Table of contents for November 2017 in SA4x4

Tour guides know a thing or two about camping, and how to keep it simple. This was amply demonstrated when we drove on the Berg-to-Bush tour in Limpopo, which we have written up for this issue of the magazine. Our guide, Klaas Boonzaier from Transfrontier Parks Destinations (TFPD), has been a key figure over the years in setting up the wilderness trails and camps, keeping them running and ensuring that the local communities obtain the benefits that tourism can bring. A lean and wise man with a vast knowledge of the bush, he has clearly camped a great deal and led many of these bush-camping experiences. I wasn’t surprised to learn that he is also a keen biker, because he clearly leans towards the minimalist approach. This trip showed up…

UNDERBODY ARMOUR Whether you’re rock crawling or overlanding, the added safety that underbody protection provides may be a lifesaver for you and your vehicle. Just picture the scene: driving through the Namib, you hear a ghastly CLUNK - and you realise that the middelmannetjie was harbouring a jagged rock. There’s a hole in your sump and oil is gushing out. You wouldn’t be the first person to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a damaged vehicle, and you won’t be the last, but all this could easily be avoided with a decent bash plate. Jurgen Cobarg This is a well-researched article with lots of good info, but does one need it for the type of overlanding 95% of all people do? I would say no, it just adds…

SNATCH STRAPS vs KINETIC ROPE Both a snatch strap and a kinetic rope are used for a so-called “kinetic” recovery. 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 stuck vehicles if used correctly; if not, it can be extremely dangerous! Just to be clear about the difference: a snatch strap is similar to a kinetic rope, but usually a snatch strap is made from flat webbing, while a kinetic rope is just that – a round rope. Both are made from 100% nylon, but the difference is that the strap can be used only 2-3 times, while the rope can be used time…

Water is the most abundant substance on earth, and essential to all forms of life. If you run out of water, and cannot locate a source, in some situations the consequences can become dire very quickly. Fortunately, wildlife can give us a few pointers on how to find it. Animals can be categorised into three groups, based on their water reliance: ‘non-dependent’, ‘less-dependent’ and ‘dependent’. Although it is impossible to cover the dependency needs of every animal species, this overview points out a few which are reliable, and a few which are not. Some animals may not necessarily use water for drinking, but may use it as part of their breeding cycle. Insects In my experience, if there are insects about, water is generally not too far away. Mason wasps…

You know you’re on the road less travelled when the sign directing you to the Namibian border says “Suid-Wes Afrika”. The gravel road to the Onseepkans border felt a bit like a journey in time travel, back to 1990, just before Namibia became independent. The border post is small and friendly. We were the only car there and the staff were sitting outside soaking up the morning sun when we arrived. After crossing the narrow bridge across the Orange River and negotiating the Veloorsdrift border post on the Namibian side, we hit the open road. Wide, open and largely deserted, it’s a lovely way to get into the spirit of Namibia. Our first accommodation-booking was at Ai-Ais. The approach is on a good quality gravel road, through a stark, lunar…

It was October 2015 when I embarked on my quest to find the car of my dreams. It took me about three weeks, and many car dealers and test drives, before I found the love of my life. Just as I was about to give up on my quest for my "one true love", I saw him… The last car dealership I looked at was Suzuki Pinetown, in KwaZulu-Natal. I had actually gone there to try out two of their other cars, which did not really impress me much. Just as I was about to admit defeat, out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of this grey-coloured car right at the back of the showroom, tucked away in a corner. While the dealer was sorting out…

Getting stuck; it’s as much a part of 4x4ing as a good braai and a camp fire. At some point, no matter how big your tyres, how expensive your bull bar, or even how many skull stickers you have to your Jeep’s door, you’re going to fluff a line on an obstacle, lose traction and get thoroughly bogged. Getting stuck is all part of the fun, though, and as vehicles get more capable, they find themselves stuck in progressively more precarious situations. Getting yourself unstuck safely is an art all of its own, which requires that you invest in some essential equipment and get familiar with a bunch of techniques for using it. We’ve outlined a few of the essential items for any self-recovery situation, and one of the all-in-a-bag…

FRITZ BRITZ 2005 Land Rover Discovery 3 V8 SE Age: 49 Occupation: Financial manager Modifications: Roof rack fitted with double Jerry can holders, gas-bottle holder, 45-litre water tank and spade. Otherwise standard. Future modifications: Drawer system, second fuel tank and spare wheel carrier. Dream vehicle: Discovery 4 V8 Most memorable trip: Botswana/Zimbabwe in 2010 during the Soccer World Cup. We visited Moremi, Chobe and Vic Falls. Planned trip: Kgalagadi and Etosha. I never leave home without: An extra jerry can (joke for my Toyota friends), family and fridge.…

LOST OUR COOL With the weekend approaching fast and everything set to go, only time is standing in your way to hit the road to your remote destination of choice. The work stress has got the better of you, so you break the shackles and book a campsite at the most remote site you can find within comfortable driving distance, where the average guy in his Polo cannot disturb the peace. You have spent the week making sure everything is done before the time of departure arrives. Meat and food have been sorted, water is in (plus some cold ones) and ice for the period you will be away. So, cooler boxes are in, the Checkers bag of hubby’s clothes, the wife’s wardrobe, wood… everything you have on the list…

JURASSIC PARK FORD RANGER RAPTOR TO BE POWERED BY A FOUR-BANGER? Not to be confused with the F150-based Raptor as is sold in the US, the Ranger Raptor due to hit our market next year will be a performance version of Ford’s existing mid-size offering, the Ranger. Though we don’t have confirmation yet, reliable sources suggest that the new Ranger Raptor will be powered by a high output, twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel engine – which comes as a big disappointment to many Ford fans hoping to see the 2.7-litre Ecoboost V6 petrol introduced, or at least the 2.3-litre four-cylinder currently found under Mustang bonnets. However, Ford insists the twin-turbo 2.-litre diesel mill is set to at least match the outputs of the current 3.2-litre 5-cylinder diesel units, yet be much lighter…

Not everyone can find the time necessary for a three-week overland trip, yet we all share the same lust for adventure. The new four-day Berg-to-Bush Transfrontier Wilderness Trail, billed as a 4x4 eco-trail by its organisers (the Transfrontier Parks Destinations or TFPD), may just be the perfect escape for Joburgers needing a long weekend break. The route takes us along old Voortrekker tracks previously used by ox carts, to the Letaba Ranch sector of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and into Mthimkulu, driving along the Great Letaba river bed following the flow, and camping in Big 5 country. This tour isn’t for the ill-prepared or the faint-hearted; a proper 4x4 (with low-range and good ground clearance) is needed, along with an experienced driver who knows his way around a camp…

When Darrell van Zeil from Opposite Lock invited me to join the team at the annual Okavango Bream Classic, I was over the moon. This annual fishing competition in the Okavango Panhandle had been on my bucket list for ages. It combines one of my favourite places (Botswana and the Delta) with one of my favourite hobbies (fishing). However, just because fishing is one of my hobbies doesn’t mean that I know what I’m doing. But it promised to be a great adventure. Leaving Johannesburg on a cold Wednesday morning in July, we jumped into Darrell’s Hilux, which is rigged to the brim with accessories from Opposite Lock. The three-day trip to Shakawe (which is right in the north-western corner of Botswana) only really started in Gaborone, the capital of…

When I started working in the Kruger National Park in the mid-1980s, I met Wayne Lotter, who was clearly a man on a mission. We were both young, eager and over the moon to be working in the world-famous Kruger National Park. After a year or two of doing research-related work, we were both appointed as Wilderness Trails Rangers and spent many years doing our hobby for our living: walking in the wilderness areas of the Kruger with groups of appreciative tourists. Wayne’s sharp mind and quick wit came to the fore. He had the ability to make people laugh even if a situation was pretty dire. He would often take the mickey out of people with such a deadpan face that it would take them a while to realise…

Basics Dates: 27 December 2017-11 January 2018 Destination: Lake Malawi Cost: R12 500 per person Includes: Camping, Park Fees & Dinner Excludes: Fuel, Border Costs, Drinks Tour details If you still haven’t made plans for the December Holidays, then why not come and join us on this great recce trip to Lake Malawi? Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique, is an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the East African Rift system, located between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. It is the ninth largest lake in the world and the third largest and second deepest lake in Africa. It is home to more species of fish than any other lake, including at least 700 species of cichlids. The Mozambique portion of…

It’s a fact that 4x4ing and overlanding is a filthy business. You are inevitably climbing in and out of your vehicle, particularly when stuck or inspecting the terrain ahead, and bringing in leaves, sand, sticks, mud and various things that seem to grow overnight. Add a scattering of dog hair, plus those sticky kids’ snack leftovers, and in no time your cab looks like the dance floor at the end of a three-day music festival. The carpets take a lot of strain, and that’s best addressed with all-over rubber covers, but those fancy patterned cloth seats which seemed such a good idea in the showroom are going to look tatty in no time. Covering them up is an age-old solution; it keeps dirt out of the weave and makes a…

James Bilsbury The great spaces of the Baviaanskloof stretch out behind the Bilsbury’s 3.2 Ford Ranger Club Cab during an impromptu trip from PE. Since then, an LA Sport bash plate and Stofpad rocksliders have been added, with a snorkel and aluminium canopy to follow to ensure that there are many more adventures. Carlo Godridge Proving that Land Rovers can double as submarines is Carlo’s Defender TD5, which found plenty of deep water in the Khwai region of Botswana. Muzzy Murray took the pic. Dave & Julie Claxton On a recent grand tour from Durban to Hondeklipbaai, the Claxtons stopped in the Namaqua Reserve and snapped this pic of their 2013 model 3.2 Ford Ranger Club Cab, which is stock except for a rooftop tent and awning. Keith Reeves Emerging…

“In many traditional cultures, it is believed that marriages held under the Marula tree are divinely blessed” Legend, tradition and folklore abound in Africa, and are often viewed with some scepticism in this, the post-modern era. However, it would seem that much received wisdom still has the potential to reveal startling information about the natural world in which we live; elephants, bees and the marriage tree being no exception… Legend has it that Hare acted kindly towards Elephant during a year of drought by helping him to find water, and was rewarded with a tusk. This he planted in his garden where it grew into a beautiful fruit-bearing tree which he named Marula. However, this tusk was so precious to Elephant that to this day, he seeks it out under…

SUN SENSE Ironman 4x4 120W solar mat kit and portable power pack This lightweight 120W solar mat consists of six 20W monocrystalline C60 solar cells that fold down to a compact 40 x 30cm size, encased in a hardy protective case with a carry handle. These SunPower cells claim a power conversion rate of 22.5%, moderated by a 12V digital, five-stage 15A PWM (pulse width modulated) weatherproof controller. It is supplied with 50A heavy-duty Anderson-style plugs, a 5m twin-core extension lead and 0.8m connector lead with battery clamps, making it ideal for four-wheeling, caravanning and camping as a means to charge a 12V battery. It is best bought along with Ironman 4x4’s 44 Amp Portable Power Pack, which enables you to charge mobile devices and run a 12V DC fridge…

ABBA CAMPER: Everything and the kitchen sink I’d be the first to admit that, when hearing I’d be driving a massive camper through Limpopo, I was a bit apprehensive. If I’m going rough camping for a week, I need little more than two T-shirts, one pair of undies (you can turn them inside out and back to front) and perhaps a toothbrush. Luxuries I never even considered include a sink, a double bed and a built-in cooker. Going from my usual ‘rof en onbeskof’ camping style, to the Abba, was like leaving a McDonalds drive-through to enter a Michelin Three-Star sushi joint. The camper itself is made of moulded fibreglass, and bolts to the back of almost any pick-up, taking about half an hour to install or remove at home.…

There’s just never enough time to fit it all in. A cliché that’s been beaten to death, sure; but one that always seems to ring true when I’m on an off-road-travel writing assignment. On our way to the Namaqua National Park in our trusty loaner, the camp-ready Mazda BT-50, I was hoping to start our 4x4 sortie earlier by accessing the park’s southern gate via Brand se Baai – the Groenriviersmond coastal track. But, after picking up my co-pilot and fellow adventurer, David Lowe, later than expected from Bloubergstrand, I had to park that desire in the ”Unfinished Business” folder and face the boring blacktop. Instead, David and I stopped for a feed at the Klawer Wimpy, and cornered a case of cheap and cheerful red (organic, nogal!) at the…

Over the years, we’ve travelled countless thousands of kilometres on various sets of General Grabber all-terrain tyres, from the sharp rocks of the Tankwa Karoo to slippery mud deep in the Transkei, as well as on long gravel and sand stretches crisscrossing Botswana and Namibia. This left us with a high opinion of the previous-generation offerings, and especially of the AT version which proved extremely puncture-resistant on our travels. Now, General Tire, an American brand that is a subsidiary of Continental, has released redesigned versions of its all-terrain and mud-terrain offerings – respectively the Grabber AT3 and Grabber X3 – which clearly do not compromise the brand’s core values of high performance allied to good value. GRABBER AT3 The AT3 is an all-terrain replacing the acclaimed Grabber AT, and is…

If you have a dual-battery system, and run a fridge and other power-draws in remote places, you are going to have to invest in solar panels. A day’s driving will help top up your second battery, but unless you are near a 220V source, when you are parked for any length of time the power drain is going to kill your second battery within a day or two. There’s plenty of choice out there on the solar front - from large panels that can be fixed permanently to the roof of your trailer or van, to various more mobile units that can be rolled out or unfolded in the campsite. Each has its advantages and downsides. Fixed panels, although highly convenient and “always on”, can be damaged, and you have…

PULLING POWER All New Discovery tows 110 tons With a potent 190kW/600Nm 3l turbodiesel V6 under the hood, as well as a wide ratio 8-speed box hooked to a low range reduction gear, the new Discovery Td6 recently managed to pull a 110-ton Aussie road train over 16km. The special road train was over 100m long with the tractor unit attached, and the stock-standard Land Rover pulled it up to speed with its standard towing attachment. “When Land Rover first got in touch, I didn’t think the vehicle would be able to do it, so I was amazed by how easily the standard Discovery pulled a 110-tonne road train. And the smoothness of the gear-changes under that amount of load was genuinely impressive.’ Says John Bilato, Managing Director of haulage…

There’s no point in driving around with your roofrack/ rooftop tent if you’re not on holiday. Save fuel (and wear & tear) by installing a Fredlin hoist. This proudly South African product solves the problem of where to store your roofrack/ rooftop tent, canopy, or even a sports car hardtop: up and out of the way! The Fredlin hoist fastens securely to your garage roof or carport, is easily installed and can be operated by one person. TO ENTER One Fredlin hoist will be given away every month to the lucky reader featured in Me & My 4x4. Simply send a photograph – 1 MB or larger – and the answers to the categories shown above, to editor@sa4x4.co.za. Vehicle and driver must be featured together in an off-road setting. (No…