4x4 travel

Hello,

The track connecting the Dadès Gorge to the Todra Gorge is passable again! The collapsed section (near Tamtatouche) has been repaired (May 2010). It's a rocky and bumpy track... especially in the riverbeds, but it's doable! Warning: 4x4 is mandatory!!! 🙂

Hello, Taking the boat from VENICE to Alexandria is easier than going through Tunisia and Libya. We’re putting together a group to split costs for a trip in 2011 or early 2012. Inshallah. I’m looking for people who’ve recently crossed the Libyan Desert—sand sea, oases, etc.—with their 4x4s. Any info is welcome, thanks in advance. Things like: Entry formalities for the 4x4. Agencies and guides for the desert. Military requirements. Fuel, etc. Thanks again. Saharan greetings.

Hi there,

I’m planning to leave Morocco for the summer but want to leave my 4x4 there to avoid exceeding the famous 6-month limit. I’d like to park it in one of the two Spanish enclaves (Ceuta or Melilla). Does anyone know of people or companies that handle long-term parking (preferably secure) in either place? Once the car is parked, what’s the best way to get back to France using public transport? Is the nearest airport Tanger from Ceuta?... How do I get there easily, etc. etc.

Thanks in advance! Dominique

We're taking a boat to Iceland at the end of June with our 4x4 (HDJ80). The booking was made based on a vehicle not exceeding 1.90 meters in height. The new tire setup might make us slightly exceed this limit. Are they strict about heights? Are they checked at boarding (passing under a gate)? Some of you have probably faced this issue—thanks for your tips. Loading the vehicle carefully and, if needed, deflating the tires a bit should reduce the extra height.

Thanks

Hi everyone,

I’m in the middle of planning a round-the-world 4x4 trip spread over 2 years, covering around 70 countries. Unfortunately, using a vehicle poses some challenges when it comes to moving between continents (e.g., the Bering Strait). After lots of research, consulting books, maps, and making countless phone calls, I still can’t figure out how to get from Russia to Alaska via the Bering Strait (access via the Road of Bones to Magadan and then continuing above Anadyr).

So, I’m open to any recommendations, tips, or contacts to find out if it’s possible by boat or any other means.

You can also reach me on FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Road-trip-42/702124999863774?ref=hl

Thanks for your replies!!

Roadtrip42 -> Traveling the world is possible!

Hello,

We’re planning a long-term trip starting in April with our 4x4, beginning in the USA. We’re still looking for car insurance that covers Canada and the USA.

We’ve read quite a few forums, but we’re hoping for some help (from fellow travelers).

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Cendrine

Hi, For next summer’s vacation, I’m thinking of returning to the Sahara after visiting Tamanrasset and the Hoggar, which was stunning—not to mention the Tuareg hospitality. I’d like to explore the sandy desert this time since the Hoggar was 80% rocky. So, I’m wondering which city I should prioritize if I want to go there in late July–early August for the landscapes, extreme heat, and guides offering 4x4 and camel treks. Also, if there are any recommended guides for those in the know and a decent hotel. I’m torn between Djanet, In Salah, Adrar, Ghardaïa, and Timimoun. I’m of Algerian origin, so no visa or other formalities to worry about. Thanks.

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip from France to Benin, passing through Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso with a vehicle. I’d like to fill my trunk with equipment I need over there: solar panels, chargers, expansion tanks for solar water heaters, miscellaneous gear... I know the region a bit and, intuitively, I think it’s a bad idea—I’ll probably get shaken down every 100 km by police, customs officers, gendarmes, and others... Has anyone done this kind of route with a fully loaded trunk, and how did it go, especially at customs checkpoints (from Ceuta to Porga or earlier) and elsewhere? Thanks in advance for your experiences. R.

Hi there,

I’m planning to explore Argentine and Chilean Patagonia for a month in December 2019.

I’m looking for a rental company (or several) that offers single-cab 4x4 pick-ups with a fitted camper cell for two people. I’m specifically after a vehicle with an indoor shower for extra comfort ;) So, no vans—at least not from the rental companies I’ve seen so far.

While browsing the forum, I came across the Chilean rental company Holiday Rent. But do you have any recommendations for Argentine rentals? Because, if I can’t return the vehicle in the same city as pickup, I’d prefer—and it’d likely be cheaper—to at least return it in the same country.

Hello everyone, We’re heading to South America in February 2020 for our first three-month trip and plan to return in 2021 for another three-month adventure. We’ll be shipping our Toyota with a fitted camper (Azalaï) in a container. We chose Wave Logistics for the transport based on the tips we read here on the forum. At the end of this first trip, around mid-May 2020, we’d like to find a secure spot near Santiago, Chile, where we can leave our vehicle for about eight months. We’ve done this before in Zambia (two trips to Southern Africa in 2016 and 2017, leaving our Azalaï for eight months at a campsite near Lusaka) and we’d love to repeat the experience in South America. Can anyone help us out or point us in the right direction?

Hi,

For our trip to Georgia in July, I’d like to rent a 4x4 starting from Tbilisi. Do you have any rental companies to recommend? The traditional rentals like Hertz, Avis, etc. seem way overpriced compared to local companies—what do you think? Are they properly insured?

Has anyone here tried Geo Rent Car, Auto 4 Rental, or Sur Price?

Also, I’m looking for info on the condition of the Ushguli–Lentekhi track—is it passable?

Thanks for your tips! Penlan

Can we do a Djerba to Tunis circuit in a week without any issues in November? Fred

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?

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

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, I’m looking for recent info about the track between Nkoud and Boumaine du Dadès via Tizi N'Tazazerte. Is it still a dirt track or is it now a paved road? Is it doable in April with a 4x4? Thanks for your tips, Best, Dominique

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.

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

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 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

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, 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

We’re crossing West Africa all the way to Togo. Is a DPD carnet required, or is an ATA carnet enough? Where can I get one? I’d love some advice from seasoned travelers on this. Thanks

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, 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, does anyone know the current condition of the track/road P1800 that goes from R111 just past Allougoum to Akka Ighane on P1743? Google Maps says it's doable, but all the info I’ve gotten advises against it. From Akka Ighane, at the junction with the road to Auguinane, it was even paved for the 10 km I covered two years ago. But in Morocco, paved roads can suddenly end without warning 😏.

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 looking for advice on a road trip in the United States. I need a 7-seater vehicle with enough space for 4 checked bags (25 kg each) and a few smaller pieces of luggage. Do you have any recommendations? I’m a bit unsure about whether there’ll be enough room for the bags. Thanks so much

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 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