The best adventures aren't just about the distance you travel, but the people you meet along the way. This sentiment drove the Women's Month expedition hosted by Opposite Lock South Africa, a journey that used Namaqualand and its wild flowers as a backdrop. The Alu-Cab Girls, Georgia and Aimee, joined the week-long, 1,880-kilometre trip, along with...

A Trip Forged by AI and Inspired by Community

Leading the expedition was Darrell van Zeil of Opposite Lock, who put the trip together in order to inspire women to get out and explore. In a modern twist, he used an unlikely travel agent... “ChatGPT planned the entire trip,” says Darrell. "We wanted to experience AI doing this. It worked fairly well but did not take into consideration stops and a few other minor things.”

The guest list was curated with intention. “We invited top female adventurers and influencers,” says Darrell. The group, which also included a few well-known male creators, bonded instantly. “Each person brought their own unique personality but all bonded as the passion shared was one.”

Breaking Barriers and Building Confidence

The purpose of this journey was to connect with other overlanders and help reshape a traditionally male-dominated scene.

"Historical norms have traditionally shaped the overlanding scene into a male-dominated space, as society often raised boys to embrace masculinity and follow in their fathers' footsteps," explain the Alu-Cab Girls. "Even today, many people still categorise mechanics, self-reliance and wilderness survival as masculine traits."

Community is the solution. “Overlanding in bigger groups of 4–5 vehicles contributes to our sense of security. Starting out, we suggest women leave their partners at home and join all-women groups to help boost their own confidence and independence.”

From Augrabies to Tietiesbaai

The adventure began with a 847km haul from Cape Town to Augrabies Falls National Park for the first night. From there, the itinerary unfolded as a spontaneous drive through the Namaqualand's carpet of colour.

Springbok: The group camped at Modderfontein, a wild campsite nestled in a valley and blanketed in yellow and orange flowers.

Pedrosfontein: The trip's most spectacular sight was a spontaneous discovery. After a stop in Kamieskroon, locals drew them a makeshift map to a farm called Pedrosfontein. “We were completely overwhelmed! The colours were so bright and bold."

Lambert’s Bay: A highlight was the legendary seafood feast at Muisbosskerm. “It was so good that we camped across the road and headed right back there the next day for seconds!”

Paternoster: The trip culminated at the wildly beautiful Tietiesbaai. “The most insane views, right on the water’s edge... and the most beautiful campsite we visited."

Home on the Road and Life in Thor

A key to any great adventure is the right fuel, and the group enjoyed gourmet braais and hearty breakfasts. The ACG's typical routine is usually a lot simpler. “We tend to stick to rusks and coffee, yoghurt and berries for brekkie... and braaied boerie/mushrooms with salad or soup for dinner! Never underestimate the ease of heating up soup.”

This is all made possible by Thor's rooftop conversion and other upgrades. "Thor’s storage system makes it incredibly easy to keep everything fresh," the Alu-Cab Girls explain. "We store our canned goods in an Alu-Cab ammo box that slots neatly into the shelves. Our fresh ingredients go in the fridge, and our on-the-go snacks are stored in the centre console.”

Having the right gear also makes a good night's sleep possible, and Thor was the star of the show. “The rooftop conversion was comfortable – even with the two of us! We packed extra blankets and pillows, so we had a really cozy bed!”

The Alu-Cab Girls were also quick to add how their setup made setting up and tearing down a cinch. “We were constantly the FIRST to set up and take down. Thor’s streamlined design placed us as the victors of the ‘quickest and easiest camp set-up’.”

Banter, Belonging and a New Belief

The Namaqualand trip was filled with the type of banter that forges new friendships. The group had a tradition of “fines,” awarding humorous prizes for those the group felt most deserving.

“Aimee won a crown and handbag for best passenger princess, and Georgia won bubbles for being a chatterbox,” the Alu-Cab Girls laugh. “It’s always a wild moment to reflect on how you start a trip a little awkward and shy, and then see how comfortable and affectionate everyone is at the end.”

For Darrell, managing the group was effortless. “The biggest challenge is meeting timelines but ultimately this does not matter because we are all out there doing what we love. Time has no place on adventures.”

The trip was also a powerful example of collaboration over competition. “We found that mixing brands together and forging new connections with industry is a good thing. We were able to give each other credit where credit was due and learn from each other,” the Alu-Cab Girls noted.

Purpose and Possibility

After a week of flower frolicking, coastline hopping and community building, the final takeaway was a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.

“We came back rejuvenated and ready to plan our next adventure!” the Alu-Cab Girls share. “Driving home there was the strongest feeling of how we're on the right path. Meeting successful content-creators, overlanding men and women who treated us like their equals and believe in our brand is so empowering.”

For Darrell, the success of this trip guarantees more shared journeys ahead. “We currently do five trips a year and are looking at adding two more next year. With the content we create we have found so many doors opening, and we receive amazing invites from all over Africa.”

This trip perfectly captured the spirit of overlanding. The freedom to explore, the joy of community and the confidence that comes from being well-equipped for the road ahead.