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

Hi there,

We’re in the planning stages and wondering if there are any great 4x4 trails in Tunisia. Ideally, we’d love to find spots that are really off the beaten path and wild. We’re also curious if it’s possible to sleep under the stars in our 4x4 in safe and scenic spots.

My partner and I are planning a 21-day self-drive trip from Victoria Falls to Cape Town, flying from Montreal to Victoria Falls and renting a 4x4. I’d love to hear members’ thoughts on our itinerary and its feasibility, along with your recommendations for must-see spots, essential parks, lodges, etc.

Our ideal is to start our stay at the falls and head south to South Africa, finishing in Cape Town by the sea for two days of relaxation before returning to Canada. We’re big on photography, not so much on cities, and we usually book accommodations where we can prepare our own dinner. Is this itinerary too ambitious? I’ve read a lot of travel journals and sometimes it seems very doable, other times completely the opposite...

Proposed itinerary: 17 October: Montreal-Livingstone, Zambia (Z) 18-19 Oct.: Victoria Falls, Z 20 Oct.: Kasane, Botswana (BO) 21-22 Oct.: Chobe Park, BO 23 Oct.: Francistown, BO 24 Oct.: Khama Rhino Sanctuary, BO 25 Oct.: Palapye, BO 26 Oct.: Polokwane, South Africa (SA) 27 Oct.: Phalaborwa, SA 28-29 Oct.: Kruger Park, SA 30 Oct.: Malelane Gate, SA 31 Oct.: Winburg, SA 1 November: Bloemfontein, SA 2 November: Beaufort West, SA 3-5 November: Cape Town, SA

For the first quarter of 2026, I’m planning a 4x4 trip from France to Mongolia. I’ve got two route options: the safer one through the Balkans, Turkey, Georgia... to Mongolia, or the other via Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Georgia... to Mongolia. My question: Is it currently possible to cross Libya? Or are there ferries from Tunisia or Algeria to Egypt? I’m also looking for a travel companion. Thanks for your replies

Hi there, we’re a group of 4 adults planning a road trip around Iceland from May 29 to June 19. Since the Landcruiser is too expensive, we’d like to suggest another 4x4 to the agency. We can choose our own excursions and plan to hike Landmannlaugar (June 1) and Hveradalir (May 31). Do you know if they’ll be open by then? We’re hoping so!...

Back to the 4x4—what would you recommend: Toyota Rav4, Dacia Bigster, or Kia Sorento?

Also, do you think the artificial ice cave will be open around June 17?

Thanks for your advice! Christianede

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, 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 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

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, My trip to South Africa is starting to take shape. However, I'm struggling to figure out the route through Kruger Park. I can't seem to find the information I need about getting around. Coming from the south, I plan to arrive on Day 1 in the early afternoon at Malelane or Crocodile Bridge. Do some shopping in Malelane (or Crocodile Bridge main area) and stay overnight outside the park. Leave on Day 2 at 5 AM for the park. Explore the southern part of the park. Stay overnight around Skukuza or Lower Sabie. (We don’t want to stay in one of the park’s big camps. We’re looking for a lodge around 200 €. Head out on Day 3 for a self-drive safari, maybe as far as Orpen. We’d like to stay in a private reserve on nights 4 and 5. We’re not sure which one or how to get into a private reserve. Do we need to exit Kruger Park? On Day 5, we’d like to leave to visit Blyde Canyon (on Day 6).

Could you help us with these different locations?

Thanks

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

Hi, I was wondering if it's possible to rent a vehicle in Melchor de Mencos (Guatemala-Belize border)? Are there any rental agencies there? If so, thanks for any info!

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

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.

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’re heading to Mozambique in October and are looking for either a 4x4 or 4x2 rental in Maputo, or a driver transfer option to reach: - Ponta Do Ouro - Tofo - Vilankulos The idea is to be self-sufficient for sightseeing and stops while still being able to access certain lodges or beaches that require a 4x2. Do you have any contacts, addresses, or ideas to share? Thanks in advance,

hello! I’d like to go to Kazakhstan and rent a fitted 4x4 locally so I can drive off-road trails and sleep inside the vehicle... could anyone share some local rental company addresses, please? Thanks! !

Hi there,

I’m just starting to plan my next trip to NAMIBIA in May 2026! And an answer to this first question will help me move forward with my itinerary:

Is it possible to rent a 4x4 with a roof tent in WINDHOEK and drop it off near VICTORIA FALLS (KASANE or another location)?... even though I’m aware it’ll incur an extra cost.

Thanks for your help! !

Hi there,

I’m looking into renting a 4x4 for Costa Rica, and like many, I’m a bit lost... I know there can be differences between what’s booked and the sales pressure at the airport to sell you mandatory insurance.

On the Booking site, I found an option for a vehicle at 642 € (with a Genius discount—I’ve attached the rate details, it’s unbeatable) for 16 days, plus a 126 € option that claims to cover everything. Total: 756 €. But how can I be sure it *really* covers everything? I can’t find any info, and there are no other insurance options at checkout. And what amount should I expect if they try to add some random insurance on the spot?

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 there,

I’m looking for the start of a trail in the Picos de Europa in Spain that I used over 30 years ago in a 4x4.

It began by passing under a house, and there was a café nearby.

I know it’s not much to go on, but that’s all I’ve got. The fact that the trail started by going under a house isn’t exactly common!

If anyone has any ideas, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

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! 😊

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

Hello, we’re heading to Iceland in June 2026 with a 4x4. I’d like to know if Route 60 is doable along its entire length in a 4x4 without having to take the ferry. Thanks for your help! christianede

Hello,

My son and I are heading to Georgia this summer to explore the High Caucasus (Svaneti, Kazbek, and Tusheti regions). For this, we’re planning to rent a 4x4. However, the rental agencies we’ve found prohibit driving on the tracks to Omalo (Tusheti) and/or Ushguli (Svaneti). Do you know of any agencies in Tbilisi (local and reliable) that allow rented 4x4s to drive on these tracks? If so, which ones?

Thanks for your help!

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!

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 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 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

Hi there,

I’m a private individual with a 4x4 in Namibia (Toyota Landcruiser). I’d like to sell it to a European for payment in euros via a European bank account. Could anyone give me some tips on how to find interested buyers locally?