Will It Really Be a "Goodbye" for Africa in this New Year, 2025?
So the time has finally come to drive to another continent and move on with our overlanding expedition? It seems like so. New Year, new plans!
First, Happy New Year to you, our valued friends and readers! ☆ Hopefully, this year will bring you many happy events and a good life! 🙏
I (Piritta) have also started to draw again, and it’s been great. I primarily draw digitally with Procreate (because of the limited space in our car, having lots of equipment is impossible, but I do have a set of pro pencils which I sometimes also use). Here’s an ellie I did a little while ago. * I also do commission work, so if you’d like your favorite pet or other animal drawn (pencils or colored pencils), message me: hello@pirittapaija.com
In one of our recent posts, we mentioned that during our time in Finland last Borealis summer, we started thinking, “Is it finally time to “move on” and drive to another continent?”
We have been zig-zagging all over Southern and Eastern Africa for almost six (!) years, and there are very few places where we haven’t been. So, the idea of moving on started to feel good.
Going to the same places over and over again eventually starts to feel dull, even though the places are fantastic.
Eventually, you will begin to feel that you need some change.
The eastern route through Africa is still blocked because of the ongoing conflicts in South Sudan, and Ethiopia’s situation is changing as we speak. And we still don’t have the carnet de passage for our vehicle (and don’t want to get one because it’d be too expensive and cumbersome to arrange), so Kenya and Egypt are off-limits for us, too.
That leaves us only the western route to drive through. And that is what we are going to do!
We will return to Africa someday, but it’s time to move on now.
Right Now: Spending Time in Windhoek, Namibia
However, there will be a lot of hassle to sort out before we can think about driving north from Namibia: many visas to arrange, repairs to our vehicle, etc.
And yes, unfortunately, we recently also suffered a bit of a collision damage to Honey Badger to Defender while we were on a game drive in Bwabwata National Park:
So now we have even more things to sort out here in Windhoek…
Fortunately, our insurance will cover most of the door and hinge repair costs. We still have a premium for comprehensive coverage insurance, which is what it’s for – right?!
But What’s Wrong With Honey Badger the Defender Again?
In March (2024), when we, i.e., did some repairs to the transfer case, it went pretty much South. The garage overfilled the transfer case (overfilled for over 2 liters of transfer oil!), which caused the brand-new seals to leak. And it’s been leaking ever since!
What vexes us the most is that our transfer case didn't leak before that “repair” job!
The transfer case was removed for a second time in Zambia in November (2024), and we put new seals in again. However, that didn’t help, and now we just went to a true Land Rover expert here in Windhoek, who told us that the transfer case has to be taken out again and properly cleaned and fixed – for the third time in a year! 😖 Which is entirely ridiculous, we know…
And – there has been a weird “noise” coming on 1st and 2nd gears since the first transfer case job went to s*it in March. Also, this sound wasn’t there before that s*itty job! And it may be that the fault is even in the gearbox itself now! And that, if it needs replacement, will cost a small fortune… 😰
Needless to say, we are disappointed, irritated, and stressed out at the moment, but what can we do? Nothing else than to repair these things.
So, this year, 2025, didn’t start in perfect spirit, but we firmly believe that things will get better and more manageable. It can’t be just bad luck all the time, can it?!
If you’d like to help us with all these significant, piling costs, please consider upgrading your subscription to get FULL access to all extra content here (we made a special offer for you, too!) or picking something up from our BMC Page. We’d be very grateful for all the help. 🙏
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The Skeleton Plan of Driving the Western Route Through Africa to Europe and Forward – in a Nutshell
As we love wildlife and are less of a “people person,” driving the western route will be more challenging for us.
Also, as only Niina speaks a little French, it will pose challenges on the way. But challenges are made to be conquered, right?! And luckily, there are all these translation apps nowadays if things get tricky. ;)
There will be many preparations, and we plan to obtain the necessary visas here in Windhoek (Namibia) now in January 2025. After that, we’d start driving from south to north.
But the rainy season is already looming above us, and time may be of the essence, so let’s see how things will play out. We don’t plan to spend a long time on this route; instead, we will drive through almost as soon as possible to reach Europe around April or May.
When I began writing this post on December 27th, the rains had already started in northern Namibia. So, let’s see…
However, spending some time visiting the lowland gorillas in Congo (Brazzaville) and some national parks in Gabon, etc., will be on the cards. And maybe riding Mauritania's iconic Iron Ore Train (if it’s still possible; we heard rumors that it isn’t anymore?)?
Eventually, we’d like to reach Europe and our northern home of Finland to enjoy the Borealis summer with Honey Badger the Defender. And when the Borealis summer turns to autumn again, we’d tour Norway before heading back south.
OK, this sounds like a complicated plan with a lot of driving. But when we’d be back somewhere in central Europe – then what?
Then Honey Badger the Defender would take her first trip in a container – probably to South America!
So here is the “skeleton plan” we are trying to accomplish during this year.
I started writing this post at the end of December 2024, in northern Namibia, along the Okavango River, where we spent the Christmas and New Year days. I finished writing this here in Windhoek at the beginning of January 2025.
There is a long way to go to Finland. But when we have decided on something, we usually make it happen! One way or the other. ;) That is what the Finnish sisu1 is all about! 💪
There will be obstacles on the road, we’re sure. But obstacles are made to get past them. You can’t let anything stand in your way if you really want to do something. And when you do, you will find your way! Trust the Universe, and trust yourself.
So please wish us luck with all the preparations, repairs, and smooth roads toward Europe! 🙏
We hope you’ll stick with the ride, as we’ll give more frequent updates from the road. One thing we can promise: it won’t be boring! 😎
Stay Wild,
Sisu is a unique perseverance to overcome any obstacle to reach your goals, even against all odds. A great Finnish director, Jalmari Helander, directed an awesome movie called “SISU.” If you really want to know sisu's essence, watch that movie! 😅 Watch the trailer here! 😎
Hey, maybe we’ll pass you on the road! Currently in Guinea-Bissau and heading south (over two dry seasons).