Namibia & Botswana 2004
The Big Trip
After a visit to the Donnington 4x4 Show last year (2003) we came home and thought long and hard about what had been said to us. We were about to become Senior Citizens, the mortgage was paid and the kids had left home so what next!!!!
We had always said that if we were going to travel it would be to somewhere different - not your usual France, Spain, America etc. Why not Africa???? The trouble was we are not package holiday people, we have always done our own thing albeit mostly in the UK. So this is where the story starts. We had decided that we were going to have a fridge fitted into the Defender - well we traveled round the country a fair bit, we camped so why not. It was while we were in the process of this we were talking to Paul Marsh of Footloose 4x4 and in the course of the conversation Africa came up. "Of course you can do it" he said," it is a wonderful country and you will definitely enjoy it." This was echoed by one Steve Davison (M.D. of Minus 40 fridges ) "Come to southern Africa it's a wonderful place" said he. Then it was off to Donnington where one of the stands was run by Neil Hopkinson of Impala Adventures. He runs visits to Namibia, among other places , the difference to normal package holidays being that folks either hire a 4x4 out there or take their own vehicle then drive the pre-planned route at their own pace. This was getting something like!! We got chatting to Neil and his wife and the upshot was that he told us we could do it and we believed him . So the seed was sown and plans started to be made.
The first decision was where exactly were we going to go. We decided on Namibia and Botswana. They were relatively obscure by package holiday standards, could be got to by both air ( for us ) and sea ( for the landy) and there were game parks , interesting places to see and roads to drive. That decision made, it was agreed that Mike would prepare the car and Margaret would plan the route, sort out travel arrangements and accommodation. So enter Stage 2
We already had a 1995 Land Rover 300 Tdi 110 Station Wagon built by Land Rover Special Vehicles for B.T. so the work started to prepare it for its journey of a life time. Externally a Mantec spare wheel carrier was fitted to the rear door and an extra spare wheel mounted on the bonnet as well as a spade in case digging was necessary in the sand. Other off-road extras such as a Rebel 4x4 raised air intake, a Rebel 4x4 Steering guard and a Q.T. Services front diff guard were fitted. Mike also fitted a GKN type R overdrive and a Kenlowe electric fan. The car already had factory fitted side and rear steps. We also fitted a stainless steel roof rack from Secure Fabrications of Halifax which had an integral jerry can holder for 4 10 litre jerry cans as we knew we would for some parts of the journey have to carry extra diesel and to assist in manoevering a Scania front wing marker was fitted so he could see where the left hand front bumper was as it wasn't easy with the spare wheel on the bonnet.
Internally there were many more additions to make. We had been warned that security was a problem so we were determined that no toe-rag was going to ruin our holiday. Land Rover security grills were fitted to the inside of the rear door and windows while Mike helped in the design of internal grilles for the side windows made by Mobile Storage Systems. These allowed for the rear side windows to be opened but still secured. To complete the security of the rear compartment Mike made a luggage /dog guard which was christened 'the trellis' This was made from strips of aluminium both vertical and horizontal and in 2 sections so that either side could be removed to gain access from the rear seats. The whole thing was padlocked to prevent unauthorised removal.
That was the structural alterations and additions now we had to sort out where we would keep stuff and ensure it could be easily got at when needed. Two lockers a la series vehicle were fitted behind the rear wheels and they held spare oil and vehicle spares which we hoped we would not need but had to take to be on the safe side. We also fitted a Mobile Storage Systems Drawer, Storage Box and two wheel arch boxes. The drawer held the trolley jack and other wheel changing gear as well as a tool roll containing spanners etc which might be needed for general maintenance. It also stored 2 camera bags, and the crockery. The storage box kept the lenses from prying eyes and the wheel arch boxes held our personal belongings. All these added security and peace of mind especially when the car was parked unattended in towns and villages. There was a Foley Rhino Radio security box fitted in the obvious place holding the radio ( for the long journeys ) and 2 cigarette lighter sockets.
The very back of the landy held eight Wolff Boxes which stored our clothing, spares for the car, spare bedding and food - the tinned variety in case we couldn't get fresh on our travels. In there we also had the tent, poles thermo-rests etc. Everything was gettable at at any time and by the end of the trip packing and unpacking was down to a fine art.
The inside of the rear door was aluminium plated with a drop down shelf - very useful when brewing up on the road - There were also 3 spice rack type boxes which held the mugs, tea, coffee and sugar jars and the cutlery roll. An elastic pocket was fitted to the security guard and this held the teapot and stainless steel "glasses". Also fastened to the guard was the bowsaw and a fluorescent light.
So the Landy was made ready for its journey and serviced one month before it was taken to the ship and at this point 4 new shock absorbers were fitted.
Mike and Margaret's 110 ready for the trip.
While Mike had been working hard to get the landy ready Margaret was struggling ( at times ) to sort out the logistics of the trip but more of that next time.
Next: The Route