The Road Chose Me: Driving a Jeep Wrangler around Africa

[Grecy]

Merry Christmas all!

I made my way to Maliville in the far North of Guinea on the worst roads yet!



Read the full story here:
http://theroadchoseme.com/maliville

-Dan

[EK 2.0]

Really enjoying these updates here and on Instagram!!...


Glad to see its all working out...

[Grecy]

Hi All,

Happy New Year!

I am roaming around the mountains and waterfalls of Central Guinea.

Read why I avoid driving in the dark while on Expedition: http://theroadchoseme.com/around-central-guinea



-Dan

[Kijho]

Happy New Year dude! I continue enjoying the updates on this, best wishes to you in 2017! Stay safe!

[ExtremeSi]

Look forward to these updates all the time.

[Grecy]

Thanks guys!!


I've stumbled across the the best hiking in West Africa!
Happily hiking is my favorite thing ever.

Read More here: http://theroadchoseme.com/hiking-in-...outa-djallon-1



-Dan

[Grecy]

The hiking in Guinea is blowing my mind!!

Why did nobody ever tell me about it? How have I never seen pictures before?

Oh yeah, it's because there are virtually ZERO tourists in Guinea!

See tons more pictures here: http://theroadchoseme.com/hiking-in-...outa-djallon-2



-Dan

[Grecy]

Hi All,

I'm loving every second of exploring Guinea, though my time is coming to a close!

Read more: http://theroadchoseme.com/more-exploring-guinea



Which way do you guys think I should go next? North to Mali, or continue around the coast to Sierra Leon?
I'm on the fence.

-Dan

[Grecy]

Hi All,

The West African mud pits have begun!
This is a highway in Guinea in the North from Koundára to Labé. National Route something something. The Chinese were building a section of it, this is a bit they hadn't got to yet.
The trucks had been stuck there for days, I walked right through it.

It's a video - embedding it seems to be too hard.

Check it out here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BPfgRyXj...theroadchoseme
or here on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theroadchos...4765884740943/

-Dan

[ExtraSlow]

Dan, That "cool caterpillar" in guyana is a millipede. But hey, loving your posts. Keep it up.

[Grecy]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Dan, That "cool caterpillar" in guyana is a millipede. But hey, loving your posts. Keep it up.

Ha, thanks.

I'm an Engineer, I will plead ignorance on animal classifications

-Dan

[OTown]

This has to be the coolest thread on beyond.

What an incredible experience that must be. So jealous!

[blownz]

Originally posted by Grecy
Hi All,

The West African mud pits have begun!
This is a highway in Guinea in the North from Koundára to Labé. National Route something something. The Chinese were building a section of it, this is a bit they hadn't got to yet.
The trucks had been stuck there for days, I walked right through it.

-Dan

I wanted to comment on some of your posts regarding the Chinese building power plants and highways.

I know someone over there working and the Chinese are the only ones willing to lend African governments money for large scale infrastructure projects. But the money always comes with a catch - they have to use Chinese workers. And they send over 100's and 1000's more than actually required. They totally rip off the African governments and the people there as more of them should be allowed to work on the sites and earn money themselves.

The person I know there right now is currently working for a level of government and is constantly trying to send back 100's of Chinese workers they don't need. If they send too many back, money stops flowing. So much corruption.

[Grecy]

Originally posted by blownz


I wanted to comment on some of your posts regarding the Chinese building power plants and highways.

I know someone over there working and the Chinese are the only ones willing to lend African governments money for large scale infrastructure projects. But the money always comes with a catch - they have to use Chinese workers. And they send over 100's and 1000's more than actually required. They totally rip off the African governments and the people there as more of them should be allowed to work on the sites and earn money themselves.

The person I know there right now is currently working for a level of government and is constantly trying to send back 100's of Chinese workers they don't need. If they send too many back, money stops flowing. So much corruption.

That's part of it for sure.

The other part is that the Chinese government is willing to work with the African governments, and doesn't care about their internal politics - they don't care if they don't have democratic elections, or if they violate humans rights etc.

-Dan

[Grecy]

Hi Everyone,

I have driven into Mali, Africa country number 7!

Read the whole story of the border crossing here: http://theroadchoseme.com/into-mali


I also just posted this video of crossing a swing bridge it Guinea over a swollen river.
What do you think, would you mess around on this bridge?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NLs5SHOdpY

-Dan

[Grecy]

I'm checking out Sibi, a beautiful town in Southern Mali.

Obviously I'm keeping up to date on the safety situation in Mali, and talking to lots and lots of people about the reality on the ground.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to go North to the Doggone Country due to all the fighting there, the Mali military will actually stop me if I even try.
Read more: http://theroadchoseme.com/sibi-mali



-Dan

[freshprince1]

Hey Dan, saw on Instagram that Jeep gave you a solid shout out. Nice work! I'm enjoying your updates. Adventure on and stay safe!

[Grecy]

Hi All,

I have driven from Mali into Ivory Coast, African country number eight!

Read all about the very stern bribery attempt here: http://theroadchoseme.com/into-ivory-coast

Here's the international border:


-Dan

[Grecy]

I just paid the biggest bribe of my life.

I'm really not happy about it, though I was rattled and I'm happy to still be in possession of the Jeep.

Read the full story here: http://theroadchoseme.com/ivory-coast-begins



-Dan

[Grecy]

Hi all,

I have made my way South in Ivory Coast, and the roads deteriorated very, very quickly.
10 hours of driving for 40 miles. Trucks stuck for a week.
This is the West Africa I dreamed about !

http://theroadchoseme.com/national-park-tai


-Dan