Things are moving right along

Yesterday we received a very big encouragement with regards to finances for the trip so we are ready to finalize dates and map out the route. The more I look at maps and the distances I would like to travel, the more reality is setting in. The time we have allotted is not enough so we are looking at ways to achieve the trips purpose by travelling shorter distances.

On Friday (13th) we visited Britz 4×4 Rentals to look at a vehicle and the Toyota Hilux with two tents seems to be the one we would like to rent. You can see what we are talking about by visiting http://www.britz.co.za/5.Our_4_X_4_Vehicles.html Living in South Africa makes the price lower for us than an overseas person and also it is off season. Our only question was about space for luggage because the vehicle is equipped with the on-top tents a kitchen which includes a very small fridge, stove and gas bottle and a built in water container. There is also other camping equipment like a table and chairs and then two spare wheels and a bumper jack. We can also rent a porta-loo which Rose I thinks will be handy. The question some may have is why rent instead of buying something. That is because this is a fact-finding trip which will let us know we have the stamina for trips like this and for us to see the needs and ways we can meet them.

Preperation for the trip

The route we hope to take

What preperations are needed?

The first practical thing we need is a 4×4 vehicle because some of the roads we are traveling on will be rough. The trip will be in the dry season so we should not encounter mud only sand and large potholes. That is why a conventional car would find it difficult to negotiate some of the terrain although with the roads they way they are you can travel long distances in a normal car these days. Most of the time we will be staying with friends but will need to camp at times so we have been looking at renting a 4×4 Toyota Hilux that has a tent on top of the cab simular to the one in the picture.