It’s early days but my plan is to drive overland from London to Kenya. I am an overland novice and wondered if there are others who were considering similar plans and would be willing to travel in convoy for support snd company. There are companies out there (one called Adventures Overland) but charges are high £26,000 for 65 day, self driving in your own vehicle. Again, I am at the early stages - no vehicle purchased yet. I would be very grateful for some guidance. There is of course a chance that I will buy a Land Cruiser and just wing it!!
London to Africa
>There is of course a chance that I will buy a Land Cruiser and just wing it!!
Please don't do that.
I know a little about taking your own vehicle on this sort of journey from similar questions on this and other forums over the years. One of the major issues you'll face is vehicle insurance. You obviously cannot travel without insurance (breaking the law abroad really isn't a good idea!) and won't be able to insure as you go. You'll need to find an insurer who will provide cover for the countries you'll pass through. That won't be easy...it may not even be possible... and it certainly won't be cheap. I'd guess vehicle insurance forms a very large part of the high cost you've already come across.
It's also worth noting that if your route passes through countries which the UK advises against all or all but essential travel your travel health insurance is automatically invalidated and I suspect any vehicle insurance will be too. It is, obviously, sheer insanity to travel without health insurance. I'm sure you wouldn't want to risk a massive debt falling on your family if you need major medical treatment and you (or, god forbid, your body) need repatriation.
You can check the status of the countries you may pass through on the official UK government website:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
There's also lots of essential info about each country, including its entry requirements.
You may well need a visa to enter some countries. It's common for countries to require visa applications to be made in the applicant's country of residence...in your case I assume the UK (?). You'll need to research entry requirements for all the countries on your potential route, work out which visas you'll need and how that will affect the feasibility and timing of your proposed route.
It's worth remembering that, nowadays, this sort of journey isusually undertaken by those who have substantial financial and organisational backing from corporate sponsors of one sort of another.
Good luck with your research!