Camping and self-driving in Africa’s national parks is one of the best ways to get to know the rhythm of the ecosystem. Each park on the safari circuit from South Africa to Kenya is different and unique in some way. What they mostly do have in common are the predators. Africa’s big cats stand at…
Cool Vehicles of the 2024 Rebelle Rally
Photography by Richard Giordano, Regine Trias, Tim Sutton, Paolo Baraldi, and Ernesto Araiza After traversing over 2,600 kilometers of desert terrain, 128 women left California’s Johnson Valley in mid-October, bound for home. Hailing from 114 cities, 27 states and provinces, and six countries, they drove Jeeps and Fords, Toyotas, and Land Rovers. Some chose Subarus,…
The Georgia Traverse :: A Four-day Overlanding Adventure
In March, after months of meticulous planning and preparation, the Georgia Jeep Alliance Jeep Club took on the challenge of the legendary Georgia Traverse—a 390-mile route that passes through Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and ultimately, Alabama, across some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the southern US. Charted by the overlanding pioneers at Georgia Overland,…
Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner :: Pan-Am Highway With an Infant
The border crossing from Honduras into Nicaragua was an endless line of 18-wheelers at a standstill. Travelers who’d gone before instructed fellow overlanders to reach customs officials by passing the trucks on the right shoulder. This worked until it didn’t, at which point an agent appeared, waved, and conducted the movements of tractor trailers until…
Feature Vehicle: Steyr 12M18
With the explosion of the popularity of overland travel globally, we are seeing more and more people choosing to take the plunge and choose the path in life that we love dearly. Choosing and preparing an overland vehicle is the first, and some would say, the most crucial step to getting out on the road…
Van Conversion Companies :: Buyers Guide
Let’s be honest. Building your own camper interior is a real pain in the neck unless you are a qualified carpenter or a next-level ninja DIY’er with a full workshop of tools. An interior build is never as easy as it looks online, the costs are always double your budget, and the build is never,…
Lexus Announces Upgrades to the LH 700h, LX 600, and the Overtrail Grades
Since the redesigned Lexus GX launch in 2023, the premium off-roader has been making waves and turning heads. For 2025, Lexus is elevating its flagship SUV lineup by introducing the LX 700h and the new Overtrail grade, along with updates to the LX 600. This expansion showcases Lexus’ commitment to diverse customer preferences, especially with…
Gregory Knocks it Out the Park with Duffels, Case, and Backpacks :: Field Tested
Gregory Mountain Products specializes in designing and manufacturing backpacks, travel bags, and outdoor gear. Founded in 1977 by Wayne Gregory, the brand is known for its focus on comfort, durability, and innovative design. Gregory’s products are built to support outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of packs for hiking, backpacking, and travel. The company emphasizes ergonomic…
Chris Scott’s Trans Morocco Trail Self-Guided Route Has Launched
A new adventure travel route, the Trans Morocco Trail, has launched, offering explorers the chance to experience Morocco’s diverse landscapes through a 3,000-kilometer self-guided route. The trail runs from the Mediterranean port of Nador to Cap Draa on the Atlantic coast and is free to download. The route is designed for independent cyclists, motorcyclists, and…
Living Legends: Patricia Upton
Photography courtesy of Patricia Upton and the Estate of Loren Upton I recently had the pleasure of sharing a glass of wine and a lively conversation with legendary lady overlander Patricia Upton, world traveler and matriarch of the overlanding world, at a campsite outside of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Patricia and I initially met at an…
Principles of Overlanding: Living on the Road Full-Time
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 208 Join Scott Brady as he welcomes seasoned travelers Graeme and Luisa to this Principles of Overlanding episode. With 15 years of experience, they share the principles, challenges, and rewards of full-time overlanding, from traversing Africa’s rugged tracks to enduring Arctic extremes. Gain insights into family overlanding logistics, vehicle choices, budget…
How I Fell In Love With Winter Overland Travel
Standing on the frozen Arctic Ocean, clad from head to toe in winter gear, my beard froze as my convoy mate informed me that it was -50°F in Tuktoyaktuk, where my overland vehicle was parked. A grin spread across my face, and I felt a wave of satisfaction and tempered elation course through my warm…
Chattahoochee BDR-X Route Announced
The Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest in Georgia is the location of the latest motorcycle adventure route devised by the folks at Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR). The “Hoochee” is a BDR-X format, taking in just a corner of northern Georgia in its 350-mile circular track. This is the fourth route that BMW Motorrad USA has presented…
This Gear (and Lifestyle Change) Helped me Lose 100 Pounds On the Road
When I arrived back in the US after a multi-year journey across Europe, West, and Southern Africa, I stepped on a scale outside a Publix supermarket in Florida. I was amazed to find that I weighed almost exactly 300 pounds. The pandemic lockdown in South Africa had obviously not been good for my waistline, and…
Double Dutch World Safari on 40 Years of Overlanding
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 206 Join us on this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast as we sit down with Robert Van den Hoeven, an experienced overlander whose extensive travels span across continents like Africa, Australia, and the Americas. Robert shares his profound experiences, from camping trips in Europe during his childhood to maritime adventures…
Crossing Continents: Africa Wrap-Up and Lessons Learned
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 205 Join the Overland Journal Podcast as co-host Matt Scott interviews Scott Brady about his journey across Africa. Discover the valuable lessons learned, the performance of the Ineos Grenadier, and the critical role of teamwork during a challenging long-term expedition. Special thanks to our sponsors this week, Overland Explorer Vehicles. Tune…
SUV, Van and Pick-Up Camping Conversion Kits :: Buyers Guide
In recent years, the trend of converting vans and SUVs into mobile living spaces has grown in popularity, driven by the desire for freedom, adventure, and the convenience of having a home on wheels. This surge in interest has led to the rise of van and SUV camping conversion kits—pre-packaged systems that simplify transforming a…
International Vehicle Shipping with Lithium Batteries—New Regulations
Overland travelers have always pushed the limits of vehicle travel, and in many instances, their hunger for exploration has included shipping expedition vehicles to the far reaches of the globe. Unfortunately, over the past year, there have been numerous fires aboard transport ships, and two vehicle carriers were lost at sea due to fires aboard…
Jan and Leoné Vorster – A Life of Daring and Adventure
To this day, Jan and Leoné Vorster still live in a leafy suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa, mere miles from where I was born and mostly raised. But, before I was conceived, this Afrikaner couple had already traveled far and wide and achieved what most, even today, consider near impossible. Jan and Leoné traveled overland…
Jessy Muller Takes the Slow Road
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 202 Full-time nomad Jessy Muller has been living on the road for over six years. Over that time, she’s learned a lot of lessons about slow travel, finding peace as a solo adventurer, and coexisting with an old RV—in Jessy’s case, a 1978 Dodge Commander. In this wide-ranging conversation with Overland Journal…