Pot Holes, Ghost Towns and Hunger. Half-million-kms Toyota Land Cruiser

[@billchesser1475]

The dependability of a Toyota with the rattling of a Land Rover. Sounds like the beginning of a great adventure.

[@4xoverland]

Yes! Thank you. None of this 'how dare you criticize South Africa' BS on so many of the comments.

[@petepeterson4540]

@@4xoverland I sure would on their roads chuck your rucksack in the hole so you can pass.

[@lawesosah9214]

The Pothole bit was hilarious!

[@Sabre2165]

The best part of this amazing adventure is having Gwynn along. She is a perfect co-pilot, a brilliant commentator, and a cheerful mate through any adversity. What a charming couple!

[@kingbernad7345]

I just love how Gwyn finds a way around the “no food for dinner” problem and doesn’t complain about it. She is quite a trooper. You are a lucky man Andrew! Wishing you both many more happy adventures ahead.

[@KarlEller]

Yeah, not a lot of people that can take that kind of set-back in stride, Gwynn is a trooper.

[@fatmanoverlanding]

Hahaha!!! That guy mocking the potholes was brilliantly funny. 🤣 Extremely well put together mockumentary. Great stuff. 👍

[@mikeboone4425]

There are only 2 people who could do this job and make it such an adventure ,Your humor is priceless . Happy trails

[@mojrimibnharb4584]

After hours of your video content I can say this with absolute confidence: your wife is a rock bearing infinite patience.

[@antslim168]

There's no place like home, Africa!

[@francoisrossouw1656]

Awesome how you two handle the journey and the every day curve balls. Safe travels.

[@BorisEkner]

The guy doing an Attenborough is absolutely spot on! Love it!!

[@e210dall3]

That road is very similar to the Newel Highway in NSW. We spent most of the time in the middle straddling the white lines. Oncoming traffic would do the same. Made for an interesting trip.

[@northencape]

Welcome back Andrew and Gwen on south-afrcan soil! Oh that pothole bit is absolutely hilarious!😂😁😊

[@frederikwarlop6755]

Very nice to see a happy hungry couple in a troopy 😊

[@OnlineopticsCoUk]

Ahhh Andrew... you and Gwen on the open road, great conversation and lots of laughs... absolute magic!!! Thank you guys

[@ekim72]

Thank you for introducing us to Themba Robin. Great vid, keep 'em coming.

[@markslowen1411]

❤that guy is so right about the potholes breeding 😂

[@timbeck9483]

Wonderful way to unwind after work with a cold beer. Thanks guys.

[@joshhammann622]

Agree on the state of the roads.... terrible, BUT...... I think some of the content is pushing for sensation not reality. I have stayed over in Burgersdorp twice in the past six months, once at Seisoen Guesthouse, and once at Oaktree. On both occasions I had to leave very early, before 5am, and both times they were more then happy to pack me a breakfast pack with some sandwiches, boiled eggs, juice etc.

[@thabonchu1568]

I agree, either that or just poor planning. To me the nicest thing is to stop in the middle of nowhere and have a quick braai!

[@johnvaneeden1455]

I for one are so glad you visited that knife maker, most people just stick to the tourist traps and don’t venture further.

[@tonytaynton8559]

Ha ha bloody funny video that's a good one guys. Cheers Tony Brisbane Australia 🇦🇺

[@thewiredfox2691]

Hats off to Themba Robin ! Excellent work.

[@robdotcom71]

9:56 if you had all those ingredients on Ready,Steady, Cook no doubt the chef would whip up some gourmet meal and desert..... lol

[@tb77073]

Andrew, this Has to be one of your funniest videos. We laughed and laughed. Thank you so much.

[@stephandelange9053]

At 3:35 Gwen said “Skedonk”! Ok, I have not viewed the episode before this one but for Gwen to refer a Toyota as a “Skedonk” wow! (Skedonk to translate it politely is a rattle case) Maybe RSA is too expensive for the famous 4x4 guy. Yes, our country roads are in bad shape you need to be alert but not far worse than some major roads in Zimbabwe, Zambia or Botswana. Money is tight and a lot disappeared but it seems to be worldwide! Burgersdorp is a small place Andrew and you might recall when you were much younger many many shops closed at 13:00 on a Saturday and only reopened on a Monday from around 08:00. But overtime things changed and some shops will have their own closing times especially over weekends in small towns but as far as I know Burgersdorp does have a Spar which is open from 08:00 till 19:00 on Sundays but might close earlier on some public holidays. What surprise me is that you are a seasoned traveler and I do recall that you wrote in one of your very early 4x4 Drive in Southern Africa to be prepared for emergencies any type which includes food and drink, even for a day or two where there are no towns or shops. Also interesting is that Gwen has more of a talking role in your later videos and not just a moving prop. I might sound very negative about you because of a negative commit you made in one of your early books about Land Rover series just after you got a Toyota sponsorship, that is when I stopped buying your books! However I still regard you as a 4x4 guru, you got the experiences when that industry started however you became a bit aggressive and only Andrew way is the way to go. I do like your skills as a videographer and sometimes your video editing but to say that South Africans are negative about you, well… Save travel!

[@JamesRobertJones2001]

Yip, all for effect. The Spar in Burgersdorp is open 0800 to 1900, 7 days a week. On public holidays they might close earlier as you say but when I last checked there are no public holidays in February when this was filmed. (Valentine's Day does not count!)

[@4xoverland]

too late now ;-)

[@JamesRobertJones2001]

@@4xoverland Never too late to say sorry! ;-)

[@sampotgieter6990]

Ahh South Africa.. magnificent in it's awfulness! What an enjoyable video, thank you.

[@taurota1554]

awesome as always.thanks for ssharing and taking us along

[@GTDrummingman]

You had me at "Strong independent pothole"

[@veziqiniso4425]

@4x4Overland thanks; pls share locality info for stretches of road traveling on & commented on. Sorry hosts in Bugersdorp didn't show you some good s African hospitality.

[@Queensizemusic]

The pothole safari sketch was brilliant! 😂🤣

[@thabonchu1568]

05:54 "...just for safety..." then proceeds to park on the wrong side of the road! 😉

[@4xoverland]

so that's what you got from this video? Why do you watch them at all?

[@willactually7509]

@@4xoverland I’m with you on this Ntate Thabo - people parking on the wrong side of the road is a pet hate of mine (disclaimer - rant to follow!). I cannot imagine it to be legal or socially acceptable in any country of the world for obvious safety reasons but beyond that, it shows disrespect and lack of consideration for other road users. Andrew, allow me to sketch a scenario which you might want to consider: You are no doubt aware that rural South Africa is plagued by stock theft and that farm attacks and/or hijackings along farm roads do occur. If for instance a farmer or his wife, taking kids to school or visiting the co-op in town in his/her Hilux (Land Cruisers are also popular in the area), approaches your vehicle from the opposite direction; to them your vehicle, with its enclosed body (space for 30+ sheep) and Gauteng plates (!) would certainly seem out of place and highly suspect. Being stationary on the wrong side of the road, and obstructing the oncoming lane, the scene would take on the appearance of an ambush and might lead to all sorts of unintended consequences. Amid a sense of unease and apprehension, out from behind the seat, the 30-06 will come out and the 9mm at the ready - a situation best avoided. Simple really, stick to traffic rules and keep the discipline, even on a seemingly deserted farm road!

[@thabonchu1568]

@@willactually7509 Ke a leboha Ntate Will. I really seem to have offended Mr. White but after reading your comment I feel a lot better. You are quite correct in what you are saying. 👏🏾Monna enoa ke sethoto! Ke monna wa kgotso, tsamaya hantle Ntate Will - maybe we will meet some day in the lovely eastern Free State which is my home.🙏🏾👋🏾

[@JesseePDX]

you two are too cute...long time subscriber...me I have 6 rigs and I can see goofing it on supplies..I cant believe you dined on junkfood...well makes me feel better...im in WA (state of Washington USA) and its spring here we just did the sweep of all vehicles to get readu for spring...throw out and re supply the vehicles/campers

[@ignacioentrocasso8171]

I was wondering about you. Glad to find you well... Regards, from Argentina, Patagonia, Bariloche.

[@tiakontikiadventures1536]

Awesome! You two make me chuckle! Excellent match! Potholes remind me of my pop's trying to dodge the ones in Kenya!

[@fwdadventuresza254]

Another priceless episode! Beautiful scenery with some good humor thrown in for good measure 👍🏻😆

[@nickpowis]

The roads here in Devon UK, are exactly the same, it must be a world wide plan to stop us traveling 😂

[@Longshot762x51]

Haha the potholes! Warms my heart to see that some bullshit is just universal 😂

[@nic.in.the.pacific5113]

Great vid re: potholes. I’ll put up Suva main road potholes against those, we call them Lovo Pits, enjoy your trip and Suzi look forward to more content. 🇫🇯

[@michaelyoung3337]

We were just there in that region and thought that was just how the roads were. Fascinating to hear that it is a semi-recent degradation of the road conditions. There were potholes larger and deeper than our tires in many cases.

[@jwv7522]

South Africa cannot be part of Africa if it doesn't have potholes, South Africa you have arrived. 12 - 14 hitchhikers in the back 110km/hr with the cruiser, that's the sweet spot for ironing out the potholes.

[@shathaniketogetswe4271]

Took a road a few weeks back from Port Elizabeth to Gaborone passed by Addo Elephant park the GPS led me to a road past Hofmeyer which was filled with potholes but road before one crosses the Vaal river in the Free State reminded me of back home on the A3 before Gweta where there's no tar just gravel 😂😂😂😂

[@cunawarit]

That potholes nature documentary skit is great 😅

[@johanoosthuizen6659]

At least there were "droewors" for leftovers! Saved the day! The best "droewors, biltong and T-bones in the Northern Cape is Skema Butchery, Hartswater. Free camping just outside of town on a pecannut plot with most facilities you will need. You guys are more than welcome if every on your way to Botswana, the place in all of Africa you love so much, Andrew.

[@murrayanderson9411]

Try be positive. I know it is hard but there must be more than just nice clouds?

[@4xoverland]

you are only hearing the negative. Its shouting at you because you are the one who needs to be positive.

[@abidnessman]

Phase 1of my trek in 2007 LC 4000 miles to Central America. Know hunger. Lost 35 pounds. Truck side doors bashed in Hondiras hit and run. Malinois and I preparing for 4500 more solo miles. Reliable sturdy Toyota. Africa must be awesome.

[@Ribastein]

You really are traveling the roads less travelled. I probably would not have stopped in such a small town. If I was I would have bought meat along the way in ladybrand and had a braai on arrival. The Roads are bad in some of the provinces especially in the small towns. Cars with high profile tires a must unfortunately 😥

[@johnthompson9440]

The Roads in early 1980s were so good when I lived there

[@willactually7509]

Free State roads were great until around 2000. It then got worse - especially during the gangster reign of Ace Magashule as Premier.

[@TOYOTA.Overland]

In Eastern Europe, we have the same, sometimes worse pot holes. We drive them with Yaris , not the 7O series.😁

[@Samie229]

In your previous videos, you would take out a Coke to drink at stopovers. I used to miss that. Finally, the Coke is back :)

[@siphosibiya4472]

It's like these towns in the Free State go to sleep form 12 on Saturday. A great episode

[@rosshannemann7772]

Andrew not promising being deserted,old troopy doing well,glad Gwen is with you safe journeys

[@jetnavigator]

Sadly, it seems like a nation in decay. Beautiful countryside and towns.

[@willactually7509]

Indeed but fortunately not everywhere. You will see a great improvement once entering the Western Cape - the only province not under the control of the corrupt African National Congress!

[@darianharold2228]

Definitely. The decline is shocking. It is terrible now. Durban the biggest city close to me is disgusting. The beautiful beachfront is unkept and the water full of Ecoli. Terrible and I am not being racist before that pops up. I am a black South African

[@SpectreOZ]

Beautiful Country but incompetent/irresponsible Governence, Socialist labour laws don't help (quotient over meritocracy).

[@AA-vr8ez]

No it does not, it looks like a beautiful country. Every nation has backwoods, even the USA has places that looks worse than Haiti. Especially in really rural places in Louisiana/Alabama.

[@darianharold2228]

@AA ya but not 95% of areas are declining. Here it is 95% and I ja e travelled it extensively. It is shocking. I was born here and am now 47. The decline is horrific

[@sbGOM]

Currently planning a trip to SA and driving from Jo'burg to Kruger via Polokwane and Pafuri gate in the far north of Kruger. Done driving trips there in 2014 and 2019 but must admit you guys are giving me second thoughts.

[@chantellevanheerden994]

I live in Polokwane. You wil be fine. There are some potholes around but only in small sections if you do go up to Pafuri. Once you get to Polokwane, rather turn east to Tzaneen, then Gravelotte and then Phalaborwa. You can then drive north once in Kruger. If you follow that route you will most probably not see a single pothole. Enjoy

[@rogerbmcdaniel]

What fun! You two are a hoot!

[@Templar1129]

Ha! Excellent!!! LOVED THE ENDING!!! Made my day!

[@Bruwery]

I must say it is slightly sad that you drive through those platteland dorpies (where you find the best quality droewors en biltong) such as Fouriesburg and end up in Burgersdorp with a packet of Woolies droewors.

[@christosnyman5075]

I freaking love it ! I want to go around africa towing a small plane to go flying wherever I go !! Let’s make it happen!

[@davidthomas9267]

Just read thru all the comments and it seems like a lot of people can't just enjoy watching the presentation and have to get personally involved with all sorts of crazy comments.

[@shaunozs1ra92]

Welcome home. We have a plan for the potholes. We will appoint a minister of potholes soon. That should solve the problem 😀

[@JamesRobertJones2001]

Reminds me of the Nando's ad - Minister of Inland Fisheries and Minister of Stationary!

[@nic.in.the.pacific5113]

Loving those Dame Edna’esk glasses, 💕

[@4xoverland]

William Painter sunglasses.

[@terblanchedewet]

I would like to know why you didn't ask the owner of the bb if they can make you something to eat you lived in south africa for a long time and should know that us afrikaans people are very friendly and love sharing a meal with others!

[@flight2k5]

4:41 similar to the roads in Portland and Vancouver

[@antonburger01]

I enjoy these videos tremendously. I do however want to say that the local petrol station would have had to be open, and would have had a small convenience store that is open 24/7. I have never encountered a petrol station in South Africa where such convenience stores are not open on Sundays. Even in the middle of the night they are open, even if only the window by the cash register where you have to ask the attendant to bring you something from the shelf. Can it really be that there could not have even been a petrol station shop open for them to buy food on a Sunday during day time?

[@HoneyBadgerFarm]

I think you are trying to justify your move to Australia...yes it has pot holed roads and rolling blackouts, but you know there is no other place that gets in your soul like Southern Africa!

[@4xoverland]

There is a place that gets in my soul like Southern Africa: The Australian outback. Australia is a fantastic country to both live in and tour. Southern Africa (not South Africa) remains a great place to tour, but not to live. I regret not moving earlier.

[@JamesRobertJones2001]

@@4xoverland No Country for Old Men!

[@sf017s4]

Try driving in Sudan mate! OMG!

[@4xoverland]

The difference is, the Sudan's roads have never been good.

[@michaelhallier5772]

Watching you drive through the Karoo and down via Cradock to my neck of the woods of Addo has me homesick beyond words! Are you able to provide the details of Yolandi? I quite liked the look of her knives and would love to support if possible.

[@sv_endless6340]

Yip , The government has stuffed up this beautiful country infrastructure due to corruption and NO service delivery. Glad for you to experience i little south africa currently, but you just passing through, we have to live it day by day,imagine that

[@thabonchu1568]

True that - funny story: A while ago I attended a public meeting about the state of roads in the Free State. The Premier arrived more than a hour late and her excuse was "...very sorry but the roads are terrible"!

[@CharlesJHin]

Sad to see the infrastructure deterioration. Nevertheless, it's a beautiful country.

[@MrCharrrles]

tia

[@janblignaut-vl2ei]

The Freestate province has a problem with the availability of good gravel to make roads. It has been a problem for a long time. I enjoy your humor especialy that of your wife.

[@thabonchu1568]

Jy praat kak Jan - it has nothing to do with availability of gravel! The Free State has huge problems with corruption and incompetence and lack of political will to do anything about it! Recently it was reported that 85% of the provincial roads department funds go for salaries with very little remaining to do actual work!

[@janblignaut-vl2ei]

@@thabonchu1568The state corruption is obvious. Even in the days of the National Party before 1994 the Freestate had problems with potholes. I remember how bad the road to Senekal was in the 1970's.

[@thabonchu1568]

@@janblignaut-vl2ei Ntate Jan, ek ken die Senekal pad. Free State roads were pretty good up until the early 2000s. I recall whenever I travelled, there were always PAO maintenance teams in attendance. Yellow bakkie with green bonnet? Nowadays no in-house work is done - everything goes out on tender and often to cronies of government officials who then often abscond without finishing the job. Tsamaya hantle Ntate Jan!

[@patrickangier3919]

Reminds of the Zambian roads in the early 1990’s. At potholes in the UK are also a big issue.

[@anulfadventures]

Yes, it is now all up to you two to repopulate the earth. Too bad about the hotel being closed.

[@mfhassiem]

Yay! You back in RSA!

[@4xoverland]

Actually, I'm now in Seattle WA, USA

[@LandRoverDS2020]

Ah a new business venture "Andrew's bed and breakfast " But back to that town, what a bazaar site, clean and deserted. 🤔

[@robertlewis7237]

thank you for beauty video of your travel

[@johnvaneeden1455]

An enquiry at the local police station in Smithfield some 15 years ago as to which route is best to Gariep, his response was “ If you go down that road, pointing to one option, your car will break and I will not come fetch you “ That left us only one other option to which he retorted in his best broken English “ If you go down this road and travel more than 60 km/h , your car will break and I will not come fetch you” Needless to say we chose 60km/h and yet it was a nightmare ! Since then it all became significantly worse and all services provided suffer eg. Police, Eskom, Municipal, Health clinics etc.

[@BeeBeorn]

Well, real shakedown tour..

[@mikeboone4425]

Off all people to be with out food this was totally unexpected ..Happy Trails

[@sm5970]

Almost done with the series and it’s enjoyable. What I don’t understand is the request to make a budget car. I don’t see where the fun is in that. I would have been bored out of my mind watching Top Gear and Clarkson and co driving Ford Fiestas and Corollas. I just don’t get these requests. If one needs a budget build they must build it. It only takes not buying everything Andrew bought after the basics. It takes making what one wants to make, how is that entertainment? This is an over-landing show and it aught to be entertaining and belly and whistley. I really hope you don’t stick to the budget build concept.

[@willemstoltz1595]

How did you like it to be back in SA? Especially the roads...😀

[@greenestmachine71]

Having driven some of these same roads in 2022, I can’t help but think that there is a bit of overdramatisation. The roads of the eastern free state did have potholes however they were certainly not undriveable by any stretch. The same goes for the roads in the eastern cape. Once we reached the western cape there was hardly a pothole. Bear in mind that these are very much back roads and the national roads are still in good condition.

[@4xoverland]

Almost all South Africans are highly sensitive to critisizm of their country. Always have been. But only by living in another country can one have one's eyes opened.

[@greenestmachine71]

@@4xoverland without doubt, however having not lived in SA since ‘98, and having lived in the UK, AU and now SG, your criticism of my comment is not valid. I also find that many ex-Saffas go out of their way to find fault with the country. It is my experience that infrastructure is crumbling in most parts of the world that saw huge investment in the ‘60-80’s. Unfortunately, it is undeniable that in SA the degradation of the infrastructure is not so much to do with lack of funding, but rather through widespread corruption and mind numbing incompetence. In any event, still a very entertaining series and I am interested to see the Manjaro fit out of the Troopy.

[@perpelle]

@@4xoverland Why is that? Just pure patrionism? You would think that even those people could find something wrong with their country.

[@JamesRobertJones2001]

@@perpelle This is simply not true! You have to live in South Africa to understand that they are constantly self-critisising and poke fun at themselves and their situation The Themba Robin video is a case in point! Just have a look at South African Nando's adverts for more!

[@slickrick765]

Reminds me of when you tried to do CKGR south to north.

[@4xoverland]

which one. First or second?

[@RoamingRooma]

If it is a bush knife cannot past two makes 1. Jacklore knife - UK 2. Kor knife and tools - Adelaide Australia

[@4xoverland]

I have a Jacklore. This is good, but not as good as a Jacklore.

[@JesseePDX]

sorry if I can add one more thing...Im in the USA and i can travel 200 or less miles and be out in the stix like that were everything closes on Sunday or very early...its just something to expect from a rural town

[@ThemTokTV]

Skedonk....That's an old slang. Haven't heard it in a long time. I hope the big guys like Makro and them don't bulldoze the knife lady out of business. Those are proper quality knives.

[@XynxNet]

So what was up with the deserted town?

[@101bennyc]

Interesting that it doesn’t have a snorkel, Does come from the factory that way in SA?

[@4xoverland]

yes.

[@bennytdi]

The landy I had imported to the states had Addo np stickers on it but the detailers removed them :(

[@whya2ndaccount]

Any Australian Border Force (ABF) / Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) related problems importing the hardwood knife handles?

[@4xoverland]

Only unprocessed wood can be a problem. Furniture, wooden tools, wooden toys, wooden handles on knives are not a problem for importation into Australia.

[@davidthomas9267]

Does the knife shop have anything on the internet to locate them?

[@jackthornton3496]

Having owned a Troopy before and 15 other 4 x 4`s the troopy is the worst for Noise and lack of features from the factory...and the roof rails rust out

[@Malc664]

The jokes at the end is your best yet 🔥 (¬‿¬)

[@mohnnadmercedes8246]

That little town is scary as shit,, imagine you go there in the night?

[@Skippernick1957]

Country basically been looted and corruption is rampant. The road and electricity grid have also suffered from incompetence. ANC have failed in every respect.

[@greenleader758]

The deterioration of SA over the past 5 years has been nothing but soul destroying to see.

[@MeMurphy10Feb]

Wow sad to see such a sorry state of the rural towns and roads, hope there is a rainbow town on the horizon!

[@thabonchu1568]

Everything will change when you get to the Western Cape - a province not run by the criminal organisation called the African National Congress.

[@4xoverland]

As you will see as the series progresses.

[@simonoskam]

the bad road that you are driving , is the same as the roads here in Huelva Spain. normally the mechanics are asking "' are you driving offroad ' Then i say no just in Huelva en surroundings . hahahahahaaaa

[@davidmilledge221]

No different to south Australian rds 😅

[@SpectreOZ]

Nah mate rural NSW roads are worse, just try to drive to Lake Mungo National Park 😂

[@dewetterblanche8898]

What is the app you are using for road quality?

[@andrewfisher7599]

What was the name of the knife company?

[@4xfortuner812]

I'm still waiting for an answer on why that town was utterly devoid of people.

[@br.markanthony574]

The pothole clip was entertaining, lovely to see some of your journey, shame places weren't open, thought you two would have brought some canned foodstuffs with you wherever you go, I was watching some local content recently and thought wouldn't it be nice to see Andrew drive one of these Munro mk1's round Scotland some weekend and treat us to his opinion, kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5exdZ6sfN6ifK8