Gunther Holtorf

Gunther W. Holtorf (4 July 1937 – 4 October 2021) was a German world traveler who, often in company of his partner Christine, journeyed approximately across the world in his G-Wagen Mercedes-Benz named "Otto", visiting 179 countries in 26 years.

Travels Holtorf had a lengthy career with Lufthansa beginning in 1958, and eventually became an overseas representative; he was later a managing director at Hapag-Lloyd. In 1989, Holtorf left his job to take an on-the-road journey, beginning with the idea of spending 18 months discovering the African countryside in his 1988 G-Wagen. He was accompanied on this initial trip by his third wife Beate, and after their divorce embarked on another leg with companion Christine beginning in 1990. and Holtorf was the first Westerner to drive in North Korea.

Holtorf travelled inexpensively, avoiding hotels and sleeping in the car, from which the rear seats were removed or in hammocks pitched near it, supporting his trips by map making. Holtorf has also extensively photographed his voyage. His car is displayed in the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart.

Works 1970 - Hong Kong - Welt Der Gegensätze published in English as Hong Kong - World of Contrasts (translator Donna Silberberg) 1977 - Jakarta-Jabotabek Street Atlas and Names Index, first published as a folded map and subsequently expanded in many editions such as the 12th edition of 2001, which was a book of 385 pages.