Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner

Two year circumnaviagtion of Africa in my 2007 JKUR - The Road Chose Me

42K views 325 replies 53 participants last post by  RockWoRM 
#1 ·
Hey Everyone,

My name is Dan Grec, I previously drove a TJ 40,000 miles from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina. (JeepForum Thread here, summary and details of the trip on my website here)

It's been a long time in the making, and I'm bursting with excitement to announce my next Overland adventure:

Two years circumnavigating the African continent in my 2007 JKUR with custom diesel conversion, camper setup and more. :D :D



The Jeep build and all the details for preparation will be covered exclusively at JPFreek Adventure Magazine.

Checkout today's issue for the trip announcement and details of the build: http://currentissue.jpfreek.com/publication/?i=261662&p=116

Also I've got an announcement on my website with my personal feelings and thoughts: http://theroadchoseme.com/new-jeep-new-adventure-africa

I'll be posting regular updates on the build and the trip here, just like last time :)

I hope you'll join me for the ride.

-Dan
 
See less See more
1
#160 ·
I just paid the biggest bribe of my life.

I'm really not happy about it, though I was rattled and I'm happy to still be in possession of the Jeep.

Read the full story here: http://theroadchoseme.com/ivory-coast-begins



-Dan
 
#161 ·
Sorry to hear about the bribery incident. Africa is a lawless place on balance and I had a feeling that you'd face such occasion eventually - just glad no violence was involved.

I won't ever go back to Africa (as I posted earlier); it's not a part of the world that can be described in one post ... just brutally behind the rest of the globe in greater part. Still very tribal to this day; plenty of kind people, despite abject poverty, but also lots of horrible people with utter disregard for fellow man. It's a huge roll of the dice to venture through such lands.

Safe Travels!
 
#162 ·
Hi all,

I have made my way South in Ivory Coast, and the roads deteriorated very, very quickly.
10 hours of driving for 40 miles. Trucks stuck for a week.
This is the West Africa I dreamed about !

http://theroadchoseme.com/national-park-tai


-Dan
 
#163 ·
BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrains eating up the mud. Low range 3rd, locked all round. @bfgoodrichtires #bfg #ivorycoast #africa #overland #overlanding #expedition #westafrica #travel #rubicon #travelphotography #JeepAdventure #exploreafrica #adventure #africanadventure #overlandafrica #exploremore #livingthedream #travelblogger #travelpics #overlandunited #jeeplife #adventuremobile #expeditionportal

A post shared by The Road Chose Me (@theroadchoseme) on Mar 15, 2017 at 5:26am PDT
 
#164 ·
Hey all,

After days of mud and intense sun and humidity, I'm ready for beach time.

Where better than the Ivory Coast... Coast ?

These may just be the best beaches I have ever seen, anywhere in the world.



Read the full story: http://theroadchoseme.com/ivory-coast-coast

-Dan
 
#167 ·
Hi All,

I'm checking out the sights of Southern Burkina Faso which are stunning!
I can't believe nobody talks about these kinds of places!

Here are "Les Pics De Sindou" - natural sandstone formations. I had the whole place to myself so I wandered around for the morning:


Lots more pics: http://theroadchoseme.com/les-pics-de-sindou

-Dan
 
#168 ·
Hi All,

I camped on the shored of Lake Tengrela in Burkina Faso.

THIS is the kind of campsite I dreamed of long before this trip began!
Massive baobab trees, hippos grunting near the Jeep and friendly locals!

Read More: http://theroadchoseme.com/around-lake-tengrela



Best campsite of the trip so far, hands down!

-Dan
 
#169 ·
Hi All,

I will be doing a LIVE interview tonight at 8PM CT on the Jeep Talk Show.

You can listen live on YouTube at the link below. Check the video now for a countdown in your local timezone.

You can also Call-in and ask me a question once the show starts! - (302)-202-1110 (then enter code 219835)



Talk to you tonight!

-Dan
 
#170 ·
#171 ·
Hi All,

Being treated like a wallet with legs can sometimes get the better of me.

At the famous Houses of Tiébélé in Southern Burkina Faso I had more than I can handle.



Read more about one of the major downsides to travel in West Africa: http://theroadchoseme.com/tiebele-and-greed

On that note, it's time for another country!

-Dan
 
#172 ·
Who ever held you up, stole the jeep, took your stuff, laptop etc. and is taking the time to maintain your online persona to keep the authorities at bay is doing a great job. Keep up the good work :rofl: :thumbsup:


How much longer do you have on this trip btw?
 
#173 ·
Who ever held you up, stole the jeep, took your stuff, laptop etc. and is taking the time to maintain your online persona to keep the authorities at bay is doing a great job. Keep up the good work :rofl: :thumbsup:
If only that guy really were doing all the online work!
How much longer do you have on this trip btw?
Original plan was 2 years total, so something around 16 months remaining if I stick to that.
As long as the money holds out, it makes no difference to me if the trip runs 2.5 years total

-Dan
 
#175 ·
#177 ·
Hi All,

It's hard to believe, I have just driven into African country number TEN on this expedition!

Read about the crossing into Togo: http://theroadchoseme.com/into-togo



-Dan
 
#178 ·
Good journal entries ... your comments about "White man; give me something," as a fairly common greeting (in passing) is exactly what I experienced in Africa and among a long list of reasons why I will never go back.

It will be interesting to hear/read your take a few months after you've returned home. I have no doubt that you'll take-away a lot of great memories (namely those of the scenic and humbling variety) and no regrets for having made the journey. The real question is whether you'll care to venture back again.

Safe travels and thank you again for sharing!
 
#179 ·
Hi DangFoo,

I think you have dropped in here multiple times to say you will never go back.
You are writing off an entire continent, with over 1 billion people and over 50 separate countries because of your experience in just a couple of countries - which is nuts.
If I went to Chigaco and had a crappy time, would it be in any way sane to write off the entire USA? Of course not, and that's just one single country.

I get that you will never go back. Please stop saying it, you are not really adding anything here.

As for me coming back, I already know with 100% certainty I will be back on the West Coast. There are so many places to explore, and I had made so many friends that will be with me for life, it's impossible to think I will never come back.

I have a lot to learn here, and 2 years won't be enough.

-Dan
 
#180 ·
I've been to a few countries within Africa, hence the reason why I can validate not wanting to go back. It's obviously a very broad and diverse part of the world.

Nigeria alone has nearly 200 Million people and upwards of 40+ major ethnic groups (depending on where lines are drawn).
 
#181 ·
I've been to a few countries within Africa, hence the reason why I can validate not wanting to go back. It's obviously a very broad and diverse part of the world.

Nigeria alone has nearly 200 Million people and upwards of 40+ major ethnic groups (depending on where lines are drawn).
So you are aware it's a "broad and diverse" part of the world, but you are willing to "never go" to something like 50 countries because of your experiences in a few? You would miss out on the experiences of around a billion people, mountains, rivers, lakes, oceans, animals, culture and food because you didn't like a few countries?

Cool man, good for you.

-Dan
 
#182 ·
Yes, I've seen "enough" of Africa to make an adult decision that it's not a worthwhile part of the World for which to return and spend money. It's my opinion; same can be said for a handful of individual countries outside the African continent: India ... over 1 Billion people and very diverse; no matter - prevailing atmosphere is not appealing.

I'd rather provide perspective to would-be travelers that includes BOTH the good and bad. The likelihood of getting mugged, bribed, kidnapped, or worse is high in many parts of Africa. I would think that most people would do their homework and plan any trip with diligence, but alas there are many tales of grandeur that can all too easily cloud the full picture.

I'll respectully refrain from further posts in this thread; even though this forum is meant for discussion and varied opinion + feedback. I fully realize that my viewpoint and experience doesn't jive with your narrative.
 
#183 ·
Yes, I've seen "enough" of Africa to make an adult decision that it's not a worthwhile part of the World for which to return and spend money. It's my opinion; same can be said for a handful of individual countries outside the African continent: India ... over 1 Billion people and very diverse; no matter - prevailing atmosphere is not appealing.

I'd rather provide perspective to would-be travelers that includes BOTH the good and bad. The likelihood of getting mugged, bribed, kidnapped, or worse is high in many parts of Africa. I would think that most people would do their homework and plan any trip with diligence, but alas there are many tales of grandeur that can all too easily cloud the full picture.
Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I understand your position.

I'll respectully refrain from further posts in this thread; even though this forum is meant for discussion and varied opinion + feedback. I fully realize that my viewpoint and experience doesn't jive with your narrative.
Thanks. It's not that your viewpoint doesn't jive with my narrative, it's just that you are not adding anything each time you say it.
You stop in here every month or two and say "I will never go back", which is exactly what you said last time. Saying it over and over does not make it more true or more useful.

-Dan
 
#184 ·
Hi All,

I am out exploring the mountains of Togo, right along the border of Ghana.

I am loving this place! Much cleaner than nearby countires and really, really friendly people.



Read More: http://theroadchoseme.com/the-mountains-of-togo

-Dan
 
#185 ·
How is the Jeep running, I hear you ask?

I am bringing back the "Jeep Stuff" posts from my previous expedition!
Here is the first one from Africa:
http://theroadchoseme.com/jeep-stuff-africa



And to read about all the repairs, upgrades and maintenance I recently performed over here checkout my article in the latest FREE edition of JPFreek Adventure Magazine:
http://currentissue.jpfreek.com/

-Dan
 
#187 ·
Hey everyone,

Exactly a year to the day since I bought this Jeep, I have driven it to Elephants!!



http://theroadchoseme.com/pendjari-national-park

I am still pinching myself, and I can't believe the scale of the adventures I have already had, but more than that, what is in front of me!

The adventure keeps growing by the day!

Next up: Nigeria.
Gulp.

-Dan
 
#188 ·
Thanks!

After 12,800 miles through 12 countries, the time has come to enter Nigeria!



Starting tomorrow, follow a post every day on The Road Chose Me for the duration of my drive across Nigeria.

I am not certain I will have the ability to update here as I move through, so be sure to follow The Road Chose Me on Facebook so you don't miss an update, or check http://theroadchoseme.com every day!

(You can also sign up for email updates from The Road Chose Me - fill in the form on the top right of screen at http://theroadchoseme.com)

This is one I have been anxious about for many months.

-Dan
 
#189 ·
Hi All,

Nigeria is rolling along.

I drove in, through an interesting Immigration post and did not get any paperwork for my Jeep at all.
I really hope that does not become a problem.....
http://theroadchoseme.com/into-nigeria

On the first day I went through a lot of intense military checkpoints, and had to deal with prices magically going up...
http://theroadchoseme.com/across-nigeria-day-one



There are daily updates on The Road Chose Me, and Facebook and Instagram. Don't miss a day as I drive across Nigeria!

-Dan
 
#190 ·
Hi All,

Ahhhh, I got the website fixed, sorry it's been offline.
When in doubt, turn off code you wrote yourself :D

For those that missed it, the journey across Nigeria has been amazing, here are a few links to the pages you might not have seen while the site was down:

Moving North to the smallest border of the entire expedition:
http://theroadchoseme.com/across-nigeria-day-ten

(This is the international border!)


Nigeria Ends:
http://theroadchoseme.com/nigeria-ends

Crossing into Cameroon at a border where the Immigration officer had never seen a single foreigner in his three year posting!
http://theroadchoseme.com/into-cameroon



-Dan
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top