Take a cheap flight to Johannesburg, buy a 4x4 and start driving up to Kenya – that was the plan.
So I arrived in Jo’burg. Remember Marnus and Hon? The couple I met at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – Ko Phi Phi (Island). They are living in Pretoria and offered that I stay a few days, until I had my 4x4, but during the preparation for the trip, it turned out that I underestimated the work, the knowledge, the details and last but not least the South African bureaucracy.
The vehicle: Only a Four Wheel Drive would bring me through the rough dirt roads, also a long range tank, diff-locks, only a Toyota-vehicle, other cars break down easily and I won’t get spare parts all over Africa. The 4x4 should not be too old, but also not too expensive. It wasn’t easy at all.
Finally after almost two weeks I found a 19 year old Toyota Hilux at a dealership in Johannesburg. Marnus’ and Hon’s best friends are Chris and Alex. Chris is so to speak crazy about 4x4s. He helped me a lot with all his knowledge about cars tents and bush camping. He recommended a workshop where I spend all day to finish the technical service.
Next big mission: How to register a car on a foreigner’s name? I got documents and documents. My passport, 2 photos, a proof of temporary residency with Marnus and Hon, confirmed by the police station, an electricity and water bill for their house, a bank confirmation about my financial independence and a (fake) return ticket. It is unbelievable but after spending about 8 hours in different queues in Pretoria and in Jo’burg, I am still waiting for my registration. The papers are now on their way to Capetown to get a registration there; in the meantime I am back at the workshop, because the rear differential and the alternator of my Hilux decided to die.
Only because of the excellent service of Alex from DriveAfrica (www.driveafrica.co.za) I finally got a registration with my name – now I am „living“ in Cape Town, but who cares 😉
Next step is a “Carnet de Passage” a document which is required in some African countries, if you want to travel through them.
In a nutshell you can say that I was a bit hasty to think all those challenges would be met in one or two weeks.
But luckily I was staying at Hon and Marnus and I was even luckier that they have friends like Chris and Alex. All of them helped me a lot with all their knowledge about the local stores, dealerships, workshops, etc. and they took me to all parties, drinking events and barbeques in the area.
Now I can say that South Africans drink just as much as Germans. The next competition will be on the Oktoberfest 😉
I am staying here now for three weeks and they make me feel like I could stay another six. Either they are very good actors or we really got along well 😉
Hopefully the vehicle will be repaired by tomorrow and I can start my trip to Kruger National park.
Na Jani, zumindest sieht die Karre ziemlich schnittig aus und besser die Reparatur noch in der Zivilisation als im Nirvana… Viele Grüße aus Ober-Erlenbach. P.S. Wenn ich irgendwie was helfen kann, sag Bescheid.
Hi, Jan, Was eine Liste, wenn Du das alles mitnehmen willst hättest Du besser einen Unimog kaufen sollen. Ich hoffe Du kannst bald starten und bis bald wiedr zurück :)) Gruß aus einen grauen Deutschland
Hi Jan,
denn mal auch viele Grüße aus Petterweil ….
Ob es denn im Nationalpark genug Sprit für dich gibt ? 🙂
cu
Sven
Jani, Jani hoffentlich geht das alles gut!! Denk dran Augen auf, Ohren auf! Nicht vergessen Mund auf und Hirn einschalten sonst geht’s an Dein Bestes (Money) an dem viele Leute Interesse haben.
Ich wünsche Dir weiterhin viel Spaß und eine knitterfreie Zeit.
es grüßt Peter und Usch