Within the interior regions of Africa, South America and Asia, there's always some form of bush transport available. If there's a track that a set of wheels can drive on, then locals will definitely use it to their best advantage. Climbing on the back of trucks or squashed up in vans becomes a normal day occurrence in transit. It's the same with river or lake transport that has enough water to float a boat downstream - always packed over the limit, ready to sail. Some local transportation can be outright dangerous within Western eyes, but certainly not to locals that use it every day. There are times that the risk factor multiplies, but then if it's the only available transport, it could be a long wait until something else comes along. Highway carnage, accidents, breakdowns, blown out tyres and engine failures are all a part of the solo overland travel experience transiting on local transport - Hey, welcome to the real world of solo travel. 

All map images showing transit routes below have been successfully completed thru the decades. Overland transit routes through continents usually never change, although within some regions volatile skirmishes, terrorism, and banditry has created an array of  "Red Zones" which may or may not be advisable to transit through, and depends on timing, available transportation, and safety - which is solely up to the discretion of those choosing to risk transiting into these areas. All other map links are Ezilon - which are excellent to familiarise closer detail of transit directions within each country. Most images and snap shots on this page are rough as guts taken on the go in transit mode.  Transit Maps  :  Transit Baggage   :  Transit Photo Gear 

For the latest updates on earthquakes, volcanic activity and weather conditions these 3 active links will keep you informed anywhere on the planet.  

 Stuck on a Crossroad

"Going it Alone - It's A Personal Choice"

African Overland Transit Routes

Depending on the direction chosen, overland transit routes usually never change unless volatile skirmishes or civil unrest occurs within a certain region. Somalia,Yemen, DRC, Pakistan, Nigeria and Syria are examples of this and should be avoided (2019) unless fresh up to date information can be obtained and trusted allowing a calculated risk to transit through a Red Zone. The most trusted factual information in transit mode, is by asking locals, or foreigners who are travelling in the opposite direction of what's up ahead - not some blogger jive that may have been valid 2 years ago. This will ensure any intended transit route is calculated beforehand which can then be bypassed if necessary to avoid any dangerous road route that may contain road bandit blockades, sabotage, mugging and extortion. Entering through any Red Zone hot spots of conflict is entirely at your own risk without the backing or help from any outside assistance i.e. Any Colombian-Venezuelan-Peruvian drug cartel controlled region, the entire central Sahara region including the Libyan coastline, Afghani-Pakistani tribal regions, including cross-border entries into neighbouring Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Tajikistan, North and East Nigeria, Niger-Chad, Mali, and DRC, and certain regions in India and the southern Phillipines. Never think that being a Western foreigner nothing will happen to you if transiting through any of the above mentioned regions - over the last few years quite a few foreigners have made wrong decisions, and calculations, and were either robbed, mugged and beaten, or raped, or slowly tortured to death. There are also westerners who have completed solo travel journeys through volatile regions without having a single incident. A classic example was a German female I had briefly met en-route in central Africa who had travelled solo overland from the Algerian coast to DRC without a single mishap. Some aren't that lucky, like one Australian female who landed in Buenos Aires, and was robbed of all her baggage at gun point down a side street on her first day in South America. Each day in transit mode has a different atmosphere from one day to the next. When solo over-landing - Nothing can be taken for granted, unless your gut instinct and personal judgment tells you it's ok. 
​What's what in the Transit Baggage page covers some basic and non basic necessities of different items that have had a proven track record with my own approval rating. On long-term overland transit journeys, there's the same dilemma of deciding what photo-gear is worth carrying and using. The Photo-Gear page covers a mixture of different Nikon equipment and different accessories that may help in deciding what's worth investing in.  

Solo Overland Travel & Transit

"A guaranteed eye-opening experience deep into the real world we live in"

Are you sick and bored of looking at the same old orchestrated selfie snaps at tourist locations from the countless amounts of travel fluff-bloggers out there? Don't worry - you're not alone. Nothing is not what it really seems or sounds like in real-time reality browsing fluffy travel blog sites. How many times do you read comments like "fantastic", "so beautiful & amazing", "it's wonderful", "look at me in Rio", "ohh I love solo travel " ...
Travel bloggers writing and posting this fluff are a dime a dozen. They market themselves like fake news click bait. Normally, their faces are glued to laptops tweaking SEO's, and usually seen sitting in trendy cafes all day at beach and backpacker hangouts - you can spot them a mile off. I mean, how many times can you re-post the same fluff jargon on social media platforms over and over again? Yawn. 
Carving out your own itinerary, and planning your own transit routes through Africa, or across other continents is far more satisfying. You get a real feel of down to earth atmosphere with locals. Why follow the crowd like everyone else? Don't be afraid going it alone. Activate yourself, and hit the highway using local basic transport zig zagging up and down across entire continents. There's certainly no looking back. Real solo overland travel is a guaranteed eye-opening experience deep into the real world we live in. Take advantage of doing it now while it's still possible.
Through the decades of full-on solo overland travels, which still continues in 2019, I've never actually seen, or met any fluff travel bloggers in the middle of nowhere, transiting in fly-blown vibrating bush-buses for days on end, filled with dust and dog fart aromas crossing through a continent. 
Only a handful of solo travel bloggers out there can pat themselves on the back. Below are a few links from various sources about travel fluff bloggers. 
​Nomadic Lives   Life Lessons   The Polarizer    Journey Grit   Anxious Adventure    GombiBlog     Instagram    Fluff Selfie    Maple Searup   Moose Café

South American Overland Transit Routes

The transit routes above have all been completed. It takes more than a 12 month journey to cover the entire continent properly. Two years will certainly do it. Summer and winter seasons play a roll in this, it solely depends where one begins and ends. Returning to South America is usually on the cards for those who want to continue a road trip where they had left-off from any previous visit. Those who have already travelled and transited through the continent will recognise the above transit route directions. Any long-term journey route should be planned in advance, and changed where necessary en-route during transit if needed. For instance, the on-going Venezuelan situation has gone from bad to worse, causing millions of Venezuelan citizens to flee to neighbouring countries. Not only has this situation caused more crime and despair in northern Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, it has also put a spanner in the works for those wanting to travel and transit through Venezuela into Brazil or Colombia without being targeted, robbed, or victimised. Until the dust settles in Venezuela, any travel through the country is entirely at your own risk with a 90% chance rate of being mugged, robbed or raped. Jumping on a ship to the Antarctic from Ushuaia or Puerto Williams has become very trendy these days. The best option is to book on the smallest ship possible at the very beginning of the high season in November, or in March. The image below was captured in a force 9 storm in the middle of the roaring 40's in full swing on board a Chilean naval ship between Antarctica and Cape Horn - not for the faint hearted. 

Solo Overland Transit - South America

There's still plenty of isolated transit routes that are unspoilt off the beaten track throughout South America. The Georgetown to Belem transit route without seeing another foreigner for weeks is total bliss. Another route is from Bogota to Puerto Carreno that gets you across to Venezuela, which is a test even for the experienced overland traveller who can pass thru Venezuela without being corrupted, mugged or robbed (I've done this twice). A great transit route is through the Bolivian backdoor to Abuno, and then on to Puerto Velho to Manaus. Another is from Yacuiba in Bolivia through the Paraguayan savannah and paternal to Brazil. A favourite transit route that's been around for decades, is the journey from Ayacucho to San Francisco, crossing the Ucayali river to Quillabamba, Ollantaytambo, and onward to Cuzco. If you're game enough, the overland transit route heading north to Panama via Turbo on the Caribbean coast will be a self satisfying accomplishment. Let's also not forget the Puerto Asis slow boat river journey down the Putumayo to Leticia. All the routes mentioned are isolated and do have banditry holdups from time to time - good luck and enjoy.

There's no excuse! South American solo overland travel and transit routes from top to bottom of the continent are readily available in any direction imaginable. Having plenty of time on your hands is certainly required. A 12 month journey will pass in no time without realising how quick it went. There's nothing worse than having limited time schedules crammed packed into a 3 month stint for this continent - forget about it. Here's why with a quick breakdown of minimum time limits of each country: Colombia 2 months, Ecuador 1 month, Peru 3 months, Chile 2 months, Argentina 2 months, Paraguay 1 month, Bolivia 2 months, Brazil 3 months, Guyana 1 month, Suriname 1 month, Venezuela 2 months. Transit journeys sticking to normal routes through South America are easily accomplished if done in small steps.
This drastically changes in isolated regions, and becomes time consuming with available transport usually being basic. In remote regions, delays and breakdowns do happen, including higher risk factors that multiply within areas in the Amazonian and Andean block. This includes certain parts of Brazil and Venezuela. From one day to the next, one can never know what could materialise. For example, Banditry is nothing new. For some, it's an easy lifestyle getting rich pickings for free. Most locals will smile, as if everything looks blissful, but in reality this may not be the case, which should be taken as good advice travelling through the entire continent. Western foreigners in remote regions have no way around this. Locals will spread gossip of any western tourist in their turf faster than lightning. Getting robbed and mugged will depend if local bandits have just held-up a bus, or robbed enough takings the night before. If so, this usually gives a free pass to continue onwards without hinderance towards the next location. In Ecuador for example, foreign tourists are set-up, and robbed in broad daylight with locals close-by watching it happen without stopping or helping. Foreigners are classified as loaded easy targets. This isn't fear porn - These are facts that happen on a daily basis through the continent. You hardly hear or read about robberies, muggings, raping or murder of foreigners in South America on fluffy solo travel blog-sites? The reasons are probably because this type of news has a negative impact to their sales pitch, and click bait royalties to hotels, airlines and other travel related links. 
Below is a quick list of updated warnings through South America for 2019
latest stats for Peru Oct 2018: Violent crime, including sexual assault, armed robbery, muggings and carjackings, occurs frequently in Peru, particularly in the cities of Lima, Cusco and Arequipa. Colombia 2019: Robbery of taxi passengers is a serious problem, express kidnapping, Hikers, including on trails in and around Bogotá, have been robbed at gunpoint. Small towns and rural areas of Colombia can be extremely dangerous due to the presence of terrorists and criminal elements, including armed gangs (referred to as "BACRIM" in Spanish). Violence associated with the BACRIM has spilled over into major cities. These groups are heavily involved in the drug trade, extortion, kidnapping and robbery. Brazil 2019: The rate of violent crime, including muggings, armed robbery, kidnappings and sexual assault, is high. Thieves are often armed. Tourists are targeted. Guyana 2019: Crime levels are high and violent crime is a problem, particularly in the capital Georgetown. Risks increase after dark, particularly if you're alone. Ecuador 2019: Violent crime, including assault and armed robbery, is common. Travellers have been injured resisting robbery. Venezuela 2019: Violent crime, including murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, drive-by shootings and carjackings, is common.
In South America there's a saying "The dead don't talk". There's also the sad case of grieving families who have to deal with loved ones that have vanished or are missing, like this Canadian dude last seen on the Santa Cruz Trek in Peru, a $500,000 USD reward is still in affect.

Foreigners Are Mugged & Robbed Everyday!

Since the 1980's Mugging and Robbing Tourists Throughout South America has Increased Mega-Fold 

These local street police in Peru aren't strapped and armed with guns just for fun! Sometimes you have to question why there's so many foreigners getting robbed in South America. One can read through all the many travel blog-sites on the same old gibberish of safety travel through the continent to no avail. Latino thieves have probably skimmed through many of these travel blog-sites having a good laugh, because they already know there's fresh plane loads of docile foreigners arriving into the continent everyday to mug and rob.
One out of many mistakes by foreigners in South America, is their own lack of judgment and instinct on the street after dark. Imagine being half intoxicated, coked, cracked, or stoned when leaving from a bar, beach party, or nightclub without even realising who may have been watching. Usually, experienced night thieves don't work alone - they work in packs, with one or two surveilling their victims up-close for cash stashes, while others from the same group wait patiently outside for a cell phone call from their accomplices inside letting them know which victim to target. It's also very common for most foreigners to let their guard down thinking they're in a safe zone as though nothing will happen to them. This is certainly a no-brainer attitude that has caught many foreigners off-guard who have strolled the streets after dark and end-up losing what they have on them, including some being badly bashed, stabbed, raped, and even murdered. Tourist muggings and assaults do happen in trendy areas where foreigners think it's safe.
Like the image snap above, wherever there's a police presence and overhead camera surveillance would normally be regarded as a safe area, but just one or two blocks in either direction with no security is a totally different story. There's a high percentage of tourist muggings, bashings, and victimisation throughout the continent that never reaches MSM news. Local government bodies prefer keeping negative assaults on foreigners as quiet as possible to keep their booming tourism industry vibrant. In saying this, there are plenty of foreigners who have travelled long-term through South America without being mugged, bashed or robbed. Why are some lucky?, Because of using and following their inner instinct and judgment, and being aware of what's around them without taking anything for granted - try it, it works!

Forget Luxury Comfort - Use Basic Transport 

Solo overland travel and transit using any available transport through a continent can't be matched. A few examples of real-time experiences in transit are the smell of sweaty armpit odours, vomit on the floor, wasted food scraps glued on seats, locals picking their noses flicking the contents near you, the sounds of deep farts with wicked aromas, constant loud snoring, blaring music at full volume, used as a pillow, cell phones constantly blaring, stale chewing gum stuck to your clothes, dog breath vapour, packed and squashed in like sardines, deep throat coughing and spitting in any direction, bush-bus aisles jam-packed with mountains of luggage, smokey engine fumes knocking you out, spilt fluids flowing under your seat, irritating blowflies, mosquitos and insects trapped on board, random drug control baggage checks, drivers fighting with passengers, uncontrollable baby screams and the smell of loaded diapers, goats, pigs and sheep crowding your space, random groping, toxic smelly feet in your face, baggage soaked in engine oil below deck, rattling clattering jammed windows, extreme hi-speed, holding out for load dumps and pee breaks, hi-altitude sickness, unbearable heat, the bitterly freezing cold, clouds of endless dust in your mouth, down your throat, and up your nose, non-stop vibrations, bad accidents, long breakdowns, highway bandit hold-ups, robbery, diarrhoea pressure on a non-stop moving bus, free sharing of ticks, fleas, and bed bugs from other passengers.

Asia Overland Transit Routes

There's a multitude of different transit routes through the Asian continent in all directions. Completing the entire Asian rim if one were to start from Indonesia/Singapore would normally give a correct timing sequence to cross the Chinese/Pakistani border when it reopens each spring. An overland transit journey like this can take 12 months or more depending how much time one wants to spend in each country. Transiting through any of these regions opens an endless amount of detours off the beaten track. The above map designates the transit direction which is more than enough to work out places of interest en route. Solo transiting through Tibet is virtually impossible today without a pre-booked guide, a driver, including a pile of paperwork bureaucracy and permits - good luck! A six month Indian visa is still obtainable in Laos, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka if it's a first visit with no record of a used visa. An Indian visa begins its time duration countdown from the date of issue. A Pakistani visa can be difficult to get, but it's worth mentioning here as a last resort that the Pakistani Consulate in Chengdu has issued tourist visas to non-Chinese nationals. There was still no Pakistani Consulate in Kashgar when writing this, which makes it difficult to obtain a bus ticket to the Chinese/Pakistani border without showing a valid Pakistani visa. It's also advisable to apply for an Indian visa online well in advance instead of leaving it to the last minute - like within Islamabad's security zone, which will test your patience. As a last resort, passports can also be couriered with DHL/UPS  to any country of origin to receive visas with a turn around time that usually takes 2 -3 weeks. This occurrence happens occasionally, and depends on the country who regulates and will only grant visas of certain foreign passport holders from their country of origin. It's advisable to request a dual or multiple entry visa for China, if crossing back and forth from Mongolia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Laos, or Hong Kong.
The usual overland transit gateways to Europe from Asia are through western China to Pakistan via Afghanistan, Iran to Turkey, or Pakistan directly through Iran to Turkey. Avoiding the Middle East, is via Kashgar through Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan. This has been a favourite route by cyclists for decades. If a Pakistani visa has been issued in Southern Asia, the Indian-Pakistani border crossing is another option. The easiest overland route of them all is by train, using the Trans Siberian railway to Moscow via Ulan Bator or from Vladivostok for a last resort. 

​Cash In Transit - Bring Your Own Stash! 

"The first to greet you at any land border crossing are local money changers"

Cash Has Been Around For 4000 Years - It's Still Very Alive And Active Through The Continents! 

A cash money supply is always recommended in the middle of nowhere - ATM's are non-existent or days away when one is needed. Latinos, Africans, and Asians all through their respective continents use and handle cash every day. Indian ATM's for example, will only allow a 10,000 rupee withdrawal limit if using any off-shore cash card - with a horrendous rip-off surcharge each time the card is fed in to an ATM. Cash US dollars on the other hand will avoid rip-off ATM surcharges, and will also give a much better rate of exchange. In general, this applies throughout all the continents. When transiting across land borders the exchanging of local currency from one country to the next  is never an issue - with minimal loss of exchange rate. The first to greet you at any land border crossing are money changers - haggling for the highest rate is normal procedure. Don't leave home without a surplus load of cash dollars. It's still legal to carry up to $10,000 dollars in cash without having to declare it. Carrying a copy of the original purchase transaction of cash is recommended to verify to border authorities who may ask proof of where the cash stash originated from.

$USD - It's Still Got Plenty of Gas Left In The Tank!

​Tajikistan, Mali, Iran, Russia, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Congo, India, Angola, Sudan, Guyana, Argentina 

US Dollars Are Still Going Strong In 2019 - It's The Preferred Currency Of Exchange For Local Cash!  

Whether you like or dislike using US dollars, it's still remains the most versatile paper currency to have in transit. One can try using Bit-coin, but it won't get you far in the middle of Africa, or Middle East when exchanging over to local currencies to pay for transportation, food and accommodation. The Euro is also another option, but 100 USD notes speak for themselves, and will give the best exchange rates without even going to a local bank. Until the USD totally crashes - which many journalists have been predicting since the mid 1970's, it still remains the best currency to have as a cash stash for any overland travel and transit journey through the continents. Just don't advertise or expose a bundle of cash dollars to anyone - especially to other foreigners running on empty. Walking around after dark with a pile of cash is another no-brainer and should be avoided at all costs. 

Crossing Borders - Red Zone Regions 

Afghanistan-Iran- Pakistan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Tajikastan

Overland transit into or out of Afghanistan can be done through 6 countries bordering around the country. The direct land crossing into China through the Wakhjir pass is known as a grey ghost border smuggling route for all types of illicit contraband. Applying for a Chinese visa maybe denied if the visa itinerary shows the overland route is entering via Xinjiang State. The Chinese government has clamped down on their own Muslim population sending an estimated million plus Uighurs to "Internment camps".  In general, visa issues for neighbouring countries bordering Afghanistan have open time validations. The duration length will depend on nationality, and where, and who is issuing the visa. An Afghani visa extension is permitted only once, over staying in the country is expensive @$10 per day. 
Red Zone regions throughout Afghanistan and bordering countries are alive and well. Most foreigners are lucky enough to transit through Afghanistan along secure routes without issues whatsoever. All Red Zone regions are not called Red Zones for nothing. They all share common values - Radical Islamic extremists, pro radical extremists, sympathisers supporting radical extremists, imported extremists, heroin cultivation, smuggling trade routes, arms smuggling and contraband goods. Normally, locals in these regions are more than friendly enough with lots of happy chit chat. The danger arises when any of the above 3 groups may decide to do an unexpected  hotel call to your room during the middle of the night. Kidnapping happens, getting tortured and shot in the head also happens. News of any foreigner arriving and staying in any town within a Red Zone region spreads like wildfire. If a Western Muslim convert and speak Afghani you get a free pass, but if an Atheist, or a Christian , or of other faith beliefs as an Afghani or a foriegner, you're putting your life on the line - Is a risk worth dying for? that's what most foreigners completely forget when thinking nothing will happen to them - read the above sentence a few times to let it sink in! 
The usual overland transit route which has always been reliable is through Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan to China to the Irkeshtam pass on the Karakoram highway. In saying this, in 2018, a group of 4 cyclists from the Holland, Switzerland and the USA were deliberately mowed down and killed in Tajikistan by radical Islamists. Crossing Pakistan to India is through the Wagah border via Lahore to Amritsar. Entering Afghanistan from Iran is simple if an Afghani visa has been issued, the route from Mashed to the Taybad-Islam Qala border is the normal route used by foreigners.
​Avoiding Afghanistan completely is through the Mirjaveh-Taftan border into Pakistan. This is a Red Zone border region, depending on how volatile the Baluchistan province is, a military escort may accompany transport to Quetta. 
​Taken Hostage-Kabul, 3 foreigners killed, Ambushed Tourists, Held captive for 5 years, Herat German killed, List of foreign Hostages, Afghan News 

So you've just arrived in Egypt from a gruelling solo overland journey from Cape-town, and now plan to continue onwards to Nepal overland through the Middle East. There's a choice of 3 different routes that will work without having to grab a flight. Applying for onward visas through the Middle East maybe difficult for some nationalities, but usually with the correct itinerary and dress mode visiting Embassies, and the luck of friendly visa official staff, most visas do get issued. Having a passport half filled with freshly used visas from all over Africa also makes a positive impression. A Saudi tourist visa can be obtained by pre-booking a ticket to any international sport event held in the country. Normally, a single entry 30 day E-visa is issued, giving enough duration time to get through the Kingdom - without even attending the event.        
The quickest route if the appropriate visas are granted, is directly through Saudi. A ferryboat from Suez to Duba connects both countries. Hitching lifts through Saudi isn't difficult. When reaching either Doha, Dubai or Muscat, it gives various ferryboat connections to Iran and Pakistan. If arriving in Bandar Abbas, the lower border crossing from Iran into Pakistan (Mand-Pishin/Gabd-Rimdan) by-passes the Red Zone route further north at the Mirjaveh/Taftan border. Applying for a fresh Indian visa in Islamabad usually takes 3-5 days. An India visa begins its countdown the day its issued. The choice of transiting through Iraq from Saudi into Iran is another option if a Saudi visa has the stretch time to do so.
Route 2 is through the Sinai to Jordan (Nuweiba to Aqaba). Picking up an Iraqi visa in Cairo is recommended without relying on the consulate, or embassy in Jordan. The Amman-Baghdad border crossing was reopened in February 2019. Crossing over to Iran can easily be done from the many Iraqi-Kurdish border crossings in the north of the country, or at Basrah in the south. From Iran, the choice of transiting through Afghanistan to Pakistan and on to India is an option, it will depend on the latest situations in Afghanistan.
Route 3 is the longest route, including the amount of time it may take to jump on a cargo ship to Cyprus from Alexandria or Port Said sea ports. From Cyprus, another crossing through the Med to Rhodes or directly to Turkey can also be time consuming, but it is possible. From Turkey, travelling through both Iraq and Iran or directly entering Iran from Turkey at the Bazagan crossing is a personal choice. From Iran the same route through Afghanistan or Pakistan applies (Herat-Kabul-Peshawar-Islamabad) or (Zahaden-Taftan-Quetta-Multan-Lahore-Wahga/Attari-Amritsar)
​Transiting through Middle East Red Zone regions is at your own risk. Northern Sinai has Al-Qaida/Daesh terror cells, Syria contains Daesh/Al-Qaida /Hezbollah/ proxy terror cells, Afghanistan has a mix of Taliban/Daesh/Al-Qaida terror cells. 

Photo Gear - Don't Leave Home Without It!

Point & Shoot, Mirrorless, DSLR - So many choices to choose from - There's no Excuse!

What some good advice? Purchase a proper camera and use your smart phone camera for social media snaps - or selfies if you have that addiction. Have you seen a cell phone image in photoshop enlarged @30o% - Horrible and time wasting with no sharpness or depth to render an image to a poster size canvas. Most cameras today have the options to capture images in either jpeg, tiff and raw - which smart phone cameras don't. Shooting in jpeg/raw is the way to go, and has been since digital was invented. A smart phone camera is useless in wildlife parks, and even more useless to capture fast moving subjects at any given distance - including low light captures without using a flash. Sony, Canon, Fuji and Nikon all have good photo-gear with a broad range of cameras to fit anyones budget. Make the right choice  - and you won't regret it!     

Solo Overland Transit - Where To Start?  

"Landing at either end of a continent to begin an overland transit journey is the way to go"   

Beginning your own solo overland travel and transit journey through a continent usually has limited options where to start if the entire continent is the itinerary. Landing into the middle of a continent like in Lima, Lagos, or Nairobi will only add complications to fully complete crossing through the rest of the continent in one direction. Doubling and back tracking through countries that have already been completed will only add extra cost and waiting time for new visas, including thousands of transit kilometres and accommodation costs. It makes sense to begin any long term overland transit journey at the edge of a continent, and continuing either up, down, or across a continent en-route. The following countries are typical overland travel and transit start points in either direction: Turkey to Hong Kong, Morocco or Cairo to South Africa, Chile to Mexico, Colombia to Argentina, Singapore to Turkey ​

Overland Transit - Your Own Car 

Are you considering to purchase your own vehicle for extensive long-term road trips through a country or a continent? It's a great way to be self reliant without depending on public transport in certain countries. Buying a car is the easy part, but how reliable is it? Do the tires have good tread and are they the same brand? Has the speedo been wound back to look as if the vehicle has done less milage? Is the engine oil jet black as if it hasn't been changed for years? Are there oil drops on the road where the cars parked? Does the engine start-up immediately sounding smooth, or does it take lots of cranking? Do all the gauges function showing oil pressure, temperature, and voltage? Does the engine blow a lot of smoke from the rear exhaust?, Does the clutch slip when in gear?, Does the rear diff make a whining noise?, Do the brakes work immediately, or are they spongy and unresponsive?, Does the engine ping and lacks power when testing it up a step hill climb?. Depending if a vehicle is 2wd, 4wd, diesel, petrol, automatic, or manual, the above reference check will almost be the same. Safety comes first, your life depends on it. Reliability is a close second if you don't want to be stuck with a broken down wreck in the middle of nowhere, including your baggage and valuables. Don't buy a vehicle because you like the colour, or the fancy sound system installed in it. Reselling a used vehicle and getting back most of your investment will depend on the overall condition for any interested buyer. 

Bullets & Ammo Shells - Check Your Travel Baggage! 

Here are a few links verifying foreigners who were caught carrying live ammo or spent cartridges in their baggage on departure or arriving at airports.   

Solo Travel and Transit - Onward Visas, Overland Routes, Red Zones

Grabbing a flight into any continent of choice is the easiest task to do, but continuing any epic overland transit journey through countries crossing land borders must be planned in advance. This will ensure visa formalities for neighbouring countries aren't an issue when applying. Depending on nationality, visa requests are sometimes hindered on the cover of your passport, which can involve extra paperwork, including the rare request to purchase a flight ticket out of certain countries before a visa is issued. In general, Consulates are much easier to deal with rather than Embassies unless you arrive in a suit and holding a briefcase. Usually pre-booking with a bus or train service that cross international borders is more than sufficient, rather than purchasing an onward air ticket, which usually flies direct to a country's capital. This beats the purpose of overland travel. South Africa, Ethiopia, India, North Sudan, Pakistan, China, Iran, Russia, and Nigeria all have different levels of entry formalities which may or may not be requested at a particular Consulate, or when entering at certain land border crossings. Some land border crossings are easier to pass through than others without being corrupted by officials.
​An example is the Rwanda/DRC border crossing to Goma which has had a bad reputation for years from a DRC officials siphoning and extracting cash from solo travellers that pass through. Some have paid $200USD or more depending on nationality - even though they had a valid Congo visa. I found travelling a little further south to the next DRC border crossing located in Burundi by-passes corruption fee payouts.
​Argentinean highway police and some land border immigration officials go out of their way to extract cash from foreigners driving private vehicles. I've  had the opportunity on many occasions to experience this issue when crossing Argentina driving a Brazilian registered VW Kombi. Making sure a pile of cigarettes and fresh avocados were visibly noticed on the dash and seat gave me free passage without paying a peso. The main Argentinian/Chile border crossing after leaving Mendoza was also an issue with one corrupt customs official who wanted $300USD to pass. I was determined not to pay corruption cash and instead waited for 12 hours on the border until a new shift of border officials began work who allowed me to drive onwards into Chile freely.                 
Major overland continental transit routes still remain on the same bitumen and bush track highways as they always have for decades. The only changes worth mentioning here are the existing or newer short-cut transit routes that may head directly into red zone regions containing elements of insurgency, highway banditry, and local upheavals. Most red zones are well known by locals who reside on the edge of them. This is where the latest fresh information can be collected and trusted for a particular overland route. The chances of meeting other foreign nationals that have just come through a Red Zone region that one is about to transit through is rare, but does happen occasionally. Taking calculated risks are better than transiting blind through any Red Zone.
The following overland transit routes are considered extreme and do contain various levels of danger: Sudan to Mali via Chad and Niger. Sudan to Gabon via Central African Republic and DRC. Algeria to Nigeria via Mali or Niger. Iran to Lebanon via Iraq and Syria. Djibouti to Kenya via Somalia. Egypt to Tunisia via Libya. Turkey to Jordan via Syria, Iran to India via Afghanistan. Pakistan to Kazakhstan via Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Egypt to Tunisia via Libya, Angola to Sudan via DRC, Nigeria to Sudan via Cameroon and Central Africa Republic.       

Big Cities - Street Photography 

One thing large cities don't lack are the endless flows of local buses passing through central metropolitan areas. Normally, all city buses have their own routes to commuter passengers daily back and forth transiting in their specified directions. One thing I had learnt decades ago, was to Jump on board any bus and travel on it until the last stop. The interaction levels of meeting different locals en-route are usually more than rewarding. The unknown final destination on the out skirts of large cities will usually have something of interest to photograph. Street portraits, vendors, and open markets are a few to mention. By dissecting different bus routes, one can easily cover the compass dial from north to south, and east to west over a week. Returning each time using the same bus route gets you back to the city centre where foreigners often stay. By doing this, it gives the opportunity of capturing many street images and close-up portraits from every corner of a city. With words of caution, there are certain risks involved if you're not street wise, and have zero interaction levels. The outer edges of big cities have limited police or security, so you're virtually on your own. The majority of my own visits to the edge of cities are normally welcomed, with a high positive reaction level amongst locals. There have been occasions when I've returned to the same region of certain cities, because of it's unique isolated atmosphere that's impossible to find within city centres. Make shift machine workshops, auto garages, dusty roadside tea shacks, scrap yards with endless possibilities of capturing street portraits are easily found on the outskirts of big cities. Arriving back to home base in the metropolitan region of cities becomes somewhat stagnate compared to what is experienced on the outskirts of  town.

Overland Street Photography - Close-up Portraits 

Close-up random street photography has never changed, if anything, it has become a lot easier with all the different types of camera options available. Using the latest equipment is one thing, but to grab close-up snaps of someone can quickly backfire if the wrong approach is made. Depending on the subject of choice, the repercussions can cause all sorts of problems. The deletion of images, threatening behaviour, police involvement, or even a smashed camera are issues that do happen. Some of these occurrences may fester in your own country, so imagine the consequences in countries with strict religious laws through the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The breakdown to photograph a stranger is relatively simple with four main steps. The Atmosphere of where an image is taken, the communication and dialogue between the subject and who they're with, and the amount and level of interaction time with the subject. Going ahead without using these steps is not only rude, but it makes it even more difficult for others to photograph the same person in the future. Normal common sense to recognise if a subject doesn't want to be photographed is by their actions. Images taken of subjects from a distance using a zoom or tele-lens is usually never an issue. But to capture someone close-up with a lens less than a metre in distance will need the above basic steps to capture rewarding portraits.      

Street Photography Middle East - Red Zone Regions

The Middle East is like the wild west with an over-supply of arsenal and weapons. In saying that, depending were one is situated in the Middle East, it can actually be safer walking down the street than in Chicago, Rio or Johannesburg. Mild Mid-East countries like Jordan and the UAE are "tourist" heavy without the need of worrying about car bombs, and IED's exploding to bits by militia groups. Random street photography in these countries is generally friendly without issues. Interaction with permission to photograph is like anywhere else for close-up street portraits. Normally, foreign male and female visitors will have different advantages of photographing locals. Males can easily take street snaps of men, while females have the opportunity to photograph women in privacy or secluded places prohibited to men.
In other Mid-East countries, random street photography in rural regions will depend on the real-time atmosphere and whatever interaction levels that are available. Getting out on the street without photo-gear for the first day or two to feel the vibe is recommended. Spending time in any street chai hang-out full of locals will draw plenty of attention to feel how the atmosphere is. This is when one can test their interaction levels with locals. Speaking some Arabic will go a long way in remote areas. After walking through a few blocks of any town, the decision to go out with a camera can then be determined. Arabs will usually ask your nationality, and at times your religious beliefs. American nationals should avoid saying where they come from. For instance, foreigners having dialogue amongst locals in Jalalabad, Kabala, Aleppo, or El Arish will spread at supersonic speeds through town. Some of the best areas for street photography in Baghdad, Damascus, Kabul, and Cairo are on the out skirts of these cities.
Is it a risk to walk around alone in these zones? Yes and no, dress mode and interaction levels play an important roll. For foreign nationals, anywhere and everywhere can become a risk in volatile countries. It will depend on your own judgment, the ability of communicating in Arabic, and personal interaction level to capture close-up portraits of locals. It's also very normal from other locals close-by who watch what you're doing, and may warn you not to photograph certain subjects. ​

Street Photography - Interacting 

Is it your first solo overland travel & transit journey through a continent? Can you handle interacting with total strangers outside your comfy zone? How good is your interaction levels? these are only a few of many important questions you need to ask your self to understand the importance of interaction. Having low self esteem and interaction levels won't go far, you can forget about capturing close-up street portraits almost anyway. Imagine being within an open market area somewhere in the Congo, or down a narrow street laneway in India, or in an isolated village in Afghanistan, and spot a subject you really want to capture close-up as possible, but haven't a clue or know the first step of interacting. Don't worry, you're not alone, I've seen many foreigners through the decades who have stumbled on this important issue. Interacting is actually easier than what it seems, just a quick smile at a subject can go along way. Holding your posture and looking directly at your subject shows you're open to dialogue. Taking interest of what a subject is doing is automatic. Pointing a camera at any subject too early may cause rebuke, or irritation, it's all about timing, the way one moves, sits, the vibe and whole atmosphere, and how one expresses themselves to capture some great random street portraits.      

Overland Travel & Transit - FIRST AID Kit

Travelling with a mini first aid kit is something that many don't really worry about carrying until the moment it's needed. When over-landing through the continents there will be times when a first aid kit comes in handy. Transport accidents, hiking fatalities, beach, ocean, desert and savannah cuts, including infectious bites are a part of a long list of hazards that can eventuate from one minute to the next. Here's a quick list of what I usually carry for emergency purposes - A tick extractor, band aids, plaster tape, eye drops, neosporin powder and ointment, antiseptic cream, portable water purifier, alloy wrap sheet, vitamins, tiger balm, tweezers, mini scissors, and a sharp knife.
​Many wonder if local water supplies seen readily available through the continents is safe to drink. In most case Yes it is, if locals are guzzling it down, then you can too. Actually, some local water is far safer to drink than what's contained in plastic bottled water labeled with fancy logos. For instance, I've been drinking local water supplies through Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East for over 4 decades without issues. It's a good way to strengthen and beef up weak immune systems - don't be afraid to try.  

Overland Road Trip - South America

"A classic VW Kombi will get you through the entire continent" 

Are you planning a long term overland road trip through South America? Purchasing a classic VW Kombi van in Brazil is one out of many alternatives. I've crossed the continent several times with Kombis that were originally purchased in Brazil. These old road floaters can still be found in reasonable condition throughout the continent. Depending on the rules and regulations of each country for foreigners to purchase and resell a vehicle, I personally found Brazil to be the easiest country to buy a VW. The cost and exchange rate plays an important roll that determines where a vehicle can be bought cheap enough. Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Colombia all have different tax levels, so it really depends on the timing of the exchange rate, and the asking price where a vehicle can be purchased at a reasonable cost. There's more info further down this page. The images shown was a 2nd hand Kombi In transit mode crossing the Andes, and within the southern desert region in Peru. The gasoline VW was purchased in Puerto Alegre on the Brazilian coast for $900USD. It gave no issues throughout its entire road trip throughout South America. Parts are still available for these models in most Latin countries. The converted diesel version VW Kombis are also reliable machines, but are more expensive to purchase. Here's one from many Brazilian links direct to VW Kombis although most viewed on this site are newer models (2000-2014) in the range of $2500-$6000USD.

​Walking Till The Sweat Flows - Africans Do It All The Time!  

"Fitness comes automatically in transit mode - Walking village to village is a good start"

Need a non-serious work-out? Feeling lethargic? Want to lose fat tissue? Walking at your own pace all day does the trick. Africans are known for their long distant walkathons, including Asians, and Latinos. Many locals through the continents are super-fit, because of having to walk for days on end due to the lack of transportation. Walking workouts in rural regions is not only healthy; it also gets you from village to village without knowing who you will meet next. One can stop for a quick break, guzzle some water, chit-chat with locals, and drop as much sweat as you wish. A 10 kilometre walk through any citiy does the same job. I do this myself most of the time to keep fit. Carrying a camera grabbing street snaps along the way can clock-up plenty of kilometres without even realising it - Try it, you'll be surprised how much weight shedding will eventuate by just walking and sweating it off.  

Solo Overland Travel & Transit - It Becomes Addictive! 

"Kiss goodbye comfy zones & soft lounge suites in transit mode off bitumen highways" 

Overland transit means what it says! Screaming will do you no good when in the thick of it. Comfy zones become non-existent when transiting through remote regions. Buses, trucks and boats all have their limitations in extreme conditions, including major breakdowns and accidents. There's always something up ahead that dramatises over-land transiting that adds to the addiction of doing it, but in saying that the choices of transport passing through isolated areas is minimal. Climbing on board anything that's moving in the direction of transit is normal procedure. There's certainly no turning back once in transit mode - a one way journey in the direction chosen. If you're game, don't think twice to do it!  Solo overland travel crossing through one continent to another using any available transport is an educational adventure on it's own that has no equal. Below, the original Moyale highway before the Chinese constructed a new tarmac using prisoners as labourers from Chinese jails. 

Solo Travel Basic Transport - Africa-Asia-South America

Forget about tour companies and travel blogger packaged deals if you're looking for real adventure crossing continents! Most of them cater for the tourism bubble market only within certain regions. Going it alone transiting overland using basic transport to cross through countries will give you the best experience with minimal cost. Think about it - on most transit journeys you'll end up being the only foreigner on board. The interaction level becomes easier, and locals will usually go out of their way to help or assist if required. Using rough as guts bush-buses becomes routine with each individual journey being different to the last. Don't think bush-buses are slow, some drivers will have their foot hard down on the gas pedal all day non-stop screaming the engine at peak revs without mercy - like flying a jet without wings.   

​Dust In Transit Mode - Get Used To It

"It doesn't matter what continent one transits through - The Vibration & Dust Will Be Waiting For You" 

There's no escape from dust, dirt or grime in transit mode off the bitumen tarmac. Collecting a thick layer of dust is a part of any travel transit journey through isolated regions. Grinding dust in your teeth, and having your nose and eyes caked up with dust becomes very normal on dirt roads. The only important issue to worry about is to have any photo-gear, or electronic items, including laptops sealed and packed down. If not, the bouncing, corrugation, and vibration, including endless clouds of dust will destroy equipment. It doesn't matter what continent one transits through - the vibration, dust and grime is a part of the overland transit journey.

High Pass Overland Transit  

"Unpredictable extreme weather abnormalities can happen at a moments notice anywhere at anytime"   

Heavy rains, flash flooding, avalanches and rock fall are normal occurrences during winter and monsoon season. Abnormal freak weather can cause havoc on high pass mountain dirt roads in Nepal, Peru, India, Bolivia, Ethiopia and Pakistan. Many high altitude bush track highways are usually closed during the winter months in Pakistan and India due to heavy snow drifts giving zero visibility with limited access to transit through these regions. Peru, Bolivia, and Ethiopia are known for erratic weather carnage along cliff top bush track highways with major slippage and rock avalanches. Blocked high pass transit routes can be closed for days or even weeks in these countries. India and Pakistan have issues with flash flooding during monsoon cycles every year within highland regions affecting roads following along the edge of valley gorges which have collapsed in seconds. Buses going over the edge into swollen rivers does happen. You certainly don't want to be transiting through any high pass bush track highways during heavy rain fall - It's a risk that has killed many locals and foreigners. Always check the weather conditions before departing - Your life depends on it. 

Wet Season Solo Travel - Mud, Bog & Breakdowns 

"Overland bus transit short cuts can easily turn into long cuts at a moments notice" 

Where the bitumen ceases the reality of real overland travel and transit begins. The Amazonian wet season shows no mercy when continuous outbursts of tropical rain washes out bush track highways making it impossible for transport to pass through. Most dirt highways within the interior of the Amazon basin become clogged and bogged like an endless mud pit. Screaming will do you no good at all during the middle of any bush track journey thinking it was a quick short-cut transit route. During the wet season within the Brazilian Amazon many bush track highways end up becoming long-cuts with some tracks wiped out due to slips and severe flooding. Experienced bus operators won't risk getting stuck in the middle of nowhere - for days, but there are drivers who do gamble to get through and become totally stuck in mud. Various breakdowns also occur and are normally with issues like broken axles, an electrical fault, a blown engine, or a transmission failure. Some buses do end up down ravines or over the sides of cliffs due to driver error. A positive note is the exercise one gets lugging personal transit baggage from one bus to another through the middle of a bog pit where buses can't pass. I've had this experience happen many times with buses, trucks,  trains and even on boats.       

Dugouts - Not Great When They Sink With Baggage

Taking risks cruising up or down swollen rivers in a dugout can cost you your baggage - And Your Life!

A warning to those who want to solo transit up or down rivers in a dugout with all their travel baggage. One should check the condition of any dugout before renting, purchasing and cruising off down river loaded with everything they own. Old dugouts do collect water and slowly submerge like a sub. The image shown was dugout that was bone dry one day, and half submerged the following day. Any venture on rivers in a dugout on a smooth flowing current is fine, but only those who have had some experience will master a dugout when encountering rapids - which can flip a dugout on its side in seconds. If you value your life, and travel baggage (photo-gear included), then take this a precautionary measure. Some foreigners haven't been so lucky, and had lost everything they owned from a dugout flipping on its side.

Robbed & Mugged In Transit - Nothing New Here!

"When You Think You're Safe - That's When You'll Get Robbed - No Place Is Safe"

The amount of foreigners I've met in transit mode over the years who have been mugged, robbed, raped and bashed is beyond belief. Many lose their baggage because of simple mistakes. Some have been robbed because of using unsafe accommodation, or not keeping an eye on baggage when in cafes, bars or during transit itself. Never think, or underestimate thieves and robbers are all the same! For example, in Central and South America they're not! Thieves, muggers, and bandits use their own different techniques, with some working only in daylight hours, while others rob and mug through the night. Daylight thieves have their own areas and turf - so in most cases they're already watching without you even knowing about it, and will strike at an appropriate time that always suits them. Repeat the last sentence again and again till it sinks in. 
Highway bandits are the worst, they show no mercy and hold-up buses robbing the entire contents of buses which sometimes includes a strip-down of passengers down to their underwear for hidden cash stashes in money belts, clothing and shoes. Using street instinct, and learning the ropes of transit survival without getting robbed or loosing travel gear is a must do. If you don't bother to learn the tricks or use the basic skills of street awarenesses within any environment, especially in South America you will eventually be mugged and robbed with no one to blame apart from yourself. 

You can read all you want from "fluffy travel blog-sites" who write about the same jargon on solo overland travel safety, but they're only skimming the surface of premeditated robbery, rape and assault without getting into in-depth detail of the root causes. There are reasons behind this, one is the global billion dollar tourism industry itself.
If any country already has a viscous crime and rape rate i.e. South Africa, Venezuela, India etc, then don't expect local thieves, muggers and rapists to stop in their tracks to give foreigner visitors a free pass! They won't - they will continue as they have always done without remorse.
​Foreign tourists are easy targets, and spotted two blocks away by their western dress wear, and expensive looking boots and daypacks. Some shady hotels with light fingered staff are also in for the take, and are known for relieving items from rooms. Also, many bars, and music joints are magnet hubs for thieves and would be rapists where they can freely congregate, watch, analyse and target their next victim without the person acknowledging until it happens - usually always after dark. So, it doesn't matter about how many surface level warnings you may read from trendy travel blog-sites. 
Safety is all about the country you're visiting by the percentage level in each country for an assault, a rape, a mugging, or murder to happen. Countries that already contain high crime and rape statistics will automatically have a higher risk factor.
The tourism industry, airlines, hotels, and internet giants like Google would rather place negative tourism news feeds hidden well away from any of their search engines. By keeping a positive vibe of the travel tourism industry, most travel bloggers give false impressions that everything is OK, and nothing will happen to you. Travel bloggers need to keep their sponsors, and affiliates happy with positive clic bait -Yes? Being aware and alert within unfamiliar surroundings can easily be forgotten when everyones partying hard out, intoxicated, or stoned off their faces to even think of being mugged, bashed, robbed or raped. This is when most foreigners become victims. Safety is your own responsibility, the tourism industry, and all the fancy hotel advertising online won't be there to help you if any negative situation arises, if ignored - you only have yourself to blame. 

After Dark - Nowhere is Safe

The text in this image sounds blunt and hard - Yes? It has to be, because it's rare even in 2019 among travel blog sites who focus more on the positive sides of their own solo selfie travel without any detail of how many foreigners have become targeted victims. Maybe researching the countless amounts of foreigners who wound up in any of these situations when they thought they were 100% safe will wake you up! Anyone after dark no matter where they are can become an instant victim without acknowledging why it personally happened to them until it's too late. Remaining vigilant, aware, and acknowledging the boundaries of safety limits off-shore is a necessity and shouldn't be taken lightly. Many foreigners become completely hypnotised, and either don't worry or forget they are within different surroundings where they normally live and reside in.
Countless criminals, thieves, bandits and rapists are alive and well throughout the planet, and work around the clock non-stop picking-off their victims as they choose - Foreign tourists are easy targets because most of them after 1 month off-shore forget how easy it is to become a victim.

In Transit - Watch Your Daypack

The chances of loosing items from inside daypacks, or having a daypack suddenly disappearing altogether can happen during any overland transit journey through the continents. How do I know this?  By all my extensive overland travel and transit journeys over 4 decades from the amount of foreigners who have had their daypacks pilfered or stolen when dozing-off, or from those who had left their daypacks unattended while taking a quick pee-break on a bus or on a train. Buses with slide open windows are one of the fastest ways to loose daypacks, which are quickly thrown directly out the window during chaotic mid-night bus pick-ups at terminals en-route. This can happen on night buses in the highlands of Peru, bush buses thru Africa, or on trains thru Asia. It takes under 3 seconds to remove an unguarded daypack out of any open bus window. Deluxe buses may feel safer with sealed windows, but on countless occasions the pilfering of daypack contents does happen without the owner knowing about until it's too late. Keeping daypacks from being razor bladed will depend where daypacks are placed, and positioned during night transit. Never think everyone on a bus is honest just because you're a foreigner. Local bus thieves know very well foreign tourists are easy targets, and will take what's not theirs in a second.  

Solo Female Travellers - In Transit 

"Never take things for granted after dark, if you do, this is when something will likely happen to you!"

There is no clear global picture of the scale of violence against female solo travellers!

Most countries do not comprehensively track violence against female travellers. There are more chances and greater risk for solo female travellers to be victimised after dark. As a warning with good advice from a very experienced solo overland traveller myself - Never Take Risks to walk to, or from any isolated area after dark unless you're accompanied with companions. It's not the amount of risks that you may have gotten away with during the past, but rather a moment lurking somewhere into the future that may eventuate and happen - because of letting your guard down thinking that nothing will ever happen to you.
​At the time of posting this (Dec 2018), two Scandinavian woman in Morocco were raped and murdered within a well-known hiking region in the Atlas mountains. In India, a British woman on her 10th year visiting Goa  in India was raped and robbed while she was walking towards a beach at 4am in the morning. In New Zealand, a solo British female backpacker had hooked up with a local on Tinder, and was raped, murdered and buried the same evening. Geo tagging your location with any snaps or selfies posted online should be avoided. This also includes solo female travel bloggers
It doesn't matter which region in the world one is, solo female travellers are more vulnerable of being targeted and becoming a victim after the sun sets. There's no quick-fix remedy to heal a person who has been gang raped and mugged, but there are ways to keep such scenarios from happening after dark. Don't walk or stroll off alone somewhere at night thinking it's safe. Try to plan evenings with other foreigners, or at least be within surroundings which have a presence of local activity in lit up areas after dark. Never accept free drinks, food, fruit, or sweets from friendly strangers no matter how good it looks. If intoxicated, or stoned-off your head parting hard-out somewhere in public, get someone to accompany you back to the hotel. It's your own personal responsibility to keep safe as possible travelling and transiting as a solo female - this includes couples!
South Africa has an estimated 500,000 rape cases every year, It's estimated that 40% of South African woman will be raped in their lifetime.
The majority of foreign solo female travellers who have already been raped, mugged and murdered happened after dark. Just because you may have walked a certain route a few times strolling along a beach back to a bungalow, or down a quiet laneway returning to a hotel after dark at the same location doesn't mean it's safe - It's Not! This is a grave mistake, an illusion that causes foreign solo females to become victims. Feeling free and letting your guard down thinking nothing will happen is when something happens! 
The amount of online reports of foreign female victims who have been raped, mugged, and murdered through the last two decades shows no decrease. For instance, a woman is murdered in Argentina every thirty hours, and every six hours in Brazil. So what are the chances, or risk factor of foreign females becoming victims wandering around after dark in these countries? - Think about that for a second.
Central and South America has only 8 percent of the world's population. Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela account for a quarter of all the murders on the planet. 17 of 20 countries with the highest murder rate globally are from Latin countries. South Africa, India and Costa Rica are also plagued with random foreign rape -robbery-murder assaults. American Female raped and badly injured in Krabi Island 
Below are a just a handful of links of brutal crimes of foreign and local females who thought they were safe within a "Safe Environment", but suffered the consequences of victimisation with many ending in death.   In 2019 New Rapists, New Muggers, and Murderers are out there somewhere!   
The amount of solo foreign females who've been raped and have keep silent about it is unknown.   AUSTRALIA: German & Finish females - gang raped and robbed   PERU: Israeli solo female - raped and murdered   BOLIVIA: Russian solo female - gang raped    KENYA: British solo female - gang raped and murdered   SENEGAL: Spanish females -  raped and robbed    COSTA RICA: Mexican solo female - raped and murdered   SOUTH AFRICA: German female - gang raped and robbed   COSTA RICA: Spanish female - raped and murdered   ARGENTINA: French females - raped and murdered   INDIA: Danish solo female - gang raped and robbed   SOUTH AFRICA: South African female - gang raped and murdered   MEXICO: German female - raped and murdered   INDIA: Irish solo female - gang raped and murdered   BALI: Australian solo female - raped and robbed  TURKEY: Japanese female - raped and murdered   NEPAL: Belgian solo female - beheaded   MOZAMBIQUE: Australian solo female - raped and murdered    ECUADOR: Argentinian females - raped, robbed & murdered   AUSTRALIA: Israeli solo female - raped & murdered  SOUTH AFRICA: British female - gang raped  AUSTRALIA: British female - beaten and raped   PAPUA NEW GUINEA: American female - butchered and gang raped   TURKEY: Italian female - raped and murdered   PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Philippine female - brutally gang raped   SOUTH AFRICA: Norwegian female - gang raped and robbed   MALAYSIA: American female - multi gang raped and robbed   INDIA: Swiss female - brutal gang rape   SRI LANKA: Russian female - gang raped   THAILAND: Scottish female - gang raped   INDIA: South Korean female - drug raped   THAILAND: Thai female - drugged, gang raped and murdered   COSTA RICA: American female - gang raped   THAILAND: British female - gang raped and robbed   SOUTH AFRICA: Dutch & German females - raped and robbed   MOROCCO: female gang raped on a bus   NAMIBIA: German solo female - raped and robbed   DUBAI: British female - gang raped   N.Z. German solo female - raped   N.Z. Dutch female - brutally raped   IRAN: French female - gang raped and robbed   INDIA:  Latvian female - drugged, raped and beheaded   PHILLIPINES: British female - raped   AMAZON: British female - tortured, gang raped and murdered  TURKEY: American female - Bludgeoned to death   INDIA: Australian female - gang raped and murdered   SOUTH AFRICA: 2 Swedish females - knifepoint raped   BRAZIL: Lithuania female - robbed and raped 

Solo Female Travel - Red Zones

A Facebook image of a western female holding a hand written sign IRAQ "Girls love travel" (image location not confirmed if it is real or fake)
HITCHHIKING IRAQ
"I just wanted to share there is love and warmth everywhere in the world. You just need the wisdom and courage to reach out and grasp it. Open your minds and hearts! We are the people that are showing that the world in which solo females can travel to its far corners. Happy 2019. Let's hit the road".
Solo female travellers who advertise themselves online as vivid travellers with a selfie snap taken within "Red Zone" regions may look appealing to many out there, but this is actually promoting a dangerous climate for anyone who may think they are capable of travelling through these areas as if nothing will happen to them. A word of warning - any country having areas of conflict, or "Red Zone" regions is out right dangerous for all Western Foreigners - male or female. Western females who wish to travel within volatile regions in the Middle East and Africa is at their own discretion, but don't think "Love & Warmth" is something you're going to expect if taken hostage during transit in the middle of nowhere. Remember this post if it happens to you!

Edith Blais, a Canadian female tourist with her boyfriend have been missing in West Africa since December 15th 2018, the couple were reportedly kidnapped and taken to Mali. The possibilities of the couple being tortured, beaten, sodomized, raped and killed are high. The couple transited overland through Morocco, Mauritania and Mali before arriving in Burkina Faso, and were supposed to continue to Togo - They never arrived. Meanwhile in the same region, another Canadian national was also abducted in Burkina Faso and later found murdered. The saying by solo female travellers "there are no dangerous countries, just dangerous people" is completely the wrong advice to give to others who lack judgement, instinct, and danger. The risk factor multiples and  increases within countries that lack security, or have no security at all. Hotel razor wire, night security, and camera surveillance isn't an illusion. If you lock your door at night there's a reason for doing so!

Be Careful Who You Hook-Up With - It May Not Be What You Expected!

Befriending someone online off-shore via Facebook, Tinder, or thru Dating sites with someone you have never met in person may give totally false impressions of who that person actually is of their real intentions. Recently (Jan 2019) a 30 year old Australian woman, a practising lawyer was seduced by a Pakistani national named Sajjad, who was also a lawyer. She had flown to Pakistan to hook up with Sajjad to form a cool relationship. Both had been Facebook friends for a few years, but had never met in real life. The 30-year-old Australian was abused, humiliated, beaten and raped repeatedly by Sajjad, and starved for days. She was even forced to lie on her back with her legs open to “air out” her vagina. He also smashed her head against a bathroom sink because she missed a bit of shampoo. The Australian High Commission in Pakistan ignored her urgent request for help, (which isn't the first time this has happened to an Australian citizen abroad), and probably because the situation was classified as an internal civil matter.
An Egyptian tourist rapes 3 women in Australia - hooked up with them on OKCupid and Plenty of Fish.
Be careful of other foreigners off-shore who may go into a frenzy and stab you to death - Queensland  Australia.
Be careful of jealous younger lovers off-shore - an American female was stabbed to death from her Latin lover - Costa Rica  
The lure of foreign females thru dating sites by Latinos in South America to smuggle narcotics in their baggage without them acknowledging it has been active for a few decades. A middle aged Kiwi woman was caught in Argentina carrying a 5KG stash of cocaine in a suitcase at the airport. This was before she even had the chance to meet her online lover who was based in the UK - how stupid can anyone get? In short, it's said that love is blind, and caught many foreign females off-guard, allowing their latin lovers to pack their baggage before departure. The occurrence of foreign western females falling victim as a drug mules still continues toady. The baited lure and promise of having a lavishing lifestyle offered by drug lords may sound good, but greed will always win in the end - It's your own responsibility to check  and pack your own baggage before any departure!
Don't cry rape with a married man in Dubai, a 24-year-old Norwegian woman who had reported her rape to police in Dubai found herself charged with engaging in extramarital sex, alcohol consumption and perjury, she was sentenced to 16 months in jail. The incident was just the latest in a long line of cases involving women who have claimed to have been the victims of rape and then have suffered prosecution themselves.

Solo Male Travellers - In Transit

If there's one thing that repeats itself time and time again, it's certainly the amount of foreign western males travelling solo through continents, and being robbed silently while fast asleep by a stranger they self invited into their hotel room. No joke, through the decades of long-term solo overland travel through South America, Africa and Asia, I've reached the conclusion that the last idiot hasn't been born yet.
There have been many instances where I've met foreign males who have been robbed of all their personal possessions, because of the urge of some fast overnight casual sex. Some have lost laptops, expensive watches, smart phones, gold, cash, credit cards, daypacks, camera-gear, including entire backpacks that have vanished out the door under the hours of darkness from hotel rooms. How embarrassing is that? 
This quick post are to all those males out there, who become sexually motivated with local females picked up in bars, or on the street - You only have yourselves to blame and no-one else if an event like this occurs. I could write a book on this particular subject with an endless amount of data of foreign males who have lost valuables and baggage in Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Mexico, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, including other countries. 
I know what some may be thinking ...has something like this happened to me? No never, not once, because I don't place myself into this type of situation avoiding it to happen. There are foreigners out there from both sexes who do the exact opposite. Maybe, just maybe some might learn from their mistakes, and refrain from this type of sexual addiction when they've lost everything. Guys, why not wear yourself out, and grab a DSLR, and do some street and wildlife photography instead.

Red Zones In Conflict

"Transiting Through Any Red Zone Is At Your Own Risk Even If Permission Is Granted Allowing Passage" 

Nothing much has changed through the decades regarding Red Zones. They may move from one region to another, or disappear, but new Red Zones surface caused by upheaval and chaos between rival groups, political instability, including religious and tribal clashes. Asia, Africa, and the Middle East all have their fair share of different Red Zone conflicts. Those who overland transit through continents will have to research levels of safety before passing through a Red Zone. Keeping informed in advance before transiting through any Red Zone region will only help to a certain point. It won't stop live fire at a moving bush bus, or anything else on wheels that's deemed as target practise. I've had the experience of being shot at after dark on a moving bus with projectiles just missing my head by a few centimetres. Red zones are what they mean - locals getting killed inside red zones happen everyday, so don't think being a foreign visitor transiting through any Red Zone will save your skin - It won't! Travelling through Red Zones, or through any unstable region is entirely at your own risk. Even if permits and permission has been granted! One can be lucky enough to pass through Red Zone regions without any issues or problems at all, but then maybe not - It's a risk that can take you on a flight home in a body bag from 1 second to the next.

Overland transiting through Red Zones today is no more complicated than it was back in the 1980's and 90's. The chances of being taken hostage still remains valid in remote regions in Somalia, Congo (DRC), Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Yemen, Tajikistan, Mexico, Syria, Philippines, Chad, Algeria, Venezuela, Mali, Colombia, and Pakistan. The political tension and unrest of the countries mentioned still have volatile outbreaks of insurgency with different militia groups who use their own rule of law within swabs of territory they control. Entering into any of these Red Zone regions is entirely at your own risk, and could lead to injury by crossfire, attacks, or taken hostage, raped or persecuted for having different religious beliefs. For instance, back in the late 80's and early 90's  there were zero foreign tourists in Colombia, but the beaches in Venezuela were over crowded and packed with foreign tourists sipping on Pina Coladas, while the civil war was raging in Colombian between the government, drug lords, ELN and FARC. My first overland journey through Colombia was in 1989, at the height of political unrest. It was a time of  brutal traffic light assignations, and random control checks on city streets and highways. I had witnessed and also felt the largest bomb explosion in Colombian history implode outside the DAS building (department of security) killing and injuring hundreds of civilians. After dark in Medellin, I had lost count of how many bodies lay strewn on the streets by assassination hits from rival drug cartels. Corpses weren't removed until daybreak.
Today, Venezuela is on the reverse side of what Colombia used to be like- now also suffering from zero tourism and on the brink of full-on civl war. As mentioned, the political climate of any country in turmoil will have a long history record of locals and foreigners who have been kidnapped for ransom, taken hostage, beaten, raped or murdered. Any Red Zone region should be verified with locals for the latest safety level (if there is one) before passing through them. Even if a Red Zone region sounds safe to visit or transit through, it's still not safe for foreigners if the territory uses its own rule of law. Red Zone regions can expand, shrink, disappear, or reform with the same or even worse insurgency it previously contained. Just because you may have heard of a solo traveller passing through a Red Zone a week before will not guarantee a safe passage. Militias, terrorists, and bandits move around through their own turf, believe me, you don't want to be caught and taken hostage unless it's a gruesome death wish you're looking for. Knowing verses in the Quran may save your skin within Red Zone regions controlled by Islamic rebels, but that's something that can't be guaranteed. 
This also applies to foreign western cyclists who become easy targets within regions that aren't even classified as Red Zones. (NYT 2018)

Below, a snap taken decades ago within a Red Zone region where tribal law is the only law. Visiting, travelling and transiting through any Red Zone region is at your own risk even if official permits are issued to enter them. No responsibility or assistance from your Embassy will be available within any zone in conflict of war. Entering and transiting through Iraq to Syria should be avoided until the dust clears from the different militia factions.   

Solo Overland Travel - UFO & ORBS

You just never know when something will make your hair stand on end. UFO and Orb sightings have become more frequent over the last decade. This snap was taken with a good point and shoot during a moonless night in the middle of nowhere within the Sahara desert. No, it wasn't a helicopter, or anything with a combustible engine, because it was dead calm, and totally silent. Some may assume it was lens flare, but then what was the moving subject? These Orbs, the 2 of them produced their own bright metallic colours, and moved using their own energy source following each other across a cloudless night sky. There were no other airborne craft within a 360 degree eye vision circumference. You could be lucky enough to spot your own Orbs next time you're out in the wilderness. Having a camera close-by (not a smart phone) will probably capture an image like the above or even better.

Need A Culture Fix? - The Indian Rush Will Do It 100% 

If you're looking for unmatched uncontrollable street adrenaline, India will certainly get you pumped-up and started! The Indian rush is as real as it gets, and will wear out most foreign visitors within a very short time period. Busy bustling market areas outside most train stations in large cities during peak periods will give anyone the feel of how vibrant India is. Going to India? - The Indian overland page maybe worth looking at.

​Backpacks In Transit - Which One? 

"When a backpack fails it's guaranteed to happen in the middle of nowhere - Choose Wisely!" 

Is your backpack about to fall apart? Did it come with a full warranty replacement no matter what happens to it? Cactus N.Z. guarantees their Patrol Backpack for 5 years. The Patrol pack shown above - In the Okavango Delta was already three years old. The same pack had done the hard yards up and down, and across South America, and since this snap, it's completed an overland transit journey from Cape-Town to Amman, and back to Cape-Town. The pack is now being used through the Asian continent. No rips, no tears, no stitching issues, and no harness issues - That's what I call a tough reliable backpack. Reliability of any product design comes first - not the colour of it. Transit Baggage page

Grabbing Quick Snaps - In Transit

"Don't think twice grabbing snaps in transit mode - It's a part of the overland journey" 

It doesn't matter what continent one transits through, the image snaps en-route are mind-blowing. Taking random captures is a part of any overland journey. Don't be hesitant to photograph the weird, unbelievable, or unusual humorous scenes. In most cases, capturing something in motion amounts to 3 seconds, and then lost forever. The 1st second when you see it, the 2nd second when it's captured, the 3rd second …It's gone. 

Hitchhiking Through The Continents​ ​

 "The two most important things when hitchhiking - The Driver & Safety!"

Hitching lifts transiting through countries, and across entire continents can be done, but with caution. There are times when a free lift comes in handy. Hitching is a normal occurrence seen in the western world, but remains relatively invisible, or subdued elsewhere. Through the decades, I've hitched lifts with locals within South America, the Middle East, Asia, and regions throughout Africa without to much hassle. Two most important things with hitching is the driver, and other occupants, and safety. Safety has a dual meaning, which applies to the driver's heavy foot on the gas pedal, and the safety of transit baggage. It's difficult to assume from those who stop to pick hikers, if any pre-meditated plan is to rob baggage, or rape. Sadly, this does happen somewhere every week around the clock through the continents.
One of the best hitchhiking places to grab lifts - which applies to any country,  are at gas stations, usually at the last fuel stop out of any town or city in the direction of transit. This allows enough time to chat with drivers, including the drop-off point, and also allows enough time to analyse the driver, and other passengers. Using ones basic instinct usually acknowledges if a ride is safe or not. One can still be lucky to hitch rides on board T.I.R. trucks from Turkey in to Iran, Iraq, and Saudi - which I've done a few times. Hitching lifts has always worked for me from the last gas station out of town. Cars and trucks all need to fill-up their tanks somewhere. As for foreign solo females who intend to hitch - it would be safer to grab rides with a couple with children, or with female drivers. The image above was a successful hitch-lift through the desert from a friendly Saudi.   Saudi ezilon map

  In Transit - The SUDAN

"Transiting can be extreme, if there's no other means of transport - don't miss it and enjoy the ride"

Anything with wheels on it that's moving in your direction of transit shouldn't be missed. It could be days away before anything else comes along. If locals jump on the back of trucks, then jump on board too! Goats, sheep, cattle, and even the odd camel maybe in your face for a day or two, but hey - It's Africa. Don't expect royalty as foreigner, locals will always grab the best places to sit to avoid the least vibration and dust.   sudan ezilon map 

Because of the on-going changing situations in south Sudan, fresh up to date information from locals on the ground will confirm the level of safety to transit through from Kosti to Juba. This region as of Feb 2019 is still a Red Zone. The Darfour region is sensitive, and permits with onward visas crossing into Chad, or the C.A.Republic must be in order. The North Sudanese military, police and government administration are pretty straight forward towards foreigners, but don't push your luck. The Darfour region is still sensitive, any photography in Sudan still requires a permit.  

The options of choosing your overland destination route from Sudan are many. Crossing over to Chad through to Nigeria can be done if visas have been granted and Red Zones are at a minimal. Travelling to South Sudan via Kosti, Malakal to Juba by slow boat, or by train (on the rooftop) from Babanusa to Wau and on to Juba is a great journey. There's an overland route to Gabon through the Central African Republic, via Cameroon, or the Republic of Congo, this route is riddled with Red Zones. Getting to Egypt is from Wadi Halfa port either by ferry boat or by bus via Abu Simbel to Aswan. The Eritrea border crossing is just beyond Kasala. Ethiopia is a straight forward transit route from Khartoum to the Gallabat/Metema border crossing.   

  In Transit - COLOMBIA

   "One gets spoilt in transit with the Colombians"

"Salsa screaming, loose pigs on board with 10 conversations all at once… Awesome"

Colombia's rough and rugged terrain within the interior of the Silva has an expansive network of bush-buses, trucks, and boats to transit anywhere through jungle tracks in the direction towards the Brazilian or Venezuelan frontier. Off bitumen highways, one encounters how Colombians are accustomed to loading transport with almost everything and anything bundled up together. The Colombians are more alive and up tempo than their Latino neighbours. Colombian internal transit trips are proof of that. There's nothing that beats having 10 conversations at the same time, with the aisles full of loose pigs and chickens, and with cumbia or salsa screaming in the background. Don't leave Colombia without experiencing rural jungle transit transport.     Colombia ezilon map 

Want a good view while bumping up and down along a bus-track in the middle of the jungle? Colombian bush-buses will do it for you! - Try it! 

Main transit routes through Colombia are easy to drive on in your own vehicle, but anything off into the Amazon or towards Panama is dangerous, and at your own risk if breakdowns occur, or if held up by banditry groups. The situation in Venezuela hasn't made it any better, with millions of Venezuelans seeking refuge across the borders into Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. The crisis has upped the surge of criminal activity in Colombia, with organised crime groups from Venezuela specialising in kidnapping, extortion, mugging and robbing. Don't listen to all the fluffy jargon from "travel bloggers" painting a rosy picture for Colombia. Fluff travel bloggers are usually found drinking Pina Coladas on the Colombian Caribbean coast near a beach well away from the real cycle of crime and violence in the countr. Getting the latest information from locals within mountainous areas of the country where rebel held groups (FLN, FARC) are established will determine the safety levels, and cautionary measures that maybe required. Rebel and splinter groups, and affiliates are always on the move, you don't want to bump into these people in an isolated area. 

Colombia may sound safe with all the heavy tourism that has engulfed the country, but in reality it isn't within the many red zones throughout the country. As the saying goes "things repeat themselves over and over again every year", sometimes with dire consequences to those who assume they think they're in a safe zone! Entering any regional area controlled or inhabited by the FARC or ELN, or affiliates to these groups is always a risk. You never know what may eventuate - Don't become a victim just because you need that selfie snap to blog about on social media taken in a red zone!

Solo Overland Africa - What Are You Waiting For! 

Using any transport no matter what it is or what it looks like will usually get you through Africa, sometimes one has no choice but to use what's available

Internal overland transit through the interior of Africa is an epic adventure on bull dust dirt roads without a bitumen tarmac in sight. Bouncing around all day in rattling vibrating transport becomes very normal, itcomes as a free bonus. After 2 or 3 days in transit in sweaty blistering heat covered in dust and grime, with the smell of stale odours from other passengers, one will look back at the journey and say - Yeah - Let's do it again!

A large part of any solo overland travel through Africa is transiting on rugged bush buses - It's one of the easiest ways to meet and chit-chat with locals.   

Overland Transit - Thailand To India

Overland Transit from Thailand to India - Do it, it's a blast all the way to the Tamu border!

The overland transit journey in to Myanmar onward to India begins from the Mae Sot - Myawaddy border, which is alive and active every day. A new highway from the Myanmar border is already operating. A full length visa/eVisa is required to continue in to Myanmar. If the old road track is still open and operating, take that route instead if you want to enjoy the transit views on the back of a truck or a van over the Dawna mountains. Grabbing a lift is simple - just ask any van or truck driver in Myawaddy township. The old dirt road is an alternating one way route due to the narrow gauge of the road.
​Myanmar  ezilon map

2018-19 Update: The landmark Land Border Crossing Agreement between India and Myanmar was signed on May 11, 2018. This has been brought into effect with the simultaneous opening of international entry-exit checkpoints at the Tamu-Moreh and the Rihkhawdar-Zowkhawtar border.
Myanmar overland border crossings with issued eVisas are the following: Tamu land border checkpoint, Rihkhawdar land border checkpoint​, 
Kawthaung land border checkpoint, Tachileik land border checkpoint, Myawaddy land border checkpoint.
Trying to get an Indian visa in Yangon is like being in a zoo! The Indian embassy in Yangon will only allow so many applications per day.
Six month triple entry Indian visa are issued at the Indian Consulate in Kandy - Sri Lanka, or in Chittagong - Bangladesh (6 and 12 month triple entry visas have been issued to a few lucky foreigners at the Indian Consulate in Chittagong) 

In Transit - MYANMAR

Getting around Myanmar transiting on luxury buses up and down, and across certain routes of the country has flourished in the last few years. There are still plenty of  local bush buses in service that run off the tarmac on rough dusty dirt roads within the interior where permits are usually required to visit or transit through certain regions. Local roadside checks monitor every public bus moving throughout the country. Applying for permits to visit remote sensitive areas is virtually impossible, especially anywhere along the Bangladesh border, or where mineral mines are located. Panning for gold in the rivers, and fossicking around digging up the ground looking for emeralds or sapphires is prohibited  - even for locals with immediate deportation for foreigners who are caught. This includes the use of any metal detectors. Myanmar is well known for it's excessive gold, jade and mineral deposits scattered just below the surface. The majority of random street sellers offering precious stones like rubies or sapphires are usually flawless fake flame fusion glass. Myanmar also has a reputation after dark with enough venomous snakes slithering around to sink a ship.

Travelling with some photo-gear when over landing from country to country is certainly recommended with Myanmar right up there. Taking random street portraits is enjoyable and plentiful throughout Myanmar. The interaction levels with Burmese is simple and friendly. The image below was taken on a previous visit way back in the 80's showing a local Burmese couple extracting gold from a river using a manual sluice wash box system. Gold panning in Myanmar has been officially "banned" since the 90's, but it still continues in remote regions. The untold amount of gold shops set up across the border in Mae Sot, Thailand aren't there for no reason. Gold smuggling from Myanmar to India  is also rampant, including tonnes of Jade smuggled into China. One can be lucky enough to kick the dirt in Myanmar to find emeralds, rubies and gold - no wonder metal detectors are forbidden.    

 In Transit - The Tibetan Plateau

 "Solo Overland Transit into Tibet on the back of an open Chinese truck in the middle of winter - Insane!"

The Chinese road crossing to Nepal from Tibet was completely upgraded to a new tar sealed highway in 2017. Is still worth going to Tibet? Yes and no! Solo overland travel has been prohibited inside Tibet for years. If one can arrange a small group together from the many choices of different operators based in Katmandu for the right price then don't hesitate to go. The ultimate time and season to travel to Tibet is actually in mid-winter for the timing of Tibetan New Year. This is when Tibetan pilgrims flock to Lhasa for celebrations and festivities. In January the new Himalayan high pass highway may or may not be open due to heavy snow drift. One has to be lucky to pre-arrange an overland journey that's timed for Tibetan New Year in Lhasa. The historical original high pass dirt track highway shown above is no longer in use. If travelling from Nepal to Tibet during winter, choose your travel companions wisely - screaming or arguing about any issues won't help at all when half way through the transit journey. Altitude sickness, food issues, extreme cold, and small dislikes with other foreigners are some of the short-term travel problems that do arise in transit. China ezilon map  I went solo into Tibet for 3 months, so I didn't have that problem - Happy Travels.

Going to Tibet today is actually like visiting an open prison with restrictions of where and what one can do as soon as one crosses into Tibet. I was fortunate enough to hitchhike, and travel and transit freely throughout Tibet before it became a prison camp with heavy restrictions. There's nothing worse than travelling and transiting through a portion of a country that has a systematic order of restrictions in certain regions. There's actually more Tibetans that dwell within the mountainous regions in Nepal and India with no restrictions or permits required to visit hill stations which are full of Tibetans. This is an alternative that should be considered before splashing out a pile of cash on a fully controlled 10+ day excursion. Tibet does hold its own status for what it was, but travelling freely through Tibet without restrictions is a bygone era written into the history books. The image below was taken during Tibetan new year in Lhasa, well before Tibet was recycled and reformed with millions of Han Chinese from neighbouring provinces.

In Transit - The Pan-American Highway

The carretera PanAmericana is always busy - It's the west coast transit highway on steroids!  

Long haul transit up or down the Pan American highway is automatic. It's the only main connection by road winding along the entire Pacific coastline of the continent. Traffic is full-on in both directions during day light hours. Most of the Pano highway is as smooth as glass throughout Chile, right up to the Peruvian frontier. The Peruvian section of the Pano runs along the edge of  high cliff-tops with the Pacific ocean below. Shifting desert sands and thick sea fog through the winter months are other perils of danger on the Peruvian tarmac. Ecuador's section of Pano highway is always busy and gets congested most of the time. Travelling on the southern region of the Pan American tarmac in Colombia is a wild ride through mountainous regions till Pasto. The clog of congested traffic like in the image above is an event that usually happens at specified control stops en-route along the highway. It's also worth mentioning here, that random drug controls are also carried out along the Pano highway with narcotics police with dogs in Chile.

   In Transit - BANGLADESH

Choose any transport that has an engine - It will get you through Bangladesh - Do it in Winter!

Slow riverboat transport using deck class up the delta to Tripura, or Meghalaya - north east India is an incredible journey of perseverance during the peak of monsoon season - It's not for the faint hearted!  The best time to transit through Bangladesh is from November through to March. Bangladeshi locals are friendly and helpful and will go out of their way to assist foreign visitors if need be.       Bangladesh ezilon map 

Overland through Bangladesh using public transport to India is straight forward with major bus companies running from Dhaka to Kolkata everyday via the Benapole border. If traveling east towards Myanmar, the easiest way is via the northern border of Assam, and then transiting through Manipur state to the Imphal/Tamu border crossing which is now officially open both ways for foreigners. A double/triple entry visa for India is necessary if visiting Nepal and Bangladesh, and then exiting to Myanmar via Assam. 

V.L - Overland transiting in a local bus from Jessore to Khulna. The driver only had one thing on his mind - Speed, with no mercy! V.R. - Arrival in to the outskirts of Dhaka at 10pm, and then transiting in a caged rickshaw in to the centre which took 2 hours. 

Random street photography anywhere in Bangladesh will keep you busy - make sure your camera battery is fully charged and carry a spare just in case.

In Transit - TANZANIA  

Tanzanian buses are thrashed without mercy - Blown diffs and suspensions are a part of the Journey! 

Dirt road tracks are scattered throughout Tanzania. This particular bus was en-route from Mbeya heading north up country via a short cut that ended up becoming a long-cut. The driver had his foot to the floor when the rear spring leaf shackles let go. The bush mechanic repairs using a large sledge hammer, crowbar, and other make-shift tools got the bus up and running again, but at a slower pace.  It's probably not the first time this has happened along this 200km short-cut bush track highway, and certainly not the last breakdown that will happen. This is just a part of a usual day to day scenario that can occur anywhere anytime within the interior of Africa transiting on board local transport.   Tanzania ezilon map

  In Transit - The ANDES

Cliff top road tracks are the only transit routes reaching the Amazonian basin below - Acrophobia has no place here!​ 

Hardcore transit within the Peruvian interior is extreme, some dangerous dirt tracks are chiselled out from cliff top faces with 800 meter sheer drops within a cat's whisker from the edge (just like in Bolivia). There's no room for onward traffic to slide past each other which makes it even more dangerous when drivers try to out manoeuvre each other without plummeting over the side. Many fatalities happen on transit routes like this, caused by drivers playing Russian roulette with death. Speed and miscalculating track erosion are other issues that make the risks even greater on bush tracks through the Andean mountains in the the wet season. Landslides and flash floods are common, but then if it's the only cliff track to get through at the time of transit, then cross your fingers, and hope the driver isn't a speed freak, and whatever wheels he's driving has some brakes. Peru ezilon map

In Transit - ETHIOPIA

Ethiopian public transport is plentiful, but fighting for a seat is another matter!

Experience it, You have no choice anyway!

You can't beat the hustle and bustle of Ethiopian transport. The competition between rival bus companies is fierce including private minivan operators. The infrastructure is minimal off bitumen highways, instead trucks are used to transport passengers. Toyota hi-ace vans are also used throughout Ethiopia's main backbone infrastructure, connecting local villages together. The comfort of grabbing a seat is only guaranteed at the origin of transit. Bush transit is anything with an engine with wheels on it, and the only way to get to certain areas, unless walking, with baggage is preferred. Ethiopia isn't alone, the following countries have the same hustle and bustle as well - DRC, Nigeria, Central African Rep, Cameroon, South Sudan, Chad, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Peru, Venezuela, Nicaragua.   Ethiopia ezilon map

Ethiopian overland transit routes through the country haven't changed in centuries. Major main highways are layered in thick bitumen asphalt to the Sudanese and Kenyan borders. Entering Ethiopia overland from the southern border  can be done at Moyale or Omorate. Applying for an Ethiopian visa anywhere south of the country is difficult unless an African citizen, or a foreigner with a resident or working visa. Applying for an Ethiopian visa in South Sudan is also problematic (I've tried) , and will depend on the day when applying if the Consular officer grants one. The Ethiopian Embassies in North Sudan and Egypt usually issue 3 month visas within 24 hours. The route into northern Somalia to Djibouti, and onward into Eritrea is open as long as the appropriate visas have already been issued. Applying for a Sudanese visa in Addis is time consuming for some foreign nationals. It's much easier to receive  a Sudanese visa in Aswan, Egypt or in Kampala, Uganda. Now with the new peace initiatives between Ethiopia and Eritrea the northern borders will soon become normalised as entry points in either direction.         

If you don't mind dust during transit mode, then Ethiopian bush track highways will reward you with endless amounts of bull dust all day non-stop.

The Ethiopian government had previously contracted major highway construction to the Chinese, but gave them the boot and decided to use their own ingenuity and local labour force to construct highways themselves. The image above shows completion of a brand new laid tarmac thats 's smooth as glass in central Ethiopia. Major highways throughout Ethiopia are actually in excellent condition, until deviating off them which then turn into dusty grinding bush tracks. Local transportation is plentiful everywhere with a large choice of vans, bush buses, luxury buses and trucks, I've even hitchhiked a few times in Ethiopia without any issues. Hanging out at any crossroad, or a gas station usually gives results with a lift in a couple of hours.  

In Transit - PAKISTAN

 If the dust isn't enough then the heat will be - Transiting on the rooftop of buses is way to go - Try it!

If there's one country that rattles your bones in transit - it's Pakistan. The corrugated dirt roads and pot holes aren't avoidable within the interior. On short journeys less than a day is bearable - especially for any fragile baggage. It also depends which transport is chosen - if infact there's a choice at all. Isolated rural transport is rough as it gets with dust and vibration being a part of the journey. Speed isn't an issue, but breakdowns happen, and will really test one's karma to the limits. Deluxe buses only run on bitumen highways, and are non-existent anywhere else. I've travelled and transited through Pakistan at least 6 times using the train system, vans, trucks, and on the roof tops of bush buses. In the regions of Baluchistan, and tribal lands through the summer months, the 45 degree Celsius temperature, dust and vibration are a part of any transit journey - Screaming and complaining will do you no good at all - just hang on to your baggage, and enjoy the local Pakistani hospitality. Solo foreign females transiting through Pakistan should avoid flashing any bare skin, cleavage or wearing tight clothing which will cause a riot, and sexually harassed.  Pakistan ezilon map

Is Pakistan dangerous for foreign visitors to travel and transit through? The Pakistani government thinks it is, including most western governments. There are different travel bans and restrictions in Pakistan since insurgency went amok. Peshawar has been on the no-go list for a while, although the Pakistani tourism board did launch a tourism campaign for Swat valley, but due to the increase of random attacks from various affiliated groups Swat valley is still a hot-bed of chaos. Over landing through from Iran to India can still be done, including crossing into China's backdoor if the appropriate visas have been issued. Chinese citizens cross all the time through the Chinese/Pakistani border en-route to Iran or India. I myself have travelled and transited through Pakistan many times through the years without any issues. Today, the worst nightmare in Pakistan is if one is bundled up in the middle of the night from a hotel and scuttled off in the boot of a car and used for ransom. This is still a risk, and could happen anywhere in the country if insurgent groups are notified of a foreign tourist booked into a hotel. The majority of Pakistanis are very friendly, and outward going with foreigners, but keeping one's own opinions - especially any verbal chit-chat that may insult Islam shouldn't be mentioned or spoken in a public place.        

Major transit highways in Pakistan have been upgraded and redone by the Chinese. The new highway connection to Gwadar port situated close to the Iranian border will get you connected on a ferryboat sailing to Muscat-Oman. Most transit routes through tribal territories still remain as they have been-Rough! The Quetta - Taftan route contains high levels of insurgency. The regional states along the Afghanistan border in this region are under Taliban control, it's one of Talibans main export supply routes for heroin and other contraband goods.
​Feb 2019 - Suicide Attack      April  2019 - Quetta Market 21 killed/50 injured     May 2019- Gwadar Hotel Attack (5 dead)

In Transit - VENEZUELA 

A 50km drenching in a long boat hauling up the Orinoco river to Angel Falls should do the trick.

A day before this journey, a long boat packed with 14 visitors were returning downstream, and had overturned. Most were injured, with some severe. All photo-gear, video equipment, including cell phones, and other personal items were washed down river never to be seen again.
This is only a small fraction of the danger adrenaline in Venezuela, but this scenario could happen anyway. Since the creation of “the left socialist agenda” in Venezuela, things have turned to the point of desperation - even animals in the zoo are being eaten and consumed since 2017.
Transiting in or out of Venezuela from any land border, seaport, or airport was already dangerous, but has now become a survival nightmare!
A quick example how things pan out when entering or leaving Venezuela these days:
Day 1 
If arriving into Venezuela by air, one will have the opportunity to be either corrupted by immigration officials, or to be robbed of valuables from any checked in baggage by airport staff before retrieving them after immigration procedures.
One will also have the chance to be taxi mugged on the way out of the airport before reaching a hotel. If running around in a taxi in the daylight hours, then the risk of being mugged and robbed is only 50%, but after dark the risk factor escalates to 100%. 
Day 2
The chances of being robbed of baggage or items inside any hotel when you're out and about - day or night is 60%.
Taking a stroll out from any hotel anywhere on any street at any time is pushing the limit to 100% to be mugged, robbed, bashed, and badly injured.
Day 3
Getting to Ciudad Bolivar and onward to Angel Falls is still 2 days away using overland transport. The highway military control points en-route are many. The chances of corruption at each check point - especially after dark is 90%. The majority of check points are controlled by some of the worst imported Cubans that you can think of. The short one hour flight from Ciudad Bolivar to Canima is in an old Cessna fixed wing that may or may not make it, due to shoddy maintenance. When returning back to Caracas one can multiply all the above again, so by the time one gets to Angel Falls, and returns through Caracas airport to fly out, be happy if you're still wearing the jeans, and boots one entered the country with.
Entering Venezuela through any land borders from Colombia, Brazil, or from any Caribbean island is even worse. I can personally acknowledge the above information from two previous visits transiting overland throughout the country. Midnight control check stops are the worst nightmare as far as corruption goes. Speaking at least some basic Spanish is a must, and playing the game with corrupt officials is imperative. All my baggage, and contents - including a pile of photo gear made it through Venezuela twice with no loss both times I transited through the country. Corrupt Officials (there's a lot of them - everywhere) had all failed to extort cash handouts from me - no matter how hard they tried, and with whatever approach they used. Today, you'll need a cash dollar stash to travel through the country - hide the stash well or you'll loose it quickly!  Venezuela ezilon map

Today, Venezuela can be kind to some foreigners while ruthless to others no matter what nationality or skin colour one has. With locals - It's all about survival, and sustaining enough cash to purchase food each day. Transiting through Venezuela without being robbed, corrupted, mugged or bribed is on the lower end of the scale - 1/10. As a foreigner passing through this broken country, it's advisable to travel with minimal baggage, and to look like a beggar. Night strolls, or walking through any isolated areas is certainly the easiest way to loose what you're carrying. Thieves and muggers in Venezuela have no mercy, and show no mercy to their own citizens. To them, you're just a passing quick cash cow they can extract from, and with luck leave you with the boots and clothes you're wearing. The police are just as bad, or even worse when it comes to random street ID checks, and will - if possible plant drugs in your daypack when they have you face up against a wall doing a body search, and remove items from your daypack at the same time. This may also happen when buses are stopped and screened along highways at military barricades in the middle of nowhere at 2am in the morning. None of the above may occur, but the chances are more than likely to materialise at a time when you least expect it to happen. 

Reaggaeton In Transit - Full Volume  

If You Don't like Loud Vibrating Reggaeton In Transit - Make Sure To Get Some Ear Plugs!   

The small V8 mini bus above is a good example of a Venezuelan noise box on wheels. The large mega bass speakers in the background above the local standing with approximately 12 other subsonic speakers scattered along the ceiling and sides function at one volume - Loud enough to rattle your ear drums on a 6 hour journey. Depending which bus companies are used for transit through the continent, the choice of music is at the discretion of the driver. Normally, a mix of Salsa, Merengue and Cuban are the preferred music overtures played on normal and super deluxe buses, but there are some bus operators who are addicted to the beat of Reggaeton at full volume - which can't be avoided in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. Like in India, noise is a part of the everyday lifestyle and culture - which can eventually drive some foreigners insane. If Reggaeton isn't your cup of tea  - find a set of reusable earplugs to block out the DB, or slowly suffer to the pounding of base speakers that will rattle your brain cells.   

Desert Transit - Don't Fry And Die  

Transiting across deserts is fun until a breakdown occurs - Many have Dehydrated to Death! 

Crossing deserts with your own 4x4 sounds exciting - yes?, but one has to first ensure the vehicle's maintenance is up to scratch. The failure of anything on a vehicle's running gear in the middle of an isolated desert environment can literally fry you to death. Spare wheels, an on board air pump, tools, radiator sealer, spare battery, extra engine oil & diesel, and a large surplus water supply are minimal requirements. Often, foreigners renting 4x4's who head to desert environs for the first time have suffered or died in deserts because of dehydration from lack of water, hunger, or wandering off from a broken down vehicle trying to seek help. Any planned isolated desert crossing should be taken with caution without underestimating the extremities that may occur without warning. Cell towers are non existent within desert regions,  a computer, cell phone or a tablet with satellite connection to make calls will be the only way to save your skin - 44 migrants die of thirst in the Niger desert after their vehicle broke down. 

Don't become a statistic, desert dehydration shows no mercy, no matter the colour of skin or nationality. Normally the rule of thumb for most humans is 3 minutes without oxygen, 3 days without water,  and 3 weeks without food. Having a surplus supply of water on board a vehicle hauling through the desert is worth more than triple the weight of gold that water weighs if a breakdown occurs in the middle of nowhere. If an isolated desert breakdown does happen, rationing food supplies and water should commence immediately. If water has run out out, draining the cars radiator and drinking it will add 3-5 more days. If any additives have been added to the radiator supply - you're out of luck, it will poison you to death! Desert cactus water is another option, but some cactus contain high acidity levels, and will give diarrhoea, and push dehydration levels even higher. Drinking your own urine is the last resort. If you're sharing a journey as a passenger through the desert, it's your own responsibility to ensure there's an adequate supply of water on board.

In Transit - Bush Track Highways

Becoming stuck in no-mans land within isolated regions does happen, and is usually caused by driver error or using the wrong vehicle. Rugged mountain cliff-top road tracks are what they are - unstable, corrugated, narrow, and dangerous passageways. If considering to transit through a region well-off the bitumen tarmac on dangerous cliff tracks like in the image below, then rent the appropriate transport to do the job - or suffer.  

Off-Road Transit - Rent an MC 

Getting around at your own pace off bitumen highways is simple - Use an Off-Road MC

Arriving to most isolated regions through any of the continents can be a mission in itself, but to get further where transport is unavailable - what then? The hiring of an off-road dirt bike to continue off the beaten track into extreme areas is the way to go. An off-road trail bike will take you anywhere that vehicles struggle to do. Hiring or renting an MC is usually a straight forward procedure. Choosing the right machine is another issue, it must be able to handle rough terrain and be robust enough with plenty of height to cross through streams and rivers. It should also have plenty of power, and most important of all - it must be reliable. Any breakdowns in the middle of nowhere will be frustrating. A valid motorcycle license will be needed for most rental companies for accidents, and personal insurance cover if  injuries occur. If you don't have an MC license, try to find another fellow traveller that has one who may be interested to double up and also share the rental costs.  

An old classic TT600 that was rented for 1 month off-road transit around Guatemala 

A Honda 250cc that was rented for 3 months transit around northern Thailand  

A Chinese made "wing bling" rented for 1 month in northern Vietnam

A Royal Enfield 350cc bullet - the ultimate cruising machine to transit throughout India for 6 months

Transiting overland with your own off-road motorcycle is no different today than decades ago. Purchasing a 2nd hand bike is relatively simple in your own country of origin. Getting Insurance, and other necessary documents (Carnet de Passages en Douane) is very straight forward, and required for various countries through all the continents. A tough reliable off-road machine that can handle extreme hardcore conditions is of uttermost importance for any long-term continental overland transit road trip. A selection of spare parts (chain, tubes, ignition, plugs, bulbs) is also recommended - Carnet de Passages information  - Below is a snap of my XT 600Z Tenere at Masada, Israel that originated its journey from Australia during the mid 80's.

​Hitchhiking - CHINA

Hitching lifts on the back of trucks is sometimes the only means of transiting in remote regions - Enjoy a wild ride! 

Transiting through China today using the modernised train system, or bus network will get you to most regions across the country, but where the rail stops, and buses become irregular hitching is an alternative.  Hitchhiking in remote regions of China as a foreigner is actually easy. Hanging out at a gasoline filling station on the edge of any town, or at a crossroad junction normally works. Writing the intended destination on a large piece of cardboard, and waiting on the side of the road will eventually work as well. It really depends how much traffic flow there is heading in the direction of transit. Truck drivers will definitely stop if you were to wave a cartoon of cigarettes at them. 
​Don't even think to hitch with any vehicle heading into Tibet, or any other sensitive areas that foreigners are forbidden to visit without permits. This includes anywhere close to nuclear facilities, and isolated military compounds. Usually, a Chinese style verbal grilling will occur. There have been incidences of foreigners who have had camera-gear seized and deported. China ezilon map

In Transit - INDIA

When train tracks end and buses are non-existent - Jump on board anything without hesitation!

There are still some regions in India that have limited transportation networks operating. Where the railway tracks end it's usually government buses that take over public transport, but even further up in to no-man's land, anything moving becomes a passenger service. The far north eastern regions in India is a sector that will rattle your bones, and vibrate any sensitive items in baggage to bits. Dirt road dust is as thick as sea fog, and any dry reaching for a sip of water can take time until potholes, and corrugation cease. Indian road transit is always a blast no matter where it is in the country. Using your own transport through India keeps you wide awake, but don't drive after dark. Hitting a cow will right your car or MC off, including payment for the cow. With a valid western drivers licence, an Indian drivers permit can be issued, and recommended for long periods of stay. Driving an Indian registered vehicle or MC across the border into Nepal is permitted, but the Nepali charge tax rate per day for a foreign vehicle is worth more than the vehicle itself. Hitching lifts in India is also straight forward which I've done a few times. Solo female foreign travellers should avoid hitching, unless it's someone they personally know, or if the vehicle is driven by a female  India ezilon map

Overland dirt track transit along the roof-top of the Indian Himalaya is a total adrenaline fix for those who enjoy isolation - It can't get better than this.

​In Transit - The AMAZON

Running Late? The fastest riverboat transit transport in South America will get you there on time!

Transiting on a Brazilian fast boat up or down the Amazon river is a total adrenaline rush for junkies - who like flying on water. An inboard supercharged engine with the throttle pushed on full power for 10 hours will make anyone want a second journey. The ultimate seat is right at the rear of this water rocket - where this image was taken - give it a go…you'll be Hooked if speed and the roar of jet propulsion thrust is your thing. An Amazonian fast boat describes what it is - SUPER FAST! It will get you from Belem to Manaus via Santarem, or from Tabatinga (Leticia) to Manaus on time.  

In Transit - Belem-Santarem-Tabatinga

Chilling in a hammock watching dolphins swim by, and enjoying sunset vistas are a small part of the Amazonian  transit - Awesome & Mind blowing!

Brazil's Amazonian boat transport is unbelievably the best water service provider worldwide for any isolated region. The connections to river villages and ports are like main highways floating on water. The port authorities are very strict and conscientious, limiting passenger numbers and cargo to each vessel before sailing. You don't hear of many Amazonian passenger ferries sinking or colliding like in Indonesia, or the Philippines. Slow boats from Belem via Santarem to Manaus, and onward to Tabatinga takes a total of 6 days river transit. Sailing down river towards the mouth of the Amazon to Belem only takes half the time.
​This is the only means of reliable transport through the Amazonian estuaries, although there are local jungle bush-buses running on dirt roads tracks connecting to rural villages, but during the wet season, most road tracks  turn into mud bogs. Banditry is also alive and well through this region within any isolated areas connecting to villages  - one just needs to ask any local about mugging and banditry.    Brazilian ezilon map

The most essential item on board any Amazonian slow boat is to have a good quality hammock to chill out on. Grabbing a space early before departure is ensured by tying a hammock in place, and guarantees a position. The roof top deck is by far the place to be for the all the awesome views. Securing a hammock must be done early or you'll end up downstairs in a cramped environment - Good luck!

Accidents in Transit - No Speed Limits 

The risk factor of being involved in an accident in Africa, Asia & South America multiplies in transit mode!

Accidents do happen and are witnessed all the time, and unavoidable when transiting through any continent. This is a part of the risk dilemma of over-landing. Placing one's trust into someone else's hands at the wheel driving like a maniac does occur without any consideration for passengers. The risk increases and multiplies in countries with zero highway police control, especially in densely populated regions where many drivers ignore public safety. Crazy drivers on speed steroids are one of the main causes for accidents. Trucks illegally overloaded heading down hill missing a gear change, or running out of brakes is a close second. Buses running over the edge of cliff faces down in to ravines or in to oceans happen frequently in Peru, Bolivia, Nepal, India, and Turkey. The Philippines and Indonesia have always had a bad history record with boats either burning, sinking or colliding. Foreigners are killed in accidents all the time - even walking down the street, one can be run over and squashed by some lunatic that's in a rush for no apparent reason. The risk factor of being in an accident in Africa, Asia, and South America is always a possible probability. It doesn't matter what transport is chosen, or which country or region it is.
​Carrying a small first aid kit in the baggage is recommended. Anti-infection cream or powder, a roll of plaster and gauze cloth, eye patches and anti-biotic cream, and a knee pad are the minimum for any sudden emergency that may occur in transit mode when you least expect it. Even if  you don't sustain any injuries in an accident other passengers may require assistance and quick medical help and aid. 

Speed and vehicles that are overweight with insufficient braking power are the main causes of highway accidents. Foreigners are badly injured or killed every week across the planet who were passengers in transit mode travelling in other countries on holiday. The image on the left -  from South Africa, are morgue vans picking up the leftovers of 12 passengers in a mini hi-ace van. The van had blown a front tyre which caused the vehicle to cross the medium line, and collided head-on into a fully laden truck coming in the other direction. All twelve passengers including the driver were minced to bits. Drunk driving, or under the influence of drugs, and unsecured loads are some of the main causes of road death.
​In India train derailments do happen from time to time. Nepal, Bolivia, Ethiopia and Peru are well known for their tragic bus accidents that are either head-on or end up over the sides of cliffs.   

 Train Transit - PERU

Transiting on jammed packed trains in Peru - Get squashed and enjoy it! 

Peruvians are used to push and shove, so a packed out train is nothing new for them, and something they've been used to for decades. Most foreigners use the bus system in Peru, which works fine. Train transit in rural sectors of Peru have minimal run times, causing over-crowding with locals fighting for space. When climbing on board a coach  one has to be lightning fast to secure a seat, but this is only possible at the first few stops. By the time a train reaches halfway through its transit,  it's already packed out to the max. Crawling up on the roof is an option, but at your own risk. Holding on to baggage on the roof is required or you'll loose it sliding off the edge. Hanging off the sides of trains is actually not a bad idea either. Peruvians are a classic example of a nation in how they use any means of transport to get from A to B - without limitations. 

After exhausting yourself up at Machu Picchu ruins, there's nothing better than relaxing beside the main train line devouring a pizza and sipping on wine at Aguas Calientes. You can be lucky to watch and feel the vibration of locomotives rumbling through adding to the ambience.

In Transit - The Egyptian Desert 

Looking for some space to hangout? The Egyptian Desert is a great place to start.

Transiting through the Egyptian desert is certainly off the beaten track instead of up and down the Nile. Transit transport can be time consuming at certain stops - but what's the rush? The transit journey from Siwa oasis situated 50 kms from the Libyan border through to Asyut on the Nile crosses the Western, and Great White Deserts. The transit journey passes through the desert townships of El Harra, Farafar, Al Qasr, Balat, Baris, Dhaklha, and El Kharga. I had hitchhiked a part of the way, and also used any available transport from one town to the next. The above snap was taken at the very end of the desert journey heading towards Asyut from El Kharga. The below snap was during transit between Dhaklha and El Kharga   Egyptian ezilon map 

In Transit - GUYANA

A hidden gem paradise that's well off the main tourist highway - Go before it's exploited! 

If its off the beaten track you're looking for, then transiting through Guyana is certainly a place of isolation well away from all mainstream overland travel routes on the north eastern side of South America. This tiny country has more than enough to offer the visitor with all kinds of wildlife, estuaries and landscape. There's only one dirt track through Guyana from Brazil, with another coastal route to French Guyana. Jaguars can be seen during the daytime here, including the largest eagle on the planet - the Harpy eagle. I've transited through Guyana twice, and totally recommend this off-beaten paradise for those who have time on their hands.      

There's a dual wet season in Guyana with the first from December through to February. The heavier monsoon season is much longer and begins in April, and continues until August. During the few dry months rainfall is still persistent at an average of 130mm. If transiting through the wet seasons it's normal for surface flooding along the dirt track highway, and also sometimes blocked with fallen trees through the centre of the country. 

In Transit - UGANDA

African transport is chaotic at the best of times - It doesn't matter where it is!

Central Kampala is always over-flowing with congested traffic with pavements overloaded with locals. Uganda is a main crossroad hub for anyone who's transiting up, down, or across on the central and eastern side of the continent. The choices of travel direction from Uganda are westward through Rwanda to the Congo (DRC) to Nigeria, or southward through to Angola, and Botswana to the Cape. Direct transit northward from Kampala will get you to the South Sudanese border. From Juba in South Sudan, there are three optional transit routes out of the country. A slow boat through to the Ethiopian border, or northward to North Sudan, and onward to Egypt. The last from Juba to Wau crossing into the C.A.Rep is difficult but not impossible, when the dust settles down from civil unrest. The transit routes from Juba will require valid visas for Ethiopia, North Sudan, and C.A.Rep - including food supplies. From Kampala to Kenya and Tanzania the transits routes are fast and simple with a variety of different bus companies running around the clock - non-stop. Visas are issued at the border. Kampala is also well known for the ease of getting visas for neighbouring countries.
An Ethiopian visa is extremely difficult to get anywhere south of the Ethiopian border, unless either being a resident, or having a work/stay visa as a foreign national. Ethiopian visas are granted in Khartoum or Cairo within 24 hours.
The Sudanese Embassy in Kampala dishes out one month visas within 24 hours, but having an Israeli stamp in a passport won't get you far - (Jordanian, or Sinai entry or exit stamps to Israel included). 
Receiving a DRC visa is quite straight forward, but the cost varies for different nationals. It also depends which DRC border crossing one decides to enter. Corruption tariffs will also differ. The Burundi/DRC crossing is a good choice, but it all depends on the day of entry, and the immigration officer stamping the passport. Ezilon Maps:  Uganda   DRC   Rwanda   Sudan   Kenya   Tanzania   Zambia   Ethiopia   Egypt   Burundi   

In Transit - BOLIVIA

Transiting on dirt tracks throughout Bolivia is like the Wild West - Dramatic transit routes in every direction!  

Bolivian transit routes are well structured within all main bitumen highways leading to La Paz. Anywhere after a good day's road transit will eventually lead to detours through dirt tracks, riverbeds, canyon gullies and gorges. This is the beauty of Bolivia, hauling from high altitude Altiplano regions to the jungle basins below. One transit route to feel real Bolivia is from Santa Cruz to Costa Marques on the border of Brazil. Trucks, and anything else with wheels on it, including boats are used for public transport. This journey should be done in the dry season unless you're insane. Train and bus schedules in Bolivia work around the clock. Some Bolivian night bus operators drive sipping on local rum and slowly doze-off to sleep at the wheel. Normally there's a helper on board keeping the driver awake.  This is one Latin country full of epic transit routes that are endless and rewarding, because of rugged Andean terrain. Even with the millions of foreign tourists passing through the country, Bolivia still has a few good hiding places. Bolivia map

Train Transit Bolivia - Snail Pace

"If you're not in a rush and have time on your hands" - Transiting on Bolivian trains is the way to travel

Transiting on any train system through Bolivia is at slow motion with some railway connections at walking pace, which isn't at all bad, but it can wear some foreigners out during the hot season. I took this quick snap of a French couple who were completely drained on the Yacuiba to Santa Cruz line. This particular transit journey usually takes 17 hours, but with a few breakdowns, and track issues it became a 30 hour transit.  

Train Transit - MALAYSIA

Train transit can't get any easier - The Malay railway network is efficient, and functional

Malaysian rail is just like their bus system through the country - excellent. Getting around using the rail network is simple without any fuss or bother. The images show a super express heading north towards Penang and onwards to Bangkok.    

In Transit - Motor Rickshaw 

The Asian African icon that's used and thrashed like mules - Get used to them,  because there's no escape  - Anywhere!

From the north of Vietnam to South Africa, these motor-rickshaw transporters are seen around the clock 24hr non-stop. They're used to transport anything imaginable anywhere anytime - including cement, grain, and livestock. Some rickshaws are in better shape than others, but the majority of them operate like a bucket of bolts rattling down the highways, with their own individual smoke trails. When exiting from Bus and train stations, there's always a pile of rickshaws waiting in limbo for weary customers. Haggling the fare before take-off is imperative if an auto fare meter isn't used. Asking locals first about fare pricing to any destination before jumping on a rickshaw is recommended - unless you want to be ripped off and end up paying double or even triple the price fare.  Image: An Indian designed rickshaw in North Sudan

 In Transit - NICARAGUA 

Getting to isolated regions can take days of transit - This is what over-landing is all about… Off the Beaten Track!

Transiting on a slow boat that's half way up an estuary between Bluefields and Puerto Cabezas.     Nicaragua ezilon map

Roadside Snaps In Tribal Territory

"Grabbing Roadside Snap-Shots In Some Tribal Territories Can Drain Your Pockets"    

This quick snap transiting through a tribal region is rather deceptive. It shows a group of locals heading in haste towards the vehicle, which was approximately 500 metres distance from their village. There were only two or three locals who had seen the 4x4 stop, but within minutes half the village were in hot pursuit towards my direction. It's because the vehicle was within their territorial boundary when taking a few quick snaps from the roadside. Indigenous tribes within the Omo valley do expect some form of payment for close-up snaps, and generally don't bother about long-shots, but these locals were on a mission, and it wasn't to get some free bananas. The option to hang around was appealing, but the outcome may have turned into a forced frenzy bounty payment, so a quick decision to leave the location was made. The image was captured on DX mode @600mm. (1.5  x 400mm)

In Transit - NEPAL

Road tracks cut out from the sides of Himalayan mountain gorges are mind blowing through the Nepali highlands

Transiting on the edge of cliff faces can't get better - Experience it!

Extreme climatic weather conditions with high altitude snow are the main causes of track erosion causing avalanches and slips to happen along designated routes through Nepal. Most roads are passable all year round even through the rainy season, although some rough tracks that are wiped out can be blocked for weeks. Local jeep, bus and truck operators are accustomed of driving in extreme conditions. Safety is still a major concern, even with upgraded roads with additional safety barriers along cliff top mountain. Thousands of people die every year on Nepali roads.      Nepal ezilon map

Transiting on the edge of a cliff face in the Himalaya in a remote region of Nepal. No safety barriers or speed limits - You won't fall asleep!

The above image was captured from the rooftop of another bus. Transiting on rooftops is still possible in remote regions in the Nepali highlands with "some" bus operators.  Below is a quick snap on a remote highland bush-bus track that became blocked from cliff rocks above the road track. Accidents in Nepal are common with a large amount of accidents caused by driver fatigue or speed. link 1   link 2   link 3   link 4

In Transit - MV LIEMBA

Boat transit on Lake Tanganyika on an Ex-German WW1  Kaiser gunboat - It's real African Atmosphere!

The MV Liemba is officially the oldest cargo passenger vessel still active in the world today. The 104 year old vessel sets sail each week from Kigoma, and slowly steams southward down Lake Tanganyika to Mpulungu in Zambia. The original name of the MV Liemba was Graf Goetzen. The ship was built in 1913 as a warship constructed in Papenburg in northern Germany. It was then dissembled and transported in parts, in 5000 crates, from Hamburg port to Dar es Salaam. A narrow gauge railway line was specially constructed from Dar to Kigoma to transport the crates. During the colonial era of rivalry for dominance of the lake, the Germans scuttled the Graf Goetzen, and the ship remained hidden, and rested on the bottom of Lake Tanganyika for a decade. The English resurfaced the Graf and recommissioned it under a British flag. 
This is the best boat transit in Africa, (Wadi Rum to Aswan a close 2nd) with multiple stops en-route in either direction. Due to the cost of refurbishing this old steamer, the M.V. Liemba may be decommissioned, and replaced with a newer vessel. Repairs to keep the ship active of late (2018) has been ongoing. Don't miss a journey on the MV Liemba if your overland transit route is north bound from South Africa to Zambia, or from DRC, Uganda, Rwanda or Burundi - All three overland transit routes end up at lake Tanganyika.

Road Trip - Driving through South America

Driving your own vehicle through South America does have it's own dilemmas and limitations

The above images are self-explanatory showing a comparison of different South American highway tarmacs. Some are smooth just like landing strips, while others are being slowly eaten away due to land erosion caused by natural climate conditions within arid region. The highways north and south of Lima in Peru is one of many examples that are greatly affected from the small corridor of Pacific coastline and Andean Altiplano where the original Pan American highway was constructed. Highway erosion has taken its toll on many routes destroying road infrastructure within the Andean and Amazonian regions. Poor maintenance and cheap quick fixes have done nothing to rectify many highways that are at the very least - safe to drive on. Buses and trucks driven daily on unmaintained roads has also added more stress, causing busy transit routes to become a highway of pot holes that can't be avoided. This is why owning and driving private transport through the Andean block does have safety downsides, one of them being the road conditions themselves, which causes on-coming traffic to deviate over rough patches into on-coming traffic. Many narrow gauge highways are also the common causes of accidents when on-coming buses and trucks hoard the highway without giving any leeway, unless it’s another large vehicle moving towards them in their face. During the daylight hours all South American main transit routes are congested with traffic in both directions, but as soon as the sun sets, highways become ghost roads, apart from long haul night buses, and trucks that don't stop for anything. The countless amounts of past carnage caused by irresponsible drivers is easily seen on many blind bends.
Driving on mountainous bush track roads, there's no end of seeing multiple crosses that have been placed along the edge of roads from all the trucks, buses. vans, cars, and 4x4's that have ended-up over the side down ravines. Driving through the night on any rural highway (which I've done) is outright dangerous and not recommended. It's like playing Russian roulette with sudden disaster that can lead to death. Night driving with poor visibility from thick fog, or atrocious road conditions with oncoming trucks or buses after dark will frighten the life out of you. Locals at night drive in the middle of the road. If that doesn't scare you enough, a blocked road with rocks and trees suddenly appearing when driving around a bend within a remote region will - as you next discover, waiting bandits ready to rob everything you've got, including the clothes you're wearing. Luckily, this has never happened to me, but it has happened to other foreigners - and many locals who took risks that could have been avoided. Don't Drive at night in isolated regions - Period!
​Ezilon Maps:  ​Colombia  Ecuador Peru  Bolivia  Chile Argentina  Paraguay  Guyana  Venezuela  Brazil  Uruguay  Suriname 

In Transit - VW Kombi - South America  

Transiting through South America in your own VW Kombi is a blast...A cheap hotel on wheels!

Brazilian petrol or diesel converted VW Kombis will get you through the continent. 

Besides the negative issues already mentioned, it’s overwhelmingly beneficial to use a private vehicle instead of public transport if the stay in South America is long-term. The first task is to find a good Kombi in Brazil. Kombi vans are originally manufactured in Brazil, so the chances of finding an old classic VW in good condition is easier than elsewhere through the continent. There's still plenty of classic Kombi vans running around throughout Brazil.
The change of ownership is straight forward, and done the same day. As a non-Brazilian, a foreigner can drive a vehicle directly out of the country as soon as the ownership formalities have been transferred - which usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Kombi VW vans  converted with diesel engines are the best option, but they do cost a lot more (double to triple the price). Don't even think of purchasing an alcohol version Kombi. Alcohol fuel is only used in Brazil. 
Driving around the continent in a VW Kombi is luxury, but they're also restricted to bitumen highways preventing any form of extreme road transit off the bitumen tarmac. Modified gear train and off-road wheels and tyres will be needed for rough bush tracks and desert terrain. Leaving vehicles in secure compounds throughout the continent is straight forward. This then allows some free movement to explore areas in “hard to get to” places by using other means of transport in rugged regions. With good maintenance - like changing oil, greasing the suspension and using heavy duty road tyres, most Kombis will remain reliable from Ushuaia to Cartagena and back to Brazil. The problem to complete an entire road trip with any private vehicle is within the Amazon region. The only way to zig-zag, and complete a full circle around South America is from Colombia through Venezuela into Brazil via Suriname and Guyana. Heading south from Boa Vista will involve loading the vehicle onto a barge at Manaus, and sailed down the Amazon to Belem which beats the purpose of completing an entire South American road trip.
Alternatively, passing through Guyana, Surinam, and French Guyana to Brazil (in the dry season only) is the only other option. The main issues now (2019) are the high corruption levels in Venezuela, which are out of control, with each province having their own set of corrupt tariffs at highway blockades that will break most bank accounts. One can thank Hugo Chavas' socialist reforms for that. Until Venezuela returns to what was once a vibrant bustling hassle free country to travel and transit through, the chances to be corrupted, robbed, mugged, or raped transiting through the country in either direction ( from Colombia or Brazil) is 90% guaranteed to happen! 
Don't even think to resell a Brazilian registered vehicle in neighbouring countries unless it's done through the appropriate import regulated tax tariff laws. All vehicles are computer coded when entering into other South American Republics. Any quick exit from an airport or border without a foreign vehicle clearance is an automatic offence, and will result in delays and hefty fines. South American border immigration officials do log all entry/exits of each foreign vehicle, including the ownership data which is entered in a computer mainframe database. The best aspect about owning and driving a Kombi are the spare parts that are still available throughout the continent if any breakdown should occur.
I’ve crossed the continent a few times with different Kombi vans that originate from Brazil. The ultimate benefit using a van is the option to stop and hang out at any given location for as long as one wants. Using the rear back section for a bed, and sharing the fuel costs with another fellow traveller who appreciates the comfort of transit is a bonus. In Africa, and Asia this system doesn't work unless a "carnet de passage" is used (a cash deposit of the vehicle in the registered owner's bank account), just incase the vehicle is sold privately to evade tax levies. 

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As mentioned, there's nothing like owning your own set of wheels transiting throughout South America. Driving through South America is a total adrenaline fix everyday one gets on the road, but it's not for the faint hearted. Highways vary differently through each country with some maintained while others are neglected. Washed out dirt roads riddled with massive bog holes are very common within the Amazonian region. The same area is even difficult for 4x4's to get through if half the road is missing. Rules and regulations for speed limits are virtually non-existent outside major cities, which  locals do use to their advantage when driving as they wish. This is normally at high speed without calculating the risks involved for themselves and other drivers on highways. The amount of head-on accidents with on-coming vehicles, buses, and trucks through the continent is witnessed by the amount of debris and wrecks strewn on the side of highways, with Brazil, Venezuela and Peru being the worst.
As a foreigner driving through South America many times, here are a few important points to follow. Drive defensively with a quick reaction time to avoid an accident by calculating any on-coming traffic that looks erratic that may cause a collision. If stopping along a highway - park right off the road for traffic to pass freely without causing a vehicle to veer-off over into on-coming traffic. Don't play chicken, that may cause road rage, or think local Latino drivers will abide by safety rules, which are taken for granted in western countries. Refuse and don't pay corrupt police for non-existent infringements - even if it takes all day! This has been an on-going issue for decades with foreigners using vehicles from neighbouring countries. Argentinean highway police assume that foreigners driving their own vehicles are easy prey, and cash cows to suck from. Night driving anywhere throughout the continent is a no-brainer, and right out dangerous for accidents and highway banditry  - Don't even think about it!

High Cliff Top Transit - INDIA

No barriers, no road markers - no problem.  High altitude cliff-top transit in India is pure adrenaline!

Looking for high altitude overland transit adventure above 3800 metres? India is hard to beat. The country has an untold amount of mountainous cliff-top highways stretching across the northern regions of Kashmir, Arunachal, and Himachal Pradesh. The Shimla to Leh transit route via Spiti valley will match any other high altitude road trip on the planet. The Shimla to Leh road trip via Spiti valley gets a 10/10. If you're into hiking, trekking, landscape, astro and wildlife photography this is certainly one region of India not to be missed. Most high altitude roads are closed during the winter months when snow drifts begin to block transit routes.  Ezilon Indian map

​In Transit - INDIA

Wide gauge rail in every Direction - There's no excuse to Transit Anywhere - Anytime! 

Transiting anywhere through India is a breeze with the country's vast rail network that runs around the clock non-stop. Buses, vans, and jeeps take over where any rail finishes, or non-existent. Crossing from one side of India, like from Jaisalmer to Calcutta takes a day and half, which isn't breaking any world speed record, but who's in a rush? The choice of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class bookings from hard bench seats to full on bedding and blankets, including air conditioning beats any bus service. It allows options for those running on a tight budget.
If  you were issued a six month double entry visa with split duration periods of 3+3 months - make sure to leave India before 90 days. Ignoring this will cause issues and missed flights. A few foreigners I've met had 6 month visas, and didn't realise they had to leave India after before 90 days for at least 1 day. This is a good excuse to visit,  or revisit Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, or Sri Lanka, so no harm done.  Indian maps 

Hanging out the sides of local commuter trains in transit isn't a problem in India -Indians do it all the time through the hot sweaty summer months. 

In Transit - MOZAMBIQUE 

Bitumen tarmac - Laid back lifestyle - Beach lover's paradise  

Transiting into Mozambique from any direction will end up along the coastal highway up and down the country. The laid-back lifestyle is immediately noticed with the 100's of small fishing communities scattered along the coastline. Local transport gets kudo points with their comprehensive minivan and bus transportation. Hitchhiking is also relatively easy at gas station stops. The transit routes to and from Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania are main trade routes with traffic flowing in either direction during the daytime. Mozambique is well known for its crystal sandy beaches, especially in the northern regions near Pemba. Surfers from South Africa cross the border to Punta del Este, and enjoy the constant non-stop wave rolls  on the right-hand point of the beach. Mozambique is a laid back pit-stop to chill  for a while before transiting up the continent to Egypt.       

The hardest thing to do in Mozambique is actually deciding which region of the country to chill-out for a week or two. There's still plenty of secluded coastal beaches and bays quietly nestled away from mainstream tourism hotspots. In general, locals are very outward going. Personally, I would recommend spending time in a small fishing village community. Rising early heading out on a small boat with a local, swimming, snorkelling, and catching your own fish supply daily can't be easier.         

In Transit - The Karakoram - PAKISTAN

Kashgar to Islamabad - A road trip that will blow you mind - Plan well in Advance! 

The Karakoram hi-pass into China is closed during the winter months from heavy snow drifts blocking the high altitude highway. Even when mountain passes are cleared the possibilities of sudden avalanches can happen through the wet season. This quick snap image shows an avalanche that completely covered the highway, and blocked it for days. Visa formalities for Pakistan must be done in advance. There was no Pakistani consulate in Kashgar at the time of writing this, but there is a consular office active in Chengdu (contact below) who were issuing visas. A visa is required by most nationalities to enter Pakistan from China. The days of receiving an entry stamp at the Chinese/Pakistan border was canned years ago. Pakistani Consulate Chengdu - Jinjiang, Xinguanghua St, 7号航天科技大厦2306室 Phone+86 28 8526 8, forget the Embassy in Beijing, unless you wear a suit, and carry a briefcase, but then you never know your luck.   ​Afghanistan Map  :  Iran Map  :  Turkey Map  :  Saudi Map  :  Jordan Map  :  Israel Map

In Transit - Islamic IRAN

Stick with Iranian Rules & Regulations, and enjoy the hospitality of the country's citizens and Persian culture!

Iran has a double-edged sword for those who visit the country. Strict Islamic laws will have its presence as soon as one steps across the border. Westerners with attitude are frowned upon by custom and immigration officials, and are not tolerated within the Republic. The hospitality of the Iranians themselves make up for all the rules and regulations that one has to deal with inside the country. The transit infrastructure through Iran's main highway arteries are smooth as glass. Iranians (Persians) enjoy meeting foreigners, and do go out of their way to offer a hospitality that's unmatched anywhere else within this region of the Middle East. Government and religious regulations are strict and must be adhered to without compromise. Dress code in public places for both male and female since 1979 took a step backwards from the Shah days from western attire.
Obtaining a visa extension is relatively a straight forward procedure. Applying well in advance before the original visa expires is recommended. Many transit quickly through Iran which is probably more of a fear-phobia than anything else. New rules and regulations created in 2015 stipulate that all foreigners entering the Islamic state from English speaking nations will need a personal guide. The black market for US dollars is booming at @42,000 rials for $1 US dollar (Feb 2019). Hiding cash dollars will get you along way through the country to cover food and other expenses, but a declaration showing official exchange rates for hotel accommodation when leaving Iran maybe requested. Above image - Smooth bitumen asphalt running through eastern Iran from Mirjaveh to Kerman. 

Entering overland from Pakistan and Turkey into Iran are the normal transit entry points. If continuing through to Afghanistan via Mashad,  a visa can be issued from the Afghani Embassy in Tehran. It's located close to Shahid Beheshti metro station. The Afghani Consulate in Mashad has been problematic, and may or may not issue a visa depending on nationality.  

 In Transit - BURUNDI

Early 4am transit starts are Unavoidable - Securing a seat can be a mission… Book Early!

Many who overland transit this part of Africa by-pass Burundi. Of late, the internal turmoil simmers on the surface. The country's different ethnic groups are still scarred from the 1994 Rwanda genocide without compromise or reconciliation. Foreigners transiting through this small Republic will feel the friction and tension if there's a mix of rival groups clashing on the streets. The Burundi crossing into DRC has a better reputation than the Rwanda-DRC border crossing having less bribes and corruption. Uncorrupted Goma border immigration officials do allow entry without paying large dollar donation bribes, but this depends if they're on duty when arriving. A previous DRC visa had cost me a $150 bucks. The latest round of Ebola out breaks in Eastern DRC should be noted (Jan 2019). Personally, I would be more concerned of being mugged, robbed or raped in DRC after dark. This has a higher percentage level @90 percent - good luck!   Burundi ezilon map

In Transit - Flash Flood Washouts

The Wet Season or Erratic Wild Weather can cause Flash Flooding to happen within hours.  

Torrential rain and constant downpours can be hundreds of kilometres away without any sign until the last second it impacts downstream. It can take a day, or more before a flash flood disperses. This is a normal occurrence that happens through the wet season in the sub-continents. A food supply of rations is essential within interior regions that are isolated in the middle of nowhere. Salted peanuts, raisins, and dried meat will keep the hunger pains away. A supply of food rations may or may not be used during a road trip, and can always be given away to someone who will appreciate it. 

In Transit - Amazonian Region

Blown out tyres, exploding diffs, and engine failures are common occurrences in transit throughout the Amazonian Basin 

It doesn't matter which Brazilian bus company you choose. Many of them can fail anywhere anytime. On a few visits to Brazil, I've transited up, down, and across Brazil using local buses instead of using my own transport. Blown engines and transmission failures on buses do happen. The Amazonian region is where transport is tested above and beyond its limitations during the wet season. Blown out tires are a common occurrence, caused by rough road conditions from extreme weather changes, and maintenance issues. Some transit journeys in Brazil can take 3-4 days with alternating drivers en route. Amazonian bus drivers show no mercy hammering their buses to bits. A few blown-out tyre changes on any journey is nothing to complain about. An engine or transmission failure in the middle of nowhere can be. It can take a day or two for a replacement bus. Bandits are a huge problem in the northern region. Highway bus robberies are as real as they get in Brazil. Make sure you've got your pockets filled with some mugging money, or suffer. Forget about transiting through the Brazilian Amazon region with your own Kombi, unless you want to be robbed and mugged of everything quickly!

Train Transit - EGYPT 

Slow train transit from Alexandria to Cairo, Luxor and Aswan - It's Relaxing and Affordable! 

Egypt has an extensive railway network system running up and down beside the Nile. Transiting by train to random drop-off points of interest from Alexandria to Aswan is straight forward. Egyptian trains have plenty of space for baggage, one can get up and walk around, stretch the legs, and interact and chit-chat with locals in other carriages. Now and then Egyptian trains do break down and hit with another train rear ending it - Good Luck. 

In Transit - CHILE & ARGENTINA

Transiting through the southern parts of South America can't be easier - Rapido non-stop Transit

Overland transiting can't get any easier than grabbing a luxury liner from any of the big cities in Chile or Argentina. Their bus networks are more organized than the west, with the latest and fastest buses in South America. It's luxury all the way from border towns in the northern regions to Patagonia in the south. These two Latin countries had set the example of fast comfortable long transit journeys decades ago, which their neighbours envy. The highway infrastructure in both countries are normally upgraded and maintained consecutively. Jumping on a bus from Arica to Santiago only takes 27 hours to complete the 1666 kms, including meal stops. There's even a champagne breakfast offered on some Argentinean routes. 

Solo Transit - Hitching on Yachts  

A great way to get reach a continent rather than flying is hitching a lift with a vessel in the direction of transit. Cargo ships are one option - which I've tried. Insurance and visas are normal requirements. One could still be lucky enough to find a work away passage. Peeling potatoes in the kitchen, or painting the decks is the normal workload for a gratis-free voyage. Work-away has almost vanished replaced with paid global sea voyages on cargo-container ships.  It isn't cheap either, but there's no limits for baggage, including weight.
Searching on line or manually checking sea ports finding private yachts set to sail across the Pacific or Atlantic is another option. Private yachts all ready en-route in the Pacific or Atlantic regions are usually found at ports of call to re-stock on fuel and food supplies. Depending on luck, one can be fortunate enough to get a ride from Europe to South America, and onward through the Pacific Ocean. A few ports of call are at Costa Rica, Panama, Belem, Buenos Aires, Puerto Williams, Ushuaia, Guayaquil and the Galapagos Islands. Seasonal weather changes in open oceans can develop suddenly with severe to extreme conditions. Private yachts each year do disappear off the radar - something to consider.                

A cargo ship up front slowing passing through a section of the Panama canal. Below, a snap of Guy Bernardin under tow, who was en-route from New York to San Diego via the roaring 40's. His 60 foot mono hull rig ran into difficulties during a powerful sea storm between Tierra del Fuego and Antartica. Guy Bernadin was known for his ocean feats around the world. He was scheduled to embark on the round-the-world-tour in 2018 to mark the anniversary of Benard Moietessier's - Long Road. Guy Bernardin was reported missing off the US coast and presumed lost at sea in 2017.
Pirate attacks on private yachts do happen, especially in regions where it's presumed as a safety zone to anchor for a week or two. A New Zealander with his family was attacked and stabbed to death recently in Panama on board his boat. 

Fatigue Syndrome in Transit - Night Driving 

Driver Fatigue is a weapon of death, and is the main cause of highway accidents from foreign visitors!

Renting and driving a vehicle after dark in countries that drive on the left side of the road is a No-Brainer. If you come from a country that drives on the right hand side of the road (USA, Canada & EU), then Don't Drive after dark if you have been driving all day. Driver Fatigue is a weapon of death, and is the main cause of highway accidents from foreign visitors who normally drive on the right side of the highway. This also refers to those that normally drive on the left side, and are in a country who drive on right hand side of the road. The cause of fatal head-on car accidents after dark by foreigners is related to fatigue syndrome. The auto-response to swerve across into oncoming traffic is when a driver thinks they're on the wrong side of the highway without acknowledging they're not. New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and India have all had fatal accidents caused by foreign visitors swerving across highways or driving on the wrong side of the road.  Long haul flight fatigue is also another cause for road accidents. It's also safer for those arriving on long-haul flights to avoid driving due to jet lag for the first day or two.   Image: midnight monsoon rain - Laos
Australia - German tourist killed    ​N.Z. - American tourist killed   N.Z. - Chinese tourist killed   N.Z. - Israeli tourist killed   N.Z. - Polish tourist hi-speed

Hitchhiking - Through the Middle of Nowhere

The last gas station out of any town in the direction of transit is the best place to grab a lift - Try it

Grabbing a free ride on board local trucks is always an option available in ant continent. Most truck drivers are more than happy to give foreign visitors a lift in their direction of transit. Although this does have some risk with personal safety and baggage, one can never estimate what's up ahead when choosing to transit this way. Some truck drivers are speed freaks, while others have breakdowns that slow the transit time down. The last gas station out of any town is one of  the best places to grab a lift. I've personally hitched 2-3 day transit rides on board trucks in Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, India, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Guyana, Tibet, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Australia without any issues.  Image: in transit Kenya

Protests African Style - Spades And Pitchforks

"Keeping a safe distance from protests through the continents is recommended" 

Clashes and skirmishes are witnessed from tim to time through most continents, but in Africa, protests can turn really nasty, and very quickly by protest incitement with spades and pitchforks flying in all directions. Some good advice , is to keep clear and well away from any brewing protest that's about to explode into an all out battle without any remorse who gets bashed, beaten and killed.  

Transit Vaccinations  - Yellow Fever 

Getting jabbed these days may fry your brain, but catching Yellow Fever will kill you! 

A 10 year yellow fever vaccination jab is highly recommended if transiting through any sub-tropical regions in South America and Africa. This particular virus is spread from infected female mosquitos. The last major outbreak was in Brazil which killed 270 citizens (May-Sept 2017). Outbreaks have also occurred within the Ecuadorian Amazon. Aedes aegypti are the same mosquito species that transmit Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses that are related to yellow fever. Outbreaks of yellow fever in Africa occur in Angola, D.R.C. and Kenya. In 2013, there were 127,000 severe infections and 45,000 deaths, with 90% of these occurring in Africa. If transiting southward to South Africa via Namibia or Botswana, then an International vaccination certificate is required showing a valid yellow fever shot before continuing across the South African border. The authorities in both countries are stringent, and do use appropriate random check points to ensure all visitors are Y.F. inoculated. Foreigners who aren't Y.F. inoculated will need to be vaccinated in Windhoek or Gaborone.  Image - a mid 80's Kenyan I.C.V. 

Solo Overland Travel - Catching Hepatitas A  

Catching Hepatitis A (HAV) is one disease you never want to experience. Over the years I've met fellow overland travellers who have caught HepA with dire follow on health consequences changing their lifestyles and eating habits because of not being inoculated. Hepatitis A is a disease infecting the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. The infection is spread by eating contaminated food, raw shellfish or sewage-contaminated water.  It can also be spread through close person-to-person contact. Raw or semi-raw uncooked shellfish includes oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, crab, and lobster. It's difficult to ensure if shellfish and seafood has been frozen when caught before it's distributed to takeaways and restaurants within certain environments that lack cold storage ice protection. ​Hepatitis A is more common than cholera and typhoid among international travellers.

In Transit - Is your passport getting full?

 Don't rubber stamp your passport to the last blank page  - Replace it well in Advance!

The worse scenario to happen overlanding through any continent is to run out of space in a passport. Never leave it too late to replace a passport that's reaching the last six months of its validity, or if it's 95% full of used visas. Some countries don't have embassies, consulates, or missions abroad with nations who they don't trade with. It's important to plan well ahead in advance to replace a passport. Imagine being in a country, and requiring onward visas to neighbouring countries, and running out of pages, and having no embassy to replace a passport. The global agreement with any passport holder to gain entry in to any country is to have a minimum of two full blank pages, and at least six months validity before expiry. Asking immigration officers "politely" to enter entry and exit stamps on the visa itself, or on to a page with other entry and exit stamps will save page space. If you don't request this, then your passport will become full of entry and exit stamps on blank pages very quickly. Updating to a new ten year passport before any long-term overland transit and travel begins is far better off than a passport that's ready to expire. Image - a history collection of my own global overland travel and transit visas (1982~2017)

Need A Break from Overland Transit?

Taking a break from overland travel is usually in any direction towards a beach - but which beach? Most beaches that can be easily accessed these days are usually overcrowded and jam-packed, which won't give the peace and quiet you're looking for after a 6 month grind in transit. Depending where you're located, there's some awesome secluded beaches to hang a hammock, and if you're lucky enough, the chance to setup a small campsite for a few days, or even for a week or two (it's important to clean-up all the trash). The most deserted beaches are normally situated on small islands, or archipelagos like in Tonga or French Polynesia. Parts of the Caribbean, Red Sea coastline including the African and South American coasts have plenty of isolated coastal patches to relax and enjoy some time-out.
An ample food supply, and cooking gear will be required on remote coastal beaches - like Fjord Bay in the Sinai peninsula, which I've free camped on many occasions through the years. Reaching a remote island like Bora Bora can be reached by ship that takes 2 days from Papeete port. Tahiti is a direct flight route from New Zealand and onward to Easter Island before reaching Chile. Nellikunnu beach in Kerala, India gets a mention here, including Jericoacoara in northern Brazil. It's worth mentioning that it's at your own risk when free camping on any secluded beach in South America, Africa, India, and The Middle East. Robbing, mugging, and raping is nothing new that occurs and something that cannot be controlled - especially isolated beaches, no matter where they are, including in my own country - New Zealand!

Background Image: Northern savannah highway - Kenya