The Road Chose Me: Driving a Jeep Wrangler 80,000 miles around Africa for 2 years
- Thread starter Dan Grec
- Start date
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
Hey All,
The DRC continues to impress and continues to be a mud slog!
I arrive in the extremely famous Luozi looking to cross the ferry, though not before the nastiest "warlord" Policeman of the journey has his say!
Read that story here: http://theroadchoseme.com/across-the-drc-day-3-luozi
After finally getting away from him, I make my way to the mighty Congo river, and cross on the most ramshackle ferry of my life!
This is the kind of adventure I will never forget as long as I live.
Read more and more photos of the crossing here: http://theroadchoseme.com/luozi-ferry-the-congo-river
Of course, the mud continues on the other side!
-Dan
The DRC continues to impress and continues to be a mud slog!
I arrive in the extremely famous Luozi looking to cross the ferry, though not before the nastiest "warlord" Policeman of the journey has his say!
Read that story here: http://theroadchoseme.com/across-the-drc-day-3-luozi
After finally getting away from him, I make my way to the mighty Congo river, and cross on the most ramshackle ferry of my life!
This is the kind of adventure I will never forget as long as I live.
Read more and more photos of the crossing here: http://theroadchoseme.com/luozi-ferry-the-congo-river
Of course, the mud continues on the other side!
-Dan
mccustomize
Explorer
Dan what's your fuel mileage like so far?
I'm also intrigued by how you do find good fuel, is it hard to come by?
I'm also intrigued by how you do find good fuel, is it hard to come by?
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
On good roads, keeping my speed to around 50mph (which is only possible on the best roads) I can make it sit right on 20mpg.
I have verified the distance with GPS and hand-calculated that, so I know it's accurate.
The computer is optimistic for the first 1/2 of a tank, then comes into line by the end of it.
This is after 569 miles without a gas station:
On gravel roads it will sit around 16 or 17mpg. On nasty stuff with mud or sand it will go down to 11mpg.
If I had to guess, I'd say the entire trip average is in the 16-17 range.
Gas stations are very common, and I always try to fill up at the biggest, brightest, most used ones.
I have had no problem finding gas and the Jeep seems to burn it just fine.
(Other than in the Rep. Congo where there was basically none due to the refinery being turned off).
All in all, the myth about not being able to drive a gas vehicle in West Africa is complete nonsense. I have met multiple people doing it.
-Dan
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
The roads are bad enough to keep me slow, which helps alot.
I think the 6 speed helps a lot too - I drive very slow and smooth, never rev higher than 2000 rpm, etc.
If I ring it's neck I'm certain I could halve that mileage, but what's the point.
-Dan
mccustomize
Explorer
That's considerably good mileage, so in the Rep. Congo what did you do if you couldn't find gas?
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
I wound up buying it from a container for $10/gal.
Story is here http://theroadchoseme.com/brazzaville-congo
-Dan
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
Hey All,
The slog across the DRC continued, with - of course - more mud.
The starter was broken on this truck, and we tried the winch. It didn't stand a chance, so we couldn't help.
The guys were extremely thankful, and resumed waiting in the shade of a tree.
These are the kind of villages near the road:
Full story here: http://theroadchoseme.com/across-the-drc-day-4
And after a solid bribery attempt and and stand off, I reach the border of Angola.
Mad Max was close, but got something seriously wrong. The amount of trash on the ground. Imagine it at least 2 feet deep, absolutely everywhere you can see.
Hundreds of people streaming across the border, scorching heat and humidity.
To top it all off, a guy walked right past with a full-sized fridge on his head!
More on the crossing here: http://theroadchoseme.com/into-angola
The DRC has been an adventure I will never forget, now it's time for Angola!
-Dan
The slog across the DRC continued, with - of course - more mud.
The starter was broken on this truck, and we tried the winch. It didn't stand a chance, so we couldn't help.
The guys were extremely thankful, and resumed waiting in the shade of a tree.
These are the kind of villages near the road:
Full story here: http://theroadchoseme.com/across-the-drc-day-4
And after a solid bribery attempt and and stand off, I reach the border of Angola.
Mad Max was close, but got something seriously wrong. The amount of trash on the ground. Imagine it at least 2 feet deep, absolutely everywhere you can see.
Hundreds of people streaming across the border, scorching heat and humidity.
To top it all off, a guy walked right past with a full-sized fridge on his head!
More on the crossing here: http://theroadchoseme.com/into-angola
The DRC has been an adventure I will never forget, now it's time for Angola!
-Dan
mccustomize
Explorer
Crazy! Thanks for the link, look forward to reading more.
GabAlmighty
Observer
Just read the thread. Living vicariously through you!
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
Hey All,
I am absolutely loving Angola so far.
After the mud slog through the DRC, I was absolutely ready for some beach-n-chill time. So I did exactly that.
Read how the border crossing into Angola finished up: http://theroadchoseme.com/angola-awaits
I moved towards Luanda, and found a great wildcamp right above this amazing shipwreck beach:
Read more here: http://theroadchoseme.com/shipwreck-beach
Luanda is up next!
-Dan
I am absolutely loving Angola so far.
After the mud slog through the DRC, I was absolutely ready for some beach-n-chill time. So I did exactly that.
Read how the border crossing into Angola finished up: http://theroadchoseme.com/angola-awaits
I moved towards Luanda, and found a great wildcamp right above this amazing shipwreck beach:
Read more here: http://theroadchoseme.com/shipwreck-beach
Luanda is up next!
-Dan
grogie
Like to Camp
Wow! Today's shakedown video is intense! All the smiling, happiness and being polite... I'd want to pull out a *** and start ************* (or at least dream about it)!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RTlDa2cg0o
Sigh...
Hats off you to brother, and again, stay safe!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RTlDa2cg0o
Sigh...
Hats off you to brother, and again, stay safe!
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
I know everyone worries about bribery a lot when driving through the undeveloped world.
Finally, I caught it on camera!
Grab some popcorn and watch the reality of Bribery in Nigeria, the most notorious of all.
This exactly mirrors my experiences from Alaska to Argentina and now on the West Coast of Africa - well over 200 bribery attempts.
-Dan
Finally, I caught it on camera!
Grab some popcorn and watch the reality of Bribery in Nigeria, the most notorious of all.
This exactly mirrors my experiences from Alaska to Argentina and now on the West Coast of Africa - well over 200 bribery attempts.
-Dan