SOLO - Overland Travel & Transit Maps

South America  -  Africa  -  Asia  -  Middle East

All my overland transit maps are directional routes through countries with connecting land border crossings. Overland transit routes throughout the planet have never changed from their original origins dating back centuries ago. Transit routes and border crossings into or through sensitive areas and tribal zones i.e. NWF Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Sahel, Magreb, Darfur, southern Somalia, north eastern DRC, Syria etc is at your own risk. Travelling on transit routes into countries with high levels of conflict containing Islamic militia insurgency is also at your own risk. Each day of travel through the above regions will have different outcomes on any given day. Ensure entry stamps have correct validity before heading off into the wilderness. Having no official entry stamp will give all types of issues further down the road you don't want to experience i.e. random highway control checks, accommodation passport checks, and random police and military spot checks. I've seen this happen on many occasions with western nationals who had crossed land borders without receiving entry stamps. If certain isolated border crossings are closed, find another official entry point to enter. In volatile countries, borders do close, borders reopen, and borders can remain permanently shut for months on end. Collecting fresh up to date information before travelling through hot spot regions is necessary to know what's up ahead to calculate the travel risk factor involved. Avoid trusting old outdated information from all travel guide books, or from small online talk dribble unless it's freshly been verified. Militants, militia groups, rebels, fanatics and road bandits are always on the move expanding across countries sporadically invading new territories. Taking risks travelling into militant controlled regions should be avoided unless you're wanting to experience how it feels to be brutalised without mercy. Western foreigners are easy targets from the countless snitchers in the game for a fast buck. Take this information as positive advice.    

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Overland Transit - Amazon Basin

The most difficult decision transiting through the Amazon region is which direction to begin and end any comprehensive journey. There's certainly no way of completing all the following transit routes in one hit, unless one has plenty of time on their hands reaching different start locations. There's five main transit river routes, including other optional river passage ways criss-crossing through the basin. From Colombia, grabbing a slow boat from Puerto Asis to Letica down the Putumayo will give options to continue up or down the Amazon through to Pucallpa or Belem.
From Ecuador, riverboat journeys usually start at Coca, this is a straight forward ferryboat route to Iquitos, with connections onward to Yurimaguas, Pucallpa, and further south to San Francisco using private passage.
Brazil has multiple up and down river ferry routes through the entire Amazon basin. Belem to Santarem, Itaituba, Jacareacanga, Manaus to Tabatinga, Manaus to Boa vista and Porto Velho, or up river to Cucui into Venezuela. Short ferry boat journeys to Maraba and Macapa are optional.
​One of the best, but most difficult routes worth mentioning begins along the Orinoco river from Ciudad Guayana-Venezuela to Manaus, taking approximately 6 weeks to complete. The southern gateway of Venezuela along the Colombian-Brazilian border is a notorious drug smuggling region - watch your stuff! 

Sinai Peninsula - Overland Transit Routes

The largest issue over-landing through continents today are the expansion of terror cell networks actively working through Africa, Asia, and the Mid East. Many countries that were once easy to travel through have become haven filled with various terror cell groups who reestablish and relocate in different regions. Sleeper terror cells have established themselves through the continents. Travelling and transiting through any volatile region is always a risk for western nationals, because they're easily spotted and targeted within these regions. Snitching is common. Snitchers can be hotel workers, bus and taxi drivers, or someone discreetly watching from distance. Direct confrontation will solely depend on the timing at any given location within Red Zones for the chance of becoming targeted to occur. For some westerners, hanging out in Red Zone areas may sound cool. Just remember every day within Red Zone territory is different to the next that come with unexpected nasty surprises.
​2019 terror cell updates: Al Qaeda-northern Africa, Boko Haram-north eastern Nigeria, Al Qaeda-DRC, Taliban controlled regions-Afghanistan, Al-Shabab-East Africa, Baloch Liberation Army-Pakistan, Al Qaeda-northern Sinai, Al Qaeda-Syria, Islamic State-Phillipines, Terror cell-southern Thailand, Islamic State-Sri Lanka

Overland border crossings can suddenly close at anytime due to militant insurgency. Some routes shown above can be difficult to cross, or forbidden to travel for western foreigners - even if visas were issued in advance. Bribing to pass through at border crossings in Red Zone regions should be avoided at all costs. The most volatile regions as of 2021 is through the Sahel, northern Nigeria, Cameroon, Libya, Somalia, and north east DRC. Transiting overland coast to coast through this part of Africa using basic transport requires sustainable energy, time and endurance, and good interaction skills. It's not a walk in the park - like Asia or South America.

In volatile red zones, international border posts shut and close without notice, they can be permanently closed for weeks, months or even years. Due to the ongoing Islamic cloud spreading through north and central Africa, many overland routes and border crossings shown above may, or may not be open allowing transit for foreign nationals. Depending on each particular border post, it's up to the discretion of immigration officials granting entry. In the middle of nowhere, many border posts do use their own rule book. Cash bribe payments may be on offer, but this is entirely up to those who want to fork out bundles of cash to continue their journey, and run the risk transiting through these regions without knowing what's up ahead.
Large amounts of territory surrounding the Sahel region is as volatile, or worse than the inner Sahel districts. As usual, all onward visas should be in order. Transit routes shown above are at your own peril!        

EGYPT

IRAQ

Solo Overland Travel & Transit - Middle East Map Routes 

Middle East Red Zones move change and relocate through the entire region. It's up to the individual traveler to source fresh news of what's up ahead before rushing from one location to another in the middle of nowhere. I gave up with travel insurance decades ago, but those who do travel with some form of travel insurance should check the small print in their policies. Above image, an airstrike showing collateral damage.  

ARGENTINA

BANGLADESH

BOLIVIA

Japan - Ferry Boat Connections 

From Russia, there is the option of reaching Japan with ferry sailings from Vladivostok. Heading in the other direction, Vladivostok connects the trans-Siberian through to Moscow and on to Europe. Several ferry boats sail each week to Busan-South Korea from Shimonasaki port, Japan. There are also direct ferry boats to Shanghai from Osaka port. The Okinawa-Keelung Taiwan route no longer exists, but boats do sail every week from China to Taiwan. Ferry boats also connect Taiwan and the Philippines. Reaching Malaysia from the Philippines can be done from Bataraza, Palawan by fast cat ferry sailing to Kudat Port, Malaysia. I've travelled extensively through Japan on 3 different visits. Hitching, and purchasing a van are the best options getting through the country.

COLOMBIA

CHILE

AFRICA

ETHIOPIA

SAUDI

PERU

PAKISTAN

SOUTH AMERICA 

INDIAN HIMALAYA MIDWINTER

INDIA TRANSIT ROUTE

JORDAN - OVERLAND TRANSIT

CENTRAL AMERICA - OVERLAND TRANSIT

TIBET

BRAZIL

IRAN

Turkey - Overland Transit Routes

SUDAN

VENEZUELA

PATAGONIA PENINSULA 

Asia Overland Transit Routes

Crossing the Pacific Ocean from New Zealand to Panama is via Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands and French Polynesia. Grabbing individual lifts is sporadic through the summer season, and should be arranged well in advance. The Pacific is an ocean highway of yachts, cargo and container ships. Picking up lifts through the Islands is also possible, but don't expect any type of shuttle service - there are none. Passports should be in order, including onward visas in both directions across the Pacific. Those hitching lifts on private yachts from Panama to Australia or NZ will encounter severe drug searches from Papeete onwards. Cargo ships from Aussie to NZ and to USA are frequent - But not cheap! CMA shipping offices worldwide

It doesn't matter which airport hub one arrives into Asia - you'll need plenty of time to complete the entire north and south east of Asia, if transiting overland is completed without taking any internal flights. Over-landing from Europe to Japan has been around for decades, this also includes both transit routes through and above the Middle East into China and India. The new open border policy between India and Myanmar was officially opened in 2018. From Japan, ferry boats to South Korea sail every week, this also applies from southern Kyushu at Kagoshima port to Okinawa with connections to Taiwan and onto China. Ferry boats also shuttle back and forth between Taiwan and the Philippines. Reaching Malaysia from the Philippines  can be done from Bataraza, Palawan by fast cat ferry sailing to Kudat Port, Malaysia.
​Although there's no ferry shipping lines operating from Indonesia to Australia, there are cattle transport ships returning empty from Kupang to Darwin. The Lampung port in western Sumatra is another option for returning cattle ships to Darwin. Whether the captain is permitted to allow passage, including departure from Indonesian by port authorities is at their discretion. The chances of hitching a lift on private yachts is also possible from various Indonesian ports. You could be lucky enough with a passage to Australia within a week or two. A valid unexpired Australian tourist or working holiday visa is required.
With the Indian - Myanmar border officially open, it's now possible to transit overland in two directions from Singapore to Europe without flying. The ferryboat sailings from Sakaiminato port in Japan to Vladivostok in Russia connects to the trans-Siberian through to Moscow and on to Europe.

Afghanistan - Overland Transit Routes

Update June 2021 - Afghanistan has now become impossible to cross, enter or even leave through overland border crossings. Russia, Turkey Iran and Pakistan have suspended their consulates in Mazar -e-Sharif. Pakistan has also closed the Torkham border until further notice. Tajikistan has also deployed 20k troops to the border for security reasons. US trained Afghan soldiers are fleeing their posts in droves. The Taliban are also shutting down local news media they infiltrate to conceal their violence. This update will be history within a few months due to the escalating ongoing insurgencies and conflict by Taliban and ISIS. With twenty years of US and Nato troops and training, and billions of dollars put into infrastructure, Afghanistan is once again being torn apart eradicating all freedoms for Afghans. Afghanistan once again will become under the cloud of Taliban Sharia law. History repeats itself time and time again, the English Empire, Soviets, America and Nato have all collectively suffered humiliating defeats. The Chinese red dragon will no doubt be the next great invader. They require to test their army, airforce and weapons in real-time live combat fighting. The massive Afghan drug trade may also switch under friendly terms with China - follow the money!  
​Overland transit into or out of Afghanistan can be done through 6 countries. Only main border crossings are mentioned allowing foreign passport holders to pass through. The direct land border crossing to China through the Wakhjir pass is classified as a grey border that exists only for locals. A Chinese visa maybe denied if the visa itinerary shows the overland route is entering via Xinjiang State. In general, visa issues for neighbouring countries around Afghanistan have limited time validations. The duration will depend on where, and who is issuing the visa. Red Zone regions through Afghanistan and neighbouring countries are alive and well. You can be lucky and pass through all these countries without issues, but Red zones regions have a habit of knowing where western foreigners are - local chit chat spreads like wildfire.
The classic overland route that has always been reliable is through Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan to China, and then via the Irkeshtam pass on the Karakoram highway. Crossing Pakistan to India is only through the Wagah border via Lahore to Amritsar. Entering Afghanistan from Iran is simple if Afghan visas have been issued. The route from Mashed to the Taybad-Islam Qala border is the normal route used by foreigners. Avoiding Afghanistan completely, one can transit to the Mirjaveh -Taftan border into Pakistan.

Red Zones - Africa

It wasn't that long ago when one could easily travel and transit through all these Red Zone regions that never existed. Today, the increased insurgency of powerful Islamic groups have made certain regions through Africa virtually impossible to travel freely. Even if totally alert and aware with years of overland travel experience, the risk factor increases dramatically within Red Zone regions. Westerners (non Muslim) travelling through Red Zone territories are spotted in seconds, on the street, at hotels, in restaurants and eateries etc etc. It will depend at any given location, if the word spreads - which is a normal occurrence when any westerner arrives into town. Within Red Zone territory, don't expect or take anything for granted thinking each day remains with the same atmosphere. 
​The endless continuation of culling by Islamic groups throughout Africa has reached unprecedented levels coast to coast. These groups show no mercy to those who are against them, or who they deem un-islamic (infidels). It's no use screaming if taken hostage, victimised, or tortured within their territories they control. Think wisely before travelling in to regions that may cost you a lot of pain and suffering that could have been avoided.   ​

D.R.C. - OVERLAND TRANSIT

NIGERIA - OVERLAND TRANSIT

Overland travel through DRC requires time and patience. Avoiding the wet season from Oct thru December is recommended, unless travel-time isn't an issue. A cash supply is required - conceal your cash stash well! I purchased a bundle of US Dollars in Kampala. Money exchangers are found almost everywhere through Africa, but with varying commission exchange rates - shop around! Floating downstream on the Congo river using available boats is better than travelling upstream i.e. Kisangani - Lisala - Mbandaka - Kinshasa, or south bound from Kabalo. The north eastern region of DRC is volatile! Valid visas are necessary to cross over to C.A.R. & South Sudan.
Transiting through Nigeria starts at border crossings. Corruption bribes begin at the borders. Not all borders are laced with bribe pay-offs, although one will have to to use their travel expertise with positive interaction i.e. "I don't have any cash!"  Believe me, this happens to individual westerners crossing by themselves. Don't pay bribes, it only makes it worse for other foreigners passing through the same borders! Westerners travelling anywhere above Kano, or crossing over into Niger, Chad, or northern Cameroon is at their own risk. More info and data in the Overland Page

South Africa - Overland Transit Routes

Getting through South Africa using local transportation is a breeze. There's numerous border crossings into Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. I've crisscrossed through the country at least six times over the years using buses, trains, vans, private vehicles, and even hitchhiked with good results. South Africa has no official Red Zones, but there is an undercurrent of lawlessness and increasing racial tension through the country. In April 1994, apartheid was apparently done and dusted - but was it?. After 26 years of Black rule, South Africa has shown the world embarrassing statistics of government corruption, increased crime, rape, and virtually the same treatment towards whites as blacks received in the apartheid era. Some may disagree, but after 26 years, the country has fallen off its perch to eradicate apartheid into the history books. Walking around, or driving after dark anywhere through the country is at your own risk. I've never been mugged, robbed or car jacked in South Africa, but I do know many locals and foreigner who have!

Myanmar - International Border Crossings

The ease of overland travel and transiting through to the Middle East and on to Africa or Europe has become reality with direct land border crossings through Myanmar. In the past, the complications and hassles of deviating any overland journey through China to reach south east Asia was a pain in the arse. Now one can travel straight through from Thailand to Turkey. Pakistani eVisas are also becoming less complicated. Crossing the Indian/Pakistani border allows the choice to travel in 4 different directions. The ferryboat service each week to Muscat, Oman from Gwadar port gets you to Yemen or Saudi reaching Sudan. The northern route through the Karakoram pass to China reaching Mongolia through to Kazakhstan. The Torkham border crossing into Afghanistan with optional overland routes to reach Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The 4th overland route is via the Taftan/Mirjaveh border crossing in Baluchistan. Onward visas must be in order to cross into any of thes above mentioned countries. Ensure passports have enough empty pages with at least a 2+ year validity. Entering or travelling through any Red Zone region is at your own risk!      ​

Guyana - Suriname - French Guiana

New Zealand - Overland Travel Road Map  

Self-Driving in Aussie & NZ is on the left side of the road. If you come from countries driving on the right hand side of roads, Don't Drive after dark if you've been driving all day, or have just arrived on a long haul flight with symptoms of jet-lag. 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 highways or vice versa. The cause of fatal head-on car accidents after dark by foreigners is directly related to disorientation fatigue syndrome. The auto-response to swerve across towards oncoming traffic happens when drivers think they're on the wrong side of the highway without acknowledging they're actually not. New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and India have all had fatal accidents caused by foreign visitors swerving across highways or drivers driving on the wrong side of the road. Driving immediately after long haul flights after dark on the opposite side of highways is the major cause for road accidents by foreigners. It's safer for those arriving on long-haul flights to avoid driving for the first day or two including night driving. 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 high-speed

Transiting through New Zealand requires 3 months minimum. If arriving into Auckland, travel northwards first, and then dissect southwards criss-crossing both islands at random stops. The best time to begin a Kiwi road trip is best done from mid-February onwards - after the heavy tourist season has finished, which begins in November. Purchasing a car can be done through Trade Me, but you will need to be a Trade Me member with a New Zealand address, so get a Kiwi to purchase anything required for you. Renting sleeper vans is common with a variety of choices from low budget to luxury. Do not leave vehicles or vans  at any isolated or secluded places - unless you want ALL your valuables stolen. Car break-ins are common! Remember - New Zealand is a gold mine for selling Methamphetamine, so watch your Stuff! If you're a nicotine smoker, cigarettes will drain your pockets dry! a packet of 20 will cost $30NZD. A possible alternative is home grown tobacco - which is very affordable - ask around until you find a source. Customs will only allow 50 cigarettes upon arrival. Food is expensive - period! Some supermarkets have sell-offs of food produce reaching its use-by date - shop around. If you're into hiking and trekking, then always take precautions for changing weather conditions. If a creek or a river is flooded, and the river bed is not visible - DON'T CROSS IT, wait, unless you want to drown.  
Driving over the speed limit (even 5kph) will cost you a speeding ticket - Don't even think about it, all foreigners who are fined are automatically placed into a data bank, and checked before departure - there's no escape. During any road trip, or when free camping, if you need to drop a load (roadside bush pooping) - please try to use a public toilet, or at the nearest gas station or pub. In the middle of nowhere, dig a hole with a portable shovel to bury your wastage. A mini lightweight shovel can be purchased at any hardware outlet store throughout the country - NZ already has enough dirty cow dairying waste saturating into creeks and rivers without the addition of foreign tourists off-loading their load dumps.
​For a deeper overview and insight of New Zealand from a Kiwi perspective scroll down the bottom of the about page.

Classic Overland Transit Map 1980s

Back in the '80s era of travel, drawing rough overland transit maps was popular among long-term travellers. This map of South America survived its course through time - it made it to the web.

Travelling across Europe through the 1980s and '90s was a blast. The continent was divided and separated not like today. Kiwis still had to get visas for Spain and Portugal in '82, including most of the East Block. The most difficult visa of all was Russian. The Trans Siberian express out of Moscow had limited stop-offs, but was relatively cheap for the vast amount of kilometre milage to Vladivostok. Hitchhiking was simple with TIR trucks heading towards Turkey. Now and then one was lucky enough to grab a lift with Germans delivering Mercedes Benz vehicles to Baghdad. Having your van ripped apart by Spanish customs just after arriving from Morocco were normal occurrences. Hashish smuggling was rampant. The Czechoslovakian border crossing to West Germany was like a military zone stopping people from escaping. Reaching Athens via Belgrade from Amsterdam took seven days using slow trains. Yugoslavia and Bulgaria was dirt cheap in comparison to Scandinavia. Compared to today, German wursts were bigger,  Danish pastries were sweeter, and French cheese has all but lost its taste. 

What Is Real Solo Overland Travel Offshore? 

My definition of different travellers from the 1980s up : The Yuppie - a person who thinks they have travelled but have actually not travelled at all : Groupies - people who are afraid to travel on their own : The Modern Era Hippie - people of all age groups looking for chill out locations to smoke weed and consume other drugs : The Vlogger - 100% addicted programmed you tube travellers : The Blogger - 99% programmed self-appointed wannabe travellers : Fake Solo - a person who hangs around one location without plans travelling anywhere else : The Millennial & Gen Z - flight babies who have to reach the maximum number of countries in the least amount of time without actually travelling overland : The Narcissistic - the worst traveller of all time fully addicted to self and social media : Real Solo - any person who actually completes the hard yards travelling overland crossing through countries and entire continents.

Aussie Overland Transit - Late 1970s

I haven't returned to the land down under since the mid-eighties. This is one country that takes several overland journeys to thoroughly dissect through it. I was based in Queensland, WA, NSW and Vic on different time periods dating back to '78. Aussie wasn't called the lucky country for nothing. Work was plentiful, wages were high, the beer was good and gasoline was dirt cheap. A few places I enjoyed self-driving and riding through Aussie were Cairns, Alice Springs, Broome, Albany, and Katherine. Those wanting to do full-on road trips covering the above transit map routes require a minimal time period of approximately 12 months.