Table of contents for September 2017 in SA4x4

Our special focus in this issue is a trip SA4x4 put together with Will Jansen, to take a handful of the country’s double-cab bakkies and a team from each of their respective manufacturers for an adventure in the Khwai and Moremi section of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. This is a magical part of southern Africa, and still a top overlanding destination renowned for its rich animal and birdlife. It’s an area that remains mercifully underpopulated, and while the tourist trade is consistently busy, we managed to find a quiet slot between school holidays and inside the best season for game viewing. Of course, we couldn’t have predicted the heavy rains in Angola that fell just before our visit. Sections of the road leading to Maun had turned into a quagmire, making…

“I’ll follow the sun…” (The Beatles, 1964) September marks the beginning of spring in the southern hemisphere, and, as the late Robin Williams once said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying ‘Let’s party!’”. With this in mind, it seems fitting to look at some of those creatures for which the arrival of warmer days is cause for celebration – insects. Although these are not usually high on the list of ‘things to see in the bush’, if they are on the list at all, it really is worth pausing for just a moment on a spring day to see what you can spot. Expect the unexpected… While the extinction of the dinosaurs ended the rule of reptiles and ushered in the era of mammals, in terms of sheer numbers our…

A range of three variants of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class double cab will make its way to South African showroom floors early in 2018. The partnership with Nissan and the use of the Nissan ladder frame chassis and engine choices is evidence that automakers give strong consideration to the expenses incurred when tooling up for a completely new vehicle. Especially in this instance, where Mercedes is expanding into a relatively untested premium pick-up niche. However, the Mercedes design department insists that although the new Navara chassis is the basis, the rest of the X-Class attributes are solely Mercedes in nature, with the typical flair, style, safety and comfort you’d expect from this German automaker. Three options are available for the new X-Class, which will be built in Spain: the base model…

From the time that I first became involved in the lifestyle of birdwatching, I have (rightly or wrongly) associated certain birds with certain parts of the country. I call it a lifestyle because I find that over time, I have unwittingly adapted my day-to-day planning as well as decisions around events such as annual holidays, to accommodate the contagious hobby of birdwatching. Not from the point of view of just ticking birds on my list, but rather to locate and observe them, and to enjoy the inexpressible pleasure of tracking down certain birds in particular areas. So, while some birds can be seen in several other places as well, I have come to expect to see them in certain areas (or maybe see them in greater numbers) as if they…

Mazda BT-50 2.2L DE SLE 4X2 Having been stranded without a 4x4 bakkie because of some unforeseen circumstances at head office, Mazda sent their only option – a 4x2. It must be said that there was much apprehension around the campfire as we tried to figure out what we were going to do, but it all turned out sweetly. A question none of us had known existed was also answered; can you overland in a 4x2? The answer is yes – if you have backup with recovery gear. Loaded with a few hundred litres of spare fuel and anything else heavy that we needed to aid traction, it coped well on sand if the speed was kept up, although anything involving mud needed a dangerously fast run-up, and the recovery…

Amarok 3.0 TDI V6 4MOTION Auto Extreme ‘Extreme’ is the name VW have given to their top-spec Amarok, and it’s fitting indeed. This is by far the widest, the most powerful and the most expensive bakkie on the SA market; and if you’ve got the dosh, it offers an extremely competent package. From the minute you climb in to smell high-quality leather, sit on the seats and grab the wheel (both are nearly identical to that of a Golf GTI), the Amarok feels like a class act. It’s not so much any individual part that makes it feel like quality, but the way it’s all put together. From the driver’s seat, it feels like a premium SUV, not a bakkie, and although the suspension is too soft for some of…

If you are open to their clues, various animals can lead you to water in an emergency, but once you have found a water source, you should not simply go and drink it, even if it looks clean. Water is a two-edged sword. It is the most important element we need to keep our body working, but it can house bacteria and pathogens which can cause us great harm. It is therefore important that we treat all water, irrespective of how ‘clean’ it may appear, in such a way that we render these harmful organisms harmless to us. Before we look at the means of making water safe, let’s clear up a common confusion. Filtering water and purifying water are two very different things. Filtering water, is where we remove…

In the onslaught of luxury SUVs on the market, Volvo offers a refresher course in practicality and technology with its new V90 Cross Country. In this case, ‘Cross Country’ means an AWD stop-gap between the V90 Estate and XC90 SUV. It’s an accomplished gravel-traveller for those who need an escape without forgoing luxury, comfort or mile-munching capability. As you’re well aware, sporty SUVs are all the rage right now, but suffer from several drawbacks thanks to the laws of physics and the need for on-road manners. The V90 Cross Country addresses these issues with a vehicle that’s just as capable over a bumpy gravel road as any low-slung SUV, yet has a lower centre of gravity, thus allowing the engineers to fit pillowy air suspension. Because it doesn’t have the…

SANI TRIBUTE The road snakes like a puff adder, its coils concealed by the mountains around it. The turns at the top of the pass could easily rival the sharpness of fangs. It was a clear day when we set out to take on the pass between South Africa and Lesotho, 1332 metres in altitude, to reach the Highest Pub in Africa. More than just a place for a drink, the pub is a reward. Summiting at 2876 metres above sea level, this is no small challenge. You need the right vehicle to take on the pass. Knowing this, I adjusted the seat of my grandfather’s 2005 Mazda 2.5 D 4x4 and turned the key. The coil light went out and the engine gave a disgruntled grumble as it rumbled…

When it comes to winch recovery, there is a sharp divide amongst enthusiasts about whether steel cable is superior to synthetic rope. No matter where you go, people seem to argue the merits of both types, making it hard for someone not in the know to get a definitive answer. In the past few years, the popularity of synthetic rope has escalated and it is now widely available; but is it the right choice for you? Steel cable For as long as winching has been around, the industry standard has been aircraft-grade steel cable, which is more durable than synthetic rope, but the durability comes at the expense of weight, strength and safety. Steel is the perfect type of line to use in highly abrasive terrains, such as when winching…

So the new second generation Audi Q5 has been launched, and you think, “It’s gotta be good”, because the first one launched locally in 2009 sold so well: 1.6 million units worldwide and 11 300 units locally. That figure’s dropped off a bit after a blip in 2013 with the facelift and a sporty diesel model, but meanwhile the opposition has scrambled to grab some of that high-margin SUV pie. Think Porsche Macan, BMW X3, Mercedes GLA, and the JLR contender, the F-Pace. The first Q5 on the MLB platform echoed the drivetrains and suspension of the A5 and fourth-gen A4 stablemates, so you had punchy engines and pretty sorted rear-biased Quattro permanent 4WD, but rather stiff and wooden handling. No matter, the Q5 hit the sweet spot for size…

The recipe was simple: bring together a bunch of SA’s top-performing bakkies and put them head to head in an epic adventure. From the urban sprawl of Johannesburg to deep within the Okavango Delta, these five vehicles would be tested to their limits and beyond. We had a real mix-and-match of vehicles, too, ranging from the ubiquitous Hilux 2.8 to the all-powerful V6 Amarok, and including the handsome 3.2 Ranger, surprising Triton and, of course, the Mazda – which showed up on the back foot, as rear-drive only. This would be an interesting trip with more than a few spills. The tour got cracking as us members of the support team dragged ourselves from a warm bed in Joburg at 2am, to hit the highway towards Maun in one long…

Mitsubishi Triton 2.4 Di-DC 4X4 5-speed A/T To be honest, I found the Triton to be perhaps the biggest surprise of the lot, as it proved to be an incredibly adept offroader. Unlike the Ford or VW, Mitsubishi have gone for the rugged approach with their Triton; it’s not too big, and it’s not quite as luxurious, but it ticks all the boxes and is very pleasant to drive. The Super Select 4WD system is (as always) a brilliant feature, further aiding the slim Triton’s manoeuvrability and stability in tight sections. Diff-lock can also be accessed in high range, which is a nice feature in sand, when you may not want to stop and shift to low. This is a proper bakkie with proper off-road aspirations that were proven at…

Adversity has been known historically to bring out the best in men and organisations. Dieter Uchtdorf said, “It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop”. It has also been said that “Running away from any problem only increases the distance from the solution. The easiest way to escape from the problem is to solve it.” Rhino poaching in the last decade has become a very big problem. There is an insatiable demand for rhino horn in the east, yet there are just over 20000 rhino left in the wild, with another 5000 being kept by private individuals. It is not only the rhino which are at great risk - elephant, lion, pangolin and vultures, for example, are increasingly being sought…

Nikon D750 The Nikon D750 is a great entry into full-frame photography and features an incredibly compact frame, making it Nikon’s smallest full-frame offering. The 24.3 megapixel EXPEED 4 image processor is able to shoot full HD video, and also features a tilting LCD monitor and built in WiFi. The D750 borrows much of its tech from more expensive models in the range, like the pro level D810 and D4s models including 51-point auto focus and 3D tracking. The trickle-down tech also enables the D750 to have extremely good low-light capabilities and broad dynamic range. The 51-point autofocus is considered to be industry-leading by many. Body Type DSLR Sensor 24.3MP CMOS full frame Autofocus 51- points ISO sensitivity 100 - 51 200 Memory card slots 2 SD slots LCD Tilting…

Vikash Singh Vikash rather enjoys his work. As he says, “Work can have wonderful benefits. Not many can call this a day at the office. Working in the Giant’s Castle and Cathedral Peak area and driving on non-public access roads means that the roads aren’t in the best of nick. Not surprisingly for me, my stock standard 2013 Ford Ranger 2.2 XLS double cab 4x4 got me up and down without any issues. Just goes to show that expensive mods aren’t always essential. Good driving and proper lines can get you where you need to go.” Roy Walsh – Andrew Loots Roy is a dab hand with a camera, and a regular contributor to this magazine, so it’s best for him to give the context for this photograph: “In June,…

Originally launched in 1989, the Discovery was based on Range-Rover architecture, sharing its driveline and chassis, but coming in at a lower price. This placed the Discovery between the off-road biased Defender and the more upmarket Range Rover. The position of the latest Discovery in the Land Rover group’s line-up is exactly the same as it was nearly 30 years ago – though, of course, the all-new Disco is more advanced than ever. Like most other 4x4s over the years, the Discovery has gone from a rough-and-tumble, solid-axle bushwhacker to a luxury barge that is primarily used by school-run mums and the odd caravanner. Despite this, the latest Discovery uses a host of new technology to make it possibly the most capable example of the breed to date, both on…

WORK LIGHT Ironman 4x4 twin-LED work light  The new universal work light from Ironman 4x4 is compact, with a low power draw from its two 5W CREE LEDs, and uses brand new reflectors to make the most of its super-bright 840-lumen output. Easily mounted and wired in a variety of places on a 4x4, it is ideal for assistance in reversing, illuminating a camp area, or lighting the cargo area of a vehicle. It is IP67 and IP69K rated for ingress of water and dust, and features a die-cast aluminium housing and stainless-steel mounting bracket. R495 (011) 634 7600 www.ironman4x4.co.za IN FOCUS Tasco Essentials 10x50 binoculars  When it comes to general-use Porro-prism binoculars, the Tasco Essentials range is keenly priced for what it offers – including fully coated lenses, a…

Ford Ranger Double Cab 3.2TDCI XLT Auto 4x4 Since its introduction in 2012, Ford’s Ranger has made a huge dent in Toyota’s bottom line, with the handsome and powerful T6 flying off showroom floors. After the facelift last year, Ford endowed the Ranger with significant interior updates which included their brilliant Sync 3 system, bringing the Ford’s interior to the top of the class. Other handy luxury-car features include adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, a chilled centre console - and a modern instrument binnacle with two colour screens on either side of the speedometer that can be customised to show what you need. s , plenty rear legroom for adults and their kit, but perhaps the most obvious feature when you first drive the new Ranger is the electric power…

Toyota 2.8 GD-6 4x4 Raider AT The ubiquitous Hilux has been around since 1968 – giving Toyota more than enough time to refine the brand into what is today SA’s bestselling bakkie, as well as sometimes the bestselling vehicle overall in South Africa. The Ranger comes close in this regard, but it can’t yet match the fervent brand loyalty that sees Toyota through the toughest times. The latest Hilux iteration is far more accomplished than ever before and offers a level of refinement that perhaps only the Amarok can match. A smooth, punchy 2.8-litre diesel mill offers only 130kW, yet feels far more sprightly than that, partly thanks to one of the smoothest automatic gearboxes in the class. The transmission itself will not let you choose an upshift, but offers…

I was staring at the brand-new ‘longloan’ Mazda BT-50 parked in front of our offices. I was daydreaming. The RTI canopy with the side-hatch kitchen had just been fitted. On top was an aerodynamic Alu-Cab rooftop tent, and on the side, a 270-degree Shadow Awning, also from Alu-Cab. How the hell was I going to get my claws on this lovely beast? The ringing of my phone shatters this line of wool-gathering. “Can you get hold of that new 4x4 that you’ve been bragging about?” It is Johan de Waal, a mate of mine from Port Nolloth. He and his wife Magda run Richtersveld Tours, operating out of that small seaside dorp on the Atlantic. “Join us; we’re going on that mountain-bike trip we’ve been talking about.” Johan and I…

Since the dawn of human civilisation, humans have been creating images to replicate scenes that they see. Photography has progressed from ancient cave drawings to portraiture and the dawn of the digital age. Nowadays, the most commonly used camera is in your pocket at all times, and it’s incredible what one can achieve with a simple mobile phone. However, if you want to capture the beauty of nature in any great detail on your next adventure, you need a dedicated camera and some good glass. In this guide, we’ll look at some of the basics of photography such as lenses, essential features, camera settings, accessories and types of cameras. TYPES OF CAMERA MOBILE PHONES They seem to improve by the week, by huge-step gains, making the image collectors on the…

Basics Dates: 29 October – 11 November Cost: R12 500 per person Includes: Accommodation & Park Fees, Dinner Daily Excludes: Fuel, Border Costs, Drinks, VHF Radio Hire Distance covered: 5000km Tour details Each year, Zambia plays host to two of the best kept secrets in the natural world. These two wildlife spectacles are only ever witnessed by the avid adventurer due to the remoteness of the areas in which they occur. This year, we have combined two of our most popular tours in order to witness both migrations in one magnificent Zambian expedition. The tour will be limited to 10 vehicles and is trailer-friendly. Liuwa Plain National Park is situated in the Upper Zambezi flood plains of Western Zambia. The park covers 3 600km2 of vast grasslands and wooded islands,…

Occupation: Parts Liaison Coordinator (Liebherr Africa) Modifications: Free flow Exhaust, snorkel, Uni chip, Warn 8000 winch, dual-battery system. Future Mods: Long-range tank, suspension upgrade, roof rack, ARB locker for rear diff. Previous vehicle: Mitsubishi Pajero 3000 V6 and Land Rover Discovery 2 TD5 Dream vehicle: Land Rover Discovery 4 Favourite Trail: Witsand Most memorable trip: Witsand I never leave home without: GPS, wallet and cell phone…