Buy a 4WD in RSA

Asking what is the best vehicle will surely start a heated debate around here, but here is my opinion. I did a SA to UK trip in an old Land Rover and the vehicle was a nightmare. By the time we finished the trip every major component had to be replaced. As I said it was an older Landy, if you can afford a newer one than you will surely have better luck. Vehicles in SA are not cheap so $10,000 will get you a good vehicle but not a newer one. I found that Toyota are more reliable and break down less, but when they do break down they are harder and more expensive to fix. Land Rover (older) seem to break down a lot, but are failry easy to fix. As far as parts go I found Toyota and Landy Parts to be widely available even for old vehicles.

One thing to think about is that if you intend to go all the way up to Ethiopia you will have to have a carnet so you won'tbe able to sell the vehicle in Ethiopia. You will have to finish the trip in a country that does not requre a carnet for entry. The roof top tent is a great way to go. What is your route for the trip, do you plan to return to SA to sell the vehicle? I would highly suggest that you do Namibia, it is a great place to travel with 4x4.

I trust you're not hoping to sell tghe vehicle in Ethiopia! There are considerable problems in selling cars from country to country in Africa - see my other postings on this subject or drop me a line in the mail box here!
Ndlovu

Buy a Nissan Patrol and an RTT in Nairobi - go the other way. Vehicle registered in SA so no probs in selling it.