Photography by Leander Nardin Looking back on a decade of full-time, vehicle-based travel, my most beloved nights camping in the United States have taken place beneath a forest canopy. With limited exceptions, public forest land is open for overland exploration. National forests contain maintained trail networks, established campgrounds, and vast dispersed camping opportunities. Access to…
Roam Overlanding Launches 7-part Africa Overland Series
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….
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…
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…
Matt Prior on Traveling the Silk Road with a Family
Join Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady as he speaks with adventurer Matt Prior about his remarkable five-year journey around the world with his family, known as Project Wild Earth. Matt, his wife, Leah, and their two children are traveling extensively, currently more than halfway across Asia in an INEOS Grenadier and towing a Patriot…
Travel Beasts’ 1993 Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ73 :: Feature Vehicle
It happens to the best of us; we purchase a vehicle and kit it out for a long-distance overland journey, only to find that our needs change as we fall deeper into overlanding and commit further to a life lived on the road. A rooftop tent and daily outdoor existence are fine for a few…
More than Mapping: onX Offroad Grants, Features, and Initiatives You May Not Know About
In this installment of the Expedition Portal series on brands that inspire us, Senior Editor Ashley Giordano profiles the off-road GPS and mapping app onX Offroad. In 2009, outdoorsman Eric Siegfried lost his way while hunting at night. Navigating through rough terrain in the dark, Siegfried wished for the ability to see public and private…
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…
Principles of Overlanding: Intentional Vehicle Modifications
Join hosts Matt Scott and Scott Brady in this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast as they dive deep into the principles of modifying your overland vehicle with intention. Matt and Scott discuss the importance of thoughtful upgrades, the dangers of over-complication, and how to build a vehicle that meets your specific use case without…
Arctic Trucks Founder Emil Grímsson on the Challenges of Polar Exploration
Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as sits down with Arctic Trucks CEO Emil Grímsson to discuss the origin of Arctic Trucks Iceland and how he turned the “Top Gear Polar Special” into a career of polar exploration. Grímsson touches on his role during the Transglobal Car Expedition, the world’s first wheeled surface navigation…
The Scientific Exploration Society :: Overland Conservation
When we read about Darién Gap expeditions, we tend to focus on the immense undertaking of the crossing from a four-wheel-drive perspective. But for Colonel John Blashford-Snell, the expedition leader responsible for the first crossing of the Darién Gap with a team of Range Rovers in 1971-72, the mission also focused on plants, animals, and…
Principles of Overlanding: Anthropology and the Overlander’s Code
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Scott Brady talks to Dr. Bryon Bass about the principles of overlanding and the Overlander’s Code, created as a supplement to resources like Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace. They discuss the importance of respecting unique cultures and taking responsibility for one’s actions while traveling. Dr….
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…
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…
Can AI Plan a Better Overland Trip?
Photography by Richard Giordano. The likeness of our 2008 Tundra and OEV camper in Bosnia (lead image) was generated using OpenAI’s DALL·E, which creates images from text descriptions. Nestled within Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Dinaric Alps, Orlovačko Lake is so clear the surrounding mountains are mirrored in its waters. The glacial lake, home to brown and…
Clay and Rachelle Croft of XOverland on the Adventure of Travel, Life, and Love
Join host Scott Brady on the Overland Journal Podcast as he converses with Clay and Rachelle Croft, the dynamic duo behind the XOverland brand. Known for their extensive global travels and mastery of overlanding, Scott delves into their incredible adventures, the intricacies of their life, marriage, and maintaining family values amidst success. This episode offers…
Rafiki on Tour on Overlanding Africa as a Couple
Join host Ashley Giordano on the Overland Journal Podcast as she and Dutch overlanders Tobias and Manon discuss the couple’s travels through Africa for the past two and a half years in their Land Rover Defender 110. In this episode from the field, Tobias and Manon share how they began overlanding and answer questions from…
Grit, Rigor, and Fun: Inside the Success of INEOS Grenadier
This episode explores the core values of grit, rigor, and humor that drive INEOS Automotive and its revolutionary overland vehicle, the Grenadier. Hosted by Scott Brady, the conversation delves into the personal and professional adventures of Lynn, a key executive at INEOS. They discuss Lynn’s memorable African journey, the strategic expansion of INEOS in the…