Andrews back. This is the videos I long for. I know you have to build your vehicles, but I'm over that stuff. These are the gems and thank you for sharing the exotic Africa videos.
Real adventure, thank you for sharing. Like how you don't have 4 camera cars and 4 support crew... Just you, the car, the camera and the adventure, I take my hat off to you sir!
Hi Andrew, been following you for 10 years. My wife and I met you at Mormon Lake and later at Fort Tuttle for the Expos. Read some of the neg. comments here. I don't need to tell you they can go jump in a lake. No common sense anymore or common decency. Well this is YT, so what do you expect. Anyway, I agree, the pace was slower, more relaxed, I feel someone who has been doing it as long as you has earned the right to do things how he likes and frankly, I enjoyed it immensely. When we met, it was just my wife and I, now we have a large family and starting to take them on camping trips expo style, roof top tents, 4 wheel drive, to see and experience the places most can't or won't get to. You have been a great inspiration and continue to be so. So thank you for all your work.
Last year in March our trail cam picked up a lone male lion patrolling his territory at night near Kaa pan which seems to be where you set up camp. A few days later at Peach pan we picked up the tracks of a pride of 9 lion at a guess, they're all over that area. That area is one our favourites and we really enjoy dropping our park fees ( plus a bit extra 😉) into the honesty box at Zutshwa, the smiles from the community tells us everything we need to know about how we can preserve these wilderness areas. Use, don't abuse and give something back for the pleasure is a very simple motto that makes all the difference.
I thought I was the only one who kept a wrench handy to disconnect the battery terminals. Sound philosophies for risk mitigation and preparedness. Scott from California, U.S.
I absolutely love Andrew this content I love when he has some more serious videos and then some silly ones. I look forward to his videos every single week and have downloaded most of his documentaries.
Your comment about everyone has a special place is so true. For me it’s the Flinders rangers in South Australia,, it’s like a drug , I have to visit at least once a year to feel satisfaction.
LOVE this type of video. Relaxed, informative, tips, gear ( needed to see that utensil roll open. I use the supercheap autos tool roll $20 👌🏻) Thoroughly enjoyed it, great series
Nice video. It reflects the energy of solo travel. I took a month off from work in the mid 1990’s drove around the US, mostly camping in the back of my 4Runner. While I enjoyed myself, I prefer traveling with one other person.
Exactly, the best way is to build the rig yourself and keep improving when using the gear. Now you have a car build by other (skilled) people, but it's not yours and you end up with a long improvement list.
Thank you for your videos. I have been following you for several years and there is always good information, a lot of thoughfulness and wonderful photography. You are an inspiration. I am now wondering how to attach a spanner to the battery.
Midas on the outskirts of Maun heading towards Nata on the left-hand side sell a very good multi-meter (and good quality crimps). I was very jealous because auto parts stores in the UK seldom sell good quality electrical tools and crimps, so needless to say I bought a load back with me. It wasn't too expensive either.
As an amature TH-cam creator I appreciate what you put into your videos and what it costs . My little channel cost like R100k to do a 9 week trip oversees just to get video footage and I get nothing in return (yet) yours will be approaching R1mil and yet people complain when watching .
hello! a very nice place. I'm just outfitting my LC200 for some overlanding having moved from a motorcycle traveller. Your advise is my best. Living in Central Europe Northern Africa is closer to me. I have been there a few times with my bike, in January '25 going for a Budapest-Bamako rally with my wife an the Cruiser. Rooftop tent, a power station, fridge and all that. Can you believe, that Anserson plugs are VERY uncommon here? :-) Still I'm going to use them - thanks to you! Cheers from Poland!
I love that idea about having a spanner attached to your battery, I’m doing it on all my vehicles right now. I had an electrical fire in the engine bay of my work ute a few years back, although I have plenty of options in my tool boxes to disconnect the battery, by the time I would have found one during the (literal) heat of the moment the car would have been engulfed. It was lucky I had a shovel laying in the tray that I used to lever the clamp off the terminal.
I was surprised when at 22.47 minutes into the video you talked about Anderson Power Pole plugs. Your discussion was about the colour of the power poles and the use that each colour was to be used for. I would like to refer you to the Anderson Power Pole catalogue on page 64/120 which indicates the colour to use for each value voltage. Yellow 12 volts, Orange 18 volts, Red 24 volts. Bruce
I would be very interested in purchasing some of your high quality photography in digital form! Get them printed and framed. Absolutely looking forward to it 👍
Re. Spanner velcroed to battery, how about a quick release nut like those found on bicycle wheels, seat etc. They operate very quickly and are strong enough for crucial bike parts. They use a cam to operate. Other crucial make or beeak item when alone in wilderness is your health, stroke or cardiac emergency situation without a companion to assist might be unsurvivable. I like the sleeping inside vehicle situation, food for thought on a Namibian trip Im planning.
We visited three rivers on this trip. We crossed the Chobe River at Ngoma, camped on the Kwando River and also camped near the Cabango River near Rundu. I did make an error with that. Thanks for pointing that out.
Just a comment on power pole connectors (if you use genuine andersons). Color is indication of maximum rated voltage, red is 24v, grey is 36v, etc. It has nothing to do with dimensions. Dimensions are the series of connector, i.e. SB50, SB75, SB120, SB175, etc. Different colors in the same series interconnect just fine. Different series, do not.
@@JayMS916 not according to the datasheet for any of the series (or my personal experience). Every color in the same series is keyed the same, so they are interchangeable. Some series have more color options than others. It's simply a quick indicator of maximum rated voltage.
@@ruboaris Looks like TH-cam deleted my reply because I tried to include a URL. I quoted text from Anderson's own website, specifically the details page for the SB series connectors. You can simply look at images of the connectors and see the different keying. I used black, gray, yellow and red in my 12v system and only black and gray are compatible. Do you honestly think this fact somehow escaped Andrew, with all his years of experience, and he didn't really need to remove the red connector?
@@JayMS916 Just looked at the datasheet myself and I stand corrected. Guess I should have had my coffee before commenting 🙂. I'll admit when I'm wrong.
@4xoverland Not sure if it’s available outside of the US, but GP Factor makes a troopy rear door table that is full stainless steel with special brackets that hold the table straight. No straps. Great kit. But $$$
@@4xoverland mate, ease up on the defensiveness, I was offering my advice. Grant it, you've got 10 years experience more than me but, dude, I don't rag you out like so many have (on your latest post). Peace and respect. John De Antoni from Darwin NT.
@@darwinsdrongodrivers all you offered was genuine advice, he seems to be very defensive reading all the comments. Do like his videos for years, but he is a mister know it all that needs to have the last word (warranted or not).
Because it makes no sense. Switches, no matter how big, means additional connections and that means voltage drops. Its physics. However, the spanner is like a first aid box. Why add a complexity for the truck when it will probably go its entire life without ever needing it?
@@4xoverland I was meaning a switch under the hood near / next to the battery, it would be quicker than trying to undo a nut in a high stress situation where seconds count as you noted. But I also see the simplicity angle.
It's wonderful to see those animal shots, Your personality is probably not suited to solitary travel, given your comments. Best to focus on the incredible experience of being there.
thanks for your comments. I did my first solo trip, crossing the Kalahari in 2008. Then again in 2009, and the Namib in 2010. And then more solo trips in Australia, which are considerably more remote. I make no claims that I enjoy every second, and I often explain why. Even so, solo trips are something I now do every year. This is the playlist of my solo trips, if you are interested: th-cam.com/play/PLdZBtPD_yK09mrF0TrC6qdO1xrKWcR2c_.html&si=XNl039ysf4zdnEC-
New Troopy is very expensive, and then you still have to build it. Doing it with a vehicle with half a million kilometres on it, makes it more interesting, and is a testament to the ruggedness of Toyotas. There is a guy in the USA that did 1,6 million miles in a Tundra or Tacoma. And that was a gas (petrol) vehicle 😅
For me, some parts and labour was 'sponsored; but even so, over 5 times the price had I bought new. For anyone else, probably three times the price. New Troopys are not cheap and they need a lot of work to get them comfortable.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I do understand that this is a new build in South Africa. I was referring to the placement of the awning and the Max track table as compared to the build in Australia.
The nearest people to him are about 45 min away at Kaa gate ( park rangers with a 70 series) next settlement to the north is 2.5 hours. That road is driven about once every 3 days as well.
While i love solo travel,how does one get over long distance travel anxiety? Eg you keep worrying about what if? What will i do? Anyone have similar thoughts before a long distance trip?
Condensation of the hot exhaust from engines flying high create clouds. If they were chemicals, they would be invisible. Its non sensical conspiracy theories like chemtrails that make the ones worth our time, less valid. You are devaluing them by this crap!
@@4xoverland , I was joking brother , chemtrails are not real. It’s utter nonsense. But if a chemtrail believer went to the Kalahari. He would say look at all the chemtrails…..
I am really sorry, but something has definitely changed... from amazing videos combining sharing experience, wildlife and nature, and joy from travel by 4x4, to last videos (doesnt matter if from australia or africa), but suddenly bit boring, repetitive talks, and mostly to much of "teleshoping style" self promo. I remember watching old videos, being hungry for more or sometimes watching some videos twice, and with last two videos strugling to watch them till the end... I am interested if someone see it too, or if my taste has changed...
As a content creator also, people need to understand what goes into creating these videos that our audience watches free of charge. It’s not that we’re focused on the money, it’s that we simply cannot continue to produce these videos without it. So nobody wins. Also, not every video has to be to your liking, or maybe there is a lot going on in the background which means we need to create slightly different but still relevant content in the mean time. He does, after all, build touring vehicles and travel great distances, so surely we can appreciate that there is in fact often a lot of waiting on other people/companies to move forward with projects. Constructive criticism is always appreciated and noted, often implemented, but after a couple of videos? It’s really frustrating and upsetting that most people won’t understand what it takes to keep a channel going while feeding your family and keeping the majority of your audience happy and entertained. Give the man a break, after all, as you stated he’s clearly given you years of great entertainment that you watched for… nothing? Help pay his bills and maybe then you can tell him how to run his channel.
Tbh I do understand the criticism. I have been watching Andrew for YEARS. I have spent some of them as a patreon, some not. The channel evolves as it should to stay relevant, as it does so, occasionally it drifts away from my attention and then drifts back in. As the old saying goes, you can please all of the people all of the time. I don’t like troopy build videos but LOVE simple travel ones and gear talk. Stick with it, it’s still up there with the very best quality FREE entertainment. I’ll be trying to buy some merch as my way of support, as I currently am not a patreon.
Andrew, up until now I've enjoyed a lot of your content very much! But, this series is very boring and perhaps lacks the skills of having a team/cameraman with you. But that aside, Andrew, even in remote areas of Botswana there are rules, and I am afraid you are not sticking to them. In doing so you are popularizing actions that folks that care about places like the Zhustwa Conservancy take seriously. The night before Ep31 you chose to camp on a cutline outside of Mabuasehube, which makes no sense when you could have enquired at the gate about the possibility of a campsite in the park, which you most likely would have found to be available. But, rather in search of 'remote solitude' you chose an arbitrary and boring spot on a cutline, not even one of the more regularly used sites. There are a number of reasons why this kind of 'wild camping' can go wrong and the Botswana authorities take a dim view of it. The next day you travelled the cutline to Kaa Gate, and then turned north to Zhutswa. You may not know this, but Andrew this is a conservancy area and requires a pre-paid booking and permit to camp in. It is both an official hunting and photographic tourism concession. But you chose in ignorance not to camp in the two designated camping areas along the way. The first two are at Kaa Pan, and the second four are at Name Pan. They are simple but well placed and require no offroad driving, which you seem willing to do to find a set up that works for you to camp in. It is not acceptable in these parts to simply pull off the road where you choose making tracks to where you want to camp. Andrew, this is disappointing. South African overlanders already have a poor reputation in these parts, and putting this out to your broad audience is unfortunate. My partner Sally and I often visit these parts in our stunning Troopy, which interestingly is currently in Bloemfontein being fitted with an almost new 2.4 GD6 engine that we cannot wait for. The chap there does 2.4 or 2.8 GD6 engines into cruisers for those that want. Our 4.2 became intolerable for us - personal choice of course and looking forward to consumption of about 10 l/100 km or thereabouts we hope! Wishing you safe travels and hoping for better content as you venture forth into Botswana, hopefully sticking to the rules and designated campsites. Bookings can nowadays be made through a number of companies that have concessions in Botswana parks, through Botswana parks for some areas, and can often be arranged at immediate notice at entrance gates. Warm wishes, Paul PS the cutline along the western edge of the Central Kalahari from the south to Xade gate is a 200 km adventure well worth the isolation, as are many of the routes inside the park. Good luck and safe travels.
I know someone is looking hard for something to criticise. The region in Botswana is the Mabuasehube. That's what they call it. I'm going to leave it there.
@@4xoverland Actually no, I'm not looking for something to criticize and I was happy to accept your reply and why you chose to use a different name to what the majority of the locals use, including the govt name of the actual park. But since you've accused me of taking time out of my busy schedule to invest in finding something to critisize you for, let me assure you that you really don't rate that high up on my priority list.
Its called a kokoi, originated in East Africa, and is very common in Botswana. Lots of people wear them and they are extremely comfortable. No more complex than that.
I’m sick to death of hearing the used car salesman approach. If you want this, it cost this, if you want this information it costs this. It’s like the beggar on the street. Get off your knees begging to support your holidays. If TH-cam doesn’t cover your costs with an actual supportive pay, it’s time for a job. Stop being the beggar. It’s a desperate look and highlights we as an observer feels obligated to pay your way just say thank you and if this isn’t supportive time to toughen up. Life is tough, buy a helmet. Never seen Ronny Dahl beg, just saying. Feel like you should be standing at a robot selling sunglasses.
Footage at 12 and 26 minutes clearly shows the tracks you made. Not acceptable. Additionally, drones are not allowed to be used in protected areas in Botswana. Don't be too surprised when the Botswana authorities pick up one what should be an awesome adventure.
There was no space in the park. I tried 6 months ahead of my trip. Its not a protected area. Drone was legal. Watch the next episode if you judge, and you did, wrongly about the camping charge. Your virtue-signalling is sickening.
@@BubblesTheCat1 Drones have become a favourite of poachers, used to spot their targets from a distance. IE they don’t have to run around in parks but can go strait to where the animals are.. As Andrew says he’s not in the park. He would have had to get a permit to fly in Botswana ( Lots of paperwork a week ahead of time and a cost of about US$ 30.
@@4xoverland you are aware that kd2 is a private concession with three designated sites you can pay a small charge to camp at . In fact you actually camped on a pan close to where there is a camp site with a sign . Shocking behaviour It is not ok to simply camp where you like. There are too many people like you doing this in Botswana whom feel they have some sort of entitlement to do as they please with no consideration of the environment , the communities or the local conservation issues . Your behaviour encourages this and add to the probe. Bad form Andrew and disappointing . You have also camped illegally in kd15 and also not paid the kd15 trust. The boom in Zutshwa is for kd2 . The reason the boom is no longer an unmanned honesty box is to try monitor dishonest people like yourself.
Andrews back. This is the videos I long for. I know you have to build your vehicles, but I'm over that stuff. These are the gems and thank you for sharing the exotic Africa videos.
Real adventure, thank you for sharing. Like how you don't have 4 camera cars and 4 support crew... Just you, the car, the camera and the adventure, I take my hat off to you sir!
Hi Andrew, been following you for 10 years. My wife and I met you at Mormon Lake and later at Fort Tuttle for the Expos. Read some of the neg. comments here. I don't need to tell you they can go jump in a lake. No common sense anymore or common decency. Well this is YT, so what do you expect. Anyway, I agree, the pace was slower, more relaxed, I feel someone who has been doing it as long as you has earned the right to do things how he likes and frankly, I enjoyed it immensely. When we met, it was just my wife and I, now we have a large family and starting to take them on camping trips expo style, roof top tents, 4 wheel drive, to see and experience the places most can't or won't get to. You have been a great inspiration and continue to be so. So thank you for all your work.
Nice toʻ see you slowing down and enjoying the situation, instead of rushing around.
You are so relaxed in this episode. Your soul needed this trip.
Last year in March our trail cam picked up a lone male lion patrolling his territory at night near Kaa pan which seems to be where you set up camp. A few days later at Peach pan we picked up the tracks of a pride of 9 lion at a guess, they're all over that area. That area is one our favourites and we really enjoy dropping our park fees ( plus a bit extra 😉) into the honesty box at Zutshwa, the smiles from the community tells us everything we need to know about how we can preserve these wilderness areas. Use, don't abuse and give something back for the pleasure is a very simple motto that makes all the difference.
Thank you for taking us on your journey Andrew, great to see you back in Africa looking forward to the rest of the series.
Andrew you never stop to excite us. Thank you. Greetings from Athens Greece.
As usual the narration and general content is top quality. Always looking forward to your uploads. Enjoy your adventures Andrew
Love this. Cracking adventure and your narration is spot on.
Outstanding and awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along
Nice video Andrew and I’m falling in love with the Kalahari
I thought I was the only one who kept a wrench handy to disconnect the battery terminals. Sound philosophies for risk mitigation and preparedness. Scott from California, U.S.
Well done your experience and knowledge one can not buy Thanks for sharing 👍
Really enjoy watching your travels & builds. Thank you for bringing us along 😊
Negative people.....take a chill pill and move on. It must be hard being strapped to a chair and forced to watch. I'm loving the content.
Haha well said, mate. Well said.
I absolutely love Andrew this content I love when he has some more serious videos and then some silly ones. I look forward to his videos every single week and have downloaded most of his documentaries.
Joyful to watch. 😎
Your comment about everyone has a special place is so true. For me it’s the Flinders rangers in South Australia,, it’s like a drug , I have to visit at least once a year to feel satisfaction.
So Good
Always good content. Thank you Andrew
LOVE this type of video. Relaxed, informative, tips, gear ( needed to see that utensil roll open. I use the supercheap autos tool roll $20 👌🏻) Thoroughly enjoyed it, great series
Wow. This is high class expensive 4x4 Overlanding Experience!!!!!!!
Nice video. It reflects the energy of solo travel. I took a month off from work in the mid 1990’s drove around the US, mostly camping in the back of my 4Runner. While I enjoyed myself, I prefer traveling with one other person.
for me i will never get to go to these places with out watching this kinda video keep it up
Enjoying your videos very helpfull for future trips I would like to do. Beautiful pics good advice from a well traveled over lander
Exactly, the best way is to build the rig yourself and keep improving when using the gear. Now you have a car build by other (skilled) people, but it's not yours and you end up with a long improvement list.
it must be so refreshing to not be covered with flies...
Thank you for your videos. I have been following you for several years and there is always good information, a lot of thoughfulness and wonderful photography. You are an inspiration. I am now wondering how to attach a spanner to the battery.
velcro.
The bush in the Kalahari looks so similar to places in Australia
Love the wildlife footage!
Midas on the outskirts of Maun heading towards Nata on the left-hand side sell a very good multi-meter (and good quality crimps). I was very jealous because auto parts stores in the UK seldom sell good quality electrical tools and crimps, so needless to say I bought a load back with me. It wasn't too expensive either.
Thanks for sharing Andrew I’ve seen your prints would like to get some one day
As an amature TH-cam creator I appreciate what you put into your videos and what it costs . My little channel cost like R100k to do a 9 week trip oversees just to get video footage and I get nothing in return (yet) yours will be approaching R1mil and yet people complain when watching .
My type of country. I like the way you product placement of the victorinox knife
ps. I'm not sponsored. I just like the knife
I swear I watched this last week
You might have if you had used the playlist. It wasn't yet posted.
hello! a very nice place. I'm just outfitting my LC200 for some overlanding having moved from a motorcycle traveller. Your advise is my best. Living in Central Europe Northern Africa is closer to me. I have been there a few times with my bike, in January '25 going for a Budapest-Bamako rally with my wife an the Cruiser. Rooftop tent, a power station, fridge and all that. Can you believe, that Anserson plugs are VERY uncommon here? :-) Still I'm going to use them - thanks to you! Cheers from Poland!
you are so right... I have a spanner velcro'd to the 2 circuit breakers which manage all of my electric system....
I love that idea about having a spanner attached to your battery, I’m doing it on all my vehicles right now. I had an electrical fire in the engine bay of my work ute a few years back, although I have plenty of options in my tool boxes to disconnect the battery, by the time I would have found one during the (literal) heat of the moment the car would have been engulfed. It was lucky I had a shovel laying in the tray that I used to lever the clamp off the terminal.
Nice Andrew, the sunset photo looks surreal.
Also non proprietary Anderson plugs don’t fit genuine plugs properly!
battery spanner is excellent
I was surprised when at 22.47 minutes into the video you talked about Anderson Power Pole plugs. Your discussion was about the colour of the power poles and the use that each colour was to be used for. I would like to refer you to the Anderson Power Pole catalogue on page 64/120 which indicates the colour to use for each value voltage. Yellow 12 volts, Orange 18 volts, Red 24 volts. Bruce
Andrew, what about the Pipistrel? I was so excited to watch more about it.
I would be very interested in purchasing some of your high quality photography in digital form! Get them printed and framed. Absolutely looking forward to it 👍
That's a great idea!
Can you place your roadmap on the site and something about road conditions. Can you do the selfdrive on your own, is it safe as you are doing now.
Re. Spanner velcroed to battery, how about a quick release nut like those found on bicycle wheels, seat etc. They operate very quickly and are strong enough for crucial bike parts. They use a cam to operate. Other crucial make or beeak item when alone in wilderness is your health, stroke or cardiac emergency situation without a companion to assist might be unsurvivable. I like the sleeping inside vehicle situation, food for thought on a Namibian trip Im planning.
Hi Andrew.
Kiasosi River Lodge is on the Kavano River, not the Kunene River.
We visited three rivers on this trip. We crossed the Chobe River at Ngoma, camped on the Kwando River and also camped near the Cabango River near Rundu. I did make an error with that. Thanks for pointing that out.
Andrew can't please everyone all of the time, as different people have different interests. So you take the rough with the smooth.
Just a comment on power pole connectors (if you use genuine andersons). Color is indication of maximum rated voltage, red is 24v, grey is 36v, etc. It has nothing to do with dimensions. Dimensions are the series of connector, i.e. SB50, SB75, SB120, SB175, etc. Different colors in the same series interconnect just fine. Different series, do not.
@@JayMS916 not according to the datasheet for any of the series (or my personal experience). Every color in the same series is keyed the same, so they are interchangeable.
Some series have more color options than others. It's simply a quick indicator of maximum rated voltage.
@@ruboaris Looks like TH-cam deleted my reply because I tried to include a URL. I quoted text from Anderson's own website, specifically the details page for the SB series connectors. You can simply look at images of the connectors and see the different keying. I used black, gray, yellow and red in my 12v system and only black and gray are compatible. Do you honestly think this fact somehow escaped Andrew, with all his years of experience, and he didn't really need to remove the red connector?
@@ruboaris I just looked at the datasheets on the Anderson website for the SB series. They all say the same thing about the mechanical keying.
@@JayMS916 Just looked at the datasheet myself and I stand corrected. Guess I should have had my coffee before commenting 🙂. I'll admit when I'm wrong.
I'm wondering why you wouldn't use a battery quick disconnect device instead of the wrench. Could save 10 precious seconds. Great video.
battery quick connects produce huge voltage drops and affect the entire charging system. I tried them. Not doing that again.
For the flip down tables. Use dynema instead of steal wires. Will never stretch.
I might try that. But steel does not stretch in this application.
@4xoverland Not sure if it’s available outside of the US, but GP Factor makes a troopy rear door table that is full stainless steel with special brackets that hold the table straight. No straps. Great kit. But $$$
A Range Rover with a short circuit!
Hmmm - who'd have thought that was possible :)
In this case I had wired something without a fuse. Its a learning curve, and this particular event was a steep one.
Use electric fence (stock fencing) wire for your table. I've had my table (DIY) installed since 2016, and it hasn't moved at all
Or, adjust the mounting bolts. Like I did.
@@4xoverland mate, ease up on the defensiveness, I was offering my advice. Grant it, you've got 10 years experience more than me but, dude, I don't rag you out like so many have (on your latest post). Peace and respect. John De Antoni from Darwin NT.
@@darwinsdrongodrivers all you offered was genuine advice, he seems to be very defensive reading all the comments. Do like his videos for years, but he is a mister know it all that needs to have the last word (warranted or not).
Why don't you install master on / off battery switch to disconnect it in 2 seconds.
Because it makes no sense. Switches, no matter how big, means additional connections and that means voltage drops. Its physics. However, the spanner is like a first aid box. Why add a complexity for the truck when it will probably go its entire life without ever needing it?
@@4xoverlandunless the solenoid sticks on your winch and you can’t stop it. Battery isolation is a must for safety imo for speed.
@@4xoverland I was meaning a switch under the hood near / next to the battery, it would be quicker than trying to undo a nut in a high stress situation where seconds count as you noted. But I also see the simplicity angle.
👌❤
Columbia Men’s PFG Bonehead™ Short Sleeve Shirt
It's wonderful to see those animal shots, Your personality is probably not suited to solitary travel, given your comments. Best to focus on the incredible experience of being there.
thanks for your comments. I did my first solo trip, crossing the Kalahari in 2008. Then again in 2009, and the Namib in 2010. And then more solo trips in Australia, which are considerably more remote. I make no claims that I enjoy every second, and I often explain why. Even so, solo trips are something I now do every year. This is the playlist of my solo trips, if you are interested: th-cam.com/play/PLdZBtPD_yK09mrF0TrC6qdO1xrKWcR2c_.html&si=XNl039ysf4zdnEC-
I can't understand why more Aussies don't do Overlanding in Southern Africa! They such big travellers but you hardly see them here! Mostly Germans 😂😂
Would it not have been cheaper to buy a new troopie than to rebuild an old vehicle or was it mostly sponsered ?
New Troopy is very expensive, and then you still have to build it. Doing it with a vehicle with half a million kilometres on it, makes it more interesting, and is a testament to the ruggedness of Toyotas. There is a guy in the USA that did 1,6 million miles in a Tundra or Tacoma. And that was a gas (petrol) vehicle 😅
For me, some parts and labour was 'sponsored; but even so, over 5 times the price had I bought new. For anyone else, probably three times the price. New Troopys are not cheap and they need a lot of work to get them comfortable.
I noticed that this build is absent the windscreen visor and the Awning & maxtrax table is back on the passenger side.
its a Land Cruiser we built in South Africa. Its not the one I owned in Australia.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I do understand that this is a new build in South Africa. I was referring to the placement of the awning and the Max track table as compared to the build in Australia.
right. The build is very different and so the camping arrangement is different. And the sun visor is not available in SA.
1HZ last forever
why does the bonnet rod look like it was trampled by elephants ?
I guess Toyota likes it that way?
Please what happens if you have a big breakdown
big problem. Sat phone ask for help. Help could be as little as 3 days away.
The nearest people to him are about 45 min away at Kaa gate ( park rangers with a 70 series) next settlement to the north is 2.5 hours. That road is driven about once every 3 days as well.
While i love solo travel,how does one get over long distance travel anxiety?
Eg you keep worrying about what if?
What will i do?
Anyone have similar thoughts before a long distance trip?
Ive done it enough to have gotten past that. In the early solo trips I did in 2008/2009, I did have these concerns.
They get a lot of chemtrail clouds in the Kalahari….
Condensation of the hot exhaust from engines flying high create clouds. If they were chemicals, they would be invisible. Its non sensical conspiracy theories like chemtrails that make the ones worth our time, less valid. You are devaluing them by this crap!
And why the Kalahari????? There are very few crops and very few people. This is more proof of the utterly unfounded claim about chemtrails.
@@4xoverland , I was joking brother , chemtrails are not real. It’s utter nonsense. But if a chemtrail believer went to the Kalahari. He would say look at all the chemtrails…..
@@4xoverland , I’m joking , chemtrails are not real they are contrails. I’m not trying to start a Kalahari conspiracy…..
@@BubblesTheCat1 it’s a joke.
Benign Sanity to you how do you define it? Gentle/Kind Rational Behaviour🙂?
In previous solo trips, after a time without human contact, things get very silly. Mostly on-camera.
I'm surprised at how you go on about carrying tools and spares that you do not carry 1 of the most basic tools for 4wd touring a Multi Meter.
I do. In my Australian rig. Missed that on this one. And a few other things besides.
I am really sorry, but something has definitely changed... from amazing videos combining sharing experience, wildlife and nature, and joy from travel by 4x4, to last videos (doesnt matter if from australia or africa), but suddenly bit boring, repetitive talks, and mostly to much of "teleshoping style" self promo. I remember watching old videos, being hungry for more or sometimes watching some videos twice, and with last two videos strugling to watch them till the end... I am interested if someone see it too, or if my taste has changed...
Sorry for the occasional sales pitch. To you this content is free. To me, it isn't. I have to pay for it.
As a content creator also, people need to understand what goes into creating these videos that our audience watches free of charge. It’s not that we’re focused on the money, it’s that we simply cannot continue to produce these videos without it. So nobody wins.
Also, not every video has to be to your liking, or maybe there is a lot going on in the background which means we need to create slightly different but still relevant content in the mean time. He does, after all, build touring vehicles and travel great distances, so surely we can appreciate that there is in fact often a lot of waiting on other people/companies to move forward with projects. Constructive criticism is always appreciated and noted, often implemented, but after a couple of videos? It’s really frustrating and upsetting that most people won’t understand what it takes to keep a channel going while feeding your family and keeping the majority of your audience happy and entertained. Give the man a break, after all, as you stated he’s clearly given you years of great entertainment that you watched for… nothing? Help pay his bills and maybe then you can tell him how to run his channel.
I'm a south african and I've loved the sense of adventure
Tbh I do understand the criticism. I have been watching Andrew for YEARS. I have spent some of them as a patreon, some not. The channel evolves as it should to stay relevant, as it does so, occasionally it drifts away from my attention and then drifts back in. As the old saying goes, you can please all of the people all of the time. I don’t like troopy build videos but LOVE simple travel ones and gear talk. Stick with it, it’s still up there with the very best quality FREE entertainment. I’ll be trying to buy some merch as my way of support, as I currently am not a patreon.
@@TheSillySwagman not free for me. Many of us pay for TH-cam premium to avoid the ads.
Andrew, up until now I've enjoyed a lot of your content very much! But, this series is very boring and perhaps lacks the skills of having a team/cameraman with you. But that aside, Andrew, even in remote areas of Botswana there are rules, and I am afraid you are not sticking to them. In doing so you are popularizing actions that folks that care about places like the Zhustwa Conservancy take seriously.
The night before Ep31 you chose to camp on a cutline outside of Mabuasehube, which makes no sense when you could have enquired at the gate about the possibility of a campsite in the park, which you most likely would have found to be available. But, rather in search of 'remote solitude' you chose an arbitrary and boring spot on a cutline, not even one of the more regularly used sites. There are a number of reasons why this kind of 'wild camping' can go wrong and the Botswana authorities take a dim view of it.
The next day you travelled the cutline to Kaa Gate, and then turned north to Zhutswa. You may not know this, but Andrew this is a conservancy area and requires a pre-paid booking and permit to camp in. It is both an official hunting and photographic tourism concession. But you chose in ignorance not to camp in the two designated camping areas along the way. The first two are at Kaa Pan, and the second four are at Name Pan. They are simple but well placed and require no offroad driving, which you seem willing to do to find a set up that works for you to camp in. It is not acceptable in these parts to simply pull off the road where you choose making tracks to where you want to camp.
Andrew, this is disappointing. South African overlanders already have a poor reputation in these parts, and putting this out to your broad audience is unfortunate.
My partner Sally and I often visit these parts in our stunning Troopy, which interestingly is currently in Bloemfontein being fitted with an almost new 2.4 GD6 engine that we cannot wait for. The chap there does 2.4 or 2.8 GD6 engines into cruisers for those that want. Our 4.2 became intolerable for us - personal choice of course and looking forward to consumption of about 10 l/100 km or thereabouts we hope!
Wishing you safe travels and hoping for better content as you venture forth into Botswana, hopefully sticking to the rules and designated campsites. Bookings can nowadays be made through a number of companies that have concessions in Botswana parks, through Botswana parks for some areas, and can often be arranged at immediate notice at entrance gates.
Warm wishes, Paul
PS the cutline along the western edge of the Central Kalahari from the south to Xade gate is a 200 km adventure well worth the isolation, as are many of the routes inside the park. Good luck and safe travels.
You are a judgemental fool and are looking for fault to make yourself feel better. Get a life man.
@@4xoverland😂
I think the locals would appreciate it if you call it by its real name, Kgalagadi.
Mabuasehube is the Setswana name. Its local name. In the local language.
. I think he’s referring to a couple of mispronunciations of Kgalagadi in this episode and of Mabuasehube in the last episode.
I know someone is looking hard for something to criticise. The region in Botswana is the Mabuasehube. That's what they call it. I'm going to leave it there.
@@4xoverland Actually no, I'm not looking for something to criticize and I was happy to accept your reply and why you chose to use a different name to what the majority of the locals use, including the govt name of the actual park. But since you've accused me of taking time out of my busy schedule to invest in finding something to critisize you for, let me assure you that you really don't rate that high up on my priority list.
Kalahari Cooler!
A good gin tonic
Why the dress. ????
@@BubblesTheCat1 Then why is he wearing it. Not a local person is he.
Its called a kokoi, originated in East Africa, and is very common in Botswana. Lots of people wear them and they are extremely comfortable. No more complex than that.
I’m sick to death of hearing the used car salesman approach. If you want this, it cost this, if you want this information it costs this. It’s like the beggar on the street. Get off your knees begging to support your holidays. If TH-cam doesn’t cover your costs with an actual supportive pay, it’s time for a job. Stop being the beggar. It’s a desperate look and highlights we as an observer feels obligated to pay your way just say thank you and if this isn’t supportive time to toughen up. Life is tough, buy a helmet. Never seen Ronny Dahl beg, just saying. Feel like you should be standing at a robot selling sunglasses.
Jog on!
Footage at 12 and 26 minutes clearly shows the tracks you made. Not acceptable. Additionally, drones are not allowed to be used in protected areas in Botswana. Don't be too surprised when the Botswana authorities pick up one what should be an awesome adventure.
There was no space in the park. I tried 6 months ahead of my trip. Its not a protected area. Drone was legal. Watch the next episode if you judge, and you did, wrongly about the camping charge. Your virtue-signalling is sickening.
What harm can a tiny drone do there in the remote wilderness? 😳 It's not like there's people or an international airport nearby😂
@@BubblesTheCat1 Drones have become a favourite of poachers, used to spot their targets from a distance. IE they don’t have to run around in parks but can go strait to where the animals are.. As Andrew says he’s not in the park. He would have had to get a permit to fly in Botswana ( Lots of paperwork a week ahead of time and a cost of about US$ 30.
@@4xoverland you are aware that kd2 is a private concession with three designated sites you can pay a small charge to camp at . In fact you actually camped on a pan close to where there is a camp site with a sign . Shocking behaviour It is not ok to simply camp where you like. There are too many people like you doing this in Botswana whom feel they have some sort of entitlement to do as they please with no consideration of the environment , the communities or the local conservation issues . Your behaviour encourages this and add to the probe. Bad form Andrew and disappointing . You have also camped illegally in kd15 and also not paid the kd15 trust. The boom in Zutshwa is for kd2 . The reason the boom is no longer an unmanned honesty box is to try monitor dishonest people like yourself.
Good point