Tabla de contenidos para Issue 11 (Sep 2021) en Adventure Afrika

Combining the traditional versatility and practicality of a multipurpose vehicle (MPV) with the rugged and sporty looks of a sport utility vehicle (SUV), Mitsubishi’s all-new seven-seater Xpander is designed – as the name suggests – to expand buyers’ options in terms of lifestyle choices and family dynamics. While the interior ticks all the functional MPV boxes, it is all SUV from the outside. At the heart of the modern yet practical look is Mitsubishi’s so-called Dynamic Shield Design, which is intended to express not only performance, but also protection. Front-face configurations of past-generation Mitsubishi models served to protect both the occupants and the vehicle. The new face with its black central area builds on this approach, but enhances it by adding a hint of sportiness and performance. With wide-flared fenders…

Botswana will always hold a special place in my heart. It is the country where I fell in love with wild camping and the bush, much to my surprise. You see, I am a ‘chocolate-on-the-pillow and turndown service’ kind of girl and if I travel hundreds of kilometres, sleeping on the ground with hyenas sniffing around is not necessarily my vibe. That was until about five years ago when I (rather reluctantly) agreed to a Botswana safari to Khwai with the family. I completely and utterly fell in love with the country, its people and everything it has to offer. Since that maiden Botswana trip, I have visited far too few times. I have been blessed to traverse the well-known Makgadikgadi Pans and have travelled to Chobe National Park, Moremi…

CAMP MOREMI: Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta Situated on the edge of the Xakanaxa Lagoon, Camp Moremi offers spectacular game viewing and exquisite facilities. The camp is accessible by light aircraft, landing at the Xakanaxa airstrip from where guests are transferred in a game viewing vehicle camp, about 25 minutes away. You can also self-drive the 140km from Maun which will take about four hours on sandy roads suitable for 4WD vehicles only. ACTIVITIES: Game Drives | Motorised Boat Safaris | Bird Watching. CAMP OKAVANGO: Nxaragha Island, Okavango Delta This unique, exclusive and eco-sensitive safari camp is situated in the heart of the permanent Okavango Delta, assuring visitors an unparalleled year-round water wilderness experience. The camp is accessible by light aircraft transfer from Maun. Once at the airstrip, it is…

Ripleys Camp, Windhoek An easy 20-minute drive from Windhoek, Ripleys offer secure camping, chalets or tented accommodation. Amenities include a swimming pool, braai areas and a walking trail, where you will see sable, springbok, blesbok, impala and nyala. CONTACT: christa@ripleyscamp.com | www.ripleyscamp.com Oppi-Koppi Rest Camp, Kamanjab An oasis in the desert, Oppi-Koppi is the last (and ideal) rest stop before venturing further to Etosha, Windhoek, Damaraland, Kaokoland, Epupa Falls or Swakopmund. It offers a number of self-catering rooms and five campsites, all equipped with a braai area, power outlet, a tap and neat ablutions. CONTACT: +264 67 33 00 40 | info@oppi-koppi-kamanjab.com www.oppi-koppi-kamanjab.com Kunene River Lodge Situated on the bank of the Kunene River, which forms the northwestern border between Angola and Namibia, the Kunene River Lodge offers various accommodation…

Itinerary: 9–17 October 2021 Saturday, 9 October: Meet and camp at Nkonkoni Fishing Camp in the Pongola Game Reserve. *You are welcome to arrive earlier and do a bit of tiger fishing Sunday, 10 October: Game drive in the famous Tembe Elephant Park before arriving at Amangwane Camp in Kosi Bay. You can opt to stay in a chalet or camp (dinner is included). Monday, 11 October: Covid-19 tests at Manguzi, followed by a wonderful day at Kosi Mouth. Overnight at Amangwane Camp (chalet or camping). Tuesday, 12 October: Enter Mozambique at the Kosi Bay border post and drive into the wilderness of the Futi Corridor. Overnight at Futi South 4x4 Wilderness Camp. Wednesday, 13 October: Further north along the Futi Corridor Overnight at Futi North 4x4 Wilderness Camp Thursday,…

1. Hluhluwe Bush Camp If you seek beautifully hidden campsites in the middle of natural forest, then Hluhluwe Bush Camp fits the bill. It’s ideal for adventurers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Each site has its own braai area, so campers can relax and recharge around the campfire while tanning their steaks. There are also luxury safari tents that ensure a comfortable and relaxed experience. The campsite borders the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and is only a 20-minute drive from the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, which is the oldest game park in Africa. The camp is located on one of the Rhino Mountain Bike Trail routes. NEAREST TOWN: Hluhluwe (12km) SHOP: Yes PET-FRIENDLY: No FISHING: Yes (ocean) CELL PHONE RECEPTION: Limited ACCESSIBILITY: Gravel road (accessible…

Ubuntu is an old African word meaning “I am because we are”. The word Ubuntu describes humanity, mercy, compassion, and the concept of helping others without expecting anything in return. This is also where the story of our Cruiser named Ubuntoe begins, because none of the miracle that happened would have been possible without everyone helping to make the dream come true Let me start at the beginning. To tell the story, I must start with a legend named Braap, the Toyota Hilux plastered with hundreds of stickers from places we’ve travelled to. A Hilux probably more famous than any other of its kind. Everywhere Braap parked, people took pictures of him and some even took selfies with him. A character in his own right, Braap was a 4.0-litre Hilux…

Cooking in the bush can be a bit of a pain. Space is a problem, sand is a problem, and most of all, a cranky, hungry wife is a problem (the popular urban term hangry comes to mind!). Cooking meat, in particular, is a nightmare without the correct equipment. First of all, you must keep your meat secure and away from the ground. Nobody likes a crunchy piece of meat. This is something my colleagues can attest to after being left with a different kind of coating during our first night on recent Botswana adventure when yours truly dropped the entire bowl of just-cooked chicken! I have found that the good old toeknyprooster or clamp grid works best. Tentco has a wide range of new clamp grids on offer, ranging…

• Approach angle: The steepest angle a vehicle can climb before its front bumper, or the front-most part of the vehicle makes contact with the ground. The approach angles can be improved by installing a raised bullbar, a lift kit, or bigger tyres, or a combination of these. • Articulation: The length of travel as a suspension system compresses over a bump or droops over a hole when traversing uneven terrain. The more travel, the more traction available at each wheel for moving forward. • Break-over angle: The steepest degree of slope that a vehicle can theoretically drive over without scraping (or hanging up), measured between the axles to the lowest point underneath the vehicle. • Departure angle: This relates to the steepest angle a vehicle can exit before its…

In another recent victory for cross-border conservation, a series of successful wildlife translocations saw 27 zebra and 62 blue wildebeest safely making the 1 250km journey from the Kruger National Park in South Africa to Zinave National Park in Mozambique. These new arrivals are welcome additions to the more than 2 300 reintroduced animals that are now thriving under the restoration and management programmes being implemented in Zinave. Supported by the Peace Parks Foundation, this project has since 2018 seen the translocation of more than 700 animals. This was made possible by a donation from South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to the Ministry of Land and the Environment in Mozambique, to restock and rebuild key parks within the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation area. “The translocation of…

The tar road is calling again. Stompneus Bay and its people, of whom we told last month, crept deep into our hearts. We are a little sad when packing up at Midwest Caravan Park – our vehicle is by no means as neat as it was three days ago, but at least everything fits in and does not rattle too much when we take the R399 to Velddrif. It’s amazing how quickly you leave the beach mentality and feeling behind, and the sheep and grain farms on either side of the road remind you that you are actually standing with one foot in the Swartland. We do not drive over the bridge into town but turn onto the Hopefield road down to Kuifkopvisvanger, our next campsite. We get the “emergency…

As so many things go, this particular journey started with a phone call. On the other end of the line was Niel Crafford, a friend and renowned eco-architect who has been part of designing tourism facilities in reserves from the Richtersveld to Mapungubwe. “Johan,” he said, “I have been involved in the development of some of the new facilities in the Maputo Special Reserve, and I would like you to join us on a fact-finding mission there in June.” Well, I didn’t need much more encouragement. I jumped at the invitation as it had been at least 10 years since I had visited the area often incorrectly labelled the Maputo Elephant Reserve, now better known as the Maputo Special Reserve. This area may well be one of Mozambique's bestkept secrets.…

The 'mighty' Sabie River is not exactly how one would nowadays describe this river, which originates near Lydenburg high on the escarpment of the Drakensberg. It is, however, one of the most biodiverse rivers in South Africa and traverses the Kruger National Park When the Voortrekkers had to brave this river, perhaps in flood, they chose to name it after the Tsonga word Ulusaba – which loosely translates to “the fearsome river”. It later became Saba and then Sabie River. The name Sabie is an Afrikaans word from the original siSwati word sabisa, which means "to be careful". It was always believed that this was in reference to the many crocodiles in some parts of the river, but, according to Hans Bronman, the name refers to the slippery nature of…

• Never move uninvited through a fellow camper’s camping area. • Keep things quiet and peaceful. Don’t play your music or television loudly and keep voices down – not everyone in the camp is interested in your opinion. Also keep your language use around the campsite PG-rated. • Do not leave small children unattended at the ablution facilities as they tend to be rather messy and could ruin the bathroom if left alone. • When you have used the ablution facilities, clean up after yourself – do not leave the sink full of beard stubble or toothpaste. Also, do not shower for an eternity and use all the hot water. Always flush the toilet and clean it if you’ve made any kind of mess. • Don’t speed around in the…

As an owner/operator tour and safari company striving to give guests great value for money, George and Marlene van Deventer from Trans Africa have learnt through long personal experience about the pitfalls and surprises a trip through Africa can bring. With their careful research and planning, they can turn your dream adventure into a trip itinerary that will turn you into a story teller of note. They go beyond the normal tourist itineraries, taking adventurers to hardly-seen sights and off-the-beaten-track destinations. Apart from guided self-drive tours and custom adventure itineraries, Trans Africa is also able to organise camping equipment and 4×4 vehicle rentals. Highlights on the 2022 calendar: BOTSWANA SPECIAL: 13 – 21 January R4 850 per person sharing | 5 openings available GONAREZHOU, GREAT RUINS & VUMBA MOUNTAINS: 27…

Setting up a vehicle-based 12 Volt system to charge the battery or batteries that will power all your off-grid appliances involves quite a few choices. Once you can establish your typical camping power draws in Watts or Amps over each 24-hour period (from the fridge, lights, pumps, and other devices), you can size the battery needed in terms of Amp hours. From there, one can establish the output needed from the solar panel array required to keep the battery (or series of batteries) at a decent state of charge. Because solar panels put out a higher voltage than is optimal for charging a battery through its various charging phases, you will also need to invest in a solar charge controller or regulator that moderates the charge going into the battery.…

Get 12 print issues for R430 or 12 digital copies R300 More about ULTIMATE ADVENTURES Official tour operator for Adventure Afrika, Ultimate Adventures is run by Simon and Desiree Steadman. They offer quality self-drive adventure tours throughout the continent, always going the extra mile with superb catering courtesy of a chef accompanying each trip. CONTACT: +27 84 447 4666 simon@ultimateadventures.tv www.ultimateadventures.tv The Prize A tour with Ultimate Adventures to Mana Pools National Park & Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe | 11-23 September 2022. This unique park is a World Heritage Site, based on its wildness and beauty, together with the wide range of large mammals, over 350 bird species and aquatic wildlife. Mana Pools is one of Zimbabwe's most popular parks. This prize is for two people to join the tour in…

Identify the next 80 + names and terms to do with 4x4, overlanding and camping in the above block. The word can appear horizontal, vertical or diagonal and can be in any direction. Diaeresis and circumflex are not used. Words in brackets per explanation. AIRBAG ANTI THEFT DEVICE BAGS BASHPLATE BINOCULARS BORDER BOTS BRAAI BRAKES BULLBARS BUNDUS CAMP CAMPING CHAIR CAR CHIP COMPRESSOR DAM DC TO DC DIRT ROAD DONGAS DRAG DUNES FIRST AID FOUR WHEEL DRIVE GEAR GLOVES GPS GROUND CLEARANCE HIGH LIFT JACK INCLINE JERRYCAN JUMPSTART KIT LED HEADLAMPS LOAD LOCK NUT MAP MODIFICATION MOSS MUD OBSTACLE OFF ROADING ORIGINAL OVERLAND PARK PIC POTJIE PULL STRAPS RACK RECOVERY TRACKS ROOT SAND SEAT SHAKLES SHARP SHOVEL SOLAR SPEED STAR STRAP SUV TABLE TENT TOOLS TOW EYE TOWING TRACKS TRACTION…

Ford South Africa has funded the production of school shoes for 4 300 underprivileged children in Pretoria and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). The first batch of 1 010 pairs of shoes were recently handed over to Ramahlale Primary School in Mamelodi, near Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant. Ford provided a grant of R1-million for the project to the local non-profit organisation, Future Families, which operates the Ford Resource and Engagement Centre (FREC) in Mamelodi. The centre provides free skills development and training to the local community through grants from Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford South Africa. Through the R1-million donation, Ford South Africa and Future Families collaborated with Veldskoen Shoes to produce 4 300 pairs of black leather shoes, which are being donated to Ramahlale Primary School and Gatang Secondary…

Portable power packs are basically multi-output inverters, with various recharge options. Recent improvements in Lithium-ion battery technology means these devices are now lighter and have a smaller footprint than ever. This makes them ideal for charging lightweight electronic devices on the go when camping, plus they can function as an emergency power back-up at home. So when Energy Independence phoned us a while back, asking if we would like to have a look at their portable power supply unit, the Rentech PPS 750, we were keen to see how it performed in the field. What surprised us at first glance was how compact the unit is. It weighs in at just 7.5kg, and with a length of 349mm, width of 160mm and height of 285mm, it’s not much bigger than…

If I had to describe the magic of Namibia I would have to talk at length about the wide-open spaces with a biodiversity second to none. It is a true wilderness area, and much of that is down to the people who live there and want to keep it that way. Whether you are in the arid south or the old mining town of Luderitz, visiting the tourist hub of Swakopmund or the Himba in the north-western corner, its people are welcoming, friendly and always willing to assist. Okay, almost everyone! The immigration officer at the Namibian border post must be the exception – he decided that it was time for me to get a history as well as geography lesson when I detailed my final destination. According to him,…

Fees Maputo Special Reserve Park Entrance Fees SADC residents: 600 MZN per person, plus 900 MZN per vehicle Other nationalities: 900 MZN per person, plus 900 MZN per vehicle Mozambique residents: 400 MZN per person, plus 600 MZN per vehicle *This is a once-off fee, not per day. Camping fees 600 MZN per tent site per night (up to a maximum of 6 people) *Approximate exchange rate: R1 to 4 MZN (Meticals) Facilities Lake Xinguti • Camping: Seven ablution blocks with 2 to 4 stands each. USB chargers and electric lights, but no 220V outlets. Gas-fired hot showers and cold water are available. • Other: A small restaurant and seven self-catering chalets are almost complete. Ponta Membene • Camping: Eight ablution blocks with 2 to 6 stands each. USB chargers…

Despite popular belief, there is no snake that will chase you or go out of its way to bite you. Even the Black Mamba – one of the most dangerous snakes in the world – will much rather move off if given the chance. This fact is borne out by the low number of mamba bites every year. Most snakebites happen at night when snakes are accidentally stood on. The best course of action in any snake encounter is to immediately retreat five paces. Once this is done, you are perfectly safe and cannot be bitten. There is one exception, though – the Mozambique Spitting Cobra. This active hunter occurs from just south of Durban throughout much of KwaZulu-Natal, into Swaziland, Mozambique, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, northern Gauteng, North West and into…

Send yours to us on: info@4x4afrika.com (Subject: My Ride & I) Martin de Jager 2013 Suzuki Jimny 1.3 “I bought the Jimny about a year ago as my new toy. It had about 170 000km on the clock and came to me pretty standard with only rock sliders, a roof rack and a snorkel fitted to it. Subsequently, I have had a 3-inch EFS suspension lift and a set of 235/75 R15 tyres fitted. There are several mods still in the pipeline in my quest to turn Ratel into a mini overlander.” Ian Morrison 2020 Suzuki Jimny GLX Manual “I have owned Bazooki for three months now and have never looked back – we have done quite a few 4x4 trails and outings with the 4x4 Action Group, which is…

“We are frequently asked: why an Amarok? To which I answer, Why not!”, says Neil van Rensburg about his trusted steed. “It is comfortable, reliable, and trustworthy – we do long-distance overlanding trips and the Amarok has time and time again proven itself as a great adventure partner!” “Travelling through the length and breadth of this beautiful continent of ours can be quite challenging,” says Neil, “and having breakdowns is never welcome. Luckily, it’s not an issue when you’re behind the wheel of an Amarok!” It’s not just Neil who’s a fan. Driving the Amarok is one of Tineke’s favourite things, too. “It simply takes everything we throw at it, making life a breeze on the road,” she says. The couple highlights Namibia as one of their favourite destinations and…