Table of contents for Apr/May 2026 in Go! Drive & Camp

At the recent Caravan Show, I was once again amazed by the quality, passion and innovation in South Africa's camping and outdoor-living market. The show was bursting at the seams, and it was encouraging to see the growth in exhibitors, floor space and visitors. Our local manufacturers truly stand second to none in the world, and if you listen to how busy they are, it's clear that the market is growing, with a host of new campers being welcomed with open arms. Leon practically ran his legs off over the three days of the show trying to get to everything and everyone, and his full report on the caravans that caught the eye starts on page 14. While I was walking among the stands and admiring the gleaming new products,…

The annual Caravan Show is like the industry's hypermarket – everything under one roof. It is, after all, one of the largest indoor and outdoor living shows in the southern hemisphere. Just short of 40 caravan manufacturers displayed their latest products, and visitors were treated to a packed showcase. It was the biggest show of its kind yet, says Hampie de Kock, the show director. Last year's 25 000 m² of indoor exhibition space was expanded to 30 000 m², and an impressive 25 000 visitors attended the show over the three days. It was a successful event, and some manufacturers have already requested even larger exhibition space for next year. It wasn't only the new products that made this year's show stand out but also the new directions several…

Campsite 6 private stands with their own facilities, screened with shade-net fencing. Then 6 stands for overlanders with tents, and a further 4 open stands with power points. Ablutions 6 private bathrooms at the first stands, and a communal bathroom at the far end of the campsite for the general stands. Price R180 p.p.p.n. for the private stands and R145 p.p.p.n. for the rest. (Prices may vary during peak times such as flower season, and discounts apply in winter.) Arrival and departure 14:00 and 10:00-11:00. Contact 022 972 1340 or 082 920 3977 info@vensterklip.co.za vensterklip.co.za Nearest town Elands Bay, 5 km. Road condition 180 m of gravel to the first stand. GPS S32.314887 E18.394789 Drive & Camp says The restaurant is open from Thursdays to Sundays during the day, and…

Campsite 67 campsites in 3 camp blocks. Ablutions 3 ablution buildings with separate facilities for men and women. Price R682,50 per stand for 4 people. Contact 071 584 2160 bookings@riverrunresort.co.za riverrunresort.co.za Arrival and departure 14:00 and 09:00. Nearest town Johannesburg, 160 km (to Rosebank). Road condition There are two main routes: one from Johannesburg via the N1, R59 and S1086 (18 km gravel) and one from Potchefstroom via the R501 and S646 (16 km gravel). The S646 route is more suitable for sedans and standard caravans, provided you drive slowly, while the S1086 requires a high-clearance vehicle. A standard caravan will not survive that road. The various route options are on the website, and it's a good idea to confirm road conditions before you leave home. GPS S26.949681 E27.176619 Drive…

Maximum number of vehicles? It's a public road, so there's no limit on the number of vehicles. Do I get a map? The Rooibos Heritage Route website has a map and information sheet you can download, print and take along. Will my vehicle get scratched? It's highly unlikely. Should I bring a compressor? It's an excellent gravel road and you don't need to deflate your tyres – unless you want to. Can I braai along the way? Only at the holiday farms recommended by Estholene Moses from Indigo. Is there cellphone signal? Yes, but signal can be patchy. Best time of year? Rooibos is harvested in summer when it can dry out properly. But if you're heading this way to see the Nieuwoudtville flowers, plan your visit between August and…

Tata Motors began to fade into the background in 2017 and officially left South Africa two years later without saying a word. In August 2025, however, the Indian vehicle giant announced its return with four brand-new models and 45 dealers across the country (almost up to 50 by now). One of these four vehicles is the Tata Harrier, the bigger brother to the Tiago, Punch and Curvv. There are three Harrier models to choose from: the entry-level 2.0TD Pure (R549 900), the 2.0TD Adventure (R645 900) and the 2.0TD Fearless, which we discuss here. As for the name, a Harrier is a type of bird, a type of aircraft, a breed of dog and, of course, also the name of a whisky that'son special at Tops this weekend for R149!…

Iconsider myself reasonably above average when it comes to understanding tech stuff. I am the guy who family and friends call when there is a PC, smart TV, smartphone or home internet problem. I am a self-taught electronic musician with a fully fledged electronic music studio at home. Photoshop, 3D printing, game modding – I've wrapped my head around it all. My day job is building overlanding vehicles, which is quite technical on another level. The enjoyment for me in all of this is the creative element. Whether I'm creating a piece of music, editing a photograph, writing this article or assembling a self-sufficient overland vehicle for a customer, the creative part of the process is most fulfilling. It is one of the fundamental attributes that separates humans from the…

I thoroughly enjoyed the article and photographs on the history of the bakkie in your December 2025-January 2026 issue. In the article, you mention that the Toyopet Stout first arrived in South Africa in 1966 as the country's first modern bakkie. I actually saw that bakkie from Japan much earlier, in the 1950s, at the Mariental Agricultural Show in what was then South West Africa. It was something between a small and a larger bakkie, painted in what we used to call “PWD brown” – the dull brown shade the Public Works Department seemed to use on just about everything. Not the prettiest colour, I must admit. My grandfather, Jakobus Visser, bought a Ford Model T bakkie – according to your article, the first bakkie ever sold in South Africa…

Can I drive it on my own? Yes, the route follows public roads. Just note that if the Doring River is flowing in winter, it's safer to travel in convoy with at least two vehicles. How long? The route is 370 km and you'll cover it over 2-3 days. What should I drive? It's gravel all the way. While 4x4 isn't strictly necessary in summer, we still recommend it. Can I tow an off-road trailer? Yes. Most of the gravel roads are wide, and even the two-track sections can handle an off-road trailer. 4x4 motorhomes are also fine. Avoid standard motorhomes with low clearance – and conventional caravans are a definite no. How much fuel do I need? You should be able to cover 400 km on a tank. Fuel,…

Campsite 17 level stands on 2 terraces with some shade on a beautiful lawn, plus a standout swimming pool. Ablutions 1 ablution building roughly in the centre, with separate facilities for men and women and a family bathroom. There is also a cassette toilet disposal point. Price R170 p.p.p.n. Arrival and departure 14:00 and 11:00. Contact 071 416 3820 bookings@kardoesien7.co.za N7 Kardoesie Akkommodasie Nearest town Citrusdal, 9 km. Road condition 400 m of gravel, with the first 180 ma steep incline. GPS S32.631098 E18.950519 Drive & Camp says The Laguna butchery at the office is open Mondays to Fridays from 08:00 to 17:00.…

The Eastern Cape company Trek Lifestyle has been active in the plastics industry for 60 years. In addition to plastic products for state institutions such as the military and railways, the company in Gqeberha also supplies Trek Sky roof boxes and Trek Horizon trailers to travellers. We recently hitched the heaviest version of the Trek Horizon trailer to South Africa's smallest and lightest four-wheel-drive vehicle to see how the combination performs. Front runner At the front of the A-frame is a Knott tow hitch with a towing capacity of 2 t and a static vertical load of 100 kg on the towball. The hitch has the usual cable that loops over the tow vehicle's towball and pulls the trailer's handbrake tight if the coupling comes loose, as well as a…

SAUSAGE ROLL PASTRIES Let the wheels roll! Who doesn't love a good old meat pastry! The addition of caramelised onion adds just the right hint of sweetness. Ingredients (makes 24 bite-sized pastries) 1 roll (400 g) frozen puffpastry, thawed 500 g boerewors 3 tbsp onion marmalade (we used Forage & Feast's Caramelised Onion Cheese Topper) 1½ cups grated white cheddar 1 egg, beaten 2 tsp sesame seeds, for sprinkling Here's how 1 Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Roll out the puff pastry and cut it lengthwise down the middle so you have two long strips. 2 Brush the pastry all over with egg and sprinkle the cheese down the centre of each prepared strip. Leave a 1 cm border around the cheese. 3 Squeeze the meat out of the…

Social media makes it easier than ever to buy a second-hand caravan. The photos are striking, the description sounds promising and the price alone might make you look twice. And yes, sometimes you do find a genuine bargain. But more often than not, a price that looks too good to be true is exactly that. Before you get too excited about the caravan you've seen on Facebook Marketplace, it's worth checking a few things carefully first. Start by making sure who the owner actually is. Confirm that the person placing the advert is indeed the rightful owner. Is the person authorised to sell the caravan? Ask to see the registration documents and make sure the VIN or chassis number matches the number on the paperwork. I understand that it's not…

Campsite 11 grass stands between olive trees: 7 are set in an L-shape around the swimming pool, and 4 stand opposite one another – ideal for a group of friends. Ablutions Your own: 7 stands have a small bathroom building on the stand, and 4 have theirs in the communal building opposite (you still have your own unit). Price R100 p.n. per tent or caravan, and R180 p.p.p.n. (R100 for under-6s). A maximum of 6 people per stand. Arrival and departure 14:00 and 11:00. Contact 079 252 9107 hondjies3@gmail.com diehut.co.za Nearest town Moorreesburg. Road condition About 100 m of gravel, with paving right up to your stand. GPS S33.156542 E18.656216 Drive & Camp says Power points are standard household sockets, and the wifi signal at your stand is strong –…

APPLE CAMP (CERES HIDEAWAYS) Pet terms The campsite isn't fenced. Have we visited before? No. Campsite A private campsite for one group of up to 18 people, set on a farm beside a small stream. You camp on grass in the shade, and the base rate covers the first four guests. There's a covered built-in braai, as well as an open firepit. Bring your own grid. Ablutions A separate shower and toilet, each with its own basin and a gas geyser for hot water, plus a small kitchen. Arrival and departure 14:00 and 11:00. Contact 083 499 1524 book@cereshideaways.co.za cereshideaways.co.za Nearest town Ceres, 15 km. Road condition About 3 km of gravel with a short sandy section. GPS S33.420057 E19.399041 WATERSIDE LODGE Pet terms The lodge sits alongside a main…

Colour in COLOUR IN Get your crayons and colouring pencils out and bring life to this line drawing. WORD SEARCH Search for the hidden words in the list and tick them off as you find them. SPOT THE DIFFERENCES There are at least 10 differences between the two illustrations. See if you can find them all! MAZE Show the maze who's boss. Remember to first do it in pencil, just in case you make a mistake. Word search FOOTWEAR BRANDS Nike Adidas Skechers Puma Asics Birkenstock Crocs Li Ning Company Under Armour Foot Locker Wolverine Fila Relaxo Salvatore Ferragamo Grendene Accent Group Walkaroo Bata Liberty Paragon Maze Spot the differences Animal facts WASPS (VESPULA VULGARIS) There are over 30 000 known species of wasps, from solitary hunters to complex social…