Laura Mcleod and Morgan Renard, a French couple, have just concluded an epic two-year overland journey across Africa in their custom-built 4×4 vehicle, the Paj Wagen.
After meticulously constructing the vehicle over four years, the pair embarked on a 40 000 km odyssey from France to Cape Town, traversing 30 000 km of challenging dirt roads.
Mcleod (53) is a former Somerset West local, attending local schools including Beaumont Primary back in the 1980s.
“Why build a car from scratch?” asked Renard, a 66-year-old retired blacksmith. “Budget was limited, and after travelling for many years I couldn’t find a 4×4 that met my needs. They were all too expensive, so I built a monster!”
The Paj Wagen was designed for extreme off-roading, equipped with a hydraulic lift for easy maintenance, a comfortable living space with a bed, shower, kitchen and ample storage, not to mention a robust fuel system.
“At the start, building it was a challenge,” Renard admitted. “I wanted to tackle the toughest dirt tracks in Africa without relying on external assistance. By building it myself I knew every inch of the vehicle and could fix any mechanical issues that arose.”
The journey, however, was not without its obstacles. “We faced numerous challenges,” Mcleod shared. “A broken front axle, a lost wheel and even a serious illness as I contracted typhoid and malaria.”
Despite these setbacks the couple persevered. And after recovering from her illness, Mcleod returned to continue her journey.
“The rewarding moments were the encounters with incredible people in remote areas,” she recalled. “We met people who had never seen white people before. Their hospitality in the remote mountains of West Africa was truly humbling.”
The couple’s journey also provided valuable insights into African life. “Living in the car, you truly understand the level of poverty in many parts of Africa,” Mcleod observed. “It made us appreciate what we have and to be mindful of our spending.”
The couple took numerous safety precautions, including carrying pepper spray and a panga. “There’s a lot of bribery and corruption,” Mcleod warned, recounting their experiences with police stops in Nigeria and up to 350 bribery solicitations. “We had to find ways to navigate those situations.”
Reflecting on their adventure, Renard offered this advice to aspiring overland travellers: “Prepare your vehicle meticulously, stay calm when problems arise, communicate with the people you meet, and be polite. There are no problems, only solutions. Also, I think you have to be a little crazy!”
Mcleod added: “Africa is a breathtakingly beautiful continent with a rich history. We encountered incredible people and Morgan even had a close encounter with an elephant, which charged him!”
The couple, who spent a month with family in Somerset West, is now planning their next adventure, their return trip.
They plan to venture a different route through Africa and are considering a journey to Ethiopia and Sudan.
Whatever their future plans, their journey in the Paj Wagen will undoubtedly remain a highlight of their lives.
“It’s tough,” Mcleod warned, “After this journey is over, I’m not sure if I‘ll do it again.”
