Product Description

'Be vigilant when driving through Africa: camels are careless when crossing the road and women carrying waterpots are little more watchful' warn the authors of this fifth edition of Africa Overland. They also give updated information on each country's political and security situation (Angola, Sierra Leone and Liberia are on the up; since this guide's last edition, security in Western Sudan and Eastern Chad has turned sour); provide an expanded Route Outlines section including information on border crossings; and offer revised recommendations on vehicles including practical coverage on buying a vehicle, maintenance and driving.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43290 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
'A lively and informative first choice.' --Traveller

'This is the ultimate roadies' guide to traversing the wilderness of Africa. An indispensable guide to negotiating the unchartered perils of Africa's vast plains.' --Daily Express

From the Publisher
The authors' expert knowledge encompasses everything from the initial planning stages through to health and safety advice, coping with bureaucracy and fixing that flat tyre. An inspiring guide for anyone looking to unite their passion for travel with the freedom of the open road.

From the Author
Illya and I spent a year driving across Africa. As part of our planning and preparation we reviewed or bought just about all the books we could find on travelling in Africa. We found a wide range of country guides including numerous Bradt guides and some very good books on the Sahara, but the second edition of Africa by Road was about the only book that we could find that gave us in depth information about driving your own vehicle across Africa. We used the book right from our planning stage to our arrival in Europe, we found it invaluable but in need of a serious update.

On our return to the UK Brandt publishing agreed to let us write the Third Edition of Africa By Road. With the Third Edition we have re-ordered the book to try and provide answers and information to questions as they would arise in the process of planning and then undertaking a African journey.

The book is split into three sections. The first is 'Before you leave', this section starts by trying to answer all those questions about time, budget, and possible routes, which often dictate the viability and timing of a trip. Then once the initial decision has been made to go the section continues by covering all the practical planning and preparation issues that you will need to consider before you leave, these include what vehicle, bicycle or motorbike to take to equipment and paperwork.

The second section is 'On The Road'. This section covers all the information and tips you may need whilst on the road. It includes, bush repair and fault finding hints, driving techniques, visas, money and dealing with red tape. And also covers day to day issues such as food, health and security.

The last section is an A-Z Country Guide and covers basic facts about every country in Africa. We have added in notes and comments about special places we found on our trip and those not so special places that area best avoided.

All in all we have tried to write a practical easy to use guide that explains the 'How To' rather than trying to tell you where to go and what to see. The most amazing and unique times we had on our trip were inevitably in the most obscure places that aren't mentioned in any guide books just because we happened to be in the right place at the right time and what got us there was good planning, preparation and the right equipment. Hopefully the Third Edition of Africa By Road will help make your trip as much of a success as ours was.

Happy Travels
Charlie and Illya

Customer Reviews

Fab info for potential Gullivers
Well, what can I say. This is the(underlined) most comprehensive guide to overland travel in Africa I have ever seen. Everything from getting you kit together to amusing anecdotes that Charles and Illya had along the way.

Don't go driving to Africa without this book in your bag.

It is the essential guide.

Africa by Road
The authors of Africa by Road do a great job of presenting an overview to planning and undertaking an overland African trip. They assume the reader has a decent degree of common sense and independence and point the would-be traveller in all right directions without producing that 'hand-holding' feeling.

Anyone who needs to know where to start or what needs to be covered in planning an African Adventure shouldn't be without this guide. All the important aspects are covered and combined nicely with notes of personal experience and amusing anecdotes that accentuate the 'African feeling'.

Well worth the money.

Essential Reading!!!!!
If you are traveling anywhere in Africa by road, you MUST take this guide!

The guide begins with a complete rundown of what you will need and what you wont need, what works and what doesnt, where to go and where to stay clear and so on.

The individual run-downs of each country contain exactly what you need to know, from fuel prices to road conditions and distances. As with all Bradt guides the recomendations for hotels are the most up-to-date you will find.

Very good, very detailed, an essential travel companion.