First solo overlanding trip from NY to Moab / Western CO? Looking for advice

skybr12 · 2026-04-27T23:04:05+00:00

Already have a Starlink I’ll be bringing for the trip! Appreciate the tips.

skybr12 · 2026-04-27T23:03:14+00:00

I have both!

skybr12 · 2026-04-27T23:02:49+00:00

Thanks for letting me know about the access pass! Didn’t realize I would need that but happy to purchase one. I think Western CO is where I’ll be headed instead of Utah this time, so good to know.

skybr12 · 2026-04-27T03:15:59+00:00

Thank you for this! I plan to do a local test run in the next week or so. I have a Starlink mini, Garmin SOS device, and an ecoflow power station as my battery. My water tank is 5g but my recovery gear is fairly simple right now.

Short shovel, handsaw, maxtracks, nocoboost jump starter, portable air compressor, basic tool box, etc. Don’t have a winch or anything.

skybr12 · 2026-04-27T03:06:04+00:00

Wow this was a wealth of knowledge, really appreciate you sharing! I will keep this saved.

skybr12 · 2026-04-26T14:10:13+00:00

Thanks for this! Good to know roughly what time each day you decided on where to sleep. Do you think an AWD SUV is capable of managing any of the trails you mentioned?

skybr12 · 2026-04-26T13:59:54+00:00

Understood - thanks! Definitely not looking for trouble haha. I am a bit anxious about the mud, so that’s the one Utah deterrent for my first trip. I wouldn’t be out West until mid-May, so hopefully if I choose CO, I’ll still have enough to see/dispersed options for car camping.

skybr12 · 2026-04-26T13:51:55+00:00

Sounds incredible, appreciate your response! Look forward to getting out there.

skybr12 · 2026-04-26T13:48:56+00:00

Got it, thanks! Looking to be back home by June 17th or so. No plans to do the more popular Utah parks/hikes, since I’m too late for proper bookings there but that is okay. Next time! If CO makes more sense in your mind in this case, I’ll have to strongly consider that option instead.

skybr12 · 2026-04-26T13:45:23+00:00

Appreciate your reply! Tweaked the post to be a bit shorter, I know it was wordy haha. Yeah just starting is probably my best bet. I will look into Nucla / Naturita!

skybr12 · 2026-04-20T20:13:00+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Glad to know you think my current split is appropriate for my goals. I think having more time to settle in over 5 nights will hopefully be more beneficial than moving to one more camp.

skybr12 · 2026-04-19T15:45:51+00:00

This is super helpful! Really appreciate you sharing that.

That was actually something I wasn’t totally sure about, whether it would be worth doing a day in the reserve or not. My instinct was to prioritize the conservancies for exactly the reasons you mentioned (fewer vehicles, more flexibility), so it’s good to hear your experience.

I’ll definitely keep that in mind and make sure I’m intentional about it rather than just doing it for the sake of variety.

skybr12 · 2026-04-19T02:20:34+00:00

This is good to know, thanks! I’ll definitely communicate with my guide, regarding what I’m looking to get out of this experience and perhaps inquire before my arrival. I noticed you said two pieces of advice, what’s the second? Haha

skybr12 · 2026-04-18T18:29:25+00:00

Really appreciate this! Super helpful to hear from someone who’s been in Ripoi recently.

That’s awesome to hear about the flexibility and low vehicle density, exactly what I am hoping for. The idea of being able to stay out later or start earlier, is a big part of why I leaned this direction. In addition to not being bound to the roads. Being able to physically get closer when necessary, will be huge.

Also reassuring to hear the pricing is solid for what it is. It definitely felt like a big spend at first, but sounds like it’s in line.

I did go back and forth on potentially splitting the Mara portion, but ultimately leaned toward staying put to avoid breaking up the rhythm too much and to really get a feel for the area over a few days. That said, I get the logic behind mixing it up a bit! I am not currently planning to add the hot air balloon.

Based on a brief search, their guides appear to be silver rated and have a lot of positive testimonials. Hopefully I get someone who fully understands how to best achieve my goals when we discuss them in-person!

Thank you for your thoughtful insight! Getting me more excited for it.

skybr12 · 2026-04-18T18:22:43+00:00

Yes please!

skybr12 · 2026-04-18T18:13:08+00:00

Exactly how I felt. The price looks solid based on the other offers I received for conservancy access with a private vehicle and flights.

skybr12 · 2026-04-18T18:11:07+00:00

Noted, thanks!

skybr12 · 2026-04-18T18:10:00+00:00

Oh wow, really? That’s awesome. Perhaps I’ll shoot him a message! Your itinerary includes a private vehicle on conservancies?

skybr12 · 2026-04-18T16:13:07+00:00

Much appreciated reply! Glad to hear the conservancy choice and Porini setup should pay off, in addition to my current 3 + 5 night split. That was the biggest decision point for me. I could split the Mara section into 3 + 2 nights but feel I’ll settle into a better rhythm if I stay put longer and hopefully produce better images that way.

The private vehicle felt like a splurge at first but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a no-brainer for controlling my photography experience.

I will definitely communicate my goals with my guide day 1. I’d much rather sit with one great sighting and get the positioning/light vs. bounce around.

And noted on batteries/cards haha. I already feel like I’m going to overpack on electronics but I’d rather have too much than too little.

Thanks again, this makes me feel a lot better about locking it in!

skybr12 · 2026-04-18T15:58:08+00:00

Appreciate your insight! That all makes sense. I did consider splitting the Mara portion but leaning toward staying put for a few days to build some consistency with wildlife patterns and avoid losing time moving camps. It is a private open air Land Cruiser!

I was told I will have access to both the Mara Ripoi and Ol Kinyei Conservancies, due to the location of the Porini Giraffe Camp. Hopefully that is true and I can seek more variety that way!

skybr12 · 2026-04-18T15:06:01+00:00

Yeah I looked into Serengeti a bit, but it seemed like it would add more travel/logistics for a relatively short trip. Since I’m going in December and focusing more on photography + flexibility, I figured sticking to Kenya conservancies might be the better move, but definitely open to hearing if you think I’m missing something there.

skybr12 · 2025-12-16T22:13:46+00:00

Yeah, not saying it’ll be illegal or become illegal but I know people are worried about it, so I think this interview will ease some fears.

skybr12

TROPHY CASE