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Looking for some first-hand inspiration for your dream African off-road adventure? South Africans love overlanding, so it’s no surprise that social media is full of travel influencers who share their journeys through Africa, and some truly stand out from the crowd. At Drive South Africa, we share this passion for putting Africa on show. After all, we want local and international travellers alike to experience our continent the way it’s meant to be enjoyed: raw and unfiltered.
We’ve put together a list of our top five South African overlanders who we think you should be following on social media. Through their perspectives, you’ll get to see some of the most spectacular wilderness areas in Africa. Plus, you’ll learn plenty of tips and tricks that will help you conquer off-road terrain. Let’s get to know these “overlanding influencers” a bit better.
Photo: Getty
Juba’s Journey (Joubert Tulleken)
ROAM Overlanding (Adrian Abrahams)
My Life in Africa (Roland Rau)
We asked the overlanders a series of questions:
Join us as we hear directly from these avid adventurers!
Photo: Juba’s Journey
Juba just oozes adventure. Just by looking at him, you can tell that this man has been to many places and shows no signs of stopping. In 2019, Joubert and his wife, Jackie, left their corporate jobs and spent seven months overlanding through southern Africa. Hop on board Juba’s Journey and get expert advice on how to drive through Africa like a true adventurer.
1. What is your favourite camp/lodge in Botswana?
Kubu Island, because of its unique landscape and remote location.
2. What is your favorite African country or place to visit in South Africa?
Our favourite place in South Africa is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which we try to visit at least once a year.
3. What is your favorite touring vehicle?
Mkulu, my Land Rover Defender 110 converted into a camper.
4. What does your dream road trip look like?
I would like to do a similar trip to our South Africa to Malawi and back trip in 2019, maybe over a longer period of time and including the countries of Zimbabwe, Angola, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda. I would like to see places such as the Serengeti, Mana Pools, Central Kalahari, and many other places I have not seen yet.
Photo: Juba’s Journey
Photo: ROAM Overlanding
If Apple had an overlanding ambassador, it would be Adrian. His entire setup is sleek and high-tech, and he has the technical know-how to match. Over the years, he’s upgraded his off-roader several times, making it the perfect vehicle for travelling through southern Africa’s roughest terrains.
1. What is your favourite camp/lodge in Botswana?
Elephant Sands is a special spot in Botswana. You’re surrounded by elephants all day and the beautiful accommodation and restaurant are just so worth it! Once you’re there, you might as well spend time in the swimming pool, relax, and enjoy the elephants right in front of you.
2. What is your favourite African country or place to visit in South Africa?
That’s quite tricky. There are so many beautiful locations, but one that really strikes me as something special is the Ai/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. It’s rough and wild and you feel like you’ve been transported to an extraterrestrial planet, but it’s all ours!
3. What is your favourite touring vehicle?
I used to have a Suzuki Jimny all kitted out for touring, but I really stretched it beyond its capabilities. Recently, I built up a Toyota Hilux, and man, it’s just made for this stuff! It handles everything I throw at it, and I get a great night’s sleep in my Eezi Awn Blade rooftop tent without the vehicle feeling dangerous!
4. What does your dream road trip look like?
My dream road trip is definitely a loved one next to me and some buddies in convoy, setting off into the sunrise, pointed to the Botswana border with hopes of getting to Lake Malawi to just chill and play around in the beautiful water and appreciate the amazing people and culture.
Photo: ROAM Overlanding
Photo: Mischke Bosse
Mischke is one of a kind. A few years ago, she hopped into an old Jeep and spent a year exploring South Africa both on and off-road. Sadly, since then, she’s had to part ways with her trusty Jeep, but she’s still very much interested in travelling to our country’s most beautiful places and showcasing her home, Cape Town. Here’s what she had to say when we spoke to her during her adventure.
1. What is your favourite camp/lodge in Botswana?
I’ve only ever stayed in Botswana once, as a quick stopover en-route to Zambia. So I can’t say I have a preference.
2. What is your favourite African country or place to visit in South Africa?
My favourite African country, out of those I’ve visited, has to be Zambia, without a doubt. Although Namibia’s landscapes are a close second.
My favourite place to visit in South Africa has to be the Great Karoo, especially the Camdeboo Plains. There are probably many other places that offer more natural beauty, and I appreciate those as much as anyone else. But something about the Karoo will always feel like “home” to me.
3. What is your favourite touring vehicle?
My Jeep, of course. I drive a 2000-model Jeep Cherokee XJ, and thanks to my sponsorship with 4×4 MegaWorld, it’s been converted to be exactly everything I need for life on the road.
4. What does your dream road trip look like?
I’m living it! I’m currently on a year-long adventure to explore my own backyard and hope to see everything South Africa has to offer. After this, the route that the Put Foot Rally follows is also one that I’d love to take on! Perhaps just over a longer time period to truly get to experience all of the places they pass through.
Photo: Mischke Bosse
Photo: My Life in Africa
Roland Rau is amazing to watch, with his extremely enthusiastic approach to overlanding and his love for the great outdoors. Roland drives an insane Toyota Land Cruiser. In his videos, he’ll often take you through his setup on his car and will also take you on some of the greatest southern African adventures. We love his energy and we love his passion!
1. What is your favourite camp/lodge in Botswana?
I cannot pick any one place in particular. Every single place I visit in Botswana has something unique to offer in its own right. Limiting yourself to a single destination is like rinse and repeat, going to the same holiday home for years on end at the same time of year.
I prefer the freedom of visiting new places and just not knowing what to expect. So, with all of that in mind, I would have to say my favourite camp or lodge in Botswana will be the one I have not yet been to.
2. What is your favourite African country or place to visit in South Africa?
Much like the camps and lodges, picking one country is tough. Every single country comes with its own dynamics of culture, diversity, people, and customs. Southern Africa is so huge that you could spend a lifetime trying to explore it and possibly never see everything it has to offer.
I am honestly, however, partial to Botswana and Namibia. I found I have lost my heart to both. I have to say both as they are so vastly different in every way. Botswana for the wildlife experiences, challenging driving, as well as the people. I have met so many people in Botswana that have turned into life long friends. I am just in love with it.
Namibia has what feels like heavy gravity to it. It’s vast, it’s open, it’s an ever-changing landscape, and views from just about anywhere are something I feel that everyone needs to experience.
You can go to Namibia 1,000 times and be blown away at the vistas every single time. Another main thing about Namibia is I honestly think they made the sky bigger there… Only kidding, but it certainly feels that way, it just seems on another level of huge!
3. What is your favourite touring vehicle?
Well, mine obviously. I am constantly adding and changing things on my Troopy based on every bit of knowledge I gain from one trip to another, things that work, things that don’t, things that just make everything you do on the road simple and efficient for either this or the next trip.
It’s practical, strong, and robust. “The Donkey”, as we fondly refer to him (yes he is a guy) has become part of the family. He’s not just a tool: he has a personality, has his quirks, but he, in general, is an all-round champ. You turn that key and you know for sure you will arrive at your destination without skipping a beat.
4. What does your dream road trip look like?
This is probably the easiest question to answer of all of them. My dream road trip entails the wife, my daughter, and myself, jumping into “The Donkey”, aiming North with zero plans, zero timeframes, and the entire continent ahead. With any luck, this will become a reality once my daughter finishes school. I would like to take around six months to drive through Africa and then onto Europe and just keep going after that. In a perfect world, this would be a decision I could make right now. LET’S PACK, LET’S JUST GO!
Photo: My Life in Africa
Photo: Kangela
Like Juba, Chris and his wife Birgit left their corporate lives to take on a remote working lifestyle, enabling them to travel throughout southern Africa. His mission is to show people that you don’t need “all the latest accessories bolted to your expensive 4×4 in order to experience adventure in the great outdoors”.
1. What is your favourite camp/lodge in Botswana?
The best camping experience was at Kubu Island. I haven’t been to many “lodges”, but I did enjoy Chobe River Lodge in Kasane. It was just the right thing after a few days in the bush.
2. What is your favourite African country or place to visit in South Africa?
My favourite country other than South Africa is definitely Namibia. In South Africa, it would be the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park for sure.
3. What is your favourite touring vehicle?
I’ve had a few and have gone full circle back to Ford Ranger Double Cab 4×4 3.2 l diesel. The one I have now is getting fitted out for a trip through Africa, so it’s going to be awesome.
4. What does your dream road trip look like?
My dream road trip is overlanding to 60 of the most iconic and unique places in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Rwanda. (Chris took on “Project 60460”, as he calls it, in 2021.)
Photo: Kangela
Photo: Getty
Give the best overlanders a follow to stay tuned for great advice and incredible adventures. Make sure that you get some great ideas and inspiration from all of these incredible people who have explored all over southern Africa.
And, when you’re finally feeling inspired to embark on your own overlanding adventure, check out our wide range of camping-equipped 4x4s all across southern Africa. Whether you prefer a Toyota Hilux, a Ford Ranger, or a Land Cruiser, we’ve got what you’re looking for and we’ll help you make your dream trip a reality. In the meantime, enjoy what Juba, Adrian, Mischke, Roland, and Chris have to share.
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