Since 1982, Chris Scott has been overlanding in one of the harshest and most remote environments on earth, the Sahara desert. So much so that he has become the go-to man for all things Sahara adventure and has written countless books on the subject (Sahara Overland, Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, Overlanders’ Handbook andMorocco Overlandto name a few) that have become bibles for anyone looking to venture into the sandy wilderness.
With more than fifty expeditions and tours under his belt, his preferred weapon of choice is a trusty, if slightly rusty, Land Cruiser. We caught up with him at the Adventure Travel Film Festival to discuss his love of Land Cruisers, his experiences in the desert and any pearls of wisdom for would-be adventurers.
What drew you to the Sahara in the first place?
Chris Scott: “In the 1970s, I was into off-road motorbiking but couldn’t really do it easily in the UK so thought “where would be the next best place in terms of space and wilderness?” I arrived at the Sahara. However, motorbikes aren’t really suited to this due to the limited supplies they can carry so upgrading to a car was an obvious decision.”
Why do you choose a Land Cruiser as your go-to vehicle for your Saharan overlanding travels?
Chris Scott: “I had my Land Rover phase, obviously coming from Britain you naturally think that is the right fit but when you get outside of the UK you realise that the world isn’t entirely dominated by Land Rovers. All over the world, Australia, the Sahara, and developing countries all use Land Cruisers. The Land Cruiser has a big engine and the transmission to go with it which is key when driving through the desert. They are often overengineered which means they are incredibly reliable and sturdy which gives you the confidence when travelling through tough terrain.”
How do you prepare your Land Cruisers before setting off?
Chris Scott: “New tyres are a must, whatever tires are on the vehicle, it is always best to get rid and buy some new quality tires from a respectable brand. Michelin for example is widely known for use in the Sahara with…
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