What does Overland mean?

What is overland travel?

Well known around the world, the term Overlanding is still little known among French travellers. Yet it is the ultimate mode of travel for those seeking Adventure (with a capital A). In English "Overland" means "by land," which implies overland travel, by roads and tracks, beyond land borders.

Overland travel is generally done independently through remote or non-touristy regions, which usually requires being vehicle-based (from bicycle to 4x4, including motorcycle, van, and horse) and taking your time (from two weeks to several years for some!).

Crossing wild regions that are often sparsely populated, the main form of accommodation is therefore bivouac. Each day is dedicated to exploration, with a certain technical challenge as the tracks are not always easy. In a 4x4 it is accessible to all levels, but it requires more experience on a motorcycle, for example. Often "overlanders" cross land borders and travel through several countries with their own vehicle.

Travelling in remote non-touristy regions

Overlanders have a need to disconnect from consumer society as well as a certain desire to immerse themselves and reconnect with nature. Vast wild spaces such as the steppes of Central Asia or the deserts of the Middle East are destinations that perfectly match this vision of travel. By leaving for a long time and being independent, you can more easily explore these little-known regions while enjoying a privileged relationship with the local population.

The notion of time is therefore very important in Overland travel since it is about immersing yourself and living at the pace of a country with a totally different culture. The longer you stay, the more time you will have to explore what the country has to offer you.

Travelling off the beaten path

When you cross a country with your vehicle, you have easier access to isolated areas not served by public transport. Take this opportunity to explore and get off the marked trails and paved roads. Ask locals to help you or advise you if you have doubts about the condition of a track or road—it is also an opportunity to chat with the people you meet along the way.

Be careful not to confuse Overlanding with Off-roading. At first glance "Off-Road" refers to travel off roads, off the beaten path... Wrong! It is an activity where technical prowess is an end in itself. Indeed, by tackling difficult tracks (mud, sand, rivers to cross), you can find a form of fun and challenge, but for that you need a powerful vehicle adapted to the terrain and a certain amount of experience!

Travelling independently

By being independent you will have the possibility to improvise your itinerary each day. But that means being well equipped and anticipating problems that could arise. Having an overall view of the terrain with a topographic map as well as a functional GPS is absolutely essential! You will not always be able to count on the help of locals because in some remote regions you will not come across many!

You must therefore also think about food supplies, drinking water, and fuel for motorized vehicles. In short, we are preparing a complete article to help you organize your Overland trip.

How do you say Overland in French?

Now that is a question that really puzzled us! In English, Overland refers to overland travel over long distances. There is no word to translate that directly into French. That is why it remains in English, even though it has not yet fully entered everyday vocabulary.
Commonly, we talk more about road trips, but again we are talking about two different things. By road trip, we mean travel on roads, which is not at all the case in an Overland trip "off the beaten path." Overlanding is not a classic road trip!

As a little anecdote, we created our own word a few years ago to describe this type of travel since we did not know the word Overland.

The OunTravela Trip!

How do you prepare for an Overland adventure?

And yes, just because we advocate improvisation does not mean you should leave without preparation! On the contrary, the more prepared you are before the trip, the freer and more confident you will be once there—trust our little experience!

Choose the destination

No secret, you have to listen to your heart. Choose a region that makes you dream and choose the right season to go. For example, avoid mountainous regions of Central Asia in winter because often the passes are closed and the roads are not cleared of snow. Avoid Oman in July-August when temperatures can reach 50° in the shade.

Travelling far and into remote areas potentially means geopolitical instability. This is a point to absolutely take into account when choosing your destinations, without of course falling into paranoia. For these reasons we invite you to contact the French consulate directly but above all to take into account the testimony of other travellers, for example in our discussion group. You can also find a lot of information in expat forums of people living there.

Choose the right vehicle

Theoretically, you can choose any type of vehicle, but in practice you need to choose a vehicle that is suited to your needs. First of all, it is essential to have good knowledge of the road conditions before venturing out. Again, no one can inform you better about road conditions than the people who live there. In addition, you will need to choose the vehicle with knowledge of its limits so as not to put yourself in danger. For that, you just need to inform yourself before leaving.
Here is our article to choose your 4x4 well.

Be well equipped

The last point and not the least, you must leave well equipped! Think about the tent and all the camping gear you might need. Here are our recommendations for bivouac gear.

Travel is even more beautiful when it is shared...

Join us on our discussion group to discuss your next Overland travel destinations or share your experiences! Our members will answer all your questions (destinations, bivouac, mechanics, etc.), right here:

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