4x4 Transafrika Offroad Expedition Go West through Africa

The TransAfrica Expedition starts on December 26 at 5 a.m. at Overcross in Tübingen. Via Lyon, Barcelona, and Málaga we roll towards Gibraltar. After about 2500 kilometers there is a breakfast at the rock in 'England', toast included. Then it's only 10 kilometers to the ferry to Africa.

After the crossing, we drive through the green northwest region known as the vegetable chamber. In Marrakech, there's a full day for the old town, souks, and tanneries. On the Djemaa el Fna, we immerse ourselves among jugglers and spices. The next day we head over the Tizi n Test Pass into the Atlas Mountains. Continuing southward, we follow old Dakar tracks. Overnight in a kasbah in the middle of the desert sand under the starry sky instead of Netflix.

The expedition route leads along the rugged Atlantic coast. We pass Tan-Tan and reach the resource-rich area of the Western Sahara in the Guelmin Qued Noun region. The Western Sahara is a legally disputed territory that was annexed by Morocco after Spain's withdrawal in 1975, and since 1991 a ceasefire has prevailed between the Polisario and Morocco. The Sahrawi population has since been fighting for independence as the Democratic Arab Republic of Sahara. We reach El Aaiún, with about 218,000 inhabitants, the largest city in the Western Sahara. We continue through an impressive mix of sandy plains and rocky desert landscapes, on kilometers of straight roads – a taste of what lies ahead.

Continuing south towards Dakar, the namesake city of possibly the most legendary rally in the world. We cross the border into Senegal on a small river ferry that, hopefully, will not sink during our crossing, and pass the charming colonial city of Saint-Louis, where the Senegal River flows into the Atlantic. Now we find ourselves in the Sahel zone – a transitional region between the Sahara in the north and the dry savanna in the south and will enjoy the most delicious dinner under palm trees at a cool camp by the sea ;-) Dakar, legendary for the Paris Dakar rally which first launched in 1979 and for decades led across Europe and North Africa, with the final finish at the beach of Dakar, not far from Lac Rose, where the salty water shimmers pink in the evening sun, and we raise our glasses to our stage destination. A mix of perfectly paved highways out of Dakar into the vastness of the Sahel and suffocating dusty tracks takes our off-road expedition today under the 'treaded tires' through open savanna landscapes. From Koungheul we follow the route inland through dense forests and wide grasslands. The route becomes increasingly challenging and exciting, heading into 'real Africa'. A cultural highlight of the expedition in Senegal is the Great Mosque of Touba, regarded as the largest mosque in Senegal and the spiritual center of the Mouride brotherhood, an impressive place of architectural might and religious significance.

Continuing south towards Dakar, the namesake city of possibly the most legendary rally in the world. We cross the border into Senegal on a small river ferry that, hopefully, will not sink during our crossing, and pass the charming colonial city of Saint-Louis, where the Senegal River flows into the Atlantic. Now we find ourselves in the Sahel zone – a transitional region between the Sahara in the north and the dry savanna in the south and will enjoy the most delicious dinner under palm trees at a cool camp by the sea ;-). Dakar, legendary for the Paris Dakar rally, which first launched in 1979 and for decades led across Europe and North Africa, with the final finish at the beach of Dakar, not far from Lac Rose, where the salty water shimmers pink in the evening sun, and we raise our glasses to our stage destination. A mix of perfectly paved highways out of Dakar into the vastness of the Sahel and suffocating dusty tracks takes our off-road expedition today under the 'treaded tires' through open savanna landscapes.

We cross the border into Guinea via a small border post, a country full of challenges, traditional villages, and notoriously empty gas stations. Fuel is scarce, as on December 18, 2023, the main fuel depot in Conakry exploded. Peter, a Bundeswehr comrade from the old days, has set up a fuel depot of €500 liters at his lodge near the Fouta Djalon plateau by the Tinkisso River to traverse the country. Not far from the lodge is Dabola, and here at the railway line to Nanken and Conakry, we embark on a shopping tour for African Hermes, Rolex, and other 'luxury brands' known here simply as food ;-) Despite all adversities, Guinea fascinates with the 'still' dense rainforest in the south and the dry savannas in the north, spectacular rock plateaus, and countless rivers. The population is young, hospitable, ethnically diverse, with groups such as the Malinké, Peul, and Soussou, each speaking their own languages and nurturing their music traditions and culinary cultures. In the small villages, we regularly stop, not just for the corrugated iron gas stations for the Khele, but also to gain an authentic glimpse of local cuisine. Women pound cassava, children greet us with smiles, while steaming pots of rice and smoked fish over the open fire provide an aromatic welcome menu. Depending on fuel availability, we reach Kankan, with around 191,000 inhabitants the third-largest city in Guinea, a busy hub with markets, mosques, and a touch of colonial past, nestled in the dry heart of the country.

It won’t get easier: On a challenging route, we continue to Sopota, a remote oasis in the wilderness. We traverse the Ivory Coast, and depending on group dynamics, we reserve the option of: Either via paved connecting routes to the Atlantic or more adventurous routes through sandy paths and mangrove forests that snake like green veins through the moist lowlands, to drive across the Ivory Coast to the Atlantic coast. There we let the day end in a small lodge right on the beach, with freshly grilled fish, good wine, and the salty scent of the sea in our noses. For those who are curiously following or traveling with us on our TransAfrica Expedition: The Ivory Coast, with the modern economic metropolis Abidjan as its de facto capital (officially: Yamoussoukro), is a predominantly Christian and Muslim country with growing economic dynamism that has noticeably recovered from past crises in recent years. Along the coast, long sandy beaches, lagoons, and colonial port cities provide a striking contrast to the dense tropical vegetation in the interior.

Welcome to Ghana. Along the South Atlantic coast, we travel through authentic fishing villages before we struggle through seemingly endless construction sites towards Accra. This day turns into a marathon day in 2025 – a tough stage that challenges us physically and mentally. In Accra, we spend the night in a simple, clean accommodation lovingly managed by 'Bella' called Beauty, near an industrial area. The so-called Beauty Hotel looks 'icky' from the outside but 'nice' inside – with simple yet delicious Ghanaian food. Here we set aside a buffer day for maintenance or repairs on the vehicles. A workshop with a Lebanese mechanic named Mohammed is just a stone's throw from our accommodation and a central point for spare part procurement.

Let’s go Voodoo, we cross Togo, the birthplace of the Voodoo religion. In Porto-Novo, the capital of Benin, we pass the Parliament building and soon reach Cotonou. There we are again welcomed by a legendary lodge right on the South Atlantic. With the best food and good wine, we enjoy the evening by the sea. As usual, we discuss the upcoming route and special features of the next country at sunset and treat ourselves to a swim in the sea before making the leap into chaos the next day.

At the border to Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with around 220 million people, it’s time to keep our nerves. In the late afternoon, we reach Lagos, which we internally refer to as 'Gateway to Hell'. In Lagos, we encounter a contrast program that could hardly be more drastic: The expedition group checks into a five-star luxury hotel, where the manager Philipp is already waiting for us. He has organized the complex transit through Nigeria in advance, and here the guide also meets the local security officer. In Nigeria, there seems to be a checkpoint every ten kilometers where passports, drivers' licenses, and vehicle registrations must be presented – often accompanied by lengthy discussions to avoid paying 'fees'. We are prepared. The details regarding crossing and behavior at the checkpoints will be discussed on-site within the expedition team. After leaving the vibrant metropolis of Lagos, our route leads through varied landscapes and fertile farmland. We reach the sparsely populated regions in the south. Nigeria ranks 161 out of 193 in the Human Development Index (HDI) – in these areas, this becomes especially evident: There is a lack of almost everything that is available on every street corner in Lagos. Accordingly, accommodations and camps are simple along the dense rainforests and the banks of the Ebonyi River towards Ugep, where we will subsequently cross the border into the authoritarian regime of Cameroon.

In the morning, the barrier to Cameroon goes up, and we enter a country that does not issue entry stamps at this border station. The 'After-Road' stage from the previous day is still heavy in our bones: kilometer by kilometer, we've battled through challenging terrain – and today continues the same way. It will be hot, it will be humid, and a spectacular off-road passage through the largely deforested jungle in northern Cameroon awaits us. On the way to Yaoundé, we will spend another night outdoors and use up the last reserves from the expedition kitchen. After sunrise, we will continue 'on the road' towards the capital. Upon arrival in Yaoundé, we will indulge in a 'comfortable' four-star hotel for a shower and a bit of recovery after days full of dust, sweat, and dirt. Here, Fred from France is already waiting for the 4x4 expedition participants – ready with wrench and hammer in hand to do what must be done. Depending on the extent of repairs, we plan a rest day here to maintain the vehicles and recover. The next two stages will take us through wild, hard-to-access off-road paths across the Cameroonian jungle – a region currently being massively deforested and developed by Chinese investors. It is hard to believe: Huge semi-trailers with up to six massive tree trunks clear their way through the dense rainforest – relics that are sometimes over a hundred years old. The last and toughest overnight stop of this stage awaits us shortly before the border with the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville). But we will survive this night too – true to our motto: 'No comfort, no compromise!'

The barrier goes up and we find ourselves in the Republic of Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, to avoid confusion with the Democratic Republic of Congo. We are traversing the Congo Basin, the second-largest tropical rainforest on Earth. In the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, one of Africa's oldest national parks, lowland gorillas still live. With two rangers, we travel up the river by boat. After about ten kilometers, we encounter a small population of gorillas. The sight is impressive, and the experience absolutely worthwhile. Back at the camp with the rangers, we leave a donation after dinner. The Republic of Congo ranks 153 out of 193 in the Human Development Index, indicating a low level of development. Our visit is important for the rangers as it generates desperately needed income. The capital Brazzaville is a day's travel away. In the city with over two million inhabitants, we will replenish our supplies and fuel.

On the opposite side of the Congo River lies Kinshasa, which is also referred to as the 'Hell City' on the tour. From here, the HIV virus was spread into the world. We cross the Congo directly through the Democratic Republic of Congo and reach the border with Angola after two days.

We reach the breathtaking coastal landscape of Angola. The drive leads past lonely beaches and quiet fishing villages. In Luanda, the capital of Angola, there is one last chance to stock up on fuel and groceries for the upcoming 1,700 kilometers to the Namibian border. The coastal city with its colonial architecture, cultural attractions, and vibrant nightlife is among the most expensive cities for foreign visitors worldwide. At the same time, tens of thousands of homeless children seek food in the streets. We leave Luanda, with its fascinating blend of African and Portuguese culture, and continue along the coast road to Lobito. The charming port city offers white sandy beaches and cozy cafés.

Our off-road journey continues into the highlands of Angola. In Lubango, we visit the Tundavala Gorge, a spectacular viewpoint in the Serra da Leba region. From here, breathtaking views of the landscape unfold. Through the savannah of Angola, we continue to the Namibian border.

In Etosha National Park, we embark on a safari through the diverse wildlife. The conservation area spans approximately 22,000 square kilometers and is one of Africa's most significant wildlife reserves. Afterward, we continue to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia and former capital of German South West Africa. Windhoek offers an interesting mix of African lifestyle and German order. For us, it is an important supply point for the 'jump to the last stage' to South Africa. Here in Namibia, the relaxed vacation part of the trip begins. We continue the tour in the Namib-Naukluft National Park – one of the most impressive desert areas in the world.

We cross the border into South Africa and reach Neilersdrift. The landscape along the Orange River is picturesque. On our way south, we cross the Swartberg region, known for its stunning mountain passes and the historic Swartberg Pass Road. Finally, we reach the southernmost point of the expedition: the Cape of Good Hope – a symbolic milestone and one of the most famous sights in South Africa. Cheers to successfully completing one of the most challenging expeditions that Overcross has conducted in the last quarter-century. The last day is relaxed. We drive to the shipping company, return the vehicles, and Wolfgang takes care of the organizational part. We celebrate the end of the trip with a festive dinner at one of Cape Town's best restaurants.