Table of contents for December 2015 in SA4x4

Sjoe, what a year! You say the same thing every December as you realise that another 12 months have flown past. And you haul down the calendar filled with marks and replace it with the new one that’s still pretty clean – apart from a few promising holidays blocked out at strategic points. So, that was 2015. It wasn’t always a pretty sight, what with Eskom letting us down, the economy taking a knock and parliament turning into a cross between a stand-up comedy show and a weekly wrestling match, just for starters… But this is Africa, we’re a resilient bunch, and by heavens, we live on an extraordinary continent. Where else could one find such a variety of terrain, and such natural riches when it comes to plants and…

Hyundai’s Santa Fe used to look expensive, and a bit nowhere on the style front. But over the years it has been improved, refined, and now, against the rivals, it’s starting to look like a bargain. If you’re seeking a spacious family-oriented seven-seater SUV, with the ability to tackle the gravel roads in comfort, this should be on the radar. The latest generation was launched in 2013 in SA and has sold 1750 units to date – nigh on 60 a month, which inspires confidence. This mid-life update adds some mild exterior upgrades to the grille, foglights, bumper, tail light LED pattern and to the tailpipes, which are now square. Inside, a redesigned dash adds to the impression of quality. This car is well thought through, the materials are excellent,…

OFFGRID TYRE DEFLATORS No tools are required for this piece of kit, which can be used on most valve systems. Thread one onto the stem, and air immediately starts releasing from the tyre. It has a built-in manual start/stop. Solid brass prevents rust, and it comes as a set of four in a carry pouch. OFFGRID 9500LBS WINCH A winch is the essential risk-management tool when venturing to remote locations and upping the stakes of your 4WD adventure. OFFGRID’s 9500lbs (4300kg) electric winch with steel cable comes complete with fairlead rollers, wired- and wireless remote. Ideal for both bakkies and SUVs. OFFGRID DUAL-HEAD COMPRESSOR WITH RUBBER HOSE A 150 litres/minute pumping rate provides exceptional performance for the cost. It’s powerful enough to inflate both your and your mate’s big 4WD…

THE KOKERBOOM ROUTE’S ‘FAB FIVE’ Stretching along the meandering Gariep River, the route encompasses some of the province’s most interesting food and wine destinations, including towns such as Augrabies, Marchand, Kanoneiland, Upington, Kenhardt and Keimoes. KALAHARI WATER HOLIDAY & ADVENTURE FARM Kalahari Water Holiday & Adventure Farm is set amidst fully-functional vineyards on one of the ‘paradise islands’ forming the community of Keimoes. Access: 4km from Keimoes off the R27 in the direction of Kenhardt. Accommodation: A variety of options to suit everyone’s style and budget, from the ‘Old Farm House’, with five fully-equipped self-catering units, to four Dam Units constructed from reed, canvas and wood. Or, opt for the bare necessities at the River Bush Camp, set upon the shady banks of the river. (Caravans and campers welcome). Security:…

There are not many people in this world who are more passionate about their hobby than birders. To those who don’t understand them, birders can be the biggest pain; but, once you get to know what the attraction is, you will be hooked. Be warned, though; it can become an all-consuming hobby, and in time you’ll become a serious Twitcher – that’s the term given to committed birders who start compiling a list of all the birds they can positively identify. This becomes their own personal life-list where every new bird added is called a Lifer and will get a tick next to its name on a check list. A very rare bird that is very seldom seen will get what is called a mega tick. Other terms you will…

SMILEY’S SLOW FOOD Smiley’s Slow Food offers a laid-back atmosphere with a Fifties-themed interior, a nostalgic sweet-shop and a home-cooked-food style restaurant. Famous for its Sunday roast and easygoing atmosphere, this place is a must-visit for those driving between Harrismith and Memel on the R722. There’s also accommodation available, including three self-catering guest houses, various other rooms, and a hotel – amounting to 86 rooms in total. Nearest town: Harrismith – 50km GPS: S 27° 55’ 0.001” E 29°16’59.998” Call: 058 625 0071 SPRINGBOK LODGE Located in the Nambiti Private Game Reserve near Ladysmith, Springbok lodge offers five-star spa treatments as well as sightings of all members of the Big Five. The accommodation is tented but, in reality, better than you’ll find in most top-notch hotels. Spa treatments and game…

WINNER DIVAN HAMMAN This is Divan’s 2005 Toyota Prado, with a few modifications. The photo was taken one afternoon just outside Walvis Bay in the dunes. A trip to remember. SAMUEL MAREE On a recent 7000km trip to Koakaland, which included a notable side trip up Crowther’s Trail, Samuel and friends camped on a rocky hilltop next to their 2010 Land Rover Defender, before moving on to Puros. JAYSON HILL Flame-red Jeep Rubicon at full tilt in the Atlantis dunes near Cape Town, with Jayson Hill at the wheel and Vicky Roux behind the lens. RICARDO SCALORBI Those in the know will recognise the long, 150km stretch of road between Beaufort West and Leeu Gamka in the Northern Cape. Or maybe not. Ricardo was on his way to Merweville in…

ON THE MOVE Opposite Lock, Australia’s largest 4x4 & vehicle accessories franchise, has now been in SA for four years. In that time, they’ve built a nationwide footprint with over 130 fitment centres and nine dedicated Opposite Lock branded stores. Opposite Lock imports award-winning products such as Tough Dog Suspension, Lightforce Spotlights & LED light bars, VRS Winches, VRS Recovery Gear and Opposite Lock Bullbars. These 4WD accessories are available through the entire stores network and are backed by a nationwide guarantee. Five new stores have recently opened, including OL Rivonia (011 826 2563), OL Centurion (011 653 2026), OL Roodepoort (011 764 1847), OL Nelspruit (013 752-2091) and OL Swakopmund (+264 815 695 876). SPECIAL EDITION DISCOVERYS Two special-edition Discovery 4s have been launched, bearing the names ‘Landmark’ and…

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 driveway…

JEEP STANDS ITS GROUND I refer to Grant Spolander’s column in the September 2015 issue, titled “Traditionally speaking”. I take issue with your concern about “Where on earth is Jeep headed?” What the heck are you on about? You do know that Jeep also builds Wranglers, right? Since its launch in 2008, Jeep has sold more than a million JK Wranglers, with new sales records still being set from month to month, so it is very unlikely that they will ever stray from building what people want – tough, capable, modifiable, off-road vehicles. The Rubicon version, in particular, proves that Jeep has not only stayed true to its heritage, but has set a new standard by which all off-road vehicles are to be measured. How many vehicles offer, as standard,…

‘Add refinement, keep the tough truck image and feel.’ If that was the brief given to designers and engineers for the mid-life update of Ford’s T6 Ranger, then it’s a case of job well done. The Ranger is on a roll, with one popping out of the Silverton factory every two minutes. To date, it’s sold 280 000 units, and is exported to 148 countries. To keep that kind of momentum, it has to be brilliant to contend with rivals like the new Hilux which launches early in 2016, and is followed by a new Navara/NP300 and refreshed Isuzu KB later in the year. What’s been done to stay ahead in the bakkie war? The exterior looks weren’t fiddled with too much: it was already a cliff-faced bruiser. Now the…

WHERE TO STAY Lodge accommodation is restricted to Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge (www.chilogorge.com), a new ZimParksoperated tented camp at Chipinda, and run-down park accommodation at Mabalauta. Developed multi-stand campgrounds can be found at Chipinda, Chinguli and Mabalauta, which have basic facilities such as running water, flush toilets, showers and thatched lapas Although spotlessly clean when we visited, the facilities are crying out for refurbishment. Apart from these main campgrounds, camping is restricted to a handful of gloriously wild sole-use campsites scattered across the sprawling reserve. True bush enthusiasts will gravitate towards these well-positioned, unfenced sites where facilities are limited to a braai pit and long-drop latrine. on prime northern campsites surrounding the renowned Chilojo Cliffs: Chilojo 1 and 2, Fishans, Directors and Hlaro. There are, however, some other stunning sites…

CHAIR QUAD COOLER C006 Have a cold drink at hand as soon as you sit down in the comfort of a Coleman® Oversized Quad Chair with cooler. The armrest has a built-in soft cooler that holds up to four cans, and the mesh cup holder keeps another beverage at hand. The heavy-duty steel frame and padded seat and back rest will keep you comfortable for hours. The chair easily folds up into a carry bag for transport and storage. There’s a storage pocket to keep personal items, and adjustable armrest heights. Durable construction, as the heavy-duty steel frame supports up to 147kg. It has a carry bag for easy transport and storage. Unfolded Dimensions: 61 x 94 x 40.5cm. Folded Dimensions: 15.2 x 16.5 x 97cm Weight Rating: 147kg. Carry…

The Oxford dictionary describes an underdog as “A competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest.” Using this definition, we can compare two apparent underdogs from completely opposite ends of the spectrum - the one being Boers at war, and the other being Mitsubishi’s Pajero Sport. Both sides have been outnumbered by challengers, yet put up a fight so strong that battles have turned in their favour. The source of this odd comparison and strange introduction to my story can be attributed to Mitsubishi themselves. Whether it was an intentional attempt at published comparisons or not, they took us to the sombre battlefields in KwaZulu-Natal, where the Boers were outnumbered five-to-two during the battle of Spion Kop. It was on this famous hill that the outgunned…

It first became clear that Camp Jeep would be a different kind of off-road get together when I was about 350km from Johannesburg. By this time, my backside was turning numb after the long drive, and my ears were begging for a reprieve from the constant droning of the all-terrain tyres on tar and the screaming of wind over the un-insulated hardtop. A Wrangler, it transpires, even in full-house Unlimited Rubicon spec, isn’t really the most forgiving long-distance cruiser. Then the Ladysmith turn-off beckoned, and I left the N3 with its speed traps and inconsiderate drivers in the rear-view mirror. And right there, in the middle of nowhere, the Camp Jeep organisers had set up a comfort break for the weary travellers making their way to the event. A stop…

We crossed into Botswana at Paars Halt without incident, relieved that our forged paperwork had passed its first test. It was good to be back in Botswana, and we relaxed. The drive up was fine, although the Landy did seem to lean to the passenger side. “Oi! You been putting on weight?” “It’s where the cupboards are,” Mandi huffed. We were quiet and introspective locked in our mobile oven, and we knew it would take a little time to become used to this new life. We made it to the Makgadikgadi Pans, and looked for a camp on the white, salty ground. Rain threatened in the distance – a real threat, as it turned the surface into a thin piecrust with bottomless pudding underneath. It could be a vehicle trap...…

In the fictitious universe created by Marvel comics, there lives a fairly normal (although very wealthy) man named Tony Stark. But, being the Marvel universe, Tony Stark has a special weapon: an armoured suit which turns him into Iron Man. Donning this suit allows Tony to fly and to take on legions of bad guys all by himself, and live out all his megalomaniac fantasies. Forget about the weak human being hiding inside: Mister Stark becomes a bona-fide superhero inside his super suit. In much the same way, you can turn your off-roader into a superhero, too – and just like in the Marvel comics, it happens thanks to a high-tech suit. But, unlike with Tony Stark’s Iron Man suit, such a transformation for your 4x4 need not be confined…

I am often stopped and asked, “What Garmin GPS should I buy?” As I have written many times before, I always ask two simple questions: What is your application for the device? and What is your budget? Once these two aspects are identified, I need four further pointers: What do you want? What do you need? What is nice? What do you not want in a satellite navigation device? Then the decision is easy. I have always worked with Garmin devices, as I find them more user-friendly than some of the competitors, and I get more information out of them – especially in the planning side of things. Many have a Tracklog (Breadcrumb) that enables me to retrace my steps at a later stage. In fact, the Tracklog feature is…

PETER VERSFELD AUDI Q5 2.0-LITRE TDI QUATTRO Age: Young enough Occupation: IT director Modifications: All mods can be removed when the car is my day car. These include specially modified brackets for the roof top tent to compensate for the sloping roof line, awning, a homemade drawer system for two ammo boxes of food, and a high lid one for booze, a full slider for the National Luna Weekender Twin fridge/freezer (awesome device), and boxed shelving for two plastic clothes boxes that allow 29Mhz radio, cameras, table, groundsheet and chairs to be accessed easily. The portable dual battery is charged via an HCDP 12A DC-to-DC charger and powers the fridge and LED lights. Most often heard comment – “Ek het nog nooit ‘n roof top tent op ›n Audi gesien…

Someone must have been slipping espresso into the decaf coffee maker at Mercedes-Benz. How else could one explain the word “sporty” being bandied about so nonchalantly during the recent media launch of the expanded range of Mercedes SUVs – especially when talking about the venerable G-Class? Could such a term even be applied to a 2550kg monster which started life as a 1970s military vehicle? The maniacs at Mercedes-AMG answer that question with a power upgrade (20kW up, now 420kW), improved stability control, and even larger (21-inch) optional wheels. The G 63 has been further upgraded for 2016, bringing revised styling and interior changes which include Mercedes’ free-standing central colour display. More power means that it’s an even quicker truck than before – exactly what its buyers (60% of all…

ALL COVERED Thule Atmos X5 No matter whether you are ham-fisted or are the adventurous type, the new Atmos X5 will suit you. Built to provide watertight protection, shock resistance and dust proofing to your iPhone, the Atmos adds that extra level of security. ShockStop corners and rubberised back panels provide the protection, and the snap-on cover can be installed in seconds R1499 Visit www.thule.com HOT METAL Front Runner spare tyre-mount braai grid It seems like most of our country is burning tyres at the moment, so why not get with the programme? Slip this adjustable and collapsible grate over your spare rubber (29-35-inch diameter) and when you get to the next campsite, slip it off again, throw some meat on top and make flames. Benefit: your food will be…

The lion roars grew steadily louder, echoing off the unseen Chilojo Cliffs. With no moon or stars visible above, the darkness beyond our campfire was absolute. Both Duncan and I pulled our chairs a little closer to the dancing flames, blaming an imaginary chill in the night air rather than the guttural grunts bouncing back off the rock face across the river. Taking a deep swig of Zambezi lager, I fumbled for the powerful torch next to my chair. The hairs on the back of my neck bristled and my heart thumped a little louder as the king of the beasts continued to proclaim his territory loudly. This was the raw and resurgent Gonarezhou at its very best. I could tell my travel companion felt the same way when, feigning…

Gonarezhou’s elephants have had a rough time over the years. Rampant poaching and persecution combined with limited exposure to vehicles has resulted in a population of agitated and sometimes aggressive elephants. While the recent past (since FZS became involved) has seen the elephant situation improve dramatically, they still carry a lot of long-term baggage from the bad old days. Some are more relaxed than others, and our experience was that the bulls tended to be more laid-back than the highly-strung breeding herds. But the key to safely viewing these elephants is to exercise caution, always to treat them with respect, and not to try and approach them with your vehicle. In fact, during our visit, a Chilo Safari Lodge vehicle which had repeatedly approached a visibly agitated elephant was rammed.…

‘‘Hey, bru, if this was 200 million years ago, right now we’d be dodging dinosaurs in this Trailblazer.” I’m not sure how Pistol Pete gets onto these side-track conversation fillers, but a few years of being his mate has taught me that he has a knack for acting like an encyclopaedia brimming with quirky facts. “How so?” I mutter, as I try to spot an elusive canoe through the rustling reed beds lining the ‘Grootrivier’. This is what most of the locals call the Orange River in these parts; and, so far, today, we’ve bumped into a fair number of the hardy local folk while following the canoe race. Or maybe I should say ‘... while trying to follow the canoe race’. The thing is that the Orange River up…

FANCY NAME Himantopus himantopus AFRIKAANS Rooipootelsie Every time I see one of these dainty, long-legged birds, I involuntarily visualise a long-legged lady in a pair of high-heeled shoes. And, every time, without fail, my mind goes on a gallop to try to find her motivation… why would any intellectually-average lady make the road ahead so difficult for herself? I mean, honestly: it can’t be comfortable. There must be a good enough reason, or perhaps a number of them, for women to torture themselves by trotting along on a pair of streamlined stilettos all day. And, doing it in style no doubt requires a huge amount of concentration in order to look natural, to stay upright, and to resist the urge to kick them off at every opportunity - when no-one…

Because many customers of the Pajero Sport modify their vehicles for specific off-road use, Mitsubishi have paired with 4x4 fitment favourites such as Tough Dog, Stofpad, Opposite Lock, Tracks4Africa and Front Runner for an ultimate overlanding-equipped product. Accessories worth over R70 000 have been added to the Pajero Sport, but customers will not pay a cent extra for them, as the list price remains as it was for the standard 2.5 Di-D 4x4 Auto. Accessories are there not for styling, but are included as usable parts designed to benefit handling, toughness, practicality and reliability on far-flung adventures. The Pajero Sport Shogun is powered by a familiar 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine with 131kW, and a five-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. Mitsubishi’s unique-in-class 4x4 system, called Super Select, offers drivers various driving…

The silence was deafening. I’d never quite understood this phrase until, one day, high in the Anysberg Mountain range, I heard it for the first time: Deafening Silence. To be clear, I’m not talking about finger-in-your-ear silence; what I’m referring to feels like a weight pressing against your eardrum. I was still deciding whether or not I liked the sensation, when, in the extreme depths of my inner ear, I heard a faint buzzing sound. At the time, I was leaning against a slab of sandstone, staring at the plateau’s low-lying shrub. My eyes twitched back and forth as I tried to discover where the noise was coming from, and then I saw it – at an impossible distance from where I stood, a lone bee was hovering over a…

Looking back at what effect Carnage Canyon has had on one’s psyche in the past, one can only say that ‘mixed feelings’ is putting it mildly… From high water levels to multiple breakages, to flash floods, to vehicle recoveries… one can truly say that this trail covers all the bases. year saw in sunny SA – our very own Ultimate 4WD Adventure. Normally, the rules call for complete self-sufficiency, which means that you are responsible for yourself: food, shelter, parts, fuel, sanity and sanitary; you will not be babied. However, we elected to ease everybody into this first event by providing food and accommodation as part of the package, and only one night would be spent on the trail. Obviously, the first rule of Ultimate 4WD Adventure – no whiners…

LIKES Quiet and comfortable Striking to look at Ample boot space even with third row of seats in place Extremely good fuel consumption for such a large vehicle. DISLIKES Tablet-style dash interface isn’t as intuitive as simple buttons would be Touchscreen gets covered in nasty fingerprints quickly Useless off road, thanks to 22-inch wheels (optional) Harsh ride thanks to 22-inch wheels (optional) Two-litre engine outclassed by six-cylinder rivals While stereotypes are condemned by many, it’s often the case that they are born of truth; and a case in point is the new XC90. While we’re not sure if this Swedish softroader prefers a diet of pickled fish and death metal music, it’s certainly moving in the right direction. When, in 2010, Ford decided that a quick buck was in order,…

No matter how lightly you’ve touched the accelerator pedal of your off-roader, it has never achieved the respectable fuel consumption figures claimed in the owner's manual. It has actually never managed to come close to those numbers – not even when it was new. And, while it’s easy to assume that the manufacturer misled you by adding a glow to the official figures, or that there’s something wrong with your vehicle, the blame actually lies neither with your right foot, nor with your vehicle, nor with the manufacturer. No, the problem really lies with the authorities. Government is the reason my vehicle uses more fuel than it’s supposed to? In a way, yes: not by physically forcing more fuel into the engine, but because they’re enforcing testing procedures which don’t…