The Road Chose Me: Driving a Jeep Wrangler around Africa

[Grecy]

Hey All,

I am absolutely loving Angola so far.
After the mud slog through the DRC, I was absolutely ready for some beach-n-chill time. So I did exactly that.

Read how the border crossing into Angola finished up: http://theroadchoseme.com/angola-awaits

I moved towards Luanda, and found a great wildcamp right above this amazing shipwreck beach:



Read more here: http://theroadchoseme.com/shipwreck-beach

Luanda is up next!

-Dan

[Grecy]

I know everyone worries about bribery a lot when driving through the undeveloped world.

Finally, I caught it on camera!

Grab some popcorn and watch the reality of Bribery in Nigeria, the most notorious of all.
This exactly mirrors my experiences from Alaska to Argentina and now on the West Coast of Africa - well over 200 bribery attempts.



-Dan

[speedog]

Props to you, I would never have the patience for that kind of bullshit.

[rage2]

Haha that was entertaining. Looks like a pretty straight forward script/Jedi mind trick to get out of it. Seems like a blast.

[OTown]

Nicely done. It must be annoying to have to deal with that over and over again, but it seems like you have a pretty good script to get through it. Pretty neat to see

[Grecy]

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Nicely done. It must be annoying to have to deal with that over and over again, but it seems like you have a pretty good script to get through it. Pretty neat to see

It's only annoying if you think about it like that.
In my mind, the positives of being here far outweigh the negatives of the odd shakedown attempt, so it's all worth it.

Some days I view it as an intelligence test, and I like to win...
-Dan

- - - Updated - - -

Hey Everyone,

I am touring Angola and loving every second.

I spent some time in the capital of Luanda, visiting the War history museum and camping with a million dollar view on the waterfront for free!

More: http://theroadchoseme.com/luanda

I camped out at Piedras Negras (black Rocks) then visited the extremely impressive Kalandula Falls




More: http://theroadchoseme.com/piedras-negras
and
http://theroadchoseme.com/kalandula-falls

Now I'm out exploring around, with not particular goal in mind.
Evidence of the civil war is everywhere, including this Russian tank that dwarfed the Jeep.

More: http://theroadchoseme.com/amazing-angola-1

I really love Angola, and already think I will extend my visa.

-Dan

[Grecy]

Hi All,

I am just getting over a second round of Malaria, which has been much, much worse than the first time.

I wrote about it so others can understand and learn what it's actually like to get Malaria while on the road.

Full story here: http://theroadchoseme.com/malaria-round-two

Yep, needles were involved


-Dan

[OTown]

Oh man, thats serious stuff. Hope you get better, quick!

I thought there were vaccines for malaria prior to leaving. Are they not useful?

[ExtraSlow]

Some of the anti-malarial medications can cause serious side effects that some people don't tolerate well. I once overdosed on the stuff due to a dosage mixup and let me tell you that wasn't fun.

[Grecy]

Hey Everyone,

I have put the foot down and driven to South Africa to pickup The Big Freek, editor of JPFreek Adventure Magazine!

We'll roam the country for the next two weeks, finding what (mis)adventures we can!

All the updates will be on social media, be sure to follow on your platform of choice so you don't miss anything!

Instagram: @theroadchoseme

Facebook: The Road Chose Me

Twitter: @dang rec



-Dan

PS Rest assured I will loop around and fill in all the adventures I missed between where I left off and where I am now!

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Glad to hear you are still having a great time! I finally got around to watching the video of your Nigerian road stop, great stuff! I had a good laugh at the "expired tires" routine.

[Grecy]

Hi All,

Checkout the latest update on my African Expedition on the BFGoodrich Garage blog!
http://bfgoodri.ch/2krkAcI


-Dan

[Grecy]

Hi Everyone,

After 3,088 miles - by far the most in any country so far - it's time to say goodbye to Angola.


I have deeply loved this country, and I'm certain I will be back some day. After 6 weeks I have only scratched the surface.



More: http://theroadchoseme.com/angola-ends

I'm looking forward to Namibia!

-Dan

[Grecy]

Merry Christmas everyone!

I have driven into Namibia, country number 18 - without any signs or warning, I swapped to driving on the left for the first time on the expedition.

This should be interesting!




More: http://theroadchoseme.com/into-namibia

-Dan

[Grecy]

Hey Everyone,

I have been exploring the extremely remote Namib Desert in the North West of Namibia.
It is absolutely spectacular. I'm wild camping every night and loving it!



Tons more photos here: http://theroadchoseme.com/the-namib-desert-namibia-pt-1

-Dan

[craigcd]

Keep it up and keep posting. I use your posts here to remind me I need to catch up on your travels via your website. Travel safe!

[Grecy]

Hi All,

It's been 18 months through 18 countries, and I'm not even half way around Afirca!
How long is this going to take?!?

To be honest, I don't have a firm answer. I'm terrible at predicting timelines.
I'd say it's somewhere between 8-18 months more up to Egypt, but that's just a guess.

Also, a new member has joined the team!


Read the whole explanation and rationale:
http://theroadchoseme.com/timelines-and-teammates

-Dan

[Grecy]

Hi All,

We have reached the Coast in Namibia, and I push the Jeep hard in the big dunes to get to the Sandwhich Harbor area of the Skeleton Coast!


http://theroadchoseme.com/around-sandwich-harbor

More: http://theroadchoseme.com/around-sandwich-harbor

With the KO2s down to 10psi the Jeep did great on the dunes.
With all the weight there were plenty I couldn't get up without staying in tire tracks.

-Dan

[Grecy]

Hi All,

We've been exploring down more dry riverbeds and bumping into all kinds of wildlife.




Also, this might just be the best wild camp of the entire expeidtion. Elevated above the riverbed waiting for animals to wander by!


And then back to the desert


Tons more pics: http://theroadchoseme.com/riverbeds-...s-and-wildlife

-Dan

[Grecy]

Hi All,

During all the dry riverbeds I found yet another wild camp that contents for best of the entire expedition.
Let me know what you think


More details on the riverbeds here: http://theroadchoseme.com/riverbeds-...s-and-wildlife

After all that it was time for a change of pace so I visited a Cheetah Conservation place.
I will never, ever forget patting a cheetah while he purrs loudly:

Details here: http://theroadchoseme.com/otjitotong...tah-guest-farm

And then it was time for a visit to Etosha National Park. I have been told no visit to Namibia is complete without a stop.
I enjoyed it, though I think I prefer the completely wild animals. I have been spoiled already

Tons of photos here: http://theroadchoseme.com/etosha-national-park

Namibia continues to impress. I love this place as much as I always thought I would!

-Dan