Graeme and Luisa Bell are long-term overland travelers, authors, and field-tested storytellers who have spent more than a decade living and traveling full-time on the road with their children, Keelan and Jessica, and their dogs, Chewy (a South African Yorkie rescue) and Daisy (a Mexican street dog rescue). The Bell family have circumnavigated South America, traveled from Argentina to Alaska, crossed the United States multiple times, and driven from Europe to their native South Africa via the west coast of Africa—an expedition that demanded resilience, adaptability, and deep cultural engagement.
Their travels are rooted in self-reliance and immersive exploration. Whether navigating remote tracks in West Africa or frozen winter roads to the Arctic Ocean—most recently in a Ram truck with a Nimbl camper—the Bells favor practical vehicles, thoughtful preparation, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. They are currently based in Mexico, continuing to explore the Americas while sharing their experience through writing and public speaking.
At the heart of their journey is a Land Rover Defender 130, affectionately known as “Mafuta,” which Graeme designed and built with the help of the family to support long-term global travel.
Graeme is the Senior Editor of 4WD for Expedition Portal and Overland Journal and has authored multiple books on overlanding, including Travel the Planet Overland, co-written with Luisa. He is also a longstanding member of The Explorers Club. Together, the Bells offer a rare, multigenerational perspective on long-term travel grounded in lived experience across continents, climates, and cultures.
The Bell family will be joining us at Overland Expo West to teach 16 Years Overlanding the Globe, What We Wish We Knew From the Start. Overland travel is often portrayed as a seamless blend of freedom, adventure, and faraway horizons, but the reality of long-term life on the road is shaped just as much by hard-earned lessons as it is by spectacular landscapes. In this presentation, Graeme Bell draws on 16 years of overland travel around the globe to share what he and his family wish they had understood from the beginning, from lifestyle, vehicle, and gear decisions to route planning, health, safety, and the practical realities of crossing borders and living on the move. Designed to be both informative and engaging, the session offers clear takeaways for new travelers and seasoned overlanders alike, with insights aimed at helping attendees travel smarter, reduce avoidable mistakes, and get more out of every mile.
A chat with the Bell Family about their overland adventures
Before we get some time in with the Bells in Flagstaff, AZ, we chatted with them about their rigs, favorite camps, and much more.
OE: What vehicles make up your current fleet?
The Bells: As a family, we run a small but diverse fleet. Our primary vehicle is a self-built camper on a 2003 Land Rover Defender 130 platform, which has crossed the Atlantic three times. Keelan’s personal vehicle is a 1995 Land Rover Discovery Series 1, purchased online and driven back from Canada to Mexico; it now serves as the family’s daily driver and will soon be further outfitted. Luisa owns a 2006 Land Rover LR3 used primarily as a trail vehicle. In addition, Graeme and Keelan ride two 2025 Italika DM 300 dual-purpose motorcycles to explore the backroads of Michoacán, Mexico.
OE: Do you have a favorite campsite?
The Bells: We have camped in exceptional locations around the world, but a few stand out: Camping Azilane in Chefchaouen, Morocco; Stille Waters in the Breede Valley, South Africa (weekday camping only); and Los Nogales in Córdoba, Argentina. Of these, Los Nogales remains especially memorable thanks to the hospitality of Carlos and his family, as well as the property’s spring-fed swimming pools.
OE: What do you typically cook on the road?
The Bells: As South Africans, our first choice is always a braai—meat cooked over an open fire. A close second is souvlaki.
READ MORE: The Social Side of Overland Expo West 2026
OE: Tell us about a challenging moment that turned into something positive.
The Bells: While off-roading in the Rif Mountains of Morocco, our Defender suffered a complete clutch failure. Although the location was remote, it proved to be an unexpectedly ideal place to break down, surrounded by forest, friendly locals, and a fresh mountain spring. After three days of attempted repairs, the vehicle was towed down the mountain by tractor. Then we spent a month camping above Chefchaouen in winter while waiting for parts. What began as a setback became a welcome pause, allowing us to recover from months of preparation, form new friendships, and explore the region at a slower pace.
OE: What aspects of overland travel do you feel you have mastered, and where could you improve?
The Bells: Having built and maintained our own vehicle, we are highly self-sufficient and comfortable traveling deep into remote regions without support. We work well as a team and tend to perform best in challenging or uncomfortable situations. One area we could improve is our social engagement on the road. We naturally gravitate toward solitude, which occasionally surprises fellow travelers familiar with our work.
OE: How do you divide responsibilities while traveling?
The Bells: Graeme typically handles mechanical maintenance, camp setup, and fire management. Luisa manages most meals and housekeeping and takes responsibility for electrical systems and repairs. She leads navigation and trip planning, while Graeme focuses primarily on driving—although Luisa has taken on significant driving responsibilities in the past, particularly during our time in West Africa.
