Voetspore’s Johan Badenhorst unveils his overlanding secrets

What does it take to travel from one end of the continent to the other? Passionate Africa overlander Johan Badenhorst of Voetspore fame reveals his approach to border crossings, travelling in convoy and taking kids on the road.

If there’s one person who can’t resist the lure of the road less travelled, it’s Johan Badenhorst. Since 2001 he’s embarked on expeditions to some of Africa’s most evocative destinations, capturing the experiences for his Voetspore television series and accompanying books. Casablanca, Timbuktu, the Danakil Depression, Brazzaville… The places others dream of are pictures in Johan’s photo album.

Also read: Guidebook author Philip Briggs shares his travel tales

How much time do you spend on the road?

Each expedition usually lasts three months or 90 days, with the distances varying between 12,000 and 18,000km.

How do you keep yourself occupied on long trips?

I seldom listen to anything. Sometimes some music or perhaps an audiobook, but mostly I observe where I travel and take in as much information as possible. I find listening to the radio may detract from your experience and observation.

What is it about Voetspore that has gripped the imagination of viewers around the world?

I think probably the fact that we showed people that overlanding to remote destinations is simple. We are not doing anything special or out of the ordinary, but we are going out there and doing it. And by doing it, each expedition becomes special.

The Voetspore team parked off for the evening on the dunes of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast

Do you have any upcoming trips planned that you can tell us about?

Yes, next we will be doing South Africa. Previously many of our journeys started or ended in South Africa. This time around we will spend the entire three months in our own country, not crossing our borders once. We set off on 15 July 2019 and the show, Voetspore in Suid-Afrika, will be on TV shortly thereafter. This time the series will be showing as we go along, so it’ll have more of a reality feel.

What is the one ‘luxury’ item you can’t live without on the road?

You need to sleep well, therefore a good bed/stretcher is essential. For me, the winning recipe is a rooftop tent, mattress and sleeping bag.

What is your strategy for navigating border crossings as painlessly as possible?

Patience, patience and more patience. And then, be prepared. Understand what you are in for: what needs to be paid and in what currency. In particular, check beforehand what the third-party insurance should be – often this can be negotiated. Agents selling third-party insurance will charge you the highest fee possible. It is within the law to do so.

Voetspore 4x4s wait patiently to cross a border in Senegal

Also read: Tips for hassle-free border crossing in Africa: Before you leave

Which type of road makes your heart sink?

There is nothing worse than broken tar. Often the scourge of badly built roads in Africa.

You travel off the beaten path – how do you find your way?

We always use Tracks4Africa navigation tools on our trips. There is increasing competition, but T4A remains the most reliable. The best story that I have about Tracks4Africa is when I came across the Long Way Down team in Addis. I asked them how their new navigation system, sponsored by a major cellphone company, was doing. Without knowing who I was, they let me in on a secret. In the support vehicles they had a Garmin with T4A maps and that is what they really used for navigation.

Your last expedition was to India. How does overlanding on the subcontinent differ from our continent?

Indian traffic is absolutely terrible. In Africa, you know to expect traffic in the cities. In India, it is all over the country. It is as though there is a total disregard for life in the way they drive. Travelling in Africa offers a bigger variety of scenery, which constantly changes. Ethiopia has stolen my heart, probably because of its diversity. Madagascar, for similar reasons and because of the friendliness of its peoples, comes a close second.

An elephant adorned in colour roams the streets of Udaipur, India.

Also read: Beautiful, amazing Ethiopia

What is the most important thing visitors to Africa’s less-visited destinations should know?

You need to be properly prepared. Your vehicles should be in good condition, and you need to have proper recovery gear, plus the knowledge of how to use it. Go and test the equipment before heading off into the unknown. Don’t try and figure it out only once you get into trouble.

What is the secret to successfully travelling in convoy?

Two-way radios and proper radio etiquette. I don’t believe in a military code of conduct on the radio. It can be a little more relaxed. Yet endless conversations on the radio can become irritating for fellow travellers and prevent other users from warning the rest of the convoy about potential dangers.

The Voetspore crew on location in ever-beautiful Morocco

You travelled extensively with your son while he was still at school. What advice do you have for other parents who want to hit the road?

Take your kids out of school and let them travel with you. They gain enormous experience and knowledge in the process. If the principal at your kids’ school won’t allow it, ask him to phone me, or get your kids into another school.

Also read: Can you travel Africa with small children?

Follow in Johan’s footsteps and explore the continent with Tracks4Africa’s GPS Maps. If you purchase our GPS maps on SD card, you are entitled to 1 free upgrade on the latest version, and 50% off any subsequent updates. Visit our online shop for the latest guidebooks, paper maps and GPS navigation.

8 thoughts on “Voetspore’s Johan Badenhorst unveils his overlanding secrets”

  1. Love your show and my husband even more he always say he would love to go along on one of the trips. Is there an opportunity like this and how do we go about it. I would love to arrange something like this for him as a surprise. He always does things for other people amd never gets the opportunity to do something for himself. Please let me know if possible zeldaadt@gmail.com. Regards Zelda du Toit 0834103165

    1. To learn more about safaris hosted by the Voetspore team, go to safaris.voetspore.co.za

  2. I love the show. Keep it up guys.
    I now know Africa and India without even going there because of you guys. Thanks a million times.
    Where can i buy all your expeditions on cd?

  3. I love simply love your show and. I have never travelled outside of South Africa and by watching your show I am living my dream 🙂 It is also very educational

  4. my name is Masilo hi Johan love your show too much i would love to join you one of the good day

  5. Hi Johan
    I follow your adventures with admiration.
    One question:
    What is your solar setup and how do you keep the batteries charged.?

  6. Absolutely agree with Johan on patience at border crossing. We add friendliness and respect for their culture to the patience recipe.

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