{"id":5613,"date":"2019-05-24T14:52:55","date_gmt":"2019-05-24T12:52:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/?p=5613"},"modified":"2020-07-07T15:42:35","modified_gmt":"2020-07-07T13:42:35","slug":"tips-on-how-to-negotiate-african-roads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/tips-on-how-to-negotiate-african-roads\/","title":{"rendered":"TIPS ON HOW TO NEGOTIATE AFRICAN ROADS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
This post is mostly for the inexperienced\nfirst-time visitor\/driver to the African continent. Always remember that Africa is quite different\nthan any other continent. So be aware\nthat you sometimes need to come out of your comfort zone to survive the\ncontinent. Things that seems abnormal on\nother continents is sometimes quite normal in Africa!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check your tyres before you drive\noff. It sounds a bit foolish, but this can safe you some embarrassment if you just\nwalk around your vehicle once to check if all your tyres are still okay and\ninflated to the correct pressure. Now\nyou are ready to hit the road and enjoy the rest of your trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tyre compressors and gauges at\ngarages, especially in remote locations, are not always correct. Be aware of that. We have a habit of using our own tyre\npressure gauge that we carry in our cubbyhole. \n Part of our standard equipment\nincludes a tyre repair kit and the knowledge of how to use when necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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When visiting a sandy location remember that it is way easier to drive early morning when the sand is still cold and hard. When the sand warms up later in the day it gets more difficult to drive and accompanying that fact it also increases your fuel consumption. This is especially an important fact if you have to budget, and carry your own fuel in remote locations. When sand is thick and slow deflate your tyres. It makes a huge difference on your driving ability. It will also let you look like a pro. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Africa is a dusty continent. Drive with your headlights on even during daytime. Doing this you might get stopped by the local\npolice who will tell you that it is illegal to have them on during time. (At this point smile and be nice and say okay\nsorry and switch it off). Switch them\noff while standing there, but as soon as you pull away put them back on. This makes your visibility in dusty\nconditions better to other hectic drivers. \nThis saved us a couple of times on our expeditions in the past!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Gravel roads are in abundance wherever\nyou travel in Africa. There are two things that you should remember when\novertaking a vehicle. Due to dust you are not always visible to the\ndriver in front of you (remember the tip on the headlights) and move as far right\nas you possibly can when overtaking. Drivers\nare not always in control of their vehicles \u2026 \nMany a time we were taken by surprise on their moves on the road. \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look ahead of you when you are\ndriving and keep your eyes on the road surface. \nIf you see that the road widens at the edges, be sure that you will soon\nhit a pothole if you are not observant. Changes\nin the colour of the tar road \u2013 becoming more red\/white – is a sure sign that\nthere is a pothole ahead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A night drive can sometimes be challenging as you have to keep a look out for all the of the above as well as stray animals wandering onto the road, because of no fences on the farms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The long and the short of this is keep your eyes open and be wide awake. We know that African roads are not always on par with rest of the world, but this is part of the charm of the African continent. Everything does not always work as they should. Keep you cool and enjoy the ride!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also read our post Going solo off the beaten track for more practical advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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