Tanzania 2005

[Jonathan Hanson]

We drove in across the top of the photo reserve from Mikumi. The two troublesome travel writers moaned at the suggestion we detour to Selous's grave ("Selous who?"). I never forgave them for that. We stayed at Rufiji River Camp and had a couple excellent long boat rides upstream, plus a good long hike. Wonderful lion sightings.

I had a chat with Philip Caputo a few months ago, who hunted buffalo in the southern part and had a great time (he wrote it up in Field and Stream this summer). He also wrote Ghosts of Tsavo, about the Patterson and present day Tsavo lions.

I'm trying to get an assignment to write about the Ruvuma wildlife corridor south of Selous. Not well-known or traveled, but rumored to harbor a lot of game.

[Scott Brady]

Scott,

I have driven a Camel prepped Discovery, but it isn't mine. My current overland vehicle is a Defender 110. It's been a good truck, though I wasn't saying that in Western Sahara when the transmission gave up! Or in Niger when the front suspension came apart -- but to be fair to the truck that was Safari Gard's fault, not Land Rovers.

Camel spec Disco belongs to Nathan of Pangaea who I guide trips in Southern Africa for.

cheers

Graham

We met, although briefly in Moab last year. You were driving Nathan's disco through town, for a Rover event. I had just returned from a trek on the White Rim trail...

Nathan and I have been working closely on some equipment and expedition projects for the last few months. I hope to be able to meet you soon.

Scott

[gjackson]

Scott,

I do remember meeting you in Moab. White Rim is a great trip. I've been thinking of doing it again soon. Just have to get the 110 back into shape. It took a beating in Africa and needs some TLC.

I think Nathan was talking to you about a Baja trip. That would be cool. I'm sure we'll run into each other eventually.

cheers

Graham

[Jonathan Hanson]

Graham, how did you ship your 110 and by what route? We plan to take our Land Cruiser to the Sahara some day. Possibly ship from Houston to England, then drive down.

[gjackson]

Jonathan,

We shipped from Colorado to Southampton England. The container was dropped in front of our house, we loaded the cars and then it was taken to Denver. By rail to Houston, by container ship to Southampton. Took about 3 weeks door to door. Then we drove South from England.

The shipping company we used was Allison Shipping. Some friends recently tried to use them but had no luck.

cheers

Graham

[Scott Brady]

Graham,

If you dont mind saying, what was the shipping cost?

[Jonathan Hanson]

Graham, yes, we can take it. How much?

I got a quote from Houston to (?) Southampton, I think, a couple of years ago, for not much more than $600. Don't think that included a container. And there was something about me being available to shovel coal . . .

[The BN Guy]

600$?!? That's not bad at all. Shovelling coal, well, as long as I have a back left once I get there. Wonder how much to ship to Oz...

[gjackson]

Sorry about the reply delay -- I've been travelling. It cost us about $3500 for a 40ft container with 2 Land Rover 110s. Shipping was from my house in Colorado to the docks in Southampton.

I've done roll-on-roll-off as well. That was $1800 shipping from Southampton to Seattle on a car carrier. There are rumors that you can get on a freighter for much less. Problem with that is they just lash the vehicle to the deck, so it is pretty exposed to the elements. Also, security is a big concern if you have anything in the vehicle. Better if you are able to secure passage with it. I know you can do this around Africa, but I don't know if you can do it trans-atlantic.

I think it would be fun to try though!

cheers

Graham

[The BN Guy]

Wow! Those are impressive numbers to me! I thought it'd cost significantly more than that to ship. Like 10k$ to 15k$ pluss from Australia. Considering the distance difference, it'll be more but not as much as I anticipated. Maybe.