Follow an overland truck across Africa

Voodoo markets and Drill Monkeys
"Leaving Koala Supermarket and the Promised Land behind us, we continued our journey through the tiny countries of Togo and Benin where we managed to get a small glimpse of their religious practice of voodoo. We all had mixed experiencesfrom visiting the voodoo and fetish markets, trying potions and lotions or taking a glimpse of their fetishes from horse heads, dried bats and budgies. Big Chris and Canadia went off wandering into the villages to get a real taste of a voodoo ceremony taking place with dressing up, chanting and dancing as well as cutting of ones flesh. They came back a bit bewildered.

Everyone feared the worst about entering Nigeria, as they had heard all sorts of stories from various people and travellers that have made them uneasy. Grant and I are firm believers that stories should be taken with a grain of salt, and that you should let your personal experiences form your own opinion.

We entered Nigeria through a remote border, north of Lagos and the reception we got could not have been more warming. Customs and Immigration were a bit slow in processing us, but they let us camp in their gardens for the night and even set up a TV to watch Nigeria’s first game in the African Nations Cup. They also arranged for us to change some money as well as getting us cold beers and sodas. From here on, they only got funnier and friendlier.

A major highlight in Nigeria was visiting the Afi Drill Ranch in Cross River National Park. This is a project that rehabilitates Drill Monkeys that have been orphaned, usually after their nursing mothers were illegally shot for bush meat. There are also orphan chimps that have often been recovered from people who have them chained up as pets. Some of the stories we heard were quite horrific and one can only support the efforts made to keep these endangered primates existing. The ranch is well-designed to accommodate these primates and our group were allowed to get up close and personal with them. Just sao you know, watch out for chimps as they are cheeky and likely to throw various objects at you, Soph got hit in the knee with a coconut and Nick got of poo slung at him!

Crossing into Cameroon
From the ranch we prepared ourselves to go into Cameroon. We crossed into the border town and Grant checks out the score from some local truck drivers. The road is wet and has holes full of water. We also hear the term creamy! We then found out there was a truck stuck in a bog hole, so we were unable to pass.

We find a home for the night at the town of Ekok. Cameroon was playing in the African Nations football, so the town is nice and lively. We camp up on the local school grounds where we are bombarded with children wanting to play football, games, singing and dancing, it was a sight to see as everyone joins in for the fun.

Making our way from town early, we are all eager to see what the roads are like Half an hour into our trip covering about 3 kms, we soon see what we are in store for. It seems that teamwork is the only way we are going to get through today. Mud, clay, water, bugs, digging, sandmatting, carving away at the walls of potholes, shovelling, levelling the bumps and lending a hand to pull out other trucks that have got stuck along the way. The two days of work to cover 61kms were the best days so, and almost everyone agrees. A wash in lake to refresh ourselves, a cold beer, and everything turns out peachy in the end.

Volcanic beaches, mountain treks and some casualities
Over the next few days, we pass through some amazing scenery in the mountains and get to camp one night by a waterfall. We finally make our way to Limbe and camp at Mile 6 Beach which is right on the water with volcanic ash. We are basing ourselves here for five nights, allowing 12 of the gus to climb Mount Cameroon. A few of the guys are planning to do the climb in two days and the others in three days - we will see when they return how fit they are!

On a sad note, we have also just encountered our first and second casualties to malaria, They are being looked after by the friendly doctor and their girlfriends. We will let you know how everyone is when they get back. Speak soon..."

Name: Oasis Overland
Address: The Marsh, Henstridge, Somerset, BA8 0TF, UK
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Tel: 0845 344 7546