifically to visit the Tsingy. I’ve heard different versions about the road conditions and access to the Tsingy during this time, so I’d love to hear from people who’ve actually made this trip during this time of year.

Have you traveled from Morondava → Tsingy between May 1st and 5th? Was the journey doable and safe? Did you have access to the Grands Tsingy, or just the Petits Tsingy?

Thanks so much for your feedback—it’ll really help me get a clearer picture! 😊 Also, if you have any recommendations for reliable and experienced driver-guides, I’d love to hear them. Thanks again!

Hi there,

I’m looking for a ferry or Ro-Ro passage for my vehicle and two passengers from Mexico to Costa Rica. I haven’t found anything online. If you know of any regular routes, I’d love to hear about them!

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, What are the entry conditions for Tunisia by boat with your own vehicle? I’ve read on several forums that you need to have a hotel reservation for the first night—or even for the entire stay—or they’ll send you back on the boat.

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