Exploring THE MONSTER - DRC Overland (Epic three year Africa circumnavigation! 31/53)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 28 кві 2018
- Join me as I drive my Overland Modified Jeep Wrangler 80,000 miles around Africa.
theroadchoseme.com
In this episode I cross the infamous Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - formally Zaire. Simply getting to the border turns into an expedition, then the slog to the Mighty Congo River and the ferry to cross.
You can follow my adventure in real time across social media at:
Facebook: / theroadchoseme
Instagram: / theroadchoseme
Twitter: / dangrec
And my website: theroadchoseme.com
#Overland #Africa #Expedition
![How will I get around the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)?? 🇨🇩 [S7-E82]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/WEQOhC-kRAE/mqdefault.jpg)
Absolutely engrossing as always. The driving footage is really captivating by itself, but it would be really interesting to see more footage of your daily struggles as well!
Awesome, being congolese myself, it's my dream to overland in the DRC.
This is what adventure looks like!
We homeschool and we are doing a month or more long unit on Africa. Kids (8,8 &12) LOVE watching your videos! Thank you 😊
What an adventure, so contrasting with life and 4WD in Australia.
Amazing!! I never knew this was possible. I’m addicted to your channel now my friend. I’m now shopping for a 2 door jeep so I can do 3-5 day at a time overland/road trips here in the US with my daughter during this pandemic. Inspiring brother!!
Welcome aboard!
Awesome video! I worked in the DRC for some months and I gotta say: Man, you were lucky with the bridges, especially in the first part of the video where you drive on roads that see almost no traffic. In other provinces, bridges are often collapsed or destroyed. The province of Congo-central (where you went through) was luckily never reached by the devastating wars that took place in Congo, so that might be one explanation for the infrastructure. Cheers!
Where did you work Ian?
The place fascinates me, but it also scares the pants off me!
@@TheRoadChoseMe I worked for a political foundation, I was around all the time, but limited to south-western Congo. The furthest I've been inland was Gungu and Kandale in Kwilu. Had to take deviate many times when visiting projects because of broken bridges. I also just watched your video from Nigeria about the roadblocks. If you leave Kinshasa on the RN1 driving east, it is exactly the same. Police and DGM every 10km. But once you get off the frequented roads, you are out of this kind of trouble. However, other things will become troubling, for example the road itself being almost impassable!
Will be great seen you pulling the vehicles out of the mud, don't forget to include in your next videos
People can exaggerated so much about locals of DRC. There are some areas to stay out of just like any country, but locals are mostly peaceful. I'm based in North Eastern DRC and regularly take some fishing expiditions. The roads are great fun if you have a capable vehicle. I personally trust my Toyota more in remote areas. Rarely see Jeeps.
Great video, thanks for sharing👍🏼
Well said!
I was thinking if there is possibility to drive from Uganda to Kinshasa
Hey mate I have some questions about travelling through North Eastern DRC by motorbike. Do you have an email I can contact you on?
DRC Special Country Great Adventure
Hi I have driven across the DRC a number of times. Crossing from/into CAR from all 4 different land borders at different times and making my way across to/from Uganda or Rwanda. Also in 2008 I took vehicles from Matardi, to Kinshasa then a month on a barge up river to Kinisgani and overland from there to Isiro. A place where a true adventure can still be had..
Wow, those are EPIC adventures! I hope to follow in your footsteps someday.
is the road tarmacked from uganda/burundi to kinshasa ? i plan on going all the way to muanda from kenya
@@iankahiga9 what road?
@@stanley626burundi -kinshasa- muanda
Hey stanley I have some questions about drc do you have email I could contact you on? @stanley626
DRC rocks! I had the best time of my life in this beautiful country! Next time continue straight into the country and follow the road from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi: Unbelievably strong experience! Thanks for sharing all this with us mate!
I would absolutely love to make that drive... and also from CAR in the North somewhere down to Zambia. Sounds like adventure to me!
@@TheRoadChoseMe oh that would be also something very unique!
I can’t imagine all the unknown feelings of what’s up ahead. Great video!!!
This is just great. Nothing like having school children peering in your window in the morning, lol. So funny a Porsche passed you , lol. Love your travels and zest for adventure, thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I love the part where the school kids greeted you in the morning. And the ferry across the Congo. Gorgeous. Amazing.
Is just Fantastic you transport me to Africa for a few minutes, and Im just drinking coffee in from of my computer in my living room.
I always look forward to your videos, well done! Can't say I will ever be able to follow in your foot steps but it is exhilarating to watch your footage thinking how absolutely terrified I would be driving through such remote and undeveloped country. The pucker factor but be on 11 at times. Thank you for taking us along and uploading longer videos. God speed and safe travels from the USA!
Cheers, glad you enjoy!
Your trip just continues to amaze me!! Geoff
I would absolutely love exploring central DRC. Great video on the western part of the country!
Me too!
Thanks for sharing your story and for inspiring so many of us to continue pushing our boundaries.
Best of luck on the adventure. We'll be watching.
Cheers!
That was an incredible video thank you reddit for taking me here
Found out about your channel yesterday and dang, your channel is AMAZING.
Thanks!
+The Road Chose Me
Woah, you actually replied! I've been binge watching your videos for the past few days, and still lovin them.
@@bro1678 Ha! I've been been binge watching too! I'm thiiisssss close to buying a Jeep and ordering my ursa minor popup.
I was hoping that this video was from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi, never mind, well done. I crossed the Congo via Cabinda instead of Luozi, easier I think.
What an amazing adventure and so well narrated. Thanks for sharing. Steve
I love you road show!! Just wonderful!
Ford E Series van looks very capable but definitely wouldn't want anything bigger for that track.
another great video Dan! safe travels!
Thank you for sharing your adventure !
From a DRC native big thumb up to you.
What an amazing journey!
That's wild man! Glad to see the Jeep is holding up.
Wonderful expedition along that road... but DRC surely can be the most unpredictable country when you drive through Goma,Walikali Lubumbashi to Kisangani...that's if you can find a road!!!!
another great, captivating vid!! cheers to you mate!!
so cool! much support from Canada
Fascinating. Beautiful landscape. Seems so easy though get horribly stuck 🙂
Fantastic piece, Dan!
Thanks team!
Amazing!
Those Ko2's look like they were the perfect choice for you. Another inspiring video- thanks for sharing!
They really have been perfect in every way.
Australians love driving
Keep them coming!!
I have never seen the Lagos to mombasa route tried by anyone. Usually because of travelling across the DRC. Would be awesome if someday you did it
A friend did it by motorbike at the same time I was in West Africa. Lots of time in CAR and then Northern DRC. he loved it, but he's nuts.
@TheRoadChoseMe do you have a blog or UA-cam or something? Seems super cool
Great adventure man!
Binge watching!
awesome...
great video
Great video :)
Would love to see more footage of interaction with people. That would be priceless. As I watched, I paused the video over and over and over so I could zoom in on the faces of the individuals. I wanted to know each one. What would you have learned, who would you have met, what stories would you have been told if you'd been able to stop and spend a few days, or weeks, in one of the villages? Was there a rush to get to the end?
I wanted to as well, but the problem is when I pull out my camera it changes the interactions entirely. People see me differently, and I'd rather enjoy the moment for real than ruin it with a camera.
@@TheRoadChoseMe Good point. Makes complete sense. Thanks for the explanation.
very mecanical....very nice views
I was hoping to see some footage of that van, man.... 🙂
wooow this was an absolutely fantastic video!! Long time I ve seen anything like this quality :) How do you come up with such a route?
Interesting as always. Thanks again.
I wonder how the Jeep has held on. The videos make it look like it's got Toyota's reliability. Hopefully you'll share a video on the amount of repairs required to keep that vehicle running with the consistency of the African sun.
See you in Angola.
The Tundra stuck in the mud was funny to me. Clearly a stolen/wrecked truck that was sent oversees. They don't sell them anywhere else than the US...
simonlynchsae you're an idiot.
simonlynchsae a lot of Japan's and middle eastern used cars are sent to Africa
That's funny. I wonder how I bought my Tundra here in Canada if they don't sell them anywhere but the US?
@@simonlynchsae lol dude they sell them all over latinamerica new from dealers fyi
My father has a 1982 Jeep Wrangler, that shit still run strong in rough terrain in Ayiti
The adrenaline must have been priceless.
Nice video
When I saw the flexible solar panels at the start of this journey I thought "those are gonna get replaced real quick" and I see I was right. I wish flexible panels were better, the light weight makes them very attractive, but they aren't durable enough yet.
They are now - I had one for a year around Australia and it was flawless.
Stay tuned, I'm about to install a bunch more!
@@TheRoadChoseMe When you were in Australia did you change the mounting setup so they had an air gap? Overheating from being flush mounted is a big part of why they degrade quickly, though UV damage on flexible solar panels is rough so they lose efficiency a lot faster than rigid panels. That being said they have gotten significantly better than they were when you set out on your Africa trip.
I love DRC only
1:48 How to make a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited from Wrangler. 7:56 children of the corn :)
It's crazy to think that the Wrangler he's driving was assembled about 100 feet from where I sit at the Toledo Assembly Complex.
Awesome! I got a tour of the TAC in 2019 after displaying the Jeep at Toledo Jeep Fest!
... with any luck, it might wind up near there again in the future!
@@TheRoadChoseMe Great. You probably walked right by be as I was on the Gladiator (JT) launch team in 2019.....the same line where your JK was built. They canceled Jeep Fest for 2020......damn it!
Fascinating video, but I can't help wondering how much deeper the experience could've been if he had someone to share it with...
I've really been enjoying these. Where is the drone footage in your intro shot?
That was actually way back in Arizona when I was still building the Jeep!
Looking forward to your take on Angola, to me it was the worse place in Africa I ever visited. Hopefully you will have nothing but good experiences. Good luck and keep safe.
Rick & Zack Explore Offroad what about it was so bad?
fatebook - A few blocks from my hotel in Luanda, a Portuguese ex-pat was lynched by the mob after a car accident. Set a bad tone for the trip. It was one of those places where you really needed a strong case of situational awareness, and were pretty much confined to the hotel after dark. Angola wasn't my first trip in "less than ideal" regions and I have been caught in countries at war (Azerbaijan & Israel) and experiencing military coups (Nigeria) etc but Angola just made me feel uncomfortable. The good thing about Angola, in my opinion, is that Namibia is just south. Namibia is a fantastic place.
righto Russell Coight
You should provide all video when you coming how you eat
I wish you also included some footage of the capital cities of all those countries you transversed.
... I didn't actually go into Kinshasa in the DRC...
Always good stories. I really wish you'd have visuals to back them up and not just the road cam. I know it's a big ask, but this is the internet and I'm a needy user. ;)
I agree with you. It's a youtube channel and there is so much potential to get good footage where he's going. But he just seems content with making the easiest mounted gopro timelapse driving footage. How about a video about recovering the vehicles? Nope. Campsite walkaround, explain the tent? Nope. Just more sped up driving footage. To me its incredibly lazy. Just look at all the other good overlanding channels out there if you need inspiration for making better content. It's a once and a lifetime trip and he's just going to have mountains of footage that looks exactly the same.
Go around the DRC. Most of it is safe. Corrupt, but you seem to know how to handle that.
Other than taking a boat, it's impossible to drive West Africa without crossing the DRC one way or another.
When you going to do again happy to go with you. My jeep xj... 🇬🇧
I hope you cross DRC on the ‘Zaire 1’. I grew up for three years near Kamina. If you do, check out Josephine and Frédérique’s blog on adventure portal. I believe you will have a much easier time because of your differential lockers. All the best!
I would LOVE to take that route some day! It's a different trip however, and not for this time.
Frederik is spelled wrong ;-)
Sorry is it Frederik
And that’s you isn’t it? Hello.
@@navion1946 It's me :-) Thanks for remembering our little story ;-)
all those miles you have driven where do you do your service?
how reliable is your Jeep? thinking of doing the same thing in a lifted 2018 jeep wrangler rubicon
The Jeep has been brilliant, it never let me down all the way around Africa.
Same for my earlier Wrangler I drove from Alaska to Argentina.
The Road Chose Me
Thanks for your input man, just watched all your videos
I’m planning to start my adventure when the whole corona virus is over.
You wrote about about your trip? If yes do you give people tips on how to start? And what to expect?
I've written literally everything on my website theroadchoseme.com, and I've written multiple books as well, all on Amazon. My first one especially has a lot of detail about how I'm just a regular guy and wanted to live my dreams - amzn.to/2vfCYvn
Good luck, have fun!
7:16 why would you not have helped them?
Oh, I did. Winched them backwards out of the mud (they're kneeling down attaching the winch), then pull started them forward. They plowed off into the mud - I thought for sure I would see them stuck in the next mud pit, but didn't! They were so happy and hilarious.
Were you crossing in the rainy season? If I decide to drive up the West Coast I will definitely have to avoid it as my van will only be 2WD with a locking rear differential. These vans are pretty capable as the engine is in the back over the driving wheels and have independent suspension.. It should make most terrain especially with the added lock diff but I wouldn't attempt mud like that without a 4x4 or a buddy with a handy winch!
No, this was technically the dry season. From the videos I've seen, the wet season is an absolute mud fest!
@@TheRoadChoseMe Wow! What would you rate my chances are of getting through there with my bus? Maybe I'll catch you on the way up and you could be my winch buddy!
If you take the "easiest" route via the bridge at Matadi, then to Cabinda in Angola you'll make it no problem. Plenty of 2wd vehicles have done it.
If you go the way I did.... who knows!
Do those overlanders in the sportsmobile have a UA-cam channel
Nope.
isnt Angola extremely difficult to get into? Because of the gold rush situation a while ago
I past years yes, but it's getting easier all the time. I hear some nationalities can get the visa at the border now!
Hey man, is your vehicle a diesel one or petrol one? Is it difficult to get diesel in Africa?
My Jeep is Petrol. Diesel and Petrol were both available, with a few notable issues but I always managed to get through!
Next time you are exploring call me.
2:45 thats ironic he say that while there is trash on the ground
you should have gone from the drc to zambia
It's on the list of future adventures, for sure!
Do you need a license in DRC?
Can't help but see Adam Sandler playing the drums in the background.
What about the DRC makes it so dangerous? I know next to nothing about it so I’m just curious.
Tribal Warfare. Incredibly high murder rate. Total official corruption from top to bottom. Absolute crushing poverty. Uhhhh, what else? Try slavery.
duncanbrodie1 The DRC murder rate is 13 per 100,000. That’s high, but not “incredibly high”. For comparison, Russia’s murder rate is 10 while the US’ is 5.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate
Though there is tons of poverty and corruption. But what about that slavery nonsense?
It's probably the richest country on the planet in terms of resources (oil, diamonds, gold, rare minerals, etc.) .. so that means there are a lot of people that want a slice of that money, and they're willing to use violence to get it. They've been invaded by cirually off of their neighbours, and kept un-stable for decades so people can continue to profit.
Do you have to Care Gun when driving this cross country
Point noire and Matadi
Did the German couple and you stay together for the duration of this video?
Yep!
"Absolutely no trash anywhere" as you are passing a bunch of trash on the left in the field. LoL
If you freeze it it's all plant leaves, there are zero "candy wrappers" or anything because there is no fucking "store" i.imgur.com/74TTCSF.jpg
Where's the jungle? Sad to see most of it has been deforested.
Is it possible for a 4x4 sprinter to cross DRC sir?
If you take the most conservative route from Pointe Noire (Rep Congo) through Cabinda (Angola) then into the DRC and down to Angola mainland, there are just a few hundred Kilometers of good gravel. A Honda civic would have no problem. I took a different route that was much harder, and obviously if you mean cross from West to East, all bets are off!
@@TheRoadChoseMe when will you upload a video sir on how do you do your laundry while overlanding?
The short answer is I do it in a bucket, by hand! Not glamorous at all!
Well, one in our convoy was a Mercedes 4x4 van, and he made the Kinshasa Lubumbashi crossing, he did get stuck around 30 times though. Watch it on my channel ✌️
"Formalities" 😝
4:26 I think those green rolling hills used to be jungle.. 😶
Everyone I spoke to didn't think it was done by humans. Certainly not recently (there's no evidence) and how would it have been done two hundred years ago?
The Road Chose Me Yeah true. It reminded me of some deforested farmland areas I saw in Uganda that ran right up to the edge of the jungle. But this looks different all right.
Where do you pump gas?
I crossed the DRC without buying gas, with my aux tank I was carrying enough with me. The only station I passed was immediately before the Angolan border.
The Road Chose Me I just subscribed man💪🏽. Was it stock jeep? (Engine) what year is it?
Yep, stock driveline 2011 Rubicon, 3.8 gas V6 has been running like a champ. Almost done 40k miles in Africa without a single issue!
Hope you didn't get kidnapped...
1:45 6000lbs not 6 tons lol
It's been on the scale. It weighs 6 metric tons.
No one armed you so I don’t understand the insecurity that you talking about
Am I just paranoid or was that German guy very naive to bring his white girlfriend to the Congo?
Paranoid. It's not what you're thinking.