To all last-year’s Africa overland blog-followers, as promised, I am returning to Africa for another overland journey, leaving June 1 and returning September 23. First order of business, if you no longer want to subscribe to this blog which results in email notifications of new posts and nothing else, simply unsubscribe or shoot me an email and let me know. No hard feelings if you want to unsubscribe, as I understand that it can be hard to find the time to read this blog along with all the other things you have to do.
As you may recall from my opening blog last year, my stated plan for overlanding Africa was a three stage, three year journey through sub-Saharan Africa. Last year, in 2023, I travelled from Cape Town South Africa north through the inlands of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya, ending in Nairobi at brother Mark’s house. The trip took me a little over 4.5 months and I visited some 35 or so National Parks and Reserves. My focus was on traversing up the middle (or inlands) of south and east Africa, with a strong emphasis on seeing as much African wildlife as possible. I commented frequently on the landscapes and the people, but I devoted most of my commentary, pictures, and videos to my incredible wildlife encounters. And you may recall that I travelled in my fully kitted out Toyota Land cruiser troopie, affectionately named the “green dragon”, camping along the way in the Parks and Reserves, and sometimes in very remote places well off the beaten track.
This year (2024), I leave from Nairobi, Kenya and return south to Cape Town, South Africa, but this time I will be heading down the east coast of Africa, focusing on the Parks and Reserves located on or near the coast. Specifically, I will be touring parts of Kenya that I missed last year, the coastline of Tanzania, with a short excursion to Zanzibar, the safer parts of Mozambique (i.e., avoiding the northeast province), southern Malawi, and the east coast of South Africa. My trip will be a little shorter this year, lasting a little over 3.5 months, owing to a later start. In addition, this year’s overland journey will feature more landscapes; i.e., many of my destinations along the way feature unique landscapes more than incredible wildlife. That being said, there will be plenty of African wildlife to see along the way, but this trip will be proportionately more about the African landscapes and the people.
My journey this year begins in Nairobi on June 3rd and I am joined by my favorite companion and travel partner – Nancy! Yes, that’s right, Nancy is going to Africa with me right from the get go. Unfortunately, she will only be with me for the first 6.5 weeks, but I’ll take what I can get. To make things even better, our beautiful daughter Caitlin is joining us for the first 4 weeks. Wow, my two favorite girls with me from the start – can’t get off to a better start than that! And to top things off, brother Mark and wife Kirsten will be overlanding with us for the first few weeks in Kenya. Or I should say that we will be overlanding with them, since they organized the Kenya portion of our journey. So, I will be surrounded by family for the first part of this year’s journey – how sweet is that?
Once again, I feel like I am “returning home” when I step foot on African soil, and it gives me great pleasure. For me, nothing compares to seeing the vast herds of large animals, especially the large predators that have been extirpated from so much of the planet. And I feel the urgency to see it all before it is gone. Human population growth, especially in Africa (which tops the list of the most rapidly growing human populations), globalization, and human-caused global environmental impacts, such as rapid climate change, are increasingly real threats to the natural world, and these threats are being severly felt here in Africa. So, if you are inspired by anything you read or see on my blog, plan your trip to Africa now!
Remember to visit the “Route” page on this website (see navigation link at the top of the page) to learn more about and view my 2024 route down the east coast of Africa. And, if you haven’t already done so, visit the “Vehicle” page on this website to learn more about my overland vehicle – dubbed the “Green Dragon” – with a detailed description of its features and lots of pictures.
Ok, first stop, Kenya – see you there in a few days!
Looking forward to reading about your adventures. Have a great trip!
Thanks buddy. Sure wish you were traveling with me/us this year. Perhaps next year you and Jane can join us for a while up the west cost of southern Africa! Cheers.
Bon voyage to you and your family! I will follow along and watch for each blog post to experience Africa yet again, but this time vicariously.
Thanks Brenda. I’m just returning the favor of following your travel blog this spring. Hopefully mine will be full of exciting observations and experiences too. See you on safari.
Hi Kevin, What another great adventure you have planned. And how awesome that Nancy and Caitlin are able to join you for those first several weeks along with your brother and his wife. Thanks for including me again on your journey!
Thanks Sue and I’m glad to be sharing with you.
Safe travels!!! We can’t wait for fun animal videos. Love you sooo much Gander!
Can’t wait to share animal videos with both of you. Be sure to let me know what you want to see most and I’ll do my best to comply. Love you all. Some day, you’ll be traveling to Africa with me I hope!
Sounds amazing! Looking forward to following your adventures and seeing the pictures and videos. It will be great having Nancy and Caitlin❤️
Will you have the same Green Dragon?
Thanks Kathy. Yes, I will be traveling in the same Green Dragon. Can’t wait to hear about your upcoming Africa trip too. I think we might be in Capetown about the same time. Wouldn’t that be funny to run into each other. Cheers.
Looking forward to following this second leg of the voyage of the Green Dragon, Kevin! So great you are with family as you begin. Travel safely. Paul
Thanks Paul, and glad to have you along for the ride again this year, although I don’t know how you find time to follow this blog with all the other things you do – amazing. Are you sure you don’t have a couple of clones?
Have a great time..say hi to all;. Steve and I just left for the Canadian maritime … just 2 or 3 weeks…now we’re going up the st Lawrence seaway..having a blast love your blog..I do read them all .I just don’t respond to them .talk soon
Hey Bro. Sounds like you are still up to your travel mania as well. Have a great trip to Canada. Would love to get up to see that country some day so I will be anxious to see your pictures/videos and here what you have to say. Glad you are following my blog. It’s fun to share!
Yay! Looking forward to following along again this year. So happy the trip starts with your two favorite girls and Mark and Kirsten. Bon Voyage and safe travels. Love to you all. ❤️
Thanks cuz, so glad you will be along for the ride, virtually. See you soon from Africa!
We will be following your blog and videos too!
Love you guys
I know you will “sis”. You are one of the most dedicated followers. Wish we could bring you over here to see it in real life. Perhaps in the future?
Thanks for blogging and sharing your trip with us. Looking forward to reading your adventures. Safe travels and see you in September 🤗
Glad to have you along for the ride. Someday we may have to twist your arm and Rands to visit Africa with us. Cheers.
Great to see you back in Arica witjh family and the Green Dragen.Lopve reading the blog daily .
Hey Sis, glad you will be following along this year again. Note, I will not be posting daily but instead usually at the end of each Park visit. Daily would probably overwhelm most of the followers. Hope you are well. Love ya.
We are lucky once again to travel Africa through you and your blog. Can’t wait! Safe travels!