If you’re new to overlanding, this guide is for you.

No gatekeeping.

No pressure to own a £60k vehicle.

No assumption that you already know what you’re doing.

Just a clear, honest path into overlanding — whether you’re dreaming about your first trip or planning one right now.

What Is overlanding?

At its simplest, overlanding is self-reliant travel by vehicle, where the journey matters more than the destination.

It sits somewhere between:

• camping
  
• road trips
  
• off-road driving
  

But it isn’t defined by:

• extreme terrain
  
• expensive vehicles
  
• remote expeditions
  

For beginners, overlanding often looks like:

• driving scenic routes
  
• camping along the way
  
• carrying what you need
  
• moving at your own pace
  

You don’t need to disappear into the wilderness for weeks. A single overnight trip can be overlanding.

Who Is overlanding for?

Overlanding is for people who:

• enjoy freedom and flexibility
  
• like learning by doing
  
• want to slow down travel
  
• prefer experiences over resorts
  

You don’t need:

• years of experience
  
• mechanical expertise
  
• a fully built vehicle
  
• off-road driving skills
  

Many experienced overlanders started with:

• a standard car
  
• borrowed gear
  
• short trips close to home
  

Everyone starts somewhere.

The beginner mindset: start small, progress slowly

One of the biggest beginner mistakes is trying to do everything at once.

Overlanding isn’t about:

• building the perfect setup
  
• owning all the gear
  
• copying what you see on Instagram
  

It’s about progression.

A good beginner mindset looks like this:

1. Take a short, simple trip
   
2. Notice what worked
   
3. Notice what didn’t
   
4. Improve one thing next time
   

That’s it.

Your first trip doesn’t need to be impressive — it just needs to happen.

Your first overland trip (what to aim for)

For your first trip, keep it simple.

Ideal first trip:

• 1–2 nights
  
• 1–3 hours from home
  
• known roads and tracks
  
• mobile signal available
  

Focus on:

• sleeping comfortably
  
• cooking one or two easy meals
  
• navigating without stress
  

The goal isn’t adventure — it’s confidence.

Once you’ve done one trip, everything feels more achievable.

Overlanding gear basics (what you actually need)

You don’t need a full build to start.

Essentials for beginners:

• Water (more than you think)
  
• Food + simple cooking setup
  
• Sleeping system (tent, mattress, sleeping bag)
  
• Warm layers and weather protection
  
• Torch or headlamp
  
• Offline navigation (maps app or paper map)
  

Optional, not essential:

• roof tents
  
• drawers
  
• fridges
  
• winches
  
• complicated electronics
  

Start with what you already own. Upgrade later.

Safety basics for beginner overlanders

Overlanding safety isn’t about fear — it’s about margin.

Core safety principles:

• Tell someone your plan
  
• Avoid pushing limits
  
• Turn around early if unsure
  
• Don’t travel tired or rushed
  
• Carry extra water and food
  

Beginner overlanding is safest when:

• routes are familiar
  
• conditions are predictable
  
• ego stays at home
  

If something feels wrong, trust that feeling.

Navigation basics (without overthinking it)

Navigation is one of the biggest beginner stress points — but it doesn’t need to be complicated.

Beginner navigation setup:

• Offline maps on your phone
  
• Battery pack or charging cable
  
• Paper map as backup
  

Learn to:

• download maps before you go
  
• mark camps and fuel stops
  
• understand route difficulty
  

Navigation confidence comes quickly with practice.

Finding legal overlanding routes

Where you can drive legally depends on where you live.

For beginners:

• research routes before you go
  
• avoid anything unclear or disputed
  
• respect gates, signs, and closures
  

In the UK especially:

• legality matters
  
• access changes
  
• responsible use protects future access
  

Sticking to known, legal routes removes stress and conflict.

Common beginner mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Almost everyone makes these — they’re part of learning.

Common mistakes:

• overpacking
  
• buying gear before trips
  
• planning routes that are too ambitious
  
• relying only on mobile signal
  
• comparing yourself to others
  

The fix?

• simplify
  
• slow down
  
• reflect after each trip
  

Every mistake teaches you something valuable.

How to progress as an overlander

Progress doesn’t mean “bigger” or “harder”.

It can mean:

• better food
  
• improved sleep
  
• smoother packing
  
• calmer navigation
  
• more confidence
  

Ask yourself after each trip:

• What did I enjoy most?
  
• What stressed me out?
  
• What would I change next time?
  

That reflection is how experience builds.

Why community matters (especially for beginners)

Learning alone is slow. Learning with others is faster — and more enjoyable.

A good beginner community helps you:

• ask “simple” questions safely
  
• learn from others’ mistakes
  
• discover routes and ideas
  
• stay motivated to get out
  

It replaces:

• guesswork
  
• overwhelm
  
• comparison
  

With:

• clarity
  
• confidence
  
• encouragement
  

Start your overlanding journey with explmore

explmore exists to support beginner and early-stage overlanders.

Inside the explmore membership, you’ll find:

• a private community
  
• beginner guides and templates
  
• expert masterclasses
  
• route planning tools
  
• discounts
• inspiration
• real conversations (no ego)
  

If you’re ready to start overlanding — or start properly — you’re welcome here.

👉 Join explmore and begin your journey