Skip to content
Elao 2011

Elao 2011

East Londoners Odyssey through Africa in 2011

Menu

  • Home
  • Going Down under
  • Going East
  • Going West
  • Going South
  • Going North
    • Team Bulldog – Going North
    • Team Icevan – Going North
    • Team Ivory – Going North
    • Teams

Going North

Day 63 – Flying South

leaving the black forest driving to Frankfurt airport…

3rd August Team Bulldog and Lipstick need to be at Frankfurt airport today for their flights back south. The logistic tasks were to meet Ingrid and Michael on the highway before Frankfurt airport and also park Lipstick in a safe

Elao August 17, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 61 – 62, Padua and back to Freudenstadt

Day 61 – 62, Padua and back to Freudenstadt

1st & 2nd August Time for facts today – The team members had to get to Mestre where the port of Venice is situated to meet with their shipping agents – named properly called “team shipping”…. This required a short

Elao August 4, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 59 – 60th – Freudenstadt and Venice

black forest “braai”…..

30th and 31st July After breakfast the teams fetched their washings from the local laundry in Freudenstadt which added a somehow nicer smell to all members and this had to be celebrated at the local “Brauhaus” a little brewery in

Elao August 4, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 57 – 58 – Freudenstadt and Baden – Baden

A unique black forest cake

28th and 29th July Having arrived midnight the night before in FDS the teams regrouped and with their limited clothing resources firstly decided to have all clothes properly washed – most of the clothing was left in the cars on

Elao August 4, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 55 – 56 – Florence , Pisa and Chianti

The Elao brotherhood in Pisa ………….

27th and 25th July Nice early train drive to Florence from the close by main railway station when Vera phoned advising that she and Vito would meet us in Panzano – a little village south of Florence this afternoon. This

Elao August 4, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 53 – 54 – Rome

…the Trevi fountain in Rome...

24 and 25th July The teams landed in Rome around 1.30pm and got to Hotel Napoleon –close to Piazza Emmanuele by just after 3pm. No time to be wasted- they took off by foot to visit the surrounding monuments like

Elao August 4, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 52 – 53 – Cairo to Giza – Team Lipstick

In Alexandria he waited patiently with the other team members outside the harbour – whilst Willy,Paul and Mark- spend some 4 hours with custom and police procedures……

23rd and 24th July After breakfast the teams drove back to Cairo to a hotel in close proximity to the airport. All arrived just in time to watch the Rugby game between the Springboks and Australia… Much to the disappointment

Elao July 26, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 51 – Cairo to Giza

most properly the biggest grave or tombstone on earth

22nd July No breakfast as we wanted to avoid the Cairo traffic on our way to Giza. David managed to get the teams out of Cairo like driving through his home town. Knowing that a few months ago this city

Elao July 26, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 50 – Alexandria – getting the cars to the harbour

Bulldog , Lipstick and Icevan finally parked at the pier waiting for the ship to arrive

21st July Despite celebrating David’s arrival a few hours befoire – the team members were able to meet up with Ahmed at 8am in order for the final onslaught – getting the cars through final police and customs and parking

Elao July 23, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 49 – Alexandria to El Alamein

Fritz the Arabic tractor driver celebrating Christmas in the desert

20th July With no official paper work to be done today it was decided that today the team would visit the battle fields of El Alamein and also clean the interior of all 3 cars for easy custom examinations. To

Elao July 23, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 48 – Alexandria – Shipping Agent

and back to the busy streets of Alexandria

19th July After a quick planning meeting it was decided that the team m embers split up so Andre, Rene and Denis would go to the Airport to book flights out to Rome whereas Paul , mark and Willy would

Elao July 23, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 47 – Alexandria via Suez Canal

And windscreens were cleaned by speedy experts in this field

18th July to Alexandria via Suez Canal Ready for the final leg on the African continent to Alexandria the teams left after breakfast towards Suez. It was a long casual drive initially- on a double high way- along the shores

Elao July 22, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 45 – Shores of the Red Sea

Tourism developments on the northern red sea beaches

16th of June rest day on the shores of the Red Sea Late awakening – and a – believe it – Breakfast buffet offered by the Magawish hotel put the teams in good spirit. The teams King of diving -Bulldogs

Elao July 20, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 44 – Aswan via Valley of Kings to the Red Sea

and then off to Ramses

15th of June – Rest day on the shores of the Red Sea after having visited the Valley of the kings… Late awakening – and a – believe it – Breakfast buffet offered by the Magawish hotel put the teams

Elao July 20, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 43 – Crossing the Aswan Dam

the harbour of Wadi Halfa

All were told to be ready around lunchtime and Mazaar came around the house in the morning to give us the stamped carne for the car as well as all the export papers which are required. Transportation of the car

Elao July 18, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 42 – Waiting in Wadi Halfa

The veggie deli shop also seemed to have a limited variety of these much needed Greek salad ingredients…despite a very stressed sales person..

If the outside temperature is 35 degrees at 7am and the generator ran out of diesel one can imagine what happened to the teams wish for a long morning sleep. Besides this there is the problem of that 7.2 mm

Elao July 15, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 40 & 41 – Waiting in Wadi Halfa

Road signs in Sudan are indeed a big help to find directions – not because of the writing but from the shade they throw…………………..

So here they are in Wadi Halfa the border town between Sudan and Egypt. The cars are gone and their location unknown at this stage – the team members just hope that the cars will be found on Thursday 14th

Elao July 14, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 39 – Wadi Halfa

Causing Willy and Mazaar to be a happy pair

Off to the most northern border town of Sudan – Wadi Halfa – today. This was a real trip through extremely rough desert terrain and through temperatures reaching 46 degrees. The road was fully tarred in a very good state

Elao July 14, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 38   Khartoum to Kerma

Right next to an archaeological site

First thing in the morning was to make sure that all cars have enough fuel on board. The navigation systems guided the teams nicely through town but every now and then a U – turn was required especially when new

Elao July 14, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 36 & Day 37 – Rest days in Khartoum

but a bit overloaded at the rear end

Words from the editor Hi there all, it’s me again Elaos Natsan the teams editor.   We are approaching the cruelly hot Nubian desert in northern Sudan and were glad to park off for 2 days in Khartou….. These 2

Elao July 14, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 35 – Camping site (Gedaref) to Khartoum

with Thabo shaking hands with team Bulldog

In order to avoid the sweltering heat we started to dismantle the campsite with the early sunrise. Within minutes of the sun showing face on the horizon the temperature already climbed to almost 30 degrees. Back on the main road

Elao July 7, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 34 – Gonder to Gedaref 180km

While on moon

We left the Goha Hotel in Gondar with cars that received a proper wash and clean up the previous day. After about 180 km we arrived at the border posts between Ethiopia and Sudan. The Ethiopian passport procedure went relatively

Elao July 7, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 33 – Siemen Mountain to Gonder 180km

Before they all leave to complete their daily tasks

After breakfast in the mountain lodge the teams proceeded to look out for the famous Gelados monkeys for which the Siemen mountain is famous for. These creatures can only be found mainly in this mountain park and in a few

Elao July 6, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 32 – Aksum to Siemen Mountain – 300km

Day 32 – Aksum to Siemen Mountain – 300km

After breakfast we went with a local tour guide to visit the religious sites of Aksum. History has it that people lived in the Aksum area 500000 or more years ago . A female hominid skeleton ( Lucy ) was

Elao July 6, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 31 – Lalibela to Axum – 570 km

Day 31 – Lalibela to Axum – 570 km

We left the Jerusalem Guest house at 7am just after we were handed a fax from Willy’s sister in law – Waltraud – who somehow was able to trace the fax number in the middle of the African bush. The

Elao July 6, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 30 – Bahir Dar to Lalileba – 311km

Day 30 – Bahir Dar to Lalileba – 311km

1st June 2011 Again an early morning wake up and by 6am we are on the way to Lalibela with our cars having been refuelled the previous day. We again had to climb mountains to 3200m and had a coffee

Elao July 5, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 29 – Bahir Dar Surroundings

Day 29 – Bahir Dar Surroundings

By 7.30 in the morning and after a spartanic breakfast we were on the boat to a monastery which is situated on one of the many islands of Lake Tana. No woman is allowed on this island which is inhabited

Elao July 5, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 28 – Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar

Day 28 – Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar

It took us less then expected time out of Addis Ababa and the Garmins worked well in getting us on the road to Dahir Bar within 30 minutes. We soon climbed to over 3500m into the mountainous highlands of Ethiopias

Elao July 5, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 27 – Addis Ababa – Rest day – Team Lipstick

Day 27 – Addis Ababa – Rest day – Team Lipstick

Today we had all dirty clothing washed and dedusted our cars. Even the best organised car becomes a bit chaotic after 2 weeks as one tends to be in a bit of a rush in the morning with the result

Elao July 5, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 26 – Hara Makim – Adis Ababa 486 km

Day 26 – Hara Makim – Adis Ababa 486 km

We left before breakfast with the intention to eat something later bin one of the many towns ahead. Soon we found ourselves again climbing to altitudes of 2600 m driving through small villages and about 30minutes into our drive we

Elao June 29, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 25 – Moyale – Hara Makim – 291 km

Day 25 – Moyale – Hara Makim – 291 km

We arrived at the border post at 7.30 and were told that because it is Sunday today the border would open a bit later. One of the junior officers promised to phone the senior officer to open up soonest. At

Elao June 29, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 24 – Loyangalani to Moyale – 432 km

2 maps - Showing different or no roads on way to Ethiopia

We took off at sunrise from this little oases on lake Turkana and headed off north towards the Ethiopian border. Most other Africa Overlanders take the road via Marsabit but other travellers coming down from up North told us that

Elao June 29, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 23 – Isiolo to Loyangalani – 390km

Day 23 – Isiolo to Loyangalani – 390km

A cup of coffee at 5am started us off when team Lipstick discovered that their water stock was down to 4 bottles. Andre and Willy quickly decided to go into Isiolo and buy some more water supply at the 24/7

Elao June 29, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 22 – Nairobi – Isiolo

Day 22 – Nairobi – Isiolo

We were told to leave Nairobi as early as possible or face the morning rush hour with the risk of being stuck in traffic for 2-3 hours. As the bikers arrived a day late they would only follow the following

Elao June 29, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 21 – A word from Lipstick’s editor

ELAO NATNAS the official mascot for team Lipstick

Greetings from the equator – my name is ELAO NATNAS I am the official mascot for team Lipstick. My main task is to watch over their security, supervise their driving skills and putting the daily blogs together. I am very

Elao June 22, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 20 – Nairobi – Rest day

Total makeover for old Lipstick

Team Lipstick took this rest day as an occasion to have the vehicle serviced and the onsite mechanic of Jungle Junction exchanged the oil as well as topping up the hydraulic oil for the steering mechanism Andre and Willy then

Elao June 22, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 19 – Kilimanjaro to Nairobi – 278 km

Charles from team 2 wheelers was appointed Chef de cuisine for the night

Waking up with great expectations to look at Tanzania’s highest mountain- from the Kenian side of the border – we realised with great disappointment that today the mountain would remain covered in thick clouds refusing us to take any pictures

Elao June 22, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 18 – Watamu to Kilimanjaro – 403 km

Day 18 – Watamu to Kilimanjaro – 403 km

Our wonderful host Geoff did not hesitate to wake all team members up at sunrise without any mercy for those who insisted to have those absolutely bloody last final drinks only a few hours earlier. Another nice breakfast ensured that

Elao June 22, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 17 – Watamu

The boys enjoying some lunch on Turtle beach in Watamu

What a pleasure waking up in a beautiful bedroom in Watamu. Blue skies ,27 degrees and a 5 star breakfast thanks to the chef of Club 15 plus a full day of rest caused everyone to put on their best

Elao June 22, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 16 – Mombassa to Watamu

Day 16 – Mombassa to Watamu

Firstly in the morning the teams established a suitable repair centre for Bulldog’s wheel bearing problem. The local Toyota dealership was contacted and they assured that they have both spare parts and manpower capacity available to sort Bulldog out before

Elao June 18, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 15 -Dar es Salaam to Mombassa – 500 km

Nyala Beach resort Mombassa

In the morning we said good bye to team Halfway and team Ivory who would go to Zansibar for 2 days and thereafter head down South back to Souith Africa. It was a great pleasure travelling with them and celebrating

Elao June 18, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 14 – Repair day in Dar es Salaam

Day 14 – Repair day in Dar es Salaam

Pieter Booysen from team “ Halfway” who arrived a day ahead of team Lipstick in order to meet his wife Jenny who flew in the previous day, had met an indian business man who offered any assistance which the Elao

Elao June 18, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

day 13 – Mueda to Dar es Salaam 895km

Unity bridge built by the Chinese government as seen from Mozambique. This joins Mozambique and Tanzania – both sides were also given 5km of tar road joining really bad bush roads. Closest towns on each site is more then 1oo km away…

Originally this day should have taken us to Lindi in Tanzania but after checking out Lipstick we realised that. new shock absorbers were urgently required. We therefor decided to take the long route straight through to Dar es Salaam which

Elao June 18, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 12 – Pemba to Mueda 354 km

Mike, Mark and Noel doing some traditional war dance to keep Lions and bad elements away

Having been dropped off at Situ’s mooring station next to the Rani resorts we proceeded to Russel’s cottage , where we met up again with Paul who stayed behind in order to repair some electrical problems with his car. Mark

Elao June 18, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 11 – Situ Island

Situ 2 waiting to take us cruising

All resting on Situ island – Pictures say it all:           These were 2 relaxing days on Situ island – those out there who would like to know more about Situ can go to the web

Elao June 18, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 10 – Situ Island Day 10

On the way out of Pemba on Situ 2 going to Situ island….

Awoken by the sun rising over the Indian Ocean all the members enjoyed a beautifull breakfast prepared by the kitchen staff under Donne’s guidance. We all decided thereafter that we would like to cruise some of the other islands in

Elao June 12, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 9 – Nampula to Pemba – 414 km

Sunset shortly before we arrive on the island…

After leaving this really nice campsite and saying good by to the owners – Manuel and Maria Ferreira – we had to fill up vehicles in Nampula which seems to be the commercial capital of northern Mocambique. By 7am the

Elao June 12, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 8 – Quilamane to Nampula

Day 8 – Quilamane to Nampula

We left early morning from our self-decorated camping lodge after showering by throwing buckets of water at each other. In Mocuba we filled up with petrol and changed money at the local bank. This was a pretty fast process as

Elao June 12, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 7 – Gorongosa to Quilamane – 518 km

The teams satisfying their thrist and hunger in Quilamane ….

Instead of our planned trip to Macuba the teams decided to change this to the coastal town called Quilamane . The trip let us along a very scenic road with the huge Gorongosa mountain majestically looking down on us at

Elao June 11, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 6 -Beira to Gorongosa – 508 km

Andre and Rene searching for the road leading into Gorongosa park from the East – According to Map and Garmin there should be a road branching to the left …………….. but none can be found

Team Bulldog and Lipstick decided to use as short cut and enter the Gorongosa National Park from the East rather than from the Western site. On the map this looked to be the perfect option cutting about 120 km of

Elao June 11, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 5 – Morongulo to Beira – 690 km

Day 5 – Morongulo to Beira – 690 km

We left at 8.45 am on the long road to Beira . The so far nicely built road soon became somehow narrower after Inhassora and more and more potholes were part of our trip for the next 200km when we

Elao June 8, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 4 – Xai-Xai to Morongulo – 341 km

Day 4 – Xai-Xai to Morongulo – 341 km

We left the Honeyport Resort in Xai Xai at about 9 am – shortly thereafter the unavoidable happened and Lipstick was stopped by 2 local policemen for allegedly doing 140 in a 60 km zone. Andre and Willy politely negotiated

Elao June 7, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 3 – Baadplas to Xai-Xai – 583 km

Day 3 – Baadplas to Xai-Xai – 583 km

Day 3 – Baadplas – Xai-Xai -583 km (Team Lipstick) We left campside at 7am and drove through beautifull forest areas towards Malelane. The landscape was indeed comparable to what we most probably will see in Freudenstadt – Huge Pine

Elao June 6, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 2 – Bethlehem to Baadplas – 583 km

Day 2 – Bethlehem to Baadplas – 583 km

Day 2 – Bethlehem to Baadplas – 583 km (Team Lipstick) We woke up at 6am in freezing conditions despite the electric blankets. It was indeed difficult to get out of bed and face temperature of minus 2 degrees –

Elao June 5, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Day 1 – East London to Bethlehem – 710 km

Day 1 – East London to Bethlehem – 710 km

Day 1 – East London to Bethlehem – 710 km (Team Lipstick) Like a real last minute flight we all assembled at Lets Travel ( a travel agent in East London ) in anticipation of getting handed over our visas

Elao June 4, 2011August 28, 2017 Going North Read more

Find Lipstick
The password for access is:  Lipstick2016

Our Travel Maps

2019

2018

2017

2016

silk road

2011 & 2014

"Click the map to view the large version"

The ELAO Expedition: Going Down Under 2019

Having driven through 5 of the bigger continents on earth it was just a matter of time for Team Lipstick to complete their world tour and explore the smallest of the 6 continents -AUSTRALIA. Read More..

The ELAO Expedition: Going East 2017


Having completed the Silkroad from China to Europe , going North and South on the African continent it seem only logical that the Americas should become the next adventure for team Lipstick.Lipstick was shipped out to New York in July 2017 fromwhere Andre and Willy
will join the well travelled Landcruiser and go on tour through Canada and up to Alaska before turning South again until they reach the bottom end of South America and then finally ship the car back to South Africa from Argentine or Brazil.
Read more

The ELAO Expedition: Going West 2016


Inspired by Marco Polo the great adventurer who traveled from Europe to Asia -dating 1271 to 1295-it was decided to follow his footsteps on this journey which is known as the Silk Road. The main travelers of the Silk Road at that time were merchants who organized various caravans to cross the Gobi Deserts. Overcoming all kinds of hardships.... Read more

The ELAO Expedition: Going South 2014

3 years have passed since team Lipstick went up north along the East Coast of Africa through Europe to Germany. During our return to East London the idea to complete the return trip from Europe down south along the west coast of Africa was born...Read more

The ELAO Expedition: Going North 2011

A trip through Africa…. Ever since Willy Gauss arrived by plane in 1974 in South Africa it was his dream to one day drive back through Africa by car. Dreams don’t come easy however and the time required is not...Read more

Related Travelers and Links



Search for something

Copyright © 2023 Elao 2011. All rights reserved. Theme Spacious by ThemeGrill. Powered by: WordPress.
  • Home
  • Expedition
  • Blog
  • Send a Message to Team Lipstick
  • Teams Login