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Charline Ribotta | Overlander

@charline.overlanding

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SOLO OVERLANDING | AFRICA → WEST ASIA
4+ years • 150,000+ km • one woman • one 4x4
Living in Rafiki — boarders, roads & cultures
📍Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

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REALITY of traveling solo behind the perfect photos!

Because I’m tired to see all these perfect glossy travel photographies. I’m also tired of my fake poses pretending I’m busy changing tires or looking far ahead, whereas I’m just faking being natural in front of a cold broken tripod.

Traveling -and especially traveling solo- is nothing sexy nor glamorous about. Sorry for being honest.

It’s yourself and a tripod (if you have one) and it’s all about setting the timer to immortalise something for the show.

Hopefully, traveling solo is much more than sexy actually.

And it’s something I found magical yet addictive that only my heart and mind will keep on picturing the real moments. by @charline.overlanding

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2 years ago

My solo drive across the Middle East to France

After 18 months overlanding solo across Africa, I decided to ship my Toyota Hilux Rafiki from Durban (South Africa) to Jebel Ali Port (Dubai, the UAE).

General information about the solo expedition:

Initial starting date from France: 26 January 2022
Arrival back to France: May 2024
Part I: Europe to Africa
Mileage Africa: 45,000km
Part II: Africa to the Middle East
Vehicle: Toyota Hilux RC’13 X-tra cab 4WD, 2.5L, 144 D-4D, Le Cap model, 2013

Part II info:

Departing date: October 2023
Arrival date: May 2024
City of departure: Dubai, the UAE
City of arrival: Lyon, France
Mileage: 20,000km
Length: 7 months
Budget (without shipping): 5,000EUR
Total number of countries: 14
Number of continents: 2 (Asia & Europe)
Number of Asian countries: 6 (the UAE x2, Oman x2, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Türkiye)
Number of European countries: 8 (Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, France)
Rafiki mechanical issues: none
Rafiki upgrades: 3 (fridge, 5 tires, 2 front bushings replacement)
Lessons learned: tones!
Happiness & satisfaction: extremely high!

#solooverlandexpedition #dubaitolyon #frenchgirl #womantravelsolo #toyota by @charline.overlanding

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2 years ago

Don’t tell me dreams are made to stay silent.

I spent 29 months on the road.
Departure date: 26 January 2022
Arrival date: May 2024
Departure and arrival place: Lyon, France
Expedition vehicle: Rafiki, 2013 (second hand) Toyota Hilux
Breakdowns: none
Total mileage expedition: 80,000 km (around 85% off-road)
Continents: 3 (Europe, Africa, Asia -Middle East region)
Countries: 36
Europe: 19 countries
Africa: 11 countries (South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe)
Middle East: 5 countries (UAE, Oman, Saudi, Kuwait, Iraq)
(+ Türkiye and back to Europe)
Issues: 2 bad incidents (in Namibia)

#soloexpedition #africa #middleeast #solofemaletraveler #overlanding #expeditionvehicle Charline overlanding by @charline.overlanding

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2 years ago

This is why traveling is important.

I know Munira @munerabiea since a year now and she profoundly touched my heart the first minute I met her, somewhere in a Saudi desert.

I was not supposed to be back to Saudi, I was not supposed to see her again, but life brought me into her arms one more time. She is the type of person who makes me believe in a better place, where humans would not be taught to hate but to support each other.

Whatever who we are, whatever our roots, our skin colour, if we have a religion or not, the size of our wallet, we belong to the human race. Khalas.

It’s a privilege to have you into my life my dear Munira, you are a diamond shining on this Planet. taken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by @charline.overlanding

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17 days ago

I couldn’t stop crying 😭

If you follow my 4x4 expeditions since a while you already know my strong fascination for the Bedu cultures, and especially here in Saudi Arabia.

I met my Bedu sister @munerabiea last December during a Camel and Bedu festival in Saudi, randomly.

Almost a year later, we got to reunite again to support her in one of her exhibitions. Yes, she is a talented stylist and designer of Bedu traditional clothing. She is making her best to keep Bedu traditions and beauty alive.

She is so proud to be Bedu and I admire her pride from the bottom of my heart.

I was so lucky to be surrounded by my Dorra habibti -a IG follower who became my sister as well- and who could help me translate so I understand every little story on the way.

Being surrounded by these 2 strong women makes me realise how blessed I am and why life brought me back to Saudi Arabia for the 3rd time.

Shukran Maktoub. taken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by @charline.overlanding

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18 days ago

I came to celebrate, and I got deeply touched until today.

What I loved most wasn’t just the celebrations, the flags or the green everywhere… it was seeing families, generations and an entire community celebrating together. Another powerful and unforgettable day spent in Saudi Arabia. taken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by @charline.overlanding

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20 days ago

My first Saudi National Day… I was NOT ready for this 😳

Since I’m in the capital of the Kingdom, I decided to attend the most special day of the country and I was deeply touched by what I discovered! A whole nation turning green to celebrate 96 years since the Holy land became the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Do you know a country more patriotic than this? It’s insane!!

Happy National Day again my Saudi brothers and sisters 🇸🇦 taken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by @charline.overlanding

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21 days ago

150,000 km later…

I realized the greatest risk was never leaving.

#overlanding #solofemaletravel #overlandtravel #adventuretravel #lifeontheroad by @charline.overlanding

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a month ago

When absolutely nothing goes according to plan…

I entered Saudi Arabia determined to cross the country on my way back to Europe.

Instead, fate had other plans.

Two weeks later today, I’ve driven through the desert with Kena and Rafiki, discovered a side of Saudi culture I knew very little about, sat around tables with people who were strangers only hours before, experienced the absolute madness of Saudi football, been welcomed into a home when I suddenly needed somewhere to stay… and, obviously, spent an unreasonable amount of time underneath Rafiki and inside the bonnet.

I drove back to Riyadh because my plans unexpectedly changed. I was tired, confused, stressed…until I breathed Saudi unbreakable energy.

I now remember why it’s always been one of my favourite countries in the world. Let’s see how long life will make me stay, and it doesn’t matter if it’s only for a few weeks, I could stay again and this is all that matters. Charline overlanding saudi arabia taken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by @charline.overlanding

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a month ago

This probably isn’t the Saudi Arabia you imagined🇸🇦

Yesterday, in just one day, I have received so many questions from people -living outside of KSA- wondering about my fascination with Saudi Arabia, and how it is possible to be so happy again, especially after living beautiful Oman.

And the famous: but do you feel safe there?!
Let’s be honest, I’m experiencing Saudi Arabia in a way outsiders may not expect.

Also, it isn’t a secret for you anymore but Saudi Arabia has always been my crush of the Peninsula. And despite the fact I cannot drive back home yet…I feel Home here, like nowhere else in the region.

Indeed, I have driven back to Saudi Arabia 10 days ago already and the truth is: life has been so incredibly kind and gentle with me since.

My new friend Hadi -who’s been following my solo overlanding adventures - brought me to another Saudi football game here in Riyadh.

This time, I had the chance to attend -one of- the best Saudi team: Al Hilal (also from the capital) accompanied by my other friend Dorra.

The ambiance was INSANE.

INSANE!!!! Women, men, families, everyone singing together. The chants. The passion. The energy in the stands.

10 days since I’m back and I don’t wanna leave anymore. taken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by @charline.overlanding

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a month ago

And 25,000km later…I got to see my idol!!!!!!

I left France 14 months ago and since then I drove to the Arabian Peninsula and traveled all around (almost).

After a hectic and stressful paperwork experience the past months, I finally ended up in Saudi Arabia for the 3rd time, and I’m smiling again!

I would have never imagined being here again today, with my Rafiki 4x4, in the country where I feel home for real.

I am the happiest and I was DEFINITELY not ready for more happiness:

Because I received the most BEAUTIFUL welcome 2 nights ago when a Saudi man offered me a ticket to see a football game where MY FOREVER IDOL was playing: Cristiano Ronaldo!!!!

I still CANNOT believe it!

Thank you / Shukran Hadoo, I will never forget it!!! And thank you my Dorra Abidi for all the videos I will preciously keep with me forever!

#CristianoRonaldo #CR7 #AlNassr #SaudiArabia Overlanding taken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by @charline.overlanding

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2 months ago

Well… that was NOT the plan.

Six months of waiting in Oman. Months of paperwork. I finally got the green light to exit…

I genuinely thought this was the beginning of the journey back to France.

But somewhere between official alerts, changing plans, driving back to Riyadh and meeting with the French Embassy…the route back home took another turn.

And maybe I should admit something: I never really wanted to leave the Arabian Peninsula anyway. I thought I had to, because of my situation, because of the situation.

‘It’s better if you can wait here…’
Definitely not the worst scenario.

The desert. The people. The traditions. The heritage. The landscape richness. And the Bedouins…

Another resilience.

So I’ll keep writing my ebook. I’ll keep exploring. And I’ll stay open to any opportunities that might come from this unexpected new chapter.

I have absolutely no idea where this road is taking us now.

And strangely…I’m smiling again.

#SaudiArabia #Overlanding #SaudiArabiaTravel #OverlandLife taken in Saudi Arabia by @charline.overlanding

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2 months ago