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Writer's pictureCharline Ribotta

No! I Do Not Want To Sell Rafiki And To Buy An Overland Vehicle In South Africa

Updated: Aug 10, 2023

Some of you suggested selling Rafiki while in Europe and to buy a used overland vehicle in South Africa. If I’m very honest with you, I thought of something similar, a year ago.

Back in January 2021, my very first idea was to buy an overland vehicle (mostly equipped) in South Africa. But this would have meant to wait for a long period of time in Europe before being reunited with this car.


I was not ready to wait this much. I was feeling lonely, sad and deeply misunderstood. I absolutely needed to find a way to reconnect with Africa while waiting in Europe during the coco thing. Obviously, I needed to buy a car in France and to take my time gearing it up. And I did!


It took me 9 months to turn the Hilux X-tra Cab into an overland truck. I created Rafiki my way and I’m proud of it. When I see this car I see the story behind: the way I used to feel vs. the great happiness I feel today.


My heart is fulfilled and I fought for it: I refused to listen to the Western society standards, I quit my job (yes, I do NOT earn money anymore, I’m living on my savings -which are not that much to be honest-), I left when today’s world is weak, I had to face a few French garages making fun of me and this project (YES but I do not want to say much about this in here), and I have NO idea where and what I’m going to be/do in 2 years time from now.


But I AM FREE because Rafiki has been setting me free every morning since I left my old Home. I was born free and I feel very blessed. There is absolutely no way I’m going to sell Rafiki. It’ll be shipped soon -hopefully- and I’ll collect it in Cape Town.


It’s going to be 1,5 month (minimum!) without Rafiki but the best is yet to come, right?


Image 1: dreaming of Rafiki overlanding in Africa

Image 2: dreaming of having my own overland vehicle (Namibia)


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