Expert: Ruard Ganzevoort - 12/15/2008

Question
Hi,I am in south africa at the moment and planning to take a bmw 7 series to London.Will go west coast Angola,Congo ect.Will start i april. Do you think I can make it with the 7 series. IT WOULD BE A FIRST. Help appreciated
Regards
Daniel

Answer
I have done a trans africa (up + down)(east ) Kenya . tanzania . Ethopia ext.

I have met people that did it the other 'side'. If you talking  7 series BMW. Please send a picture. If it is the sedan type forget it.  You will have so many problems with the electronics and there will be no one with the tech up in Africa. You need a car/bakkie with high ground clearance and please check the raining season. The 'roads' can be washed away and then like what happened to friends of mine they took a 300km detour.

Planning is everything.Make sure on your papers with the car... the AA (south africa). Speak to somebody that took the same route. (Not somebody that know the 'rule' book). Don't pay too much on bribes, ..... you will learn how to deal with that.... school fees. Please go for it, it is one of my best experiences I had in my life. I have seen people cross africa with a Renault 5 it took very long... I myself was in a group that supported cyclistS who cycle every year through africa.
Check website . WWW.TOURDAFRIQUE.COM. I am sure there will be a lot of information on the net.... Happy surfing.

How is your mechanical knowledge? Keep me posted