4x4 travel

Hi, We're heading to Chile in a month and have rented a 4x4 pickup with a camper cell to travel part of the Carretera. The Ioverlanders site is really ideal for planning the route, with info on lots of things and especially on spots where you can park for the night. I found a site about ongoing roadworks on the Carretera, Planifica tu viaje. When I look, it seems there are tons of roadworks, sometimes with roads closed for several hours or at least alternating traffic, which really extends travel times. Has anyone recently traveled on Ruta 7 and can give us some "real" info? Thanks in advance! Céline

Hi everyone, In February 2027, with a two-wheel-drive vehicle, I plan to leave France and head to Senegal. I’d love to get some info about crossing Mauritania, or if there are people interested in doing it as a convoy from Morocco to Senegal. I plan to stick to the N2 and not stray too far from that route. I’ll only travel during the day and stop at guesthouses or stay with locals for the night. If anyone’s interested, let me know. Thanks for your feedback!

Hi everyone,

After 40 years of traveling in Morocco, I want to explore a new area by 4x4—the Western Moroccan Sahara, which I don’t know very well. I have plenty of tracks and itineraries, but I’d love some info to help me decide on the best route:

Part 1:

I want to do the ASSA - SMARA crossing. Basically, I have two options: the first follows the Draa River and goes through M’SIED, and the second is much further south, passing through LABOUIRAT and heading straight to SMARA.



If you have any details on road conditions, driving restrictions, etc., I’d really appreciate it.

Part 2: SMARA - BIR ANZERANE - DAKHLA – here, I also have two routes. The first heads west from Smara toward Sidi Kathari. The second goes east from SMARA and gets pretty close to the border at one point (about 10 km away). Both routes meet up about 150 km later and are nearly identical from there to BIR ANZERANE and DAKHLA.



Again, any info would be great.

Thanks, everyone.

Hi there!

For my 60th birthday (yes, I’m jumping the gun a bit!), I’m starting to plan a self-drive trip to Tanzania (in June).

I also considered Zimbabwe but I’m worried it might be a bit chilly at night in June.

I’ve revisited an itinerary I’d thought about before, tweaking it since I’ll have more days to dedicate to this trip. Still no big northern classics for the same reasons as before (too expensive, too crowded, too many tour operators).

Here’s what I’ve got so far:

(Arrival/departure from Kilimanjaro Airport)

Night 1: Arusha

Night 2: Arusha

Night 3: Lake Manyara

Night 4: On the way to Iringa (any ideas???)

Night 5: Iringa

Nights 6–8: Ruaha NP

Nights 9–10: Mikumi NP

Night 11: Bagamoyo

Nights 12–15: Beach Nights 16–17: Lushoto

Nights 18–19: Mkomazi NP

Night 20: Toward Marangu – eastern Kilimanjaro

Night 21: Western Kilimanjaro

End of trip

All your ideas, tweaks, info, and suggestions on this route are welcome!

I could move one beach night somewhere else if needed.

Also, if you have a car rental company to recommend or thoughts on the bandas rented in the parks, I’m all ears!

Finally, what are the roads like in Ruaha in June? The rental company I’m looking at seems to allow this park with a small 4x4. (Off-limits: Serengeti and Natron)

Thanks! :)

Hi there, We’ll be traveling in January 2027 in a 4x4 with a rooftop tent with our three kids, from Johannesburg to Cape Town. We’ve already booked several campsites in national parks (Golden Gate / Mountain Zebra / Addo Elephant / Garden Route). We still need to reserve the stretch between De Hoop Nature Reserve and Cape Town. Any suggestions? We’d love to stay around Cape Town for 5 days to explore the wine route, the peninsula, and do some hikes in Table Mountain. Any camping recommendations? Or, on the contrary, places to avoid?

Also, we have 2 nights left near Wilderness National Park / Knysna. Any recommendations? Thanks so much for your help!

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 there, we’ll be in Mozambique in early December 2026 and we’d like to travel from Vilanculos to Beira by car or bus to reach Beira airport. After that, we’re planning to visit Gorongosa National Park before flying back to France from Beira. From what we’ve heard, the road to Beira is tricky, especially at this time of year (start of the rainy season). Could anyone share their thoughts or suggest a solution? Thanks so much for your help! Anne

Hi, we’re planning to visit a park again. Could you point us toward the camps in Gonarezhou Park? >We’re traveling completely self-sufficiently. We love wildlife. Thanks for any tips you can share! JP

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 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,

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 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, 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 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, I’m planning a road trip in the Middle Atlas, starting and ending in Fez and heading down to the south of Midelt, the Assoul Massif.... We’ll be traveling with two small 4x4s. I’m looking for detailed maps of this region that include small roads and tracks. Last year, we had a fantastic road trip in the Anti-Atlas and High Atlas using Erfahren maps, but unfortunately, they don’t cover the area we’re interested in this year. Thanks for your suggestions! Dominique

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! 😊

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

I'm looking to travel to Turkey from Greece by car. Do you know any ferry companies that operate this route? Thanks for your replies

Hi there,

We’re spending 18 days in New Zealand from 05/04 to 05/21, arriving in QUEENSTOWN and leaving from AUCKLAND. Any ideas for a road trip that covers the highlights of both islands but only changes hotels every 3–4 nights? Thanks.

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

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,

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 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 everyone,

I’m finalizing my trip starting from Namibia. When I arrive in Divundu, I’d like to head straight to the Khwai area early in the morning to one of the campsites in the Khwai Development Trust. Is the drive doable with a good 4x4 in a day? We’ll spend 2 nights in Khwai, then 2 or maybe 3 nights in the Moremi area (Third Bridge/Xakanaxa/Mboma) before heading back to Maun to wrap up our journey. Is that too much time to spend in each place?

We’d also like to do one or two boat excursions in the delta. Any suggestions for the best options and operators?

Thanks in advance for your tips and advice! Best, Patrick

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 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 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

Good evening, We’re a couple in our fifties thinking about heading to Asia from France in a 4x4 with a camper cell (duration not set yet). Is this doable or totally unrealistic given the current situation? The route isn’t finalized yet, but it’d look something like this: Crossing Europe / Turkey - Georgia - Azerbaijan (Baku / Alat) - Caspian Sea ferry Baku - Aktau (Kazakhstan) - crossing Kazakhstan - Kazakhstan-China border (Khorgos / Dostyk) - Central Asia / China, then continuing to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

First, I’m just looking for info before fully committing to the project. I’ve found some trip reports from a few years back, but nothing recent… Thanks for your help! Nathalie

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!

Hello, We’re planning a trip to Patagonia for November–December 2026. After reading forums, blogs, and guidebooks, we’ve sketched out a rough itinerary and would love to hear from experts. We initially wanted to rent a camper van, but it’s hard to find options and we have no idea about prices. We’ve settled on starting in Bariloche, crossing into Chile for the Carretera Austral, then back into Argentina before crossing into Chile again for Punta Arenas, and finally ending in El Calafate to drop off the car. We don’t want to make any advance reservations so we can stay flexible based on weather and road conditions. Do you think this route is reasonably doable? And if you have any idea about the cost of renting a car for 17 days with a different drop-off location and the paperwork needed for border crossings… Thanks a million in advance for your replies! Céline

Day 1: Flight – 24 hours of travel, overnight on the plane Day 2: Arrival in Buenos Aires, overnight in BA Day 3: BA, overnight in BA Day 4: BA, overnight in BA Day 5: Flight to Bariloche, overnight in Bariloche Day 6–7: Seven Lakes route, overnight in Bariloche Day 8: Drive to La Junta, overnight stop Day 9: Drive to Puerto Tranquilo, overnight in Puerto Tranquilo Day 10: Catedral de Mármol, overnight in Puerto Tranquilo Day 11: Drive to El Chaltén, overnight stop Day 12: Arrival in El Chaltén, overnight in El Chaltén Day 13: El Chaltén, overnight in El Chaltén Day 14: El Chaltén, overnight in El Chaltén Day 15: Drive to Punta Arenas, overnight in Punta Arenas Day 16: Punta Arenas, overnight in Punta Arenas Day 17: Punta Arenas, overnight in Punta Arenas Day 18: Drive to Torres del Paine, overnight in Torres Day 19: Torres del Paine, overnight in Torres Day 20: Torres del Paine, overnight in Torres Day 21: Drive to El Calafate, overnight in El Calafate Day 22: El Calafate, overnight in El Calafate Day 23: Flight to BA, overnight in BA Day 24: Flight to Paris