I know this sounds like  a crazy idea especialy with my limited experiance in overlanding. But here is what i have been thinking. I have ten more years until i retire and finally will have time to do what i want. My intent is to use the next ten years to prep for and build a rig for an overland trip around the world (and save up the capitol to pay for it). the link below is a blog of a guy who is doing just that right now.

http://transworldexpedition.com/

Of course the political climate in the diffrent countries will dictate my route i think his route is about what i would take. though threat permiting i would rather travel up through iraq than iran. Also i would try and go from south east asia to australia then up to alaska. Like i said i have ten years to plan this so the exact route will be nailed down later.

 Now to start the research of what i need to take with me, decide if i need to get a diffrent vehicle or if the 4runner would make it. I know the Land Rover is common out side of the US, but from what i have seen in the countries ive been to toyota is probably the most common on the road. So i am thinking of sticking with a Toyota.   Another question i have been thinking about is, going through all of those countries what is the best language to know? I know that a lot of africa was once brittish colonies so english is wide spread, but with south america and the out lying towns in africa would it be best to learn Spanish or French? or maybe even some other language?

 As far as what to take, there are plenty of references for that, though sudjestions would be good. Spare parts for critical components, extra fuel, water filter system, iodine tablets, enough water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, food plus emergency food, malaria pills, minimal clothes, and a roof top tent would be a great addition. and anything else i can think of to make life on the road more comfortable. Also between now and then make practice trips to figure out what i truly need and dont need.

 If any one has sudjestions on this i would love to hear them. i know its a long way out but hey every one has to have a dream right?

http://www.africaguide.com/traveltips/driving.htm

 Terrance,

I am going to give you a link to a German Pinzgauer site.  Not all of the vehicles touring the world are pinzies. This is the English translated site...go down to the Tour section at the bottom and check out some of the places folks go. It is amazing.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://pinzforum.kiruna.de/&prev=/search%3Fq%3DRobi%2527s%2BPinzgauerforum%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us

This might give you some information to vehicles and adventures others have taken.

Personally, I would start in New Zeland.

Enjoy,

Morris

thanks for the link. took me a minute to understand the translations but it is an interesting site. lots of info from people who have actualy done the long trips across africa and other continents. makes me want to make the trip all that much more. i hadnt thought about going west around the world. all more info to store away as i work on this

I’m glad that we are not the only crazy ones out there. I hope to be retiring in 7-9 years. My wife and I are also planning/preparing for a around the world overland trip. First to South America then to Africa and beyond. Our first trip to Africa was in 1999 it was to Tanzania and Zanzibar. The Tanzania portion was guided with just us and a guide/driver in a Defender 110. Our second trip in 2009(unguided) was a three week camping trip to Namibia. We rented a Defender 110 with a rooftop tent and fully kitted out for camping. It was an awesome trip. We are now planning the same to Botswana in 2012. Again in a 110. Toyota pickups (bakkies) were very common in Namibia and Tanzania. In Namibia we used a Garmin hand held GPS unit with GPS street and topography maps for all of southern Africa by Garmap.  Currently we are negotiating the purchase of a rebuilt 1985 Defender 110 with a 300Tdi and R380 transmission. It will be fitted with a water tank, two spare wheel carriers, raised air intake and an extra fuel tank extending the range to 800+ miles. Future modifications will be a custom roof rack, rooftop tent, dual battery system, refrigerator etc. We usually travel very light. When we fly we pack three weeks of stuff in a carryon bag. In all our travels to Europe, Africa, Central and South America the English language has never been a problem. We would be interested in hearing more of your plans/preparation if you care to share

Well honestly I am not much further than a broad general plan. I have pretty much made up my mind to stick with the 4runner, it is close enough to the Prado that if something breaks I should be able to get a part to keep me on the road. As far as additions to the runner, I will be putting a locker and winch on it later this summer, then at some point I will get a roof top tent. Also I have an idea on how to better utilize the interior for storage by building some shelves back there. Then I will be putting an onboard air system aux fuel tank and dual batteries. One of the hurdles i have already found is getting my girlfriend on the same page. I intend for her to go with me but she doesn’t quite grasp my intent. Her idea is to rent vehicles each place we go, I will have to work on that. I haven’t really come up with specific things that I want to go see yet so my route will be up in the air for quite a while. In July if I can get leave we are going to go from north eastern California up to central Washington staying off pavement as much as possible. It will be a bit of learning experience, see what is necessary on the road and what isn’t. Also find out how well we travel together over longer distances like that. I intend to do more and longer trips in the next few years to get an even better idea on what i need. Packing light is no problem for either of us which makes travel that much easier. That is good to hear that English worked most places, I know enough Spanish to get me in trouble and enough German to say hi, other than that I’m pretty much in the dark. so all in all my plan, if it can be called such, is still in its infancy, as I get closer and learn more I will be able to add to it and make it make more sense.

as i figure out more things ill add it here. there are just so many diffrent environments in this world and i would like to see them all.

Terrance, some of the places to start research.  OMNI maps a US website, they have a wide variety of international maps etc. Namibiana.de a German website that features Southern Africa, maps (road and topographic), historical, cultural and flora/fauna books. Books I found helpful  that talk about vehicle preparation, Tom Sheppard’s Vehicle Dependent Expedition Guide and  4x4 African Adventure. Immunizations are a big item. The local county Health Department Travel Clinic can get you immunized. Some are lifetime, some 10 yrs, the Hepatitis series takes several months to complete, Yellow Fever immunization is a must as some countries will not allow entry without proof of immunization, Malaria and others are oral and on a per trip basis. We have taken water purification tablets and water filters with us. The water filters you need to make sure the filters are fine enough (sub micron)to get the bugs out and even then you may still need further treatment. Our trips so far have been short (3 weeks)and not too remote so we had access to treated/bottled water. We take a good first aid kit and other meds with us. Shipping of a vehicle will have to be by container. The roll on roll off method of shipping requires the vehicles be empty. There is a Carnet De Passages to be obtained (UN Customs Convention 1954) that allows the temporary importation of vehicles. We have not yet researched insurance requirements. We have found that depending on the length of the trip(4-6 weeks or less) it is less expensive (container shipping $$$)and less time consuming (collecting the vehicle at a port that may not be close to the start of your adventure) to rent a vehicle. Some rental companies charge extra fees to cross borders or  not allow you the enter some. Africa and Australia seem to have an abundance of options to rent an outfitted truck.

This is one of the biggest collection of maps I ever found, Richard

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/

 thank you for the great info. i have looked into renting a rig a little bit. south africa rents them but i didnt dig deep enough to see if you could cross boarders with the company i looked at. you are right australia has some nicely set up rigs to rent. i still would like to do the trip with my on rig but if it comes down to affording the trip a rented rig wouldnt be horrible. that is a good map site richard, will be quite usefull

 When I first started four wheeling my truck at 16 (9 years ago now) I dreamed of doing just this. Best of luck to you and if you need a trip mechanic please keep me in mind, I would gladly drop everything and drain my savings to go around the world. 

Also for more information on such an endeavor look at some of the dual sport motorcycle groups like advrider.com. One member there has ridden around the world twice now, first on a 1948 Indian and the second on a 1970s HD (his screen name is RTWDoug if I remember right).

Can you take a sabbatical from work now and make the trip in the next year or so.  I know most people think I'm seriously crazy, but I doubt you'll be able to afford either gas or diesel in a decade.  Expotential math, population increases, and all types of resource depletion just don't mix well.

Even if I'm wrong about all of that, if you and the wife go now you'll be younger, stronger, healthier, and sharper than you will be in a decade. (And so will your truck).  Trust me on this I'm already there!

Dale