In the 70s and 80s there were a number of operators offering trips to far flung places previously inaccessible as a holiday destination. These trips were however not holidays, nor were they intended to be. They were intentionally called expeditions as this more closely reflected what you were getting yourself into. Encounter Overland and Exodus Expeditions were considered the best of the bunch at the time. Encounter Overland has been taken over by Dragoman and absorbed. When researching what had happened to Encounter Overland I found a number of interesting web sites, videos and photos some of which are included here. I also found this case study about responsible tourism. (Link lost, but found this trying to re-establish link) There is a Spirit of Encounter web site which keeps a virtual Encounter Overland alive. Encounter Overland’s tag was ‘Where there’s a wheel there’s a way.’
The Spirit of Encounter web site mentions an address of 267 Old Brompton Road. I remember an address of 281 Old Brompton Road. I will have to do some more digging.
Encounter Overland had two livery colours, bright orange and pale blue. Although the early vehicles were ex-military they wanted to ensure that the trucks were not misidentified as army trucks as some of the countries traveled through were not as stable as might be desired. You can see both colours in the following YouTube videos. In my time the trucks for Asia and Africa were mainly Bedford MJ 4x4, with one Bedford KM 6x4 if my memory serves me correctly.
Africa Overland 1995 Encounter Overland
YouTube caption;-
Uploaded on 3 May 2009
In June 1995 i got on the Encounter Overland truck in Cape Town and we went north through 18 countries. And 6 months later and 17,000 miles back to London a changed man..........
Above is a 1995 Trans Africa YouTube video created by Dave Highbury. It shows to me that despite the trucks being more modern in 1995 there were still a lot of similarities to my 1979 trip.
Below are two clips from 1980, the same era as my trip.
Trans Africa with Encounter Overland 1980 - Part 1
YouTube caption;-
Uploaded on 5 Jul 2010
A great journey with a great group
Above are two 1980 Trans Africa YouTube videos posted by a long term Encounter Overland driver / leader. Well there were two, but the backing track was subject to a copyright dispute. Hopefully both will be up again soon.
Overland 3/9 - Clip 1 - Fuoristrada e impantanamenti in Africa (segue in Clip 2...)
Overland 3/9 - Clip 2 - (...segue da Clip 1) Fuoristrada e impantanamenti in Africa
Although not Encounter Overland, clip 1 above shows how dangerous overlanding can be, even for experienced people. I recall hearing of a passenger walking in front of a truck at a river crossing, getting washed away by the current, and drowned. Not good. We always tied them to the bumper with rope. A strange sight, but better than being killed.
The two clips below provide an overview of a Bedford MJ 4x4 by GoldieVideo. The Bedford is a good basic, simple and versatile truck well suited to overlanding. In its day it was one of the best all rounder medium mobility trucks that sold in various forms all over the world. Bedford’s market penetration resulted in readily available spares. Thirty years later spares are still available, albeit not as easily.
Bedford MJ 4x4 Overland Expedition truck described (part 1)
Uploaded on 28 Jan 2008
See www.johngoldie.name - John Goldie describing a Bedford MJ 4x4 Overland Expedition Safari truck in Nairobi, Kenya on the 29th of July (part 1).
Bedford MJ 4x4 Overland Expedition truck described (part 2)
Uploaded on 28 Jan 2008
See www.johngoldie.name - John Goldie describing a Bedford MJ 4x4 Overland Expedition Safari truck in Nairobi, Kenya on the 29th of July (part 2).
Bedford MJ 4X4 Truck at Tank Mania 13/11/10
Uploaded on 14 Nov 2010
Bedford MJ 4X4 Truck off roading at Tank Mania near Measham 13/11/10.
Africa Overland Kenya to the Cape 1996/97
Uploaded on 6 Aug 2011
During 1996 and 1997 Helen and I went down to Africa to run some trips there, we did two 9 week adventure trips taking in 8 countries each trip this is some of the highlights of the first trip. Kenya to Cape Town. Dennis was the name of the Truck It was an ex fire engine from Germany
Tatra 10x10 in siberia
Uploaded on 28 May 2009
Tatra 10x10 taken in siberia
TATRA truck is off-road king
Uploaded on 3 Jun 2009
Czech truck TATRA is best truck ever!
I have never owned a Tatra, or driven one on an expedition. A 'Colusous' 813 was definitely on the wish list at one time. Either as a toy or a all terrain motor home. I think you will agree that the clips show it as being rugged. However, I sat in one at a War & Peace Show. Even with additional sound suppression, it was still deafening inside the cab. This effectively took it off the wish list
Mann
