Most of us have looked at the world map, and wondered about what it would be like to travel to all those places. But for some of us, the dream is only about exploring certain areas around our country or continent.
While for others, overlanding travel is about seeing as many countries as they can visit in their lifetime. And then some people want to go on an adventure by spending weeks or months on exploration trips to remote corners of the world.
Wherever your heart takes you, one thing is certain. If you are planning to take a road trip soon, this article is for you! Overlanding has been gaining support from people across the globe who are looking for ways to explore more on their next vacation.
Why Overlanding is Quickly Becoming the Best Way to Travel?
In a world that is becoming increasingly busy, more and more people are looking for ways to unwind. In the ever-popular travel industry, particularly among backpackers and independent travelers, one of the most popular ways to get away from it all is by going overlanding.
Overlanding is quickly becoming known as a highly budget-friendly way to see some of the globe’s best attractions while at the same time getting a chance to meet new people along the way. Those who take a bite of life on a tour bus or train often find themselves never wanting it to end.
Overlanding is becoming more popular with each passing day. This is happening both for people who are seasoned travelers and beginners.
Overlanding is becoming so attractive because it offers very unique benefits to other forms of travel.
The Bargain of Adventure Travel
We live in an age where we can go anywhere. We have the best technology and years of experience to take us around the world. But when it comes to overlanding travel, there has been a resurgence in interest in this type of journey.
This is not surprising given that many people are now choosing this lifestyle for their exciting and immersive holidays. The fact that you can do something truly unique by road-tripping through exotic destinations is what draws most people into wanting to try it at least once.
Experimenting And Trying Something New
You will see some beautiful landscapes and visit amazing places like Patagonia (Argentina), South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia & Zimbabwe, Mozambique, or Tanzania from a different perspective. And you will also be able to experiment with your boundaries and try something new.
So even if you think that the idea of overlanding is not for you, we believe it’s worth giving it a go before dismissing this type of vacation as dull or too dangerous. Because it isn’t!
Overlanding Is Not About Getting From Point A To Point B…
Overlanding is not just about getting from point A to B or merely experiencing what a country has to offer. Instead, it’s an opportunity to see more than what’s in front of you while still using whatever mode of transport you choose to take with you – be it your vehicle or public transport.I
So instead of seeing tourist attraction after tourist attraction, overlanding provides an authentic experience of meeting locals.
Also, the numerous benefits offered by overlanding are usually not found in traditional modes of travel. Most tours are costly, and you might only get a few opportunities to explore what a country has to offer.
5 Main Reasons Why Overlanding is the Best Way to Travel
Exploring New And Unusual Cuisines
If you are like me, food is an integral part of any trip. You want to explore the flavors and customs of local cuisine along with its culture. After all, how can you truly understand a new place if you don’t try its fries?
I am not saying that fast-food chains are prohibited. I am simply suggesting that they should be limited to times when no other options exist (i.e., roadside pit stops).
If you’re like us, overlanding allows for more flexibility when deciding on which restaurants to go out of your way for (or pass by). This means having access to different types of cuisine and more authentic experiences at bodegas or small dumpling stands.
Our favorite meal on the road is an enduro lunch (end-of-day meal). This consists of whatever food we have left in our bags, usually some sandwich or salad, paired with fresh fruit that has been on sale at the grocery store that morning.
Of course, this rule has some exceptions, especially if you are lucky enough to be camping near some world-class views! As you can imagine, good food and stunning scenery make for one helluva combination.
Meeting People Through Cultural Immersion
Yes, people are everywhere on earth – but not all people are created equal. Some may call this experience cultural immersion, but I like to think of it as an adventure through humanity.
The people you meet provide endless stories that will keep you entertained for years to come. It’s not just the locals that make these stories, but also the other travelers you encounter along the way!
Traveling with a dog certainly makes us stand out in a crowd (and exponentially opens up our social circles). As with any unique situation, this allows for some great conversation starters and opportunities to learn about other cultures.
However, let’s be honest: holding your pup while talking to another traveler is more enjoyable than chatting with strangers on public transportation or at hostels!
Even without bringing our beloved pug, we still manage to build connections wherever we go. Sometimes this means helping each other out of a tricky situation (or simply sharing an ice cream), and other times its just two people exploring the same destination simultaneously.
Either way, it’s incredibly rewarding to be able to share these experiences with others, especially since you never know when you’ll cross paths again! Of course, not everyone is your new best friend, but that doesn’t mean you can’t join in on some friendly banter!
It’s a Low-Cost Vacation
I’d say this is one of our favorite reasons to overland! It makes you think about things differently when you travel for less than $50 per day (not including transportation). What exactly does $50 get you? Here are some examples:
- 1-night camping with showers and bathrooms at an official campground + 3 meals = $35 total.
- 2 flights within Europe = $40/ea.
This doesn’t mean cutting back on everything. For example, I always splurge on good food while traveling. However, we like to use the money we save for activities that would otherwise be unaffordable or difficult to do (i.e., snorkeling in Norway, or paragliding in the Azores).
The Freedom To Go Where And When You Want
This is where it all comes together: having great food and memorable experiences, meeting new people and enjoying long-lasting friendships, saving money, and creating memories, wouldn’t you agree?
If any of those reasons alone aren’t enough to convince you that overlanding is a fantastic way to travel, then I suggest taking a closer look at what you’re looking for in a travel experience.
It seems that the combination of all these reasons makes traveling so wonderful! The best part is that there’s no limit to what you can do with it – whether you’re planning your next 5-year trip or simply taking a few months off from work, overlanding provides the opportunity to explore your dreams and be truly free.
The Beauty Of Far-Away Lands
This is another one of our favorite reasons to travel by land! Not only do we get to see parts of the world that aren’t listed on a typical “Things to Do in [Country]” list, but it also allows us to experience the culture at its most authentic level.
There’s nothing more rewarding than walking through a city or small town, exploring off-the-beaten-path spots, and enjoying local food with locals.
Most of our best-picture memories are from this kind of exploration. Whether it be hiking through the Fagaras Mountains in Romania, admiring waterfalls in Laomera, or watching whales frolic in the Norwegian Sea, you can bet that something about these trips sticks with us for many years to come!
Final Thoughts On Overlanding As The Best Way to Travel
Overlanding is quickly becoming one of the best ways to travel because it offers much more than just traveling from point A to B. As opposed to flying across continents and staying at resorts, this kind of travel allows tourists to go about unnoticed most of the time – they get opportunities to relax and interact with locals.
So if you’re someone who loves traveling but feels conventional methods aren’t adding much value, then overlanding could be your thing. Because overlanding has a lot to offer. Overlanding is one will surely enjoy an authentic experience like never before.
With the number of benefits offered by overlanding, it’s not hard to understand why it’s quickly becoming popular among many travelers. We hope we can convince you to give it a try soon as well!
For more on overlanding and travel, check out our article on the best travel websites here.
