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Trend: What is overlanding? And how do we do it?

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Overlanding can simply be described as an independent adventure travel to remote destinations where the main goal and meaning is the journey itself. Usually, overlanding is done with adapted vehicles on side roads, far from civilization, and the main form of overnight stay is camping, often in uninhabited nature.

Overlanding it is not an expedition with a purpose and a goal, rather the journey itself is at the heart of overlanding. So the basic essence of overlanding is the journey and life on the journey. Overlanding as such, it means a form of vacation where the core is traveling and discovering the world. Basically, overlanding means contact with nature, that is away from the tourist hustle and bustle. If you're in the mood a traveler and something an adventurer, if you want to discover the world and get to know new destinations, then it's right overlanding what you need to pay attention to. And a trend that will get under your skin.

Appointment "overlanding" historically it comes from Australia, where shepherds drove their cattle to distant pastures and the very word "overland” meant the journey of a shepherd with livestock for a longer period. Due to the huge distances and roads in the Australian wilderness, it is the home of overlanding set some kind of unwritten rules and outlined a trend that has been on the rise in recent years! Also, most specialist vehicle conversion brands in “overland vehicles” coming from the land down there. Let's see what an "overland" vehicle actually is.

What is a typical overland vehicle?

It can be an old SUV or a regular passenger vehicle...it's important to be part of the overlanding culture. (Photo: Thule - tapui.com)
It can be an old SUV or a regular passenger vehicle...it's important to be part of the overlanding culture. (Photo: Thule – tapui.com)

So the essence of overlanding is travel. A trip where there are no excessive restrictions, and where the vehicle must also allow you to turn off the beaten path and head out into nature. Most of the overlanding vehicles have both four-wheel drive and minor or major modification of the vehicle, which allows the traveler to set up "camp" in just a few minutes and continue the journey the next day. A typical "overland" vehicle is for example SUV or pick-up, which has on the roof convenient roof top tent for overnight stays, and inside the vehicle storage system, which enables easy travel and living "off-grid". The essence of real overlanding is improvisation, so this kind of adaptation of a normal vehicle can only be temporary and without major interventions. They are all that is necessary roof tent and camping equipment, which you probably already have if you are interested in these types of designs adventure vacation. Of course you can trend overlanding completely impresses and you will adapt your vehicle for longer overlanding trips. Then there is a crowd "overlanding" specialists who will make traveling with your vehicle easier with their specialized equipment. We also have a specialist in Slovenia, such as the company MatSport from Ljubljana, where they have been lately paid a lot of attention converting vehicles into "overlanding" vehicles. Here you get a wide range of roof tents, awning, upgrades for pick-up vehicles and various accessories for vehicle conversions in the so-called "overland".

Overlanding Slovenia

Lovers overlanding is in Slovenia more every day. But there is very little quality information. The latter can be found on global websites, which are mostly commercial in nature. If you want to become a member overland communities, we suggest you join the Slovenian group at Facebook, namely Overland Slovenia, where you can exchanged useful with members route information, equipment and other welcome information.

Overlanding culture is adventure, the essence of overlanding

Overlanding not a 4X4 weekend adventure and its primary objective is not to overcome obstacles or to jump on the most difficult off-road course nearby. The technical terrain can only be part of the route and the "cherry" on top of the cake of this type of travel. Key elements of overlanding are quite simple and belong to the basic overlanding culture:

  • Travel to distant destinations.
  • Getting to know foreign cultures, customs and food.
  • Travels to under-explored and under-documented regions of the world.
  • "Off-grid" camping where permitted and self-sufficiency for several days in harmony with nature.

Overlanding therefore, it is not a trip along well-documented routes and spending the night in "camps" with all the accessories of modern life, but a different, more authentic adventure. The primary purpose of overlanding is two research and adventure adventure, which usually last a week or more, for which it is necessary in detail route planning, navigating by more remote routes outside the established traffic flows, staying overnight in organized campsites or in nature.

Overlanding stars

If you want to look at something better YouTube channels on the topic overlanding, we suggest the following online overlanding stars:

Roam Overlanding

When the little Suzuki Jimny becomes the biggest star of overlanding.

Jason Koertge

Overlanding becomes the down of your life.

Drew Simms

What is it like to live in a tent?!

Info Box

More information:
matsport.si/overland

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