Table of contents for April 2019 in SA4x4

A decade back, if you’d said that electric off-roaders would become mainstream by 2020, most sceptics would’ve had a good chuckle. Please, sir, turn to page 18 and read all about the Rivian R1T. Then turn the page and read about the Bollinger B1 and B2. Within a year or so these vehicles will be widely available, joining a new sector of electric SUVs and vans being moved to market by almost every other significant manufacturer from Audi, to Porsche, to Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar Land Rover. These two are being developed and manufactured in the United States, and although neither is yet fully production-ready, the world out there is ready to sign up for ownership. Both are hardy trucks, with good ground clearance, height-adjustable suspension, and sturdy bodies made for…

In response a complaints about how we conduct ourselves in the wilderness, we decided to draw up and promote a code of conduct for overlanders. We’d like to include your input, comments and debate, so please send your suggestions to editor@sa4x4.co.za. FIREWOOD In Take your firewood in with you; don’t chop down trees or gather dead wood within parks or wilderness areas. KEEP QUIET We go to the bush to appreciate the sights and sounds of the bush. No music, and nothing louder than a spoken conversation. RESPECT LOCALS – LAWS AND PEOPLE Obey the rules of the place you’re travelling through. Respect locals and their traditions; if they don’t like having their photos taken, don’t take photos. SUPPORT LOCAL TRADE Your spending money at the local shops and lodges…

A lot of people take their coffee seriously. It’s not a strange obsession to have by any means. In fact, you’d hard-pressed – excuse the pun – to find someone who doesn’t love a good brew. Some people, however, take their love to the next level, tinkering with all sorts of coffee gadgets and gizmos in search of the perfect cuppa. I am one such fiend. I was first told about the famous AeroPress by my colleague Richard van Ryneveld, who himself pines over it, calling it the best plunger he’s ever come across. Luckily for me, my darling wife splashed out on one for my birthday this year. I didn’t think I could love her any more, but man, she knows how to spoil me! The AeroPress was invented…

The journey from Cape Town to Kigali is a solid road trip of around 5 300km, but this obviously depends on your route of choice. Our north-bound route took us via Botswana and into Zambia, with camping stopovers in Parys, Livingstone and just north of Lusaka at Forest Inn Lodge. Northern Zambia offered relatively quiet roads and long distances between towns, before crossing into Tanzania at the lesser-known border post of Mbala. Wild camping just off the road was the order of the day, and worked as long as we pulled sneaky after-dusk moves. From here on, we stuck to a northerly course roughly following the shores of Lake Tanganyika, with a final sleep-over in Kigoma. Burundi boasts the best route into Rwanda, but let’s just say that current relations…

BRAGGING RIGHTS In the feature article in your February 2019 issue, African Waterways Part 2, the author Andrew Middleton mentions that Victoria Falls is the world’s largest waterfall. But is this true? The following criteria may be used to determine this: width of the waterfall, height of the waterfall, and the volume, or flow, of water over the falls. Victoria Falls can indeed claim to be the largest on the planet since it has a combined width of 1708 metres and a maximum height of 108 metres, resulting in the world’s largest sheet of falling water. However, if we consider height, the Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, with a height of 979 metres – in a league of its own. But some people claim that…

If you intend travelling to Rwanda, we advise an early purchase of the latest Bradt Travel Guide that covers Rwanda and the Eastern Congo. The 7th Edition, just out in bookstores now, and compiled initially by Philip Briggs, has been thoroughly updated by Sean Connolly. The maps, rich background information and wealth of contacts will be invaluable in planning activities, booking accommodation and getting the most out of your visit. Go to www.bradtguides.comISBN-13 978 1 78477 096…

Do you have a magic shot in your photo collection that captures the essence of overland travel? SA4x4 is keen to promote adventure travel the world over, and to share those amazing memories with all our readers. Trawl your image banks and share those moments in time on SA4x4’s Facebook or Instagram pages, along with your name and a short description of what you are seeing and where. Action, wildlife, landscapes – we want to see it all. Take a look at some of the best entries on this month’s cycle. Congratulations to our tenth #SA4x4OverlandImages Instagram competition winner, Michelle Vooght. With this image of her Landy alongside the Orange River, she becomes our first email submission winner! 011 634 7770 www.ironman4x4.co.za info@willofafrica.co.za www.willofafrica.co.za www.snomaster.co.za011 392 5315 The monthly prize…

The Land Cruiser can trace its origins all the way back to 1951 with the introduction of the model ‘BJ’ model which closely resembled the Willys Jeep of WW2. The BJ was a Japanese equivalent, sold to America for use in the Korean War, later becoming the Model 20 after the war ended in 1953. The Model 20 had softer suspension and better seats, suited for civilian use. Two models were available, the BJ 20 (diesel) and FJ 20 (petrol). To this day that nomenclature can be seen in the new FJ Cruiser with its powerful petrol engine. The J40 Series was launched in 1960, with the ‘40’ designation denoting its short wheelbase of 90 inches. The 40 Series was produced in various lengths, including 40-41 (short) 43, 44, 46…

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4 D4 Mivec 4x4 A/T Price R579 995 Cylinders/capacity cc L-4/2.4-litre Power kW 133kW @ 3500rpm Torque Nm 430Nm @ 2500rpm 0-100km/h 10.7 seconds Fuel index combined/km 8.1l/100km GVM 2710 Kerb weight 2060 Dimensions (L/W/H/WB) 4785/1815/1805/2800 4WD type Part-time Suspension (F) Independent, coil Suspension (R) Live axle, coil The Pajero Sport is a capable vehicle with high levels of technology (including a nine-speed auto gearbox), comfort and space. Similar to the Isuzu, the Pajero is slightly left-field and sells in much lower numbers compared to its main rival, the Fortuner, despite not being worse off in any measurable way. Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4x4 AT Price R678 200 Cylinders/capacity cc L-4/2755cc Power kW 130 @ 3400 Torque Nm 450 @1600 0-100km/h 10.8 Fuel index combined/km 8.5 GVM…

THE PIPSQUEAK: Front Runner Expander Here’s where the hardcore overlanders get excited. The Expander completely forsakes comfort in the name of portability, and, in all honesty, it’s a brilliant design. It folds up into a 6x44x42cm rectangle that hardly takes up any space at all, and weighs just 4kg. It’s a bit pricey, and it’s not wildly comfortable, but after a long day, it’ll do just fine. Andrew Middleton recently spent 3 weeks on a cross-Africa trip with this specific one, and trust us when we say that if it can handle that, it can handle anything. • After 7 rum & cokes: You might miss the chair completely. That’s if you even manage to get it open. • Material: 600D polyester • Frame: Powder-coated steel • Cupholder: Yes +…

Hein Botha There’s no denying that Nissan’s latest iteration of the X-Trail is a good-looking car. Hein managed to get this sunset snapshot at Dinokeng Reserve, and the Nissan’s colourway certainly suits the setting. Geoffrey Bataringaya Geoffrey calls this shot “Teatime with the Amarok”, and while it doesn’t inspire visions of toughness and ultimate off-roading, it definitely suits the scenery of this stunning tea plantation in Ishaka, south-western Uganda. His ‘Rok is kitted-out with a TJM Australia bull bar. Randall Baker Spitzkoppe is one of Namibia’s iconic locations, and Randall couldn’t spend the night without snapping a pic of his trusty 2012 Disco 4 posing right in front of those huge boulders. Roy Walsh Roy has to be setting the record for most Readers’ Rides entries, but that’s okay, because…

This month’s winning letter from Grahame McLeod wins two great prizes from Ironman 4x4. First up is a Quick Fold Camping Step worth R550. This clever, lightweight step is ideal for getting access to your 4x4, trailer, caravan or that high shelf in the workshop. Fold the legs away and it also works as an entry mat to your ground tent or rooftop tent. Features include a glow-in the dark top surface, non-slip tread strips and foldaway legs. The second item is a multi-setting LED camping lantern worth R365 that puts out a super-bright 320 lumens with a beam throw of up to 80 metres. It doubles as a carry lantern or area light.…

GLOBAL COOLING You might have come across an Atlasware flask before and wondered what the story behind it is. Well, back in 1987, a man named Victor Kingston began producing the very first Atlasware flasks in Chennai, India. Initially, he travelled by bus, selling them in small quantities. Today, he has three factories and exports Atlasware products around the world, including to here in SA. Atlasware flasks are incredibly tough and carry a lifetime guarantee. They come in four sizes, and can keep liquids cold for up to 24 hours, and hot drinks warm for up to 18 hours. That’s pretty impressive, considering the simple design, involving an insulating layer wedged between two layers of 304 grade stainless steel. The current South African distributors first heard about them from friends…

The Dunlop Beyond the Rift Valley expedition is headlined by adventurer Peter van Kets and photojournalist Jacques Marais, with its core goal being to attempt the first recorded human-powered navigation of the Nile-Congo Divide, by bike, boat and on foot. This is their second expedition in a five-part series to highlight remote African regions under environmental threat. The first, Beyond the Desert Edge in 2017 (featured in SA4x4 June and July 2018), took the adventure duo 970km on fat-bikes and mountain bikes through the Skeleton Coast, Kaokoland, Damaraland and Dorob National Park regions, pedalling from the Cunene River in Angola to the Namibian coast. Why choose Rwanda? Here one can see some of the best-preserved sections of montane rainforest in central Africa, particularly along the watershed between the basins of…

Tag @SA4x4 on Instagram, and use the hashtag #SA4x4OverlandImages If Instagram is too 21st Century, email your pic to overlandimages@sa4x4.co.za with the subject line Overland Images and we will post it to Instagram for you. Pictures will be posted at the judges’ discretion, based on image resolution, photographic skill, and general relevance. The picture that gets the most votes on Instagram gets the monthly Readers’ Choice prize of camping gear from Ironman 4x4! Remember: only entries posted within the monthly cycle qualify for the monthly prize. The competition runs for 12 months, after which a panel of judges will select the best entries. First prize, worth R40 000, is a five-night overland photographic safari for two people, travelling with Will Jansen of Will of Africa Adventures to the Khwai region…

Melvill & Moon has become one of the southern African overlanding community’s favourite brands, and just by having a look at their products, it’s not hard to see why. The company was founded by Rick and Sue Melvill, who drew the name Moon from one of their most colourful ancestors, Major Harry Moon. The Major was an explorer of East Africa during the Grand Safari Era of the early 1900s, and that’s precisely the aesthetic that the company is succeeding in replicating. Melvill & Moon says it wants to evoke imagery of safari icons like Holland & Holland, Karen Blixen, Lord Delmare, and their contemporaries, while remaining wholly South African. Those explorers, it says, were at their peak 100 years ago, and hopefully, the company will be carrying their spirit…

The once-off prize this month is a Mini LED Lantern available from Ironman 4x4. Retailing at R320, this little camping gem puts out 200 Lumens from its Cree LEDs and throws an 80 metre beam from its convex reflector. The four supplied AA batteries provide six hours of light. It is water resistant and offers two brightness settings plus an SOS flashing function. A built-in hanging hook, carry strap and carabiner add to its versatility. Ironman 4x4 imports Australian-designed and certified aftermarket suspension solutions, bullbars, bumpers and underbody armour for a wide range of 4x4 vehicles. The company also stocks quality recovery equipment and expedition gear for every purpose, available from a network of stores throughout southern Africa. Go to www.ironman4x4.co.za TERMS & CONDITIONS: Email your Readers Rides entry to…

VATIKAKI – HERE WE GO AGAIN! The Vatikaki 4x4 Adventure Club will host its annual social at Welgelegen 4x4 near Stellenbosch on Saturday, the 18th of May. Keen off-roaders will be happy to know that the entire venue has been exclusively booked by the club, giving attendees the freedom of the trails. Last year, more than 300 people attended, with a huge variety of vehicles taking part. Aside from the bundu-bashing, there will also be fun for the kids, as well as entertainment, food and drinks for the adults. For more information, contact 082 462 6929, or visit www.vatikaki.co.za ISUZU’S NEW HOME Isuzu has consolidated its manufacturing facilities all in one place with the launch of its new truck and bakkie plant in Struandale, Port Elizabeth. This follows…