UK - Kenya Feb 2014 Companion wanted!?

Hello Everybody,

I've only just found this forum and it looks fantastic so just a quick post to say hi and detail my trip.

I've been planning and waiting to do a big overland trip for a while now, and my time is nearing with a proposed departure date of mid feb next year I have however encountered a small problem, the person I was planning on going with can no longer come. I don't fancy doing the trip alone - would like to share the experience. So I'm looking for somebody to join me, any pointers on where to ask or if your planning a similar trip - any info would be much appreciated.

Over the past year and a bit I've been rebuilding and kitting out my Defender 110 - and it is almost perfect now (in my eyes ). I'm a fairly young (I guess you could say) guy - 24, currently living in southern England, where the trip would start. I've accepted a job offer in Nairobi and plan to drive down and settle there keeping the car. I do have Africa experience having previously lived in Kenya for many years and driven NBO- Zim and back a few years ago. I've plenty of mechanical experience and the car is in a very good mechanical state to reduce the likelihood of any problems en-route - Its also cost a fortune!!

My proposed route is through Europe to Turkey, ferry across to Egypt then through Sudan and Ethiopia before arriving in Kenya. I'm allowing 6-8weeks for the trip itself. So it is quite quick, but I can't really take any longer due to work commitments and funding!

So, if anybody is interested in joining me there is a spare seat in the landy! Just to get this out of the way, I would expect 'your' share of the costs to be covered. That being 1/2 fuel, your visas and 1/2 ferry costs, 1/2 food costs etc. I do not expect anything for vehicle related costs!!
I'm friendly and accommodating - very open to route suggestions and visiting places of personal interest, I wont just do what I want that thats that as it will be your trip too.

Departure date is flexible to some extent, I know it's very short notice but if anybody is interested, knows anybody interested or knows a good place to ask please let me know! Ideally I'm looking for somebody of similar-ish age as I just think that would work better - but I certainly wouldn't discount anybody and no offence meant!

Further to that I'll update as the planning progresses and add some photos later.

Thanks very much - I hope its okay to post this here,
Jack.

Hi and welcome,   
Sounds like being a good trip, seems like you have done a lot of work on planing and building your motor.
wish you luck.

Thanks

hopefully!! A lot of work indeed, though I've spent much more time on the car as opposed to route planning. Ive just got a few final things to do before she's back on the road then all my efforts will go to back to the route.

Thanks for the welcome.

Hi Jack - welcome!   

Think you've done the right thing. You won't go very far without a decent motor, and as you're well aware, things change so rapidly around the word (Africa in particular) that you can spend ages planning, then it all changes overnight - Egypt being a case in point. Let's hope it all settle down by the time you get there.

Thanks for another welcome Tom   

Yes, good point indeed and that is my thinking! Initially I wanted to do the trip with far less of the route in Europe and go through Tunisia and Libya. But I have now discounted Libya. Egypt is possibly a problem I know, but think it's just about doable now if it doesn't get worse! Also Syria being it's awful current state is a shame - would have been nice to have more time on 'land' and drive round as opposed to a very expensive ferry!

Another question I have, that is concerning me, is the Egypt - Sudan border crossing ferry from Aswan to Wadi Halfa. I'm just not comfortable leaving the car and keys to go on a separate vessel to myself! I know there is no other way (that I know of...), and I have not read anything where something has happened to the car - or its gone missing. But The amount of time and money I've invested in the car - I'm just a bit well, overprotective!

So if anybody can assure me its fine, or if by some slim chance there is a way of crossing overland that I haven't heard of please let me know

Further again - if anybody wants to join me, knows somebody who might or where to ask please please get in touch - that is my most pressing concern at the moment!!

Thanks again, Jack.

Doing well, a welcome every other time.   

Wonder if jack went ?

This was a trip going the other way but worth looking at

http://pingandnoelsblog.blogspot.co.uk/

You could always PM Jack. As he started this topic it will pop up in his email inbox that somebody posted a reply to his appeal. Worth a try.

Just an idle wonder really Tom, rather than a must know - its like missing the last 10 minutes of a TV show, like to wrap up the story

Rich

Perfectly understandable. Of course he could be on the road as we speak.