My Budapest Bamako Rally Adventure

I’m requesting your help to fulfill my lifelong dream of overland travel thru the Sahara while doing some good deeds along the way.


I’m going to celebrate my 50th birthday by taking this 12 thousand km road trip thru 16 countries from Helsinki Finland to Western Africa,


I will be participating in the 2018 Budapest Bamako rally. Upon reaching the Finish line, I will  donate my BMW and all my equipment to the  NGO Lighthouse Foundation that creates, funds  and oversees sustainable long term projects in the area. I’m planing and am fully prepared to self fund this trip, however I have already more than doubled the original budget for the trip and would like to have a bit of an emergency fund for unexpected events, emergencies or maybe even stay in a hotel and eat a warm meal here and there. Whatever this campaign might yield (if any), all funds will be used towards direct expenses of the trip and in case of overage I will donate the remainder to a charity of my choosing.


Also, material donations needed on the trip would be greatly appreciated. Items I am still missing are:  

-GPS with SD card slot

-European “unlocked” Android phone.

-Camping gear, Tent, cooker, sleeping bag etc.

-Solar Charger

-European CB radio



My Beemer is way too small to carry charity items in it, but I’m making room for presents for local children:

-Soccer balls, Jerseys and Cleats for the kids (new or gently used)

-School supplies, pens rulers, composition notebooks etc.


I will be collecting these Items in Helsinki on the first week of January.


Yes the $2.4M is totally a joke… I’ve learned that unattainable goals, usually yield acceptable results and  I’ve also learned that $2.4M is the average ransom paid for westerners kidnapped in West Africa..