FREE & WILD OVERLANDING
Born in France and half raised on a sailboat, I've been changing school every year. As soon as I could, I went to live abroad. My very first experience -in Vancouver- has literally shaped my life. Since then, I lived in different countries until I had to settle in the UK for work. I've been enjoying London since 2015 before I felt things weren't right anymore. In December 2019, I decided to quit my job and to travel the world -starting with Africa...
Caught by the pandemic while overlanding in Botswana, the French government urged me to go back isolating in Europe - where I felt terribly sad and lonely. I knew I left my heart in Africa and it was time to get it back.
The Solo Overland Expedition
Today, I’m living the biggest expedition of my life. Alone, with my truck -Rafiki- and my dreams. I need to experience life in its full meaning and purest beauty. And do you know what? Sometimes, in the waves of change, we find our true direction.
Let's go to Africa!
Rafiki was finally geared up and I was so ready to hit the road. The initial plan was to drive from France to Oman and to ship Rafiki from the Muscat to somewhere in Eastern Africa.
I officially left the city of Lyon (France) on the 26th of January 2022. I had to amend the planned route so many times. I knew I would have to be patient, adaptable and resilient. I drove through Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Greece, to finally enter the Republic of Turkiye -via the Kipi Border Crossing Point- on the 14th of February 2022.
But since then, I couldn't receive accurate information from the shipping companies anymore. The Ukraine war just got worst and the maritime freight uncertain. A couple of weeks later, -on the 9th of March- and while I was roaming unique Cappadocia covered with snow, I received a very attractive quote to send Rafiki to Africa. The only tiny challenge: the vessel was planned to depart on the 25th of March from...Hamburg, in Northern Germany!
I decided to take the risk and to spend ten more days to explore some parts of Turkiye; I drove to Ankara and the Black Sea coastline. On the 20th, I left Istanbul and drive through Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia and Czechia, to arrive in North Germany on the 24th. The day after, Rafiki was safely locked into that Rhino blue container and ready to sail to South Africa on the 5th of May.
I had to wait a total of 6.5 weeks (48 days) before I got reunited with my truck again. On the 7th of May, Rafiki arrived in Cape Town (South Africa) and I could collect it at the warehouse the day after. On the 10th of May, it was the first day of my new life.
Welcome aboard!
Meet RAFIKI
When I was busy dreaming about the ideal expedition vehicle...
When I just bought it on the 13th of February, 2021...
When I finished its overlanding conversion in December, 2021...
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