Your recovery kit can be as extensive as you want it to be, but over the years, I have found that with the basics, you will be able to get out of almost any sticky situation the African bush has up its sleeve. I have also travelled with people with all the gadgets but no idea how to use them, which is almost worse than having an inadequate recovery kit – so whatever you take with you, be sure to test it before departure and figure out how it works! These are the essential items I believe will add value to your kit.

A shovel or spade
When going on any overland expedition, there is always the potential to get stuck (regardless of what or how well you drive!). A good, sturdy shovel to dig yourself out of the situation or clear sand/mud in front of your wheels is an essential must-have! The first rule of getting stuck anywhere is always to try and clear your wheels in the direction you intend to move in – and generally, the humble old shovel will do the trick!

Tyre air pressure gauge
An air pressure gauge is ideal for accurately measuring the pressure of your vehicle’s tyres when adjusting for off-road conditions. This is especially vital to ensure your tyres are sufficiently deflated when you are stuck in sand or mud. In combination with it, you should consider investing in an air compressor to inflate the tyres once you are out of a sticky situation or getting back on the tar.

Sand/mud tracks
The unique surface design on sand or mud tracks ensures excellent traction. Side grips allow for easy carrying and fitting sand tracks on the vehicle, while treads on both sides grip your tyres and dig into the ground. Sand or mud recovery tracks could be used as a shovel to remove sand from the tyre area. Invest in a pair, but four would be better!

Snatch strap/kinetic rope
These are excellent at absorbing the shock of a recovery. As the rope stretches under tension, it transfers the energy from the recovering vehicle to the vehicle in need. This is a recovery in which you use a bit of momentum from the front/towing vehicle to ‘pop’ the stuck vehicle out of whatever it’s stuck in. This technique is incredibly effective at retrieving vehicles if used correctly – but if not, it can be extremely dangerous! While a snatch strap is quite similar to a kinetic rope, there is a difference between the two options: a snatch strap is usually made from flat webbing, while a kinetic rope is just that – a round rope. Both are made from 100 percent nylon, but the most significant difference is that most straps can only be used two to three times, while the rope can be used multiple times.

Farm/hi-lift jack
In many of situations you would have to lift your vehicle to do a recovery and if you know how to use a jack, this item will be able to help you get unstuck. It can be used to lift heavy objects – like a mechanical winch – and to lift your vehicle in tricky situations in order to place traction aids underneath the wheels for better grip. It can also be utilised to de-bead a tyre off the rim for repairs or shift a tree or stone blocking the road, to name but a few. Ensure, though, that you always have a strong base plate for the jack to stand on because it can just as easily cause injury!

You can add many items to your recovery gear, depending on your skill level. However, we would always suggest that you sign up for a 4×4 course before tackling your first 4×4 outing or overlanding trip. Qualified instructors will teach you the basics of using most of the mentioned equipment and how to get the most out of your vehicle. Knowing your vehicle and how to approach obstacles is always your best chance of not getting stuck. As the saying goes: prevention is better than cure!