Table of contents for Issue 12 (Oct 2021) in Adventure Afrika

Mahindra special editions hit the spot In the past 10 years, Mahindra has evolved from a fairly unknown brand to a serious player in the automotive industry, and in particular, the off-roading and overlanding segment. This is mostly thanks to their rugged, tough-as-nails “halo” cars – the Mahindra Scorpio SUV and Mahindra Pik Up. Both of these utilitarian off-roaders have recently been upgraded. Pik Up Karoo Dusk Inspired by the beautiful vistas of the Karoo, the new Mahindra Karoo Dusk S11 Automatic is a striking lifestyle-focused double cab model based on the S11 Karoo, decked out in a matt black finish, with special acacia-tree inspired Karoo logos and unique Dusk decals. It is fitted with the best on offer in the Mahindra parts catalogue and a few special additions that…

The Land Cruiser name has always been synonymous with exploration, adventure and discovery. Since the first Land Cruiser arrived on our shores people have been exploring our beautiful continent and the name became legendary in Africa. For the last 14 years we have had the Land Cruiser 200, and the vehicle has proven itself over and over as one of the toughest SUVs out there. Now, there is a new kid on the block: the Land Cruiser 300. This is not just a small upgrade from the previous generation Land Cruiser 200, but a leap forward for the brand. It’s been redesigned from the bottom up, with the ladder frame and body lighter and more rigid. Weight distribution has been optimised by placing the engine lower down and further back,…

“What’s the plan?” Resisting the urge to duck into the garage to tinker with the lawn mower, I decide to man up. “Eerm. Ja, well, I’ve scoped out this interesting route across the Northern Cape, circling back to Cape Town. About three or four days on the road… “The silence is too long. The Prof (one of those serial overachievers), is in-between Zoom meetings where weighty, multi-syllable matters are no doubt being discussed. “Where do you plan to stay over,” is fired back, eventually. “I thought, you know, just camp on the side of the road. Or wherever.” This is not going well. “Look, if you want me to join you for long days of driving, we will stay in proper accommodation. With showers.” OK. So that’s it then. The…

Travelling in remote areas such as the Kaokoland in far-Northern Namibia is what overland dreams are made of. Wide-open spaces, oil painting-like scenery and ear-piercing silence are just some reasons to seek out and explore these remote areas. There is now a new drawcard for the area which is quickly gaining cult status, and that is to find the mysterious stone statues that are scattered around this northern corner of Namibia. Adding to the enchantment of this overlanding treasure hunt is a mystery: the artist or artists creating these “Lone Men of Kaokoland” remain a secret. In our last instalment we shared our group’s successful journey through Van Zyl’s Pass, and the excitement at finding our first stone man, just before the Kunene River a few kilometres south of our…

We once met an old Dutchman on one of our adventures who claimed that South Africa’s history since 1488 must be one of the easiest to research and understand since most of it was recorded reasonably accurately. While this may be true, it certainly does not mean it is not clouded in controversy, as we all know. One such example is the history of Pretoriuskop in the Kruger National Park. As legend would have it, the old Transvaal government of the 1800s was obsessed with discovering a trade route from Lydenburg to Delagoa Bay (known as Maputo today) since this would have secured total independence from the British. When rumours circulated that the Portuguese explorer Joâo Albasini had discovered a route, a fact-finding expedition led by J van Rensburg was…

1. Kam’Bati River Resort The award-winning campsite is located on an Overberg farm, approximately 20km west of Swellendam, and offers campsites, selfcatering units and a glamping option in one of the five luxury tents. The Sonderend and Breede rivers flow past the grassy campsites, which are equipped with electricity and spotless ablution facilities. The resort is very safe, convenient and wheelchair-friendly. The pool area is a great attraction for young and old. Other activities that visitors can enjoy include farm rides, bird watching safaris, mountain biking and hiking. NEAREST TOWN: Swellendam (20km) SHOP: Yes PET-FRIENDLY: No FISHING: Yes (river) CELL PHONE RECEPTION: Yes (Wifi) ACCESSIBILITY: Gravel road RATES: From R240 per adult per night depending on the time of year you book. Only one family (two adults and two kids…

Once you have decided that a rooftop tent is for you there are a few things to consider. You’ll need to understand the key differenes between softshell and hardshell versions, and give a few matters such as size, weight, mounting systems and location on your vehicle, some thought. We’ve done some research on the best locally-made clamshells, and have distilled out those features the experts believe are the most important. Clamshell vs Softshell rooftop tents Softshell rooftop tents created this equipment sector, and their design is well established. Typically the canvas section is raised on internal ribs when a plywood floor is folded out from the vehicle, and the window and/or entrance doors are held away from the walls using spring steel poles. These tents can be made large and…

Land Cruiser 100 Series VX 2004 model Mileage at purchase: 269 000km Current mileage: 272 000km Astandard 4x4 vehicle can take on the rigours of mild overlanding, but its suspension limitations become clear as loads increase. If you want to fit body armour to protect the vehicle (think bullbar, rear-wheel carrier bumper, underbody protection), you use up load capacity. Add passengers and camping equipment, and soon your ride is settled far too low and hitting the bump stops on every dip. Fitting an aftermarket suspension is the ideal solution here. Heavier-duty springs will take care of the added loads, while beefier shock absorbers will keep the damping and ride characteristics under improved control. The extra ride height will enable you to clear bigger obstacles – and perhaps fit larger tyres.…

When I phone my best friend, Charlotte, to invite her along for a weekend in search of tigers in the Free State, I could hear the surprise in her voice. Not that I could blame her. Wild tigers, in Africa? A crazy idea – maybe a little bit, yes. Visionary – absolutely! Not that the founder of this unique conservation project, John Varty (aka JV), was praised for his initiative when he started it more than two decades ago. Quite the contrary, as this South African filmmaker and passionate conservationist suffered substantial opposition. Fast forward 21 years and this project is now certainly earning its stripes. Tiger Canyon in the small Free State town of Philippolis, skirting the arid Karoo region, is giving hope to this highly endangered apex predator…

Calvinia – Kleinplasie Kleinplasie Guesthouse is on a smallholding 2km outside Calvinia in Hantam in the Northern Cape. The original farm buildings which are more than 100 years old were restored into a guest farm in 2002. Kleinplaise offers four spacious double rooms with en-suite bathrooms, plus two larger self-catering units. There is also a small campsite with ablution facility. RATES: R550 per night for double rooms | R600 for self-catering | R200 per night for camping HOSTS: Oubaas and Marietta Strauss CONTACT: +27 79 885 9836 | +27 27 341 2751 | kleinplasieguesthouse@telkomsa.net In the area: The Calvinia district forms part of the Great Karoo and is 400km northwest of Cape Town on the Namibia route. This region is best known for the brightly coloured spring wildflowers which bloom…

What is it about the Breede River Valley that makes it such an enticing weekend spot for Capetonians? Perhaps it’s the delightful towns bursting with history, delectable eateries and charming overnight spots? Could it be the wines, full of refreshing, chalky minerality? Or is it the people, less obsessed with their city’s natural beauty like those Mother City dwellers and more focused on simply getting on with the job of living life in one of South Africa’s most fertile valleys? Likely a combination of all of these and more, making this destination the ideal spot to catch a breather. That’s exactly what we plan to do, and our means of exploration is Kia’s new Sportage 1.6 T-GDi resplendent in gleaming Metallic Infra Red paintwork. Slotting in at the top of…

Pilgrim’s Rest, a village inextricably linked to the pioneering days of the discovery of gold, and the aptly named Robbers Pass, are historically bound like a set of twins. This long-tarred pass offers diverse scenery through an area steeped in history and, of course, stories of robbers taking from those who found gold in the area. Today this once-flourishing town is a small village offering tourists a glimpse into a bygone era, from where tourists can visit the famous Robbers Grave near the pass at Pilgrim’s Rest. Robbers Pass is a long pass of 20.6km, which includes a summit height of 1 789m above sea level (ASL) and a total of 68 bends, corners and curves to keep drivers alert. The usual cautionary elements apply – including heavy mountain mists,…

Day 1 (usually the travel day) Breakfast: Coffee and rusks. Lunch: Padkos prepared at home (boiled eggs, frikkadels, sandwiches with cheese and apricot jam and a flask of coffee. Dinner: Rump, garlic bread and greek salad (prepare your garlic loaf at home and wrap in in foil inside a plastic bag to make sure your cooler doesn’t smell like garlic the rest of the holiday). Day 2 Breakfast: Bacon or bully beef, eggs, tomato and toast. Lunch: Cheese sandwiches, yoghurt and fresh fruit. Dinner: Boerewors (braai enough for breakfast the next day), polenta with blue cheese and beetroot salad. Day 3 Breakfast: Boerewors, scrambled eggs and a can of beans in tomato sauce. Lunch: Salami and cheese sandwiches and fruit salad. Dinner: Pasta potjie and a Greek salad. Day 4 Breakfast:…

Send yours to us on: info@4x4afrika.com (Subject: My Ride & I) WINNER Elrene Koch 2014 Gen 3 Suzuki Jimny “I adore my little Cricket because she is cute, but equally capable. Whether I drive to work on the highway or tackle an obstacle on a 4x4 trail, I have people staring at her in awe. She has taken me on some amazing adventures to awesome places, with the Tankwa Karoo and Cederberg being my favourites so far. My favourite playground is the Atlantis Dunes, but I also love playing on the local 4x4 trails like Zevenwacht, Grabouw and Outrekpad for some weekend fun and games.” Russell Venter 2019 Fortuner 2.8 4x4 AT “What I love about my Fortuner (named ‘The Teenager’) would be its looks, ride comfort and ergonomic interior.…

We have featured RAM Mounts in this section before, giving a basic overview of this company’s rugged and versatile mounting solutions. They claim to have a mount able to secure almost any of your electronic devices anywhere, safe in the knowledge they will be secure no matter where your adventure takes you. That’s quite a claim. We have now had the opportunity to put several of their innovative and uniquely designed products to the test in various conditions, securing cameras, various phones, GoPros and a GPS on our trips, launches and even a 4x4 training event. Unlike similar products we have used in the past, these mounts and their components were built specifically to withstand the toughest and harshest conditions. Their construction is first-class, being made up of durable composite…

Specifications: Engine: 2.0-litre Ingenium twin-turbo diesel Outputs: 177kW @ 4 000rpm, 430Nm @ 1 400rpm Transmission: 8-speed ZF automatic Max speed: 188km/h Acceleration 0-100km/h: 9.0secs Fuel economy: 7.6l/100km Unladen weight: 2 133kg Gross Vehicle Weight: 2 940kg Max towing weight: 3 500kg (braked) Dimensions (LxWxH): 4 323 x 2 008 x 1974mm (coil suspension) Wheelbase: 2 587mm Ride height: 225mm (coils)/216mm (air suspension – raises to 291mm) Approach/Departure angles: 31/37.9 (coils)/30.1/37.6 (air suspension) Ramp angle: 25.0 (coils)/24.2 (air suspension) Standard features (not the full list): All-Wheel Drive Twin-speed transfer box Coil suspension Terrain Response 8-speed transmission Dynamic Stabilitty control Hill Descent Control Cornering Brake Control Electronic Traction Control Electric Parking Brake Automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers Emergency Brake Assist Two-zone Climate control Durable rubber cabin flooring 3D Surround Camera Cruise…

The Cape cobra, also known as the Geelslang or Koperkapel in Afrikaans, occurs largely in the Western and Northern Cape but is also found in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Lesotho, North West, Botswana, and Namibia. It is a highly venomous snake with a potent neurotoxic venom, not unlike that of the black mamba, and it is no surprise that these two snakes account for most snakebite deaths in southern Africa. Yellow and golden orange colours are commonly seen throughout the range of this snake, but chocolate brown, light yellow and speckled individuals are also found. Juveniles are usually a light brown colour with a dark bar covering most of the chest that is clearly visible when a hood is formed. The Cape cobra inhabits fynbos, Karoo scrub, arid savanna…

Batteries are the core of any off-grid system, and are essentially small reactors that convert chemical energy to electricity. When a battery is connected to an external device, forming a circuit, a chemical reaction is triggered that causes electrons with a negative charge to flow around the circuit – this is the electrical current that powers devices like lights or a fridge. Their history is fascinating, and its even possible batteries have been around since Mesopotamian times. The first real documented breakthrough came in 1800 when Italian physicist Allesandro Volta stacked discs of copper and zinc on top of each other, separated by cloth soaked in brine. Wires attached to the top and bottom of this stack produced a constant voltage. The familiar flooded cell or wet cell lead-acid battery,…

With the brand-new Ranger months away, for an expected public debut in 2022, Ford has been doing a sterling job of popping out desirable ‘Special Editions’ (think XL Plus, FX4, Thunder, and more) to keep brand awareness alive, give the dealers something to shout about, and to keep those assembly lines running at full steam. Not that the Ranger needs a lot of special boosting: the T6 introduced back in 2011 won widespread public acclaim for its aesthetics and abilities. It’s been a great seller, with a track record of nearly half-a-million units to date and a consistent monthly place on the local light commercial vehicle (LCV) podium. That’s apart from the export volumes which have been key to Ford SA’s expansion plans. Now, the new model will emerge from…

Gazebos make a fantastic alternative to an awning because they can be set up independently. When not providing shade on a camping trip, they can be used in your garden, at the beach, and for almost any outdoor event where shelter is required. This versatility is also showcased in the different ways a gazebo can be utilised when camping. Protection The main purpose of any gazebo is to provide protection against the elements, whether it be rain, wind, or the scorching heat. During rainstorms, you can stay dry under the gazebo while still enjoying nature’s beauty around you, instead of being cramped up in your tent for hours. Gazebos also provide some respite from the scorching African heat by providing guaranteed shade for you to sit under while relaxing and…

VEHICLE DETAILS: 2001 Land Rover TD5 Defender 130 DC HCPU DRIVER: Charles Dean Charles Dean’s 20-year-old Landy serves him well for his camping and overlanding interests, and he and Bush Wacker are well-respected in the 4x4 Action Group that he is a member of. The trusty and reliable “classic” is clearly his pride and joy, keeping him dry in the rain, safe on the road and happy behind the wheel. “My Bush Wacker is ready for every single thing I throw at her,” Charles tells us. His set-up might be old, but it is effective, comfortable, and user-friendly for those long-term road trips he likes to embark on as often as possible. He has removed two of the back seats in the cabin to store tools and heavy equipment low…