Table of contents for March 2019 in SA4x4

Let’s be clear. This is not a bland travel tale. The kind where you skim over a script stuffed with adjectives, flick through photos, linger as long as your attention-deficit-disorder will allow, and move swiftly on to the next picture fantasy. No, this is next-level stuff. Stay with me… This story starts before the break of dawn, with the swelling sound of millions of jubilant high-pitched squeaky voices celebrating a night of feasting. Walking in the dark along a hippo path at the edge of the wet Mushitu forests of Kasanka National Park in central Zambia, the cacophony of sound produced by nine million bats in conversation precedes one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles in the world – the flight of the fruit bats at dawn. As the sun…

BASICS Date: 14-30 April 2019 Cost: R14 500 per person Includes: Accommodation & Park Fees, Dinner daily Excludes: Fuel, Border Costs, Drinks DETAILS Kaokoland is one of the last remaining wilderness areas in Southern Africa. It is a world of incredible mountain scenery, a refuge for the rare desert-dwelling elephant, black rhino and giraffe, and the home of the Himba people. The topography in the south of the area is characterised by rugged mountains which are dissected by numerous watercourses, but north of the Hoarusib River the scenery is dominated by table-top koppies. Still further north, the Otjihipa Mountains rise abruptly above the Namib floor to form the eastern boundary of the Marienfluss, while the west of the valley is defined by the Hartmann Mountains. Kaokoland is bordered on the…

The first X4 always struck me as an afterthought, a quickly pieced-together alter-ego of the X3, intended to be a more affordable alternative to the well-received X6. But while it had the coupé lines and SUV pedigree, it was lacking poise, and just a touch of luxury. With the new model, BMW has remedied all its past shortcomings. The X4 is now a fully-fledged model in its own right, and although it falls slap-bang in the middle of the Bavarian automaker’s expanded SUV range, it’s right up there with the big boys. I spent a few days with the 4-cylinder diesel-powered xDrive20d, kitted-out in M Sport spec. The new X4 is longer and wider than its predecessor, but has shed around 50kg, while the external curvature has been re-engineered to…

Battery cycling basics Lead-acid batteries remain the industry standard for mobile and vehicle applications. Sealed lead-acid batteries, also known as VLRA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) batteries, are now widespread because they are safer, require little or no maintenance, and cope well with the heat generated in a vehicle’s engine bay. Modern cars have these batteries specified as original equipment. However, the starter batteries of many vehicles are still specified as open batteries (also called ‘wet’ batteries), which require the cells to be filled with distilled water. The C-rating on the label VRLA batteries are manufactured according to international standards, one of which is a Discharge Rating when operating at 25 degrees Centigrade. Known as the C-Rating, this is a measure (in hours) of how quickly energy can be discharged from…

4X4 KUNGWINI ACADEMY TRACKS AND TRAILS GP • GRADE 1-4 • SELF • GuIDE • Bronkhorstspruit, 12 km • GPS: S 25°51.972’ E 28°42.033’ 40 km from Pta, Jhb Eastern tip of Magalies berg. Basic academy instructed obstacles. Excellent for training. More than 30 4WD obstacles. 21 km scenic eco & birding trails. Various shaded Picnic spots. Lapa & Boma for training & social. Camping in shaded area. Neat ablutions. Total Distance: 1,4 - 21km Best Time: All year Min Vehicles: 1 Max Vehicles: 40 Low-Rangw: Yes Ground Clearence: Yes info@4x4kungwini.co.za • Hugo: 082 494 0950 • Johan (4x4 Instrukteur): 083 277 4648 www.4x4kungwini.co.za • f: 4x4kungwini RUST DE WINTER 4X4 BUNDU TRAIL MP • GRADE 3-5 • GuIDE • Pretoria, 100km A tough two-day 4x4 guided trail…

Occupation: Accountant & entrepreneur. Modifications: Warn M9000 winch, bullbar, Warn spotlights, ARB diff lockers with ARB compressor, Old Man Emu suspension, Firestone air bags in rear suspension coils, Safari snorkel, two additional fuel tanks, Front Runner roof rack, VHF radio, 1000W inverter, double battery system, Madman engine monitoring system, Eezi-Awn awning, rooftop tent, water tank, spare wheel carrier, double gas cylinder carrier, rear-mounted work lamp, stainless steel tables under roof rack, additional air conditoning system for rear passengers. Future modifications: Might install a 31-inch Hella LED light bar. Dream vehicle: Depending on the trip, my Defender or my Discovery. Most memorable trips: Koakoland 2009, many Mozambican trips. Planned trip/s: Richtersveld, Angola, Mana Pools & Mozambique via north Kruger Park entry. I never leave home without: My wife, Nikon D7000, Garmin…

RAISING THE BAR At the age of 70, my wife and I have found that on our overland trips, changing a wheel on our Isuzu is becoming harder. To move the wheel around is still OK, but to remove and fit the wheel on the studs is becoming difficult. To resolve the problem, we came up with a mechanism which I think is very simple but very effective. We are happy to share it with 4x4 readers, as I think we are probably not the only “older people” who still do 4x4 trips. From the attached photos, one can actually see how the system works. I have also attached a sketch with dimensions to give an indication of the size of our lifting device. Basically, it consists of a cantilever…

Sociable and smart are not words that usually come to mind when Spotted Hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) are mentioned. If anything, hyaenas are seen as sneaky and vicious, cringing scavengers that inspire a queasy mixture of fear and disdain. Yet, after spending 20 years studying them, Professor Kay Holekamp from Michigan State University came to view them as “smart, biologically and socially complex, jam-packed with surprises”. Having had the opportunity to observe a den first-hand, I, too, have become fascinated with these multifaceted predators and their unique biology and behaviour. First amongst their Pandora’s Box of surprises is that although they resemble dogs, all four hyaena species are actually more closely related to cats - their common ancestor being a catlike tree dweller which also gave rise to mongooses and civets.…

KIA TELLURIDE Bigger is best The new, handsome and enormous Kia Telluride is the Korean marque’s first foray into the full-size SUV game. The new seven-seater is several centimetres longer and wider than the already sizeable Sorento. This premium, luxury offering will feature a 10.8- inch touchscreen and go head to head with other top models like the Land Rover Discovery and Mercedes GLE. Powered by a 216kW 3.8-litre V6 and an eight-speed auto, the Telluride appears to be aimed squarely at US markets - no news yet on whether or not we’ll see it in SA. JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE TRACKHAWK Barking mad Grand We were actually lucky enough to give the Trackhawk a brief blast around Austria last year, and can unequivocally attest to the fact that it’s the…

One of the reasons I enjoy teaching bushcraft/ survival techniques, is that it encompasses so many different skills sets. There are innumerable ways of starting a fire, we can use animals to find water, we can use nature to navigate, we have a host of ways to improvise shelters, and the bush is a veritable supermarket if we know how to identify the edible plants. And, of course, another skill we use is tracking. There is always something new to learn when it comes to tracking, no matter how long you’ve been doing it. I’m still learning after all these years. If we know what to look for, and how to interpret what we see, it is possible to track everything from a millipede to an elephant. We can see…

Whether or not you’re partial to big power and over-the-top builds, there is something to be said about the deep rumble of a tuned V8 and a barbaric, screaming supercharger. Stick the two into just about anything and you’ll end up with a beast – on land or water. In the case of this build by electrical engineer Llewellyn Edwards, the Patrol’s heart was sourced from a P1 racing powerboat. Needless to say, it’s a Nissan like no other. Despite appearing to be a Patrol pick up, the undercarriage tells a different story. Instead of thick leaf packs and the wheel articulation of a skateboard, this Franken-Nissan uses coils all round, indicating its past as a 1995 Patrol Wagon. Only after Llewellyn had bought the vehicle in 2016 did work…

A cult, as defined by Google dictionary, is “a system of religious veneration and devotion directed towards a particular figure or object”. Few vehicles muster such appreciation amongst their fans, but the Jimny is one of them. Fortunately for the faithful, their deity hasn’t gone all soft like others have... (ahem, Discovery). Instead, it has been improved in every way, and been made tougher and more capable both on and off the road, while still maintaining its quirky character. That’s the story - and to prove it, we lined up a torture test for the little tyke at one of our favourite off-roading venues: Honingklip 4x4 near Bot River in the Cape. Exterior Because, at a glance, it seems to be modelled on the old SJ410, the new Jimny can…

Thembalani (Themba) Ndlovu, who joined renowned African adventurer and off-roading-equipment innovator, Adolf Waidelich, when he arrived in South Africa from Zimbabwe in 1977 as a 17-year-old, is continuing to follow in the footsteps of his long-time mentor who died tragically in 2017. Adolf was not only a technical innovator and entrepreneur, he was also an avid adventurer. He contributed materially to making the dreams of travelling to far-flung parts of Africa a reality for thousands of people. He achieved this by developing, and making, a comprehensive range of equipment and accessories for off-road travellers. Among the companies in Gauteng with which Adolf was involved, were B&W Motors, Front Runner Engineering and African Outback. Themba, who was Adolf’s most loyal and longest-serving employee, is not only still making aluminium canopies that…

Dolf Pretorius Dolf’s latest trip was a trek through Namibia and Botswana. He was joined by his wife, Koekie, and his brother and sister-in-law Willem and Dora. They spent three weeks exploring some of southern Africa’s most famous natural wonders, all thanks to their hardy Hilux duo. Divan Hamman Divan snapped this shot on the way to the Diaz Cross just outside Luderitz in Namibia. He did a total of 4 800km on this trip in his Prado, visiting Oranjemund, Aussenkehr and the Fish River Canyon. Sandra Burger Talk about heat! The summer sun was absolutely blasting down on Sandra and her FJ Cruiser in Askham. She says that her FJ, with its V6 and long range tank, makes dune driving a cinch! Shortly after this picture was taken, the…

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 – 1MB 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…

There are pluses and minuses when it comes to dragging a trailer about on your overland adventures. Around any campfire, you will find both the big supporters of these houses on wheels, and those who prefer to keep things to just four wheels when it comes to the rough stuff. If you are considering taking the trailer plunge, there are a few regulations to consider, as well as some loading and towing tips that will make life both easier and safer. Benefits to towing The most obvious benefit to having a trailer is, of course, the masses of added packing space it provides, which means that you won’t overload your vehicle and you’ll have more space inside. The trailer will also provide a ‘home base’ if you intend staying on…

RUNNING ON FUMES Ditch the heavy equipment and set up with this innovative Mac Afric 4 Ton Exhaust Jack from Adendorff. The PVC bag inflates in just minutes, using nothing more than the fumes pumping out your exhaust. Alternatively, you can also use your compressor. The tough bag can lift your vehicle 750mm in any terrain, even when it’s on its belly in the mud or deep sand. R2 895 0861 23 36 36 www.adendorff.co.za PACK LIGHT It can get quite tough to keep track of your roll-on, painkillers and mosquito repellent, but this oiletry Kit from Thule makes it easy to keep all your hygiene and medical essentials in one place. It has several compartments, a detachable mirror, and a handy hook that allows you to hang it up…

I have no idea what to expect from the mountain nation of Lesotho. Although tiny compared to South Africa, I have been repeatedly told that the mountain scenery is second to none, and that the locals are extremely friendly. Always on the lookout for new mountains to explore, I know this is a must-visit country. Into Lesotho At a small and quiet border in the North, we are quickly stamped out of South Africa and into Lesotho with a minimum of fuss. The six-month Temporary Import Permit for the Jeep is also valid in Lesotho, so I don’t even talk Customs to cross this International Border. It doesn’t get any easier. I see immediately that Lesotho is less developed than South Africa, and I feel a pang that I have…

Back in Johannesburg, it feels odd to look out from the window over a bustling carport of busy people with fancy cars. There’s a selection of sushi revolving in front of me, yet my boots are still freshly covered with the dust from Mana Pools. Just two days ago, we were observing one of many herds of elephants wandering curiously around our campsite at Mana Pools, and later sitting around the hypnotising campfire listening to the hysterical ‘whoop’ calls of hyena in the background. And then, there was the long, dreadful and often-infuriating drive back to Joburg, during which an encounter with a corrupt policeman almost landed me in a Zimbabwe jail. I could describe our camping holiday to Lake Kariba and Mana Pools as an adventure-packed, but eye-opening adventure.…

When the owner of this “Big Daddy” of overlanders took his dream ride for its first shake-down trip to a resort near Brits for a weekend of quiet camping, he was in for a big surprise. The sheer scale and obvious luxury of his larger than life ride attracted a crowd of 150 to 200 fellow campers, who all wanted to climb in and take a look around, before they told their friends about this epic home on wheels. The camper itself is built on an Iveco Eurocargo 4x4 truck chassis, and the camper section alone is 10 metres long. It’s a project that has emerged from the Meyerton workshops of Custom Campers, a business that’s run to extremely high standards by Fred Oosthuizen. What we can say, is that…

Lots of family fun at this new 4x4 challenge event… and all for a good cause Anew take on the 4x4 challenge style event, Bastion Battle of the Beasts, was held at the Dirt and Dust venue in Durbanville in the last week of January, and attracted a huge crowd of over 1200 spectators and 141 vehicle entries. It was all for a good cause too: the Battle of the beasts was originally conceived to raise funds to enable the Bastion Primary School’s U13A netball and rugby teams to travel to Pietermaritzburg to compete. This was a true milestone for a new entry into the South African motorsport calendar, and this can in part be attributed to the family-friendly nature of the event. Activities on offer (in addition to a…

KOICHAB GETS CONVENIENT Namib Offroad Excursions has now made it possible to enjoy the Koichab Dune Tour in the southern Namib without the hassle of towing your trailer or caravan through the sand along with you. You can now arrange to have your rig waiting for you at the new bush camp! The tours take place near Luderitz, and span two or three days. Namib Offroad Excursions also offers ½ day Elizabeth Bay tours just south of Luderitz. For more details, email Heinz at noextours@gmail.com. FORD-MAL CHARITY RUN Organisation Ford-Mal is hosting its second annual Charity Run on April 27, and all Ford owners are welcome to join in the run. This time monetary donations will be going to the Refuge 911 Centre in Newlands, Randburg, which will go towards…