Four Zetros on an off-road trip

One of many unforgettable moments for participants of the Overland Big Five Expedition: for a whole month they experience pure adventure in their private vehicles in the untouched heart of southern Africa – and, if they are lucky, spot the animal "Big Five": not only elephants but also buffalo, lions, leopards and black rhinos are among the often sighted inhabitants of the plains.

Directly behind Namibia's Walvis Bay lies the Namib, the world's oldest desert. Massive sand dunes captivate with an impressive palette of colours. It's no wonder that at the end of July four teams of enthusiastic Zetros owners gather here – the coastal desert is the perfect start and finish for their tour.

What they have in common besides a thirst for adventure: all four Zetros have been converted by Mercedes‑Benz bodybuilder partner Bliss Mobil into even more powerful, extremely robust expedition vehicles. That means nothing stands in the way of adventures off paved roads. Because that is exactly what the Dutch tour operator Overland specialises in: overland trips in the truest sense of the word – perfectly tailored to the Bliss Mobil vehicles, completely individual, pure freedom.

Lush nature, culture and wilderness – the trip is a real challenge even for the extremely off-road-capable Special trucks. In 34 days the participants cover a distance of almost 6,000 km. And there is plenty of variety: after a stretch along Namibia’s rugged Skeleton Coast – past shipwrecks and seal colonies – the journey leads through the demanding dune landscape of the Namib and Etosha National Park to the spectacular Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mosi-o-tunya – "the smoke that thunders" – is the apt name the local Kololo give to the Zambezi River, which here thunders loudly into the depths.

In Zimbabwe the Zetros follow the river, up to five kilometres wide, on its way to the Indian Ocean – with a bit of luck you can see hippos dozing here at night. Where possible, the expedition participants sleep under the stars in their motorhomes. In western Zimbabwe, Matobo National Park offers majestic rock formations before the circular route continues into the bush of Botswana. And by then the hearts of all off-road enthusiasts are racing: from the impressive Makgadikgadi salt pans, across the unique wetlands of the Okavango Delta and the subtropical savanna of the Kalahari, the vehicles must negotiate a wide variety of terrain.

Whether traveling individually or in a convoy: each team may decide for itself when and how it travels. That means nothing stands in the way of ultimate freedom and maximum fun with the vehicle features. "On particularly difficult terrain, you often have to hang on and give it your all behind the wheel," says Kevin Kooijman, owner of Overland Travel and the group's guide. With a professional rally background, he is the perfect travel companion for the adventurers.

Independence from the group paired with assistance where it's needed — that's Kooijman's recipe for the ultimate off-road experience. "On request, I'm happy to give participants tips and tricks on how to unleash their inner off-road driver and at the same time get the most out of the expedition."

Each day participants are briefed on the next section of the route: useful information about the route, time management, culture, driving recommendations and border crossings — so those who wish can rely entirely on themselves, the Zetros and the roadbook on the appropriate sections.

The advantage of an extraordinary group trip: participants can reach places they would hardly get to on their own – for example, the Namib Desert is crossed each year by fewer adventurers than those who climb Mount Everest in the same period. In some places the terrain is so challenging that drivers have to accompany or tow one another – that's where real teamwork comes in. In the evenings around the campfire, the adventurers can share their experiences of the landscape, the culture and, of course, their off-road vehicles.

Unforgettable moments and highlights are therefore guaranteed. So that participants can focus entirely on enjoying themselves, Overland takes care of transporting the Special trucks to the starting point. And anyone who hasn't had enough at the end of the trip can leave their vehicle parked on site and continue the adventure later on their own.

The Big Five Expedition is part of the "Bliss around the World" concept: a journey around the world made up of separate expeditions. The goal: to travel through all seasons, time zones and continents. Whether on ice roads in Canada or following the route of the Silk Road—drivers of a Unimog or a Zetros Bliss Mobil get their money's worth in every extreme.

In addition, Overland Travel also offers other short- and long-term expeditions at various difficulty levels—beginners and professionals alike are welcome. To ensure that travelers are optimally prepared for their tour, the company has developed a dedicated training expedition. The aim: to learn confident handling of the expedition vehicle in Morocco's landscape of contrasts, so as to be able to help oneself and others in challenging situations—and to be well prepared for all further overland challenges.