Overlanding Vehicles || The Stories Behind the Pictures

I grew up before the internet when exploration meant riding your bike as far as you could across your neighborhood. Sunday evenings were a highlight for me, as I’d sit down to watch Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. The show, all about wildlife and nature, opened my eyes to the wilds of Africa and other far-off, exotic places. I remember the cast driving Series Land Rovers and Toyotas across the African savannas, showing lions and elephants in their natural habitat—it was an incredible journey, even if it was only through the screen. At the same time, National Geographic magazine fed my curiosity about the world, especially the issues that included paper maps. I could spend hours poring over the maps after reading the stories.

I eventually owned a 1990 Range Rover and a 1998 Land Rover Discovery, and it was my dream to modify them into overlanding vehicles. Unfortunately, the cost of repairs kept that dream out of reach. I live vicariously through Land Rover forums and follow adventure travelers on social media. The more unique and unconventional the vehicle, the more drawn to it I am.

During my military service, I had the chance to travel to Central Asia and Eastern Europe, where I came across some truly one-of-a-kind overland vehicles. But it’s the stories of the adventure travelers I’ve met along the way that have left the most lasting impression.

I want to share these vehicles and the fascinating stories behind the photos with you. My hope is that they’ll inspire the spirit of adventure in you, just as they have in me.

Land Rover-Defender110: Background WWII Monument, Dushanbe Tajikistan.

The Victory Monument stands proudly amid the bustling Ayni Street in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Given the heavy traffic on this road, it’s not the easiest monument to visit. The tall steles at the site tell part of the story of the Soviet soldiers’ victory over the Germans, but the real highlight is the Soviet IS-2 tank. This tank was part of the 170th Brigade and played a role in the battles across Hungary and Austria during World War II.

As I made my way back across Ayni Street from the monument, my eye caught a Land Rover 110 parked nearby. While I still don’t know the full story behind this Land Rover, my mind started to wander, imagining its journey to reach Dushanbe. Tajikistan, the poorest country of the former Soviet republics, is home to numerous non-governmental organizations, and this white Land Rover likely belongs to one of them. I couldn’t help but wonder about the experiences it has witnessed along the way.

Mercedes Benz Unimog.

As I made my way back to the hotel, I spotted a Mercedes Benz Unimog parked in the lot. This thing was an absolute beast, almost resembling a gypsy wagon. I immediately sensed there was an incredible adventure behind this vehicle. I lingered, hoping to catch a glimpse of the owners, eager to hear their story.

When the German couple who owned the truck returned, I learned they had driven the Unimog from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. They had been traveling through Afghanistan when rising religious tensions made it too dangerous to continue. Fearing for their safety, they hid their vehicle with a man who owned a scrapyard and flew back to Germany. Eight months later, they returned to recover their truck and continue their journey.

In awe, I couldn’t help but ask, “You do realize there’s a war going on in Afghanistan, right?” Their calm response left me stunned—it’s a level of adventure travel I’ll never fully understand. To travel in an overland vehicle through a country in active conflict takes the concept of adventure to an entirely different, bold level.

The decal on the side of the door of the Unimog.

The couple's truck had a broken bolt in the suspension, and they were working on getting it repaired while also waiting for their visa to enter Uzbekistan. The broken bolt was the main topic of conversation, but there was more to the truck than just that. A sticker on the door hinted at a deeper story. A quick search on the internet revealed that this vehicle had once been used for tourism, specifically in the Acacus Mountains of the Ghat district in western Libya. This region, famous for its thousands of prehistoric cave paintings, is a UNESCO/World Heritage Site—an adventure in itself.

Once the couple received their visa, they still faced an 8,000-kilometer journey ahead to get back to Germany. What stuck with me from our conversation was how these travelers had overcome the fear of the unknown. Too often, we let fears—especially the fear that adventure travel is too dangerous—hold us back. It's easy to let those fears stop us, but hearing their story reminded me how much there is to explore when we push past those limits.

Unimog taking a break waiting for a repair.

I’m not much of a motorcycle guy, so when I first saw these bikes, I thought they were BMW R71s. However, I quickly realized they were actually Urals, which were modeled after the R71s. After the war, motorcyclists were drawn to the Ural for its reliability and impressive off-road capabilities.

Russian-made Ural motorcycles.

The Tajikistan Ministry of Defense motorcycles are coated in glossy paint and are primarily used for ceremonial events. These bikes are Russian-built Urals, but due to recent global developments, Ural production has since moved to Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan.

Russian Jeep, UAZ 469.

The UAZ 469 is a legendary light-utility military vehicle that was widely used by the Soviet Union and numerous Warsaw Pact countries. It saw extensive service with government agencies throughout the Eastern Bloc. The UAZ 469B is the civilian version, though it's hard to tell which model this particular vehicle is. While the UAZ 469 wasn’t originally sold to the public, many found their way into the hands of enthusiasts through surplus sales. It's fascinating to see such a vehicle being used as an everyday driver.

Toyota Land Cruiser used by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Whenever natural disasters or humanitarian crises make the news, you’ll often spot the iconic white Toyota vehicles of the United Nations or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the front lines. Toyota Gibraltar Stockholdings (TGS) is the official supplier of 4x4 vehicles to these humanitarian agencies, and they make simple yet crucial modifications to enhance the vehicles' capability in challenging environments. The Land Cruiser pictured here is a standard model, but it could be equipped with additional features like bull bars, HF radios, spare tires, and fuel cans, among others.

This was the first time I had encountered an NGO white Toyota, and it’s a clear sign you're in an austere part of the world when you spot one. One such organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), provides essential medical support along the border with Afghanistan. The ICRC also offers training to enhance the skills of local medical professionals, ensuring critical care in some of the most remote areas.

Swiss Army Pinzgauer.

Named after the Austrian breed of cattle, the Pinzgauer is a highly versatile off-road vehicle known for its exceptional mobility. Available in both 4WD and 6WD models, the Pinzgauer is built to tackle tough terrain. I discovered this particular one while supporting a Boy Scout Camporee, parked in the lot of the local park.

When I was a Scout, one of the troops I was in used a school bus to take us on campouts. The Pinzgauer, however, is a whole lot cooler than our old troop bus. This particular model is the 710 4x4, which can transport up to 10 Scouts, making it the perfect vehicle for adventurous outings.

Ex-MOD Land Rover Defender 90.

The Defender 90 was the first thing that caught my eye when I arrived at the/ Archaeological Site of Philippi, thanks to a weather delay earlier in the morning. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time to explore Philippi. This Defender, a right-hand drive model, stood out with its two-tone camouflage paint scheme. Most NATO Land Rovers I’ve encountered are either all green or feature a three-color camouflage, making this one a rare sight.

Passenger side view of tools and equipment on the roof rack.

There was an unusual piece of gear on the roof rack, making it difficult to tell whether this vehicle was set up for overlanding or being used for work purposes.

Named after the Laubrosch European Tree Frog.

While exploring Matka Canyon, located in the west-central region of Skopje, Northern Macedonia, I came across a fascinating Mercedes-Benz overland rig. Originally a military vehicle, it had been expertly converted into an overland camper. Large diamond-plate storage boxes were added for extra capacity, and bike racks were mounted on the rear of the camper. With its green color and rugged build, "Laubrosch"—a name inspired by the green European tree frog—seemed like a perfect fit for this beast of a rig.

The overlanding family had set up camp in a beautiful spot for the day, taking in the views of the Teska River and the surrounding mountains. This area is a popular destination due to its proximity to Skopje, offering a wide range of outdoor activities and cultural experiences. Matka Canyon is also Northern Macedonia's premier spot for alpine hiking, attracting adventurers and nature lovers alike. 

I spotted a Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ78 on the streets of Munich, Germany. At first, I noticed the Land Rover badge on the grill and thought, "This can't be a Land Rover." The truck had been heavily modified, with body parts that made it look vastly different from its original design. The rear of the vehicle had been customized to include storage and even a sleeping area. I really wish I could have met the owner to learn more about this unique truck and its story.

Whenever I see a Lada Niva, I can't help but think of that iconic scene in the Jason Bourne movie, where Bourne is searching for the girl in the Russian apartment. Now known as the Lada Niva Legend, this rugged vehicle has been in production since 1977. It comes in several variants, including hatchback, compact wagon, and pickup, and was originally designed for rural markets. In other parts of the world, it's known by different names and competes with vehicles like the Suzuki Jimny. During my time in Tajikistan, I saw plenty of Lada Nivas on the roads.

It’s always fascinating to see the variety of 4x4s, everyday vehicles, and overlanders around the world. Each one is as unique as its owner, reflecting different needs and capabilities.

Now It's Your Turn-

I would love to hear about your favorite Overlander and the stories behind it. If you happen to know of an Overlander blog that has great adventures and stories. Please share their blog or website in the comments.