The Concept

Discover Africa 4 × 4 was developed by Duncan Johnson, also the founder of his sister company African Overlanders, to allow more people to explore Africa at their own pace and in their own vehicle.

Usually, the prices for this kind of adventure are very high. Mandatory steps such as preparing the vehicle, paying for visas and pass books and all the paperwork add to the initial budget and can quickly become substantial. Contingencies that arise along the way can also deter those who lack the confidence to "travel alone".

Developed by an experienced "overland" traveler, Discover Africa 4 × 4 overcomes these obstacles. Duncan and his team are able to provide you with expert advice and a fully equipped vehicle that you can call "yours". In return, you agree to take care of the vehicle as if it belonged to you. This involves performing the necessary maintenance checks and repairing the vehicle if necessary. From experience, we can only agree with Ted Simon when he says:

"What happened on the way, who I met, all that was incidental. I had not quite realized that the interruptions were the journey”

(Ted Simon Jupiter’s Travels, four years around the world on a Triumph motorcycle).

Discover Africa 4×4 allows you to buy a fully equipped SUV and resell it to us at the end of your trip for a fixed price.

Furthermore, the reliability of our vehicles is one of our major concerns and is reflected in our collaboration with "Dekra", a renowned German company, which aims to carry out an independent aptitude test, a few days before the start of your trip. This well-established company, founded in 1925, is recognized worldwide by insurance companies and by AA for providing independent checks on the condition of the car. All anomalies must be corrected in order to obtain an “approval” from Dekra, thus ensuring that at the start and at the end of your trip all checks are carried out according to the strictest standards, with the highest reliability and integrity, by a third party.

Please read all the information in the following drop-down menus as it is important for a good understanding of our concept.

Why this system?

Since 01/01/2016, the South African government has stopped allowing tourists to buy a vehicle. We fix it by giving you permission to drive the vehicle registered in my name.

Growing tensions in North Africa and the Middle East make it increasingly difficult to travel to Africa.

Renting a 4×4 for a long period is extremely expensive. Our system therefore allows limited budgets to afford this kind of travel.

Our fully equipped vehicles help avoid these problems by removing certain constraints. Each vehicle has a gas stove with a refrigerator, basic tools to repair the car and a roof tent for 2 people. Further details are provided, depending on the vehicle you choose.

Who is this for?

Discover Africa 4x4 allows people to experience Africa in there own 4x4. The target group are students, professionals and pensioners that want to take a sabbatical gap in their lives.

With your own purpose built 4x4 vehicle you will be well equipped to travel in any direction you wish, and with some planning and ambition collecting the most wonderful memories and experiences as you go! Anyone can do it.

We can help in a number of ways:

Provide you with a suitable vehicle at an affordable price.
Give you a reliable base for the start and end of your trip.
Advice on your trip planning based on our experience.
We can also offer a mechanical course before you start the trip for a small cost.

What you need

The hunger for adventure
Money, consider the cost of your vehicle, the running and maintenance of it (which will probably include parts)
A plan for every eventuality, we can tell you stories as examples.
Bear in mind the roads and distances you are going to travel are in poor condition at times and achievable daily distances are shorter than you can do in other countries. See this as part of the challenge and you will reap the rewards!

There is no better way to challenge yourself and no further you can be from the rat-race of home life!

How does this system work?

When you arrive, we spend time introducing you to the vehicle, showing you how to use the facilities and how to handle any problems that may arise. We also offer information on routes and places to visit and answer any questions you may have. We will also show a complete vehicle service with you, as we expect this to be done every 10,000 km throughout your trip.

The vehicle will become yours until the end of your trip. This means that you need to organize and pay for any maintenance or problems that may arise during your trip.

In a few hours, you will be ready to go on an adventure of a lifetime, although you are welcome to spend a night at the African Overlanders campsite if you wish. There are always opportunities to chat with other people who have traveled. Please ask for camping fees.

Your vehicle will be insured for accidents and you will receive coverage in several neighboring countries. In other countries, you will need to arrange your own insurance according to your individual needs.

On the return of the car to Discover Africa 4×4, the car must be returned to us in the same condition as you collected it and passed by Dekra and our mechanics as "roadworthy". The costs of essential work will be deducted from the money you paid us before or will be billed directly if you do not have enough funds.

Booking and Cost

Once you have chosen a 4x4 and the availability of dates has been checked with us, there is no deposit to lay down as we want you to check the 4x4 and be happy before you pay.

We can pick you up at the airport to bring you to the car (R400)

Once you arrive, the car will be checked with you and how to use the 4x4 and its equipment. Once you are happy the total price of the car will need to be paid.

At the end of your trip, you sell the car to us! We will deduct the monthly fees and the mechanical fees (Dekra check on the return of the vehicle, and the repairs that are deemed necessary). The rest of the money is given back to you! We put a limit of 4000 km per month after that, it costs R1 per kilometer.

Example of cost for a three month trip in the Toyota Hilux:

So £ 7000 / E8000 is paid on arrival. From this money on your return, £ 2,100 / E2400 will be deducted for rental costs, and the cost of any lost or broken equipment supplied.

Equipment of the car

You will need to buy bed linen, a blanket and pillows or sleeping bags; Some people in the colder months have also opted for an electric blanket.

More than two people

Our cars are designed to comfortably accommodate 2 adults. Children can also travel, although it is necessary to take a car with two roof top tents on. This is the maximum capacity of the vehicles. Therefore, a group of 4 adults and 2 children need 2 cars.

Extra charges

There are no additional costs apart from your travel, accommodation and border crossing costs.

https://www.aa.co.za/insights/preparing-for-the-holiday-cross-border-carnet-de-passage