Table of contents for April 2018 in SA4x4

When we planned our visit to the Karoo National Park, nearby Beaufort West was in the grip of a crippling drought that threatened to close down the town. Natural wonders being what they are, a huge thunderstorm and sheets of rain swept through the region on the day we arrived. Rivers came down in flood, roads were impassable. But it was all clear the next morning, freeing us to drive the region’s trails, explore its diversity and take in sweeping vistas from our mountain-top cottage. That gamble paid off, as did Dan Grec’s in his account of a rain-soaked few weeks in Guinea during one of the world’s wettest wet seasons. His off-track travel throws up a host of great hikes and dodgy officials, and exposes some of the hardships…

“Hip bone connected to the back bone; Back bone connected to the shoulder bone; Shoulder bone connected to the neck bone; Neck bone connected to the head bone…”From Dem Dry Bones by James Weldon Johnson This month, I would like to take you on a journey ranging from several hundred million years ago to the present day. Although this may seem like a strangely ambitious and long safari, I promise it is one worth taking. Our safari begins in what is now the Karoo, but 265 million years ago when rivers were depositing sediment into a shrinking inland sea. As these rivers filled the basin with sediment, eventually giving rise to a group of rocks known as the Beaufort Group, they entombed the remains of the animals that lived around…

ISUZU MU-X BLAZING A NEW TRAIL Isuzu will complement its KD bakkie line-up with the mu-X SUV from the second half of this year. It joins a key, fast-growing, mid-size SUV segment, where the Fortuner rules the roost, along with similarly-bakkie-based vehicles like the Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. Yes, it’s basically a Trailblazer, but the sheet metal is different – this design language majors on crisper lines, more exaggerated wheel arches and a rear that looks wide rather than top-heavy. According to Isuzu, the mu-X first hit the market in Thailand in 2013, and is also sold in Australia and the Philippines. It’s a seven-seater, so spacious and practical as a family vehicle, and the five-link coil sprung rear suspension aids comfort. There is a raft of safety…

WHAT ARE THE MAIN AIMS OF THE TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AND TOURISM PROGRAMME? There are several elements, which I’ll unpack one by one. Boundless Southern Africa is an umbrella marketing brand for Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) throughout southern Africa. We promote different types of tourism activities that specifically relate to the TFCAs. These range from the Ais Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park between Namibia and South Africa all the way through to Kgalagadi, and right up to the Lubombo Transfrontier initiative, which is made up of a number of cross-border areas between Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland. Each of these areas has different tourism experiences. The 4x4 element is a strong theme throughout, because many of them are rural and make excellent destinations for 4x4 enthusiasts. Many cannot be accessed without a…

The Karoo is no secret, and yet it remains remarkably under-explored by locals and foreign visitors alike. Perhaps the arid landscape isn’t the lush Africa that people grow up learning about, or maybe it’s just too far inland to appeal to conventional holidaymakers. In any case, it’s an overlander’s paradise, blending rough terrain with unparalleled isolation. The Karoo National Park is one of several SANParks reserves in the region, but it’s arguably the one that best captures exactly what the Karoo is about. Knobbly hills topped by desolate plateaus dominate the landscape, giving way to sparsely-vegetated valleys and plains that are home to some of South Africa’s most interesting – and elusive – critters. Established in 1979, it’s become a haven for the unique flora and fauna of the Karoo,…

The much anticipated new Navara has been on our roads for around a year now, and although they’re still not selling as well as Ford or Toyota, it’s a credible alternative with an interesting, high-tech approach. So far, South Africa has received only the premium diesel double-cab versions, which use coil springs to control the solid rear axle. It’s an interesting take, perhaps due to the fact that the platform and development strategies have been shared with Renault (for the upcoming Alaskan bakkie) and Mercedes-Benz (the X-Class). Now it seems that the next Triton will carry the Navara DNA, since the Renault-Nissan alliance has acquired a stake in Mitsubishi. So, it’s pretty much a world car. Back to those coil springs, which typically react better to high-frequency bumps like corrugations…

To start this story, I’d better kick off with a disclaimer: I love Land Rover Defenders, finish and klaar! No evidence needed to ‘Defend’ the breed, after having had a lifetime of Landies, starting from early childhood in Kenya, up to my present home-made camper based on a 1984 V8. So, when Johan Kriek, the founder of the Defender Trophy, invited SA4x4 to the Cape event (Patrick Cruywagen covered the Limpopo event for the magazine), I didn’t have to think twice before saying ‘Yes!’ Needing a co-driver, I asked my mate Alastair Barnes from my home dorp of Greyton to join me. After all, Al owns two Defenders (a Tdi and a Td5) plus a couple of 1958 Series 1s. On the appointed day, we headed off over the Franschhoek…

The De Beers Group has opened a new scenic Grade1-3 route at the Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve, located 70km from Alldays and 80km from Musina. Tackle this 110km route over two days, winding through 32 000 hectares of Mopane bushveld replete with some rocky and sandy river bed crossings and a few passes. Things will get markedly tougher during the wet season. Self-catering accommodation is available on the reserve, and the trail is open all year round. Catering can be arranged for groups, and the route is guided. It is a game area and rest camps are unfenced, so no pets are allowed and normal precautions for wild game apply. Softroaders can tackle the route in the dry season, though all-terrain tyres and good ground clearance are recommended. TRAIL INFO…

JACQUES MITCHELL This image at the Messum Crater captures the essence of wild Namibia – total isolation, and arid beauty. Jacques’ Hilux GD-6 has taken him on 10 trips already, including two to Namibia, with the help of some LA Sport and Safari Centre extras. BRYDON WEBSTER This picture features three things that Brydon loves very much, but we won’t make him choose a favourite! He put his Pajero’s new suspension and tyres to the test in the Baviaanskloof over the December holidays. HENRY ZEILER Henry’s tour company will be sure to find plenty of use for this brand new Mahindra S10, and he says its power and road ability have already really surprised him, even on the tricky sand roads of the Kgalagadi. THEO LABUSCHAGNE The West Coast National…

We tremendously enjoyed Richard van Ryneveld’s article in the March edition, on his trip to Botswana in a Mercedes Sprinter 4x4. Since we know all these places and campsites quite well from many trips, I would like to comment a little on the Mercedes Sprinter’s 4x4 performance from our own experience. Our first overland trip, from Germany to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, and all the way to Nepal, was in 1973 with a Volkswagen named “Bully”. Since then, we have been in a number of SUVs and 4x4s over the years in different parts of the world. From our home of 17 years in Knysna, we usually travel through Africa for two to three months every year with our trusty Toyota “Troopy”, which was customised by Alu-Cab in Cape…

Although not always ideal if you want to avoid vehicle damage, rock crawling is sometimes a necessity. South Africa, in particular, is a very rocky place - and if you’re going to drive off-road, you’ll come across rocky terrain sooner rather than later. The word ‘crawling’ in ‘rock crawling’ explains everything, and means that you’ll be going extremely slowly in first-gear low-range and climbing over large, often loose boulders which may be a challenge... especially in a standard 4x4. PREPARING YOUR VEHICLE Depending on the terrain, it’s often necessary to deflate your tyres. In rock, whether it is loose or firm, you’ll need to deflate the tyres for extra traction. A rough guide of pressure is that 30% lower than standard road pressure is advised, although you will be able…

PULLING POWER Superwinch’s new flagship EXP winch series is designed to perform in the toughest conditions, featuring industry-leading tech like an auto-engage clutch, waterproof electronics, accurate wireless operation, and winch health notifications that let you know when you’re in trouble. Auxiliary power ports also allow you to run lights or compressors directly from the winch; perfect in difficult conditions or when operating at night. Made in the USA, it’s the future of winching. From R18 995 072 395 0147 info@bdcomponents.co.za | www.superwinchsa.co.za SHOCK DOCTOR Mikem Suspensions’ custom-built, lengthened Travel Shocks promise to give your new Hilux a handling boost, preparing your bakkie for anything South Africa and further north can throw at it. The serviceable monotube and modern digressive working pistons, coupled with uprated coils and custom valving, create a raised,…

One of several fascinating aspects of birds and birdwatching is digging into the origin of bird names. Some names are so logical and obvious that it really doesn’t take rocket science to work them out. A good example is the Bokmakierie. The name itself, as far as I know, has no particular meaning; but when you hear one of them sing, you recognise the origin immediately. An equally apt and logically descriptive name is Hamerkop. The bird’s appearance resembles the head of a hammer so conclusively, that the name is not even translated into English. Likewise, one needn’t do much research to work out how the family of Woodpeckers got their name. Or the family of Kingfishers, Flycatchers, Weavers, and so on. To make the naming issue even more entertaining,…

If you need to find direction, but don’t have a compass or any other means of determining it, there are several ways of doing this that use nothing more than the sun and shadows. What we are describing here are the sun-and-shadows method, and the watch method. Please bear in mind, however, that while these methods may show direction, they show only the general direction in which to travel; they cannot be used to show precise direction. Using the sun and shadows We all know that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west – but not exactly due east or due west. And there may also be some seasonal variation in this, as well. As the sun tracks its way across the sky, shadows will be…

Good news for our Mazda BT-50 long-termer is that it has just been fitted with a set of Dunlop’s Grandtrek AT3G tyres. We fitted a set of LT 265/65 R17 tyres which have a load rating of 120 (1400kg per tyre), and an “R” speed rating (170km/h). Pricing per tyre at this stage should be around R3000, ex Vat and fitment. Why would we change tyres? Simple, really. The AT3G, unlike a number of other all-terrain tyres on the market, has a three-ply sidewall design; and from the get-go, it looks to be the business as aftermarket fitment for tough applications. The sidewalls are beefy and substantial (see image). I was able to compare them off-rim with a range of other all-terrain tyres at the Dunlop Zone down the road…

In the 4x4 aftermarket world, LED lights are becoming the new standard for many reasons, ranging from the intensity of the light they produce, to their low power draws. Some background knowledge can inform your next purchase. LED is an abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode. An LED is an electronic light created when energy passes between a negative and a positive pole. An LED is not a constant light, like that produced by an HID or Halogen globe, but has an intermittent light output. An LED light output flashes 100 000 times per second, so fast that the human eye perceives it as a constant stream of light. LED types Many types and grades of LED exist. Directing the light through various lenses and colour filters creates different beam patterns…

NEW FACTORY FOR RHINOMAN Rhinoman is proud to announce its new factory at 5 William Hoyt Street, Rosslyn. The state of the art factory is 6000m2 resting on premises more than double that size. Rhinoman aims to “maximize flow and to make room for more projects and more products in future”. Quality control is a big factor in the tooling of the new factory with various quality checks along the production line to make sure every canopy remains up to the high standard Rhinoman is known for. www.rhinoman.co.za MAPUNGUBWE’S NEW SPOTS Mapungubwe National Park has welcomed three new cheetah cubs to its ranks, adding to the park’s threatened population. “The park is home to a sizeable cheetah population but their numbers decreased due to uncontrolled illegal hunting for their skin,…

Changing the diameter of a vehicle’s tyres can dramatically affect the performance of the vehicle - from acceleration, to braking, to fuel economy.By changing to a larger diameter tyre, a 4x4 vehicle can reduce its fuel consumption by as much as 15%. However it also impacts on the engine’s torque curve as well as the vehicle’s weight, aerodynamics, suspension and gearing. A more aggressive tread also has an influence. A larger diameter tyre covers more ground per revolution so overall gearing is reduced, causing the engine to run at lower RPM. If you have too large a tyre (which is also heavier), the engine operate below optimum, requiring more fuel to stay at the same RPM. It is therefore advisable not to exceed a 5% increase over the OEM tyre…

There are certain things that can cut a trip to Mozambique short. Taking photographs of three camo-clad border guards relaxing in the shade while discussing matters of urgency such as the vagaries of crypto currencies and overly-demanding girlfriends, is one of them. I had the foresight to ask permission, and was met with a stern glare and a sideways wag of three index fingers. I must say that I was tempted, but the thought of spending time in the squalid confines of a local “cadeia” outweighed my desire to sneak a snapshot. Let’s back up a bit, though. After a quick flight from Cape Town to Durban, I joined two other journalists at King Shaka airport. Then the three of us piled into a hired Polo Vivo and made the…

ACCOMMODATION CAMPSITE Number of stands: 28 Electricity: Yes Water: Yes Ablutions: Yes Braai: Yes Pets allowed: No SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION Chalets: 18 Cottages: 10 Family Cottages: 5 All feature air-conditioning, TV, kitchen, and private bathroom. Breakfast included. OFF-GRID COTTAGES Afsaal Cottage and Embizweni Cottage offer comfortable lodging away from the rest camp, out in the wilderness. There is no electricity, but there is solar lighting and gas-powered hot water and refrigeration. Both cottages have waterholes providing 24-hour game viewing opportunities. ACTIVITIES Self-drive game drives Strictly enforced gate times 4x4 required for certain areas FOSSIL TRAIL 400m wheelchair-friendly walk depicting geology and palaeontology of the Great Karoo. Genuine fossils on display. Free of charge. GUIDED GAME DRIVES MORNING: Length: 2-3 hours Price: R1120 (first four people) Min. guests: 4 Max. guests: 9…

BASICS DATE: 15 Dec – 13 Jan 2019 VENUE: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania COST: R45 000 per person INCLUDES: All Park Fees, Camping & Lodge Accommodation, Dinner Daily EXCLUDES: Fuel, Border Costs, Drinks and Visas TOUR DETAILS If there is one place you have to visit in your lifetime it is the Serengeti National Park to experience the annual wildebeest migration. You have all seen it on numerous documentaries on National Geographic but nothing compares to actually experiencing it firsthand. The vast plains of this magnificent wilderness will leave you breathless and imprint memories to last a lifetime. This epic expedition will take us through Botswana, then into Zambia where we visit the mighty Victoria Falls and rejuvenate our souls in the Kapishya Hot Springs before heading into Tanzania and…

When you’re the director of Safari Centre in Mossel Bay, it’d be almost sacrilegious not to have a 4x4 that epitomises what’s possible for a camper. Bennie Durand’s Navara has every possible bell, whistle and gadget that one is able to purchase, and while this may not be a built rig, it’s about as far as one can go with bolt-on components before compromising practicality. To give this vehicle a once over, we took it to the Atlantis Dunes, a place perhaps more suited to lightweight V8s than fully-kitted campers. The stock standard Navara handles extremely well - one of the primary reasons Bernie bought the Navara rather than any other bakkie. That’s thanks in part to a five-link rear suspension and coil springs. The extra load is now handled…

If you are looking for an exciting excursion when holidaying on the southern Cape coast, try out the Dune Route at Vleesbaai. Situated about 40km from Mossel Bay in the Fransmanshoek Conservancy, this guided trail offers exhilarating sand driving in a stable, controlled environment. It’s the perfect way to really get to know your vehicle and its capabilities. Under the watchful eye of various instructors, you truly have nothing to worry about. We were lucky to have the patient and knowledgeable Gerhard Coetzee as our guide - a man who has been driving this route since 2005, and sometimes drives it up to 35 times during the December rush. However, I had not driven in sand for nearly seven years, and never in a manual vehicle, so I started off…

THE SHEER SCALE Our local caravan shows are festive, cheery events, drawing from the universal gees shared by members of the overlanding and towing communities. Up in Germany, however, things are very, very different. You see, that old cliché about German efficiency has plenty of truth to it. CMT is no joke; the sheer scale of the expo is mind-boggling. All 10 halls of the gargantuan Messe Stuttgart trade fair centre are packed with exhibitions, ranging from the latest Westfalia motorhomes to swanky caravans. We were given access to the event a day before its official opening, to give us some idea of the meticulous preparations involved in pulling off such an immense event. Hundreds of straight-faced stand-builders go about their work without fuss, constructing stunning displays, while salespeople brush…

PAUL BIELEN TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 4500 EFI Occupation: Retired early Modifications: ARB bull bar with Warn winch, Old Man Emu suspension with BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrains, snorkel, dual-battery system, on-board compressor, roof rack with rooftop tent, awning and Jerry can brackets. Future modifications: Drawer system. Previous vehicle/s: Toyota Hilux 4x4 and Ford Ranger. Dream vehicle: Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series GX. Most memorable trip/s: Moremi/Chobe, Richtersveld, Kgalagadi. Planned trip: Kaokoland to Caprivi, Namibia. I never leave home without: My wife, money and a sense of adventure.…