Democratic Republic of Congo: Lubumbashi to Kinshasa

[mick]

Thanks for sharing this rudimentary but clever solution!

Pleasure!
So we help each other.

Pontificating a bit here, but this is something which any competent 4x4 guide or 4x4 driving trainer should be able to tell you about (skills) - along with issues such as avoiding getting stuck (mindset) and leaving the minimum impact on the places you pass through -WITHOUT going overboard and hugging a bunny/hyena (mindset and skills).
Finally, I would point you to another post of mine in a different part of this website, which says (basically) "Just do it" offroading Africa is not so difficult. Even getting Angolan visas -though that is a country best visited in someone else's vehicle :-) .

BTDT.

[mistermike]

Frederik and Josephine:

Man, you are lucky to be alive. It's amazing that you weren't beaten, robbed, tortured, raped, killed or eaten. I enjoyed reading the thread but admit I wondered if you both needed to have your heads examined for undertaking such a dangerous expedition.

Reading this thread reminded me of the famous 1959 Airstream Capetown-to-Cairo rally organized by Airstream company owner Wally Byam. Here's a link to the Web site that has the full story through the eyes of the gentleman who was the advance man for the adventure.

http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/me...galleries.html

1959-1960 was a different time. The countries they passed through were mostly British colonies. Roads were poor and the journey was not without its challenges but they made it. No one was injured, killed or eaten. It was a fascinating journey and I have enjoyed reading about it and watching the videos (available on YOUTUBE). It is a testament to the incredible quality of the Airstream trailer of the late 1950s and the vehicles that towed them.

The only thing that made it possible was the presence of British/White law and order.

In 2008 the Vintage Airstream folks thought it would be cool to have a 50th anniversary caravan following the same route. However once the organizers looked into it the original plans were quickly scrapped. Can you just picture a procession of rich white Americans in expensive vehicles towing shiny aluminum trailers the entire length of Africa in 2009? My only question at the time was not would they make it but how far would they go until something terrible happened to them. The world had changed too much in 50 years for anyone with a bit of common sense to undertake such a foolish venture that had been possible and indeed, do-able in the past.

The rally was still held to commemorate the 1959 rally on September 11th - 13th 2009 but the route was changed somewhat - the rally was from Cape (Girardeau MO) to Cairo (IL), a distance of about 34 miles. It was a whole lot safer.

[stioc]

Anyone got an update on F&J? hope they're doing ok. Did Fredrick manage to do the post on equipment/truck etc? I couldn't find it.

[vivithemage]

Anyone got an update on F&J? hope they're doing ok. Did Fredrick manage to do the post on equipment/truck etc? I couldn't find it.

I think it is on their website...linked in his sig.

[Mountainhound]

First and formost I would like to thank you for such a great trip report. Of course I accomplished absolutly nothing today. Second is even though it has been over a year since you last posted I and I am sure many others feel the same way you still owe us truck info before and now what you have done with it. Oh and big brass testies.

[EWS]

Just shows what can be done with determination, with what was a basic truck , no under body amour, no fancy winch, jacked up suspension ,diff locks or gizmo’s just a truck which had many miles under its belt beforehand .

May you both have an eventful and happy life on your travels. An inspiring and enlightening read

[zeroabzolut]

Great job, guys. It's absolutely amazing!
I am Daniel from Romania and I have discovered this thread (and the whole forum actually) by googling the overland adventures of Pouzet family (poraquiporalla.com).

[zaherachour]

hahahaaaaa, typical congo.

[hrt4me]

The rally was still held to commemorate the 1959 rally on September 11th - 13th 2009 but the route was changed somewhat - the rally was from Cape (Girardeau MO) to Cairo (IL), a distance of about 34 miles. It was a whole lot safer.

and rather silly

[zaherachour]

F & J,

i am in the fordraptordorum.com, was introducing my new raptor to the guys. a person noticed that i lived in the Congo and added this link. what the heck!!! lets read it.
so i signed in and it took me 3 days on and off to finish the 88 pages.
i can honestly say it is the most amazing exciting adventure i have ever read.

I've been here for four years (my family over 30years) and the only thing that drove me crazy is how come this freekin country has no connection road from border to border, shame. (like you said before, Chinese are preparing and building the roads. but when will it be done??? who knows!!! its freekin Africa baby!!! and Chinese with their inmates are building it!!!)

Frederic, do not listen to anyone. all you actions, decisions were perfect, as for your reactions that only makes human and there is no shame on that, actually its was a good thing to show anger and never fear or surrender.

i was really surprised on how you handled yourself something that an expat or a tourist take lots of time to get into habit with Congolese way. i have seen many ppl leaving the country after a month after giving up with the nonsense.

the best weapon for this country is called patience, smartness and a smile. something that you showed adding courage and optimism. all together gave you the strength to drive out this jungle of chaos. i think the best part of the whole trip is that you made friends which clearly helped you a lot to finish this adventure.

i would like to say to Josephine that you are amazing and a true hero in my opinion. it is very rare to find a woman to go on a crazy and wild adventure, with her partner in the wild and alone, and manage in their worst days of their life, to come up and say calm down everything is going to be OK. wow

as you may already know Frederic, you are a very lucky man, and i am sure that many ppl envy you after reading this thread. not only because of this wonderful undaring trip, but also because you have the coolest wife in the world (pls don't tell my wife i said that)

after reading this tread its pushing me go on an adventure to Lubumbashi (i live in Kinshasa, and we have also a store at kikwit, so the white ppl over there grew)
i will wait for my car first prepare it, then i fix a date.
thanks to you i guess i will try to be more prepared. specially with this permit part.

oh yeah!!! i forgot to say, the landcruiser was the best choice for this trip. 2 reasons,
1. as you noticed this vehicle is filled in here
2. if you would have chosen the defender, oh Lord what a mess you would have been into if you had the same issues you encountered in your trip. extreme lack of parts. Land rover is zero over here, and the parts are to to to damn expensive.
so dont listen to LD haters. you did a perfect job.

thank you for this thread and don't forget if you ever come back to Kinshasa, you have a friend.

zaher