All Desert Epic Pt1-Kgalagadi & Namibia: Ghost Towns, Trouble, Wild Horses. Explosive Start to Trip

Overlanding Travel in the Kgalagadi and the south of Namibia
In Part 1 of our All Desert Epic (#ADE), we have car trouble before we even leave Johannesburg. And this should have given us a hint of what was in store for this "short and easy" overlanding trip.
As we depart for the Kgalagadi National Park, adamant that we will head out as planned, we're facing leaking pipes and last minute work overflow. It all comes to a head one way or another. Work in Upington, still en-route to the Kgalagadi - our first destination. The car trouble escalates as we travel to our second stop in the south of Namibia. And this is only the beginning. What else could go wrong? Ah...apparently quite a bit. But more on that in the next episode. In the meantime, let's travel to Namibia.
Enjoy the start of our "easy" overlanding road trip. The desert...it's not all that easy. Go figure. And this is not our first rodeo. But it has horses - wild ones! And epic views and grand vistas. And ghost towns. Eerie sand-filled abandoned places.
Follow along on another epic journey!
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For those who actually read the descriptions, there's a secret scene riiiiiight at the end of the video, just something short and adorb for the full video viewers.
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[@user-xk5tl4wo3d]

Someone said "authentic", I agree 100%. I like how your videos are about the trip/adventure, not about "cool/expensive 4x4 mods/gear".

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks, it's great to get that feedback. Glad you're enjoying our adventures.

[@Namsteading]

If you are still in Namibia and you find yourself around Windhoek or Rehoboth, we have enough space at our homestead comfortable overnight camping/ will be glad to host you

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks! We will keep in mind for our next trip that way 🙏🏾

[@deriusnorris4463]

Great video Boet. I was always told if you change one coolant pipe best change all. Viscous coupling works with an oil(specific viscosity ) in it. You can change the oil in the coupling and fix the issue (check KZbin). Heat in an engine sucks. Good luck safe travels.

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks for the advice. Will look it up! Ja we're learning about changing pipes the hard way 😅

[@trevorbrewer7906]

Another action filled drama series with loads of suspense, heartache and romance. Brought to you by the overlanding duo of Abdul and Laura.. guaranteed nail biting entertainment 😅

[@TravelGigolo]

These are the days of our lives 😅😅😅

[@renierdutoit1]

GREAT, another video 👍👍👍

[@TravelGigolo]

Glad you're enjoying it!

[@tigershoot]

Best intro scene yet.

[@TravelGigolo]

😅😅😅

[@Tumza.L]

"Sho my love....😂 don't you wanna double fold that thing?" Our wives have more rational heads than us in these stressful situations... Just subscribed - Tsamayang sentle batho ba mzansi

[@TravelGigolo]

You have just made her day with that observation 😂 Rea leboha 🙏🏾

[@kazb3672]

Great episode, looking forward to the next one. What an adventure!

[@TravelGigolo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dsmash447]

The Lovlies are back on safari! Happy adventures.

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks! Good to be back 😁

[@CasperLabuschagne]

In an Australian video I saw the solution to a single person erecting a bow tent. At the corners where the poles are fitted the Ausies have a fitted peg of few centimetres in length. You stick the peg into the bottom of the hooped pole and that pole is not going anywhere until you stick a peg into the opposite end. One man, one bow-tent - easy-peasy.

[@TravelGigolo]

Interesting. So I have also a simple solution, but only works where pegs can be stuck in the ground. Basically stick pegs in the tent peg loops first, that way the tent is secured. Then start putting in the poles. It's still a hassle to keep the poles together but does make it a little easier. I'd like to see the Aussie solution so that I can better understand.

[@mthulisincube7392]

authentic , i love your videos so excited and looking forward to the next episode and all the best

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the episodes. Always nice to get positive feedback.

[@user-yd5he4mb4t]

always enjoy your travels - the voice make the viewing even more special - safe travels and cant wait for the next adventures!

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying sharing our travels.

[@guzzicr2738]

Hello my friend! I was happy to hear that there is a new episode about an area we visited twice already. And then, what a desaster with your car! I really wish you much more luck on all the comming steps of your trip. We are home for 4 month now and our minds are already circeling about when, how, where to go to Southern Africa again and it looks like that it will be Zimbabwe. But till then first of all good luck for your further trip.

[@TravelGigolo]

We are also planning to head back to Zim. We would like to do the Eastern Highlands. I'd love to go to Mana Pools again, but we'll see how the planning and timeframes work out.

[@tristanhall5971]

Great to see a new video.

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks. Been a while 😆

[@FreeSpiritsDubai]

Nice adventure and coverage 👍🏼

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying the videos 👍🏾

[@Speakthetruthplease]

Love you videos, keep up the good work

[@TravelGigolo]

Glad you're enjoying them. Thanks for the positive feedback!

[@chubsmash7602]

EIsh unfortunately I have to say, I was expecting the Land Cruiser to act funny on this trip, but didn't expect it to happen in EP1 💔 Good luck bro. Love your work.

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks, the old dog has plenty of life yet 😅

[@dinkaman2160pukka]

thank u for sharing! Always great to learn from your experiences! I was at that campsite in 2018, stayed in No.9. The showers here were amazing and good facilities. Some of the wild horses also paid a visit. Do you use straight water or specific coolant? Oh, there is a muzungu mechanic in town. I lost battery clamp on those roads and he sorted me out with one. Oh, how I miss Namibia!

[@insideoutadventuressa8283]

You guys are awesome! So great to meet you in Mata Mata!

[@TravelGigolo]

Good to meet you as well. Looks like you had some great sightings in the Kgalagadi! Nice footage.

[@Africasideways]

Kiff beats and adventure Gig.

[@TravelGigolo]

Glad you enjoyed the episode 😄

[@theexperimentalcqdx4208]

Try not take the cap off, like that. It drops the block heat too fast and can damage the head.

[@TravelGigolo]

Yes, I was concerned about getting a rapid contraction. We waited a while though to let the temperature drop as long as we could. Also filled cold water in stages, which is where the fastest cooling would occur. Time was not on our side though and not keen to camp on tue road side.

[@DuitserSwart]

I also thought you must let the engine cool down before openening the cap. Old car not cared for will let you down. Enjoy the trip, en gaan maak n draai by daai perd in windhoek wat jou genooi het.

[@TravelGigolo]

Pouring cold water in is more of a problem because of the rapid cooling.and contraction. So I poured it in stages. I think the pipes are close to needing to be changed and those desert temperatures were the last straw. Ja, this old cruiser has done a lot 😅

[@glynnmorris2117]

Are you topping up with anti freeze or with clean water? Water turns into steam which creates pressure. This puts pressure on your pipes and cooling system. It is important to always use anti freeze to mitigate.

[@TravelGigolo]

We didn't carry antifreeze with us. We weren ot expecting to lose a lot water. The radiator coolant is replaced during servicing, we need to do very little topping up between services, so that's normally just plain water top up. I guess this is another lesson learned.

[@colinkensley]

If the fan is not your problem then most likely the radiator is compacted inside, have the top and bottom tanks removed and the radiator rodded, nice video

[@TravelGigolo]

Thanks, will have the radiator inspected when we can remove it. It is new though, less than a year old. One of the many things we've replaced on the vehicle.

[@SoftCampingSouthAfrica]

Any small problem out there like a loose fridge connection is enough to mess the trip when you are hours away from the nearest town with no supplies. An Engine problem, for me that would be game over.

[@TravelGigolo]

Getting an old overlanding vehicle has forced me to learn the hard way 😅 I now have a few skills of necessity and a bit of confidence here and there.

[@janpur1417]

NICE VIDEO.. YES, PROBLEMS ARE NORMAL.. USE ORIGINAL TOYOTA CONSTANT TORQUE HOSE CLAMPS. AVOID THOSE SCREW TYPE HOSE CLAMPS (THEY EAT UP THE RADIATOR HOSE AND MAKE LEAKS LIKE WHAT YOU EXPERIENCED.). MY 100 SERIES BLEW THE TRANSMISSION (AUTO) WHEN I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP.. IT IS JUST A NOTHER DAY.. LIFE GOES ON...

[@TravelGigolo]

Thank you for the advice. I'll have a look for the clamps. I try to use use genuine toyota parts as far as possible. Hope your 100 series is back on the road.

[@murrayblair2159]

An 80 series handbrake that works in your drive nogal😅

[@TravelGigolo]

The handbrake is a cosmetic feature on the 80. I pull it up from force of habit 😅

[@TheOuboet]

What arm rest are you using? Can you recommend it?

[@TravelGigolo]

It's called a Dooierus. Quite handy to have. If I lost it I would definitely buy another one.

[@TheOuboet]

@@TravelGigolo Thank you for the response. I will definitely check them out.

[@cyrilgronemeyer9543]

I see you used a ground tent can I ask which model is that? Please

[@TravelGigolo]

Our tent is a Tentco Junior Safari dome tent. We did a review many years ago whe we first got it. Link below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYSkgatvpqyDeaMsi=sbGV6nBnrrbnx6e4 And then a follow longer term review sometime after. Link below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYSkgatvpqyDeaMsi=sbGV6nBnrrbnx6e4

[@morneokennedy]

In terms of fuel and average speed - what is your average normally?

[@TravelGigolo]

Average cruising speed is about 100 to 120 km/h on good tar road, and 80km/h on good gravel road. Fuel consumption is at best 15L/100 km on tar, at worst 25 L/100km in extended deep sand in Botswana.

[@Speakthetruthplease]

Eish, Toyota reliability. Viva, cheap.....Viva rattles.....

[@TravelGigolo]

Not bad for a 30 year vehicle 😅

[@Speakthetruthplease]

@@TravelGigolo If you're into bad........🤣🤣🤣