Exploring Land Trails and Beyond!!!
OFFROVERLAND
Adventures from a Nature Lover
FAQs
What is OFFROVERLAND?
The aftermath of COVID-19 isolation has ignited a desire to venture into the woods more often and embrace the wild outdoors experience. At the end of 2020, followed by the purchase of a new/old 20 years old 4x4 SUV that could further the ability of future explorations, the Offroverland instagram account was created. To share the adventures and be part of the overland community, but also, since overlanding on a budget was always the main goal, sharing the DIY projects and mods made to the vehicle and learning from others. The name βoffroverlandβ is kind of an anagram, for offroad, overland, and the british car brand βland roverβ:
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What does Overland mean?
"Overland" refers to a way of travelling or adventure in which people journey across land, typically over long distances and often through remote or challenging terrain. It involves traveling by road or trail and can include activities such as off-roading, camping, and exploring natural landscapes. Sometimes thereβs no vehicles involved at all and explorers just count with their feet. Hiking with a backpack with only the essentials can be very satisfying at the end of the journey. Overland travel is often associated with exploration, adventure, and a sense of self-sufficiency, as travelers need to carry the necessary supplies, equipment, and provisions to sustain themselves during the journey. Like any kind of travel, the more you discover, the more you discover about yourself.
Why a Hippo?
The Land Rover Freelander is humorously referred to as a "Hippo" due to its boxy and somewhat chunky appearance. The vehicle's design features a sturdy and robust build, with a relatively large and high-set body, which can resemble the shape of a hippopotamus, especially when viewed from certain angles. Knowing this the marketing team of the brand, created a brilliant tv spot to feature the new concept car and present it to the world. In the ad you see a Freelander being unleashed in an African natural reserve. More than 20 years ago, just brilliant! If you havenβt watched it, do yourself a favor and search for it on youtube.
LOW COST Overlanding?
Yes, it is possible! But it depends on various factors, including the location, the durations of your trips, the type of vehicle you have (if any), and your willingness to make certain compromises. Choose a used budget-friendly vehicle and instead of buying expensive aftermarket upgrades, you can make your own modifications to your vehicle or camping equipment to save money. Use recycled materials. Be creative. But donβt be cheap on camping gear, the important stuff (sleeping-bag, matress, stove, etc), quality gear will last more and be more cost effective, but look for deals, discounts, and secondhand options. Donβt follow the trends, sure a rooftop tent looks cool on instagram pictures, but are many alternatives that will save you hundreds or even thousands of your budget, that you can re-direct for fuel and meals, that means you can go explore much further and for longer times. Travel light. Travel slowly. Choose a fuel-efficient route. All this makes Overlanding much more achievable.
Can we meet and hit the trails?
Of course! Always cool to meet like-minded people, to share knowledge and to go on offroad and camping adventures. Just send an email or reach out by instagram DMs. Looking forward to hear from you.
The BIG question, what phone app!
Perhaps the most asked question, every time someone new sees a story or a reel on instagram and sees the auxiliary phone on the dashboard. The phone app you see being used to navigate and get specs from the car in real time is called Torque Pro - for android. It connects to the car by OBD 2 and to the smartphone by bluetooth.
The Creator
My name is Tiago Xavier, Iβve worked as a Photographer for the past 20 years. I also studied Graphic Design and directed a few short films. From advertising, to fiction, portraits and action sports. The love for nature and animals comes for a very young age. My father was a Agronomic Engineer and could teach me everything I would ask about the natural world. My grandfather had a small farm and often he would take me to explore the countryside and help to take care of the sheep, the rabbits, the chickens, the pigs, the dogsβ¦ you get the picture, always surrounded by animals. I had a proper childhood, playing with sticks and rocks, riding horses, getting dirty playing with mud, bruising my knees and elbows while climbing trees, exploring the world on my bicycle. This made me at ease in the wild, curious about it, but also very protective of itβs fragility. All our family vacations and weekends were a new adventure. My parents took me camping, fishing and exploring the most hidden spots of the country. So I was brought up valuing all the plants, all the animals, for the balance they gave the natural world, the food we eat and the peace of mind we get from it. Itβs been my refugee since then - the nature.
Hippos are most active at night, when they go out for dinner. They are herbivores, they eat mostly grass β and boy do they love grass! In just one night, they can guzzle down up to 35kg!
