Following Bound for Nowhere’s 5-part video series, the “Applied Theory of International Overlanding,” Expedition Portal and Overland Journal’s next XOverland-produced series sees South African filmmaker Adrian Abrahams undertake an unforgettable journey spanning 40,000 kilometers across Southern Africa and beyond. Now available on the Expedition Portal YouTube channel, “Reasons to Roam” follows Adrian as he embarks…
Iconic Rebelle Rally Locations to Incorporate into Your Next Overland Trip
Lead photo by Nicole Dreon In one week’s time, over 60 teams will gather in Mammoth Lakes, California, to begin the 10th edition of the Rebelle Rally. The rally route—which leads competitors through eight days of off-road navigation using maps, compasses, and roadbooks to locate checkpoints throughout the deserts of Nevada and California—is completely confidential….
Overlanding Africa: Countries, Cultures, and Insights with Expedition Rove
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, hosts Scott Brady and Matt Scott are joined by Mary Hannah Hardcastle and Andy Ellis, from Expedition Rove. They share their incredible journey of overlanding across Africa, including their experiences with the new Land Rover Defender 2020. They discuss the challenges and highlights of navigating the West…
Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve | Overland Routes
We first discovered the Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve (also known as the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004) in 2011 after returning home to South Africa from a journey to Kilimanjaro in our 2003 Land Rover Defender 130. We fell in love with the untamed beauty of the remote…
Throttle Therapy :: Why You Should Add “Big Sand” to Your Next Adventure
“I don’t like sand,” the young Padawan declared. “It’s coarse and rough and irritating… and it gets everywhere.” A true Jedi adventurer would not make such an uninitiated statement. After all, to properly experience sand, one does not fly over it with a speeder. Ripping through it with a 4WD is the civilized approach. So,…
Orchards, Vineyards, Fields, and Groves: Unique Overnight Parkups in Slovenia
There is a moment, from time to time, when I am led away from my husband under the guise of an impending surprise. In Colombia, it was donning a rancher outfit; in Morocco, a traditional Amazigh wedding dress, complete with shoes, a headdress, and a skirt. This time, Silvia led me out of a Slovenian…
The Big Thing :: An Ultimate Overland Event
As the overland community grows, it is more important than ever to provide opportunities for training, connection, and shared stories of adventure. At Expedition Portal, we could not be more excited for The Big Thing overland event coming to Bozeman, Montana, at the XOVERLAND Ranch. Now that Expedition Portal is part of the Overland Collective,…
Beyond the Human Context: Protecting the Invisible in Kyrgyzstan
In 2017, my girlfriend, Caroline, and I bought a 1990s ex-ambulance Mercedes-Benz 609D in Berlin. With only 40,000 kilometers on the clock, it was in great shape and ready for adventure. Despite our limited resources, we managed to convert it into our off-grid home under the sweltering southern Spain sun. Without a garage, we did…
The Big Thing is Here, and We Are Stoked!
The team at XOVERLAND has announced The Big Thing, and it stands to upend overland events as we know them. Scheduled for July 10-13 in “Yellowstone country” of Montana, the expo will focus on premium instruction, experienced presenters, and quality brands. The entire Expedition Portal and Overland Journal team plans to attend, provide training, and…
10 Things to Know About Overlanding Greece
Photography by Richard Giordano On the busy streets of Xanthi, I spot a tiny lobster. She’s swinging an air lasso to “Gangnam Style” as bass pumps through a gargantuan roadside speaker. Located in northern Greece, the city of Xanthi hosts some of the most popular Apokries events in the country, which celebrate the festive season…
Dean Poulopoulos of Overland N’Explore on Overlanding Greece
Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with Overland N’Explore owner and founder Dean Poulopoulos. In this episode, they discuss differences between the European and American overland markets, give tips on overlanding Greece, and discuss how Dean went from working in the maritime industry to starting his own overland outfitter business…
Vancouver Island: A Rover and a Reset in the Best Place on Earth
It was the end of summer, and the sun hung over the far end of Muchalat Lake a bit later than it would in a month from now, but not as late as it had the month before. I was sitting on a log on the beach overlooking the water about 15 kilometers from Gold…
Principles of Overlanding: Traveling the Pan-American Highway on a Budget
Join hosts Scott Brady and Matt Scott on the Overland Journal Podcast as they discuss budget travel and how you can explore the Pan-American Highway for under $25,000, including the cost of a vehicle. Hear practical tips on gear, vehicle selection, and budget as we share inspiring stories of fellow travelers who have completed their…
BDR to Release Southeast Route – SEBDR
Backcountry Discovery Routes’ newest adventure tour is the Southeast BDR, or SEBDR. Riders can explore the route beginning March 1, 2025 at the World Premier of the 1,300-mile route. It begins at the Gulf of Mexico, takes riders through the Appalachian Mountains, and terminates in Damascus, Virginia. However, there’s no need to stop riding there—the…
The Alabama Rubicon
Photography by Marco Garcia When you hear someone mention the state of Alabama, what comes to mind? According to the internet, Alabama has great college football and not much else. But what if there’s another side to Alabama? Natural, untouched, and scenic. A side with beautiful mountain roads and trails, hiking paths, and lakes, all…
Chasing Hot Springs and Trout: An Overland Route Through Idaho
“You got your suit, right?” I asked my wife, Louise. “Yep. What about the fly rods?” she responded. We pack many necessities and equipment for an overlanding adventure, and a fly rod and swimsuit are required for any adventure in the “Potato State.” Idaho is an overlanding paradise, offering countless miles of forest roads, remote…
There’s No Place Like Home
Feature image by Kurt Windisch I am gazing upward at morning sunlight filtering through a canopy of moss-covered Douglas Fir and western red cedar trees, towering over a soft bed of needles and fuzzy pine cones they’ve strewn about, inviting me to abandon my sandals and walk from cooler to camp kitchen to tent, barefoot….
Southeastern Kazakhstan | Overland Routes
Photography by Coen Wubbels Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world as well as the largest Stan country of Central Asia, sharing borders with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Vast and empty, it’s possible to traverse more than 1,200 miles of continuous steppes, home to the traditional nomads who, until the Soviet…
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…
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…