Innholdsfortegnelse for January/February 2016 i Go! Drive & Camp

You know that feeling of “oh bugger, what now?!” when something goes pear-shaped somewhere in the sticks. If not, well, then you obviously haven’t travelled enough. I was once a passenger in a Hilux on a trip from north of Askham to Upington. When we drove straight past the Askham turn-off I looked at the bakkie’s fuel gauge out of the corner of my eye and saw that it hovered roughly at the halfway mark. This, while we were doing 130 km/h and towing a heavy trailer behind us. I also knew that Upington was at least 180 km away, and I couldn’t fathom why the driver drove past Askham’s fuel pumps because there was absolutely nothing between where we were and Upington. At some stage I gently nudged the…

We were recently at Jongensfontein near Stillbaai in the Western Cape. During one of our afternoon walks, we came across a rat that was sitting dead still in the path in front of us. It was only on closer inspection that we became aware of the puff adder lying motionless next to the path. The rat was still alive, but couldn’t move, and was most likely bitten by the snake shortly before we got there. After about 10 minutes, the puff adder slowly moved to the back end of the rat, pushed at it with its nose and licked its quarry with its tongue, probably to check that the rat could no longer bite it. After this the snake moved toward the front-end and began to swallow the rat. The…

I’m a 4x4 enthusiast and I drive what I consider to be a potent four-wheel drive vehicle. It’s a great feeling to conquer difficult terrain in my FJ Cruiser. But it’s also my daily vehicle and, in all honesty, that’s less great. I often wish for something “softer” in traffic. I’m about to replace my wife’s Fortuner with a soft-roader to use around town. This is going to be hard with the absolute plethora of fantastic all-wheel drive SUVs on offer, and there are important things to consider. That old chestnut! A recent article I wrote regarding upgrading the suspension on soft-roaders or AWD SUVs (Drive Out #92) generated a fair amount of comment, some quite negative. After its publication I’ve communicated with several people who were less than pleased…

It started late one night – when I should have been studying – with a tattered map of East Africa from 1920. The folded paper map was an insert from the book Heia Safari, which lay in an old shoebox for the better part of 30 years, along with a bunch of other books from my late grandpa. It tells the story of German General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and his Schutztruppe (translated as “protection force”) that had the British, Portuguese and Belgian leaders at their wits end, about a century ago. What caught my eye on the map was a red line curling through Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia like a drunken snake. Two months later, my friend Gericke Conradie and I were cruising north along the Estrada Nacional 1 in…

Before we kick the bucket… Even if you travel for a living, there is always another place that you just have to visit. These are the Drive Out team’s dream destinations for 2016. Jaco Kirsten I feel embarrassed to admit it, but since my conscription days in 1988, I haven’t been back to Kaokoland. I’m really keen to drive the road up to Swartbooisdrift (just not in the back of a Buffel again). When we were there, we also swam in the Kunene, despite serious warnings about crocodiles. When you’re 19, you don’t pay attention to warnings! I also want to visit the old base at Ehomba. On Google Earth it looks like a little settlement with a kraal, and I’d ask if I could camp…

In April, I bought the 2015 Amarok 4x2 diesel model with 8-speed automatic gearbox. The article “Our 8-speed Amarok” (Drive Out #94) about the 4-motion diesel model, creates the impression that it’s actually a “soft” 4x4. I say this, because I previously owned a 2007 BMW X3 diesel 3 litre. The model had a 6 cylinder engine and 6 speed automatic gearbox, that could develop 160 kW and 500 Nm torque. In comparison, the Amarok delivers 132 kW and 420 Nm torque. Just look at how technology improves! Now, with a 2 litre engine you can get almost the same amount of power as with an old 3 litre engine. I just want to add, and maybe I’ll get klapped for saying this, but the BMW delivered its power in…

JOHANN GROENEWALD from Tracks4Africa travels all over the continent to map routes, sometimes completely on his own. He says: A SATELLITE PHONE IS STILL NUMBER 1. There are loads of places where you can rent or buy them, and these devices can get you out of lots of situations. Create an emergency folder with all the vital information you can think of: medical aid and insurance numbers, passport copies and info, emergency and SOS numbers etc. One of your biggest problems in a crisis is often not having the necessary numbers with you. I also write down the allergies and medical conditions of everyone in my group. Once a person has an allergic reaction, they might not be able to talk to tell you what’s wrong. Choose a “Go-to Guy”,…

If you were to believe some guys around the braai, a high-lift jack and a kinetic rope are the first things you need to buy for your 4x4. But don’t always believe everything your friends tell you. We went to a host of specialists in the 4x4 industry for some advice, as they use and sell many of the products themselves. We know that not everybody uses their vehicle for the same purpose – some guys love long trips, while others only hit the dunes over weekends or tackle a trail somewhere. That’s why we’ve compiled two lists, one with gear for an overlander, and the other for a vehicle that takes on tough routes over weekends. Here is our experts’ list of five things to get your vehicle ready…

1 YOUR WINCH SHOULD NEVER stand for more than two months without being used – even if this means using it in your driveway. The idea is to get the winch nice and warm, so the grease circulates and accumulated condensation evaporates. 2 WINCHES ARE LUBRICATED FOR LIFE, and don’t require oil or grease changes. However, an occasional squirt of Q20 on the electrical components and remote plug points will keep moisture at bay, prolong service life, and ensure that the winch is ready to use when you need it. 3 YOUR 4X4’S BATTERY IS THE LIFEBLOOD of your winch, so make sure that the power cables are heavy-duty, and the battery terminals and connections are corrosion-free and tight - but not too tight. There may occasionally be a skin…

The dunes on the Namibian coast are some of the highest in the world. When you drive in this landscape, with a legendary challenge like Dune 7 in your mirrors, it feels as if a bald-headed Charlize Theron might come racing over a dune at any moment just like in the movie Mad Max: Fury Road. If you are looking for your own dune adventure where you can race around like a movie star, but still be able to lay your head down in a comfortable bed at night, this is the right place for you. To the dunes! Between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay lies a dune strip – 32 km long and 6 km wide – which separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Namibian interior. It is one of…

Grab your camera equipment, your camp chairs and your sense of adventure and join Drive Out and Mpafa Travel on a photo tour through Botswana! We are teaming up with Bhejane 4x4 Adventures/Mpafa Travel for an epic trip from 8 to 18 April 2016. In addition to experiencing highlights such as the Okavango Delta, the Makgadikgadi Pans, the Caprivi and Victoria Falls, go! photo editor Shelley Christians will be on hand to help you take your photographic skills to the next level. Under Shelley’s expert tuition and Bhejane/Mpafa’s experienced guidance, you’ll experience the country in an unforgettable way. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TOUR DURATION 11 days, 10 nights WHERE AND WHEN? 8 – 18 April 2016, departing from Nata Lodge camp site, Botswana ACCOMMODATION Tents, pitched by Bhejane’s crew TOUR…

Why do we pack our vehicles and head for the unknown? This isn’t a new thing, just think about the Great Trek. Those guys had no GPS to guide them, no cargo systems, camp fridges, solar panels or DVD players for the kids in the back. When your wagon croaked or the oxen got sick, you were on your own. It wasn’t possible to quickly stop for a beer somewhere when the sun was beating the living daylights out of you and your wagon. There were no farm stalls where your better half could spend some time looking at kitsch souvenirs. No Wimpy or KFC when you started to get sick of all the boiled eggs and dry meatballs. That is, if you were fortunate enough to have boiled eggs…

WHAT CAUSED THE WHEEL TO COME OFF? Marthella’s letter “Good Samaritans in Namibia” (Drive Out #93) is interesting. The most important question for Drive Out-ers, is: What caused the wheel to come off and roll away? It sounds and looks (based on the photo) like someone put the wheel on and forgot to fasten the bolts properly. If this is so, it could have been a dangerous mistake. Namibians are renowned for their helpfulness, but Gobabis Toyota’s emergency number probably rings all the time. CONNIE MARAIS Pretoria CAN’T FOREIGNERS GET 4X4 TRAINING? I don’t mind that visitors from around the world travel across our country. But there is a large group of them that come here to drive 4x4s. They hire fully packed (and kitted out) vehicles and then take…

When I was asked to write about antibiotics, I almost took the Jeep for a spin in the dunes instead. It’s a complex medical issue that you can write a whole textbook on. You’ll find broad-spectrum antibiotics in many 4x4s on overlanding trips. But to hand them out for every medical problem on a holiday is no different to demanding them from your GP for a slightly sore throat. It’s not just unwise, it’s dangerous! So let’s have a look at what antibiotics actually are, and what they’re used for. Bacteria buster Antibiotics don’t kill viruses. Many common respiratory tract infections – such as colds and flu – are caused by viruses, so antibiotics are of no use in fighting them. Antibiotics are instead designed to treat infections or diseases…

KOOS MOORCROFT is the owner of Africa Bushcraft and Survival Adventures, as well as being a former Special Forces operator and instructor. He’s led many survival courses and has toured with the Voetspore team. Koos agrees with Johann that planning and preparation are your most important weapons. “It makes up 90% of a safe expedition,” he says. But if things do go wrong and you get stuck, roll a vehicle and suffer injuries or breakdown in the bush, he suggests remembering the following mnemonic “S.U.R.V.I.V.A.L.”: Size up your situation: Look at the situation objectively. How did you get there? What’s the damage? This way, your brain will immediately start to evaluate for solutions. Use your senses: Look at the resources in and around your vehicle, listen for signs of people…

Engine: 4,5 litre V8, bi-turbo-diesel Power: 173 kW @ 3 200 r/min Torque: 616 Nm @ 1 800-2 200 r/ min Top speed: 210 km/h 0-100 km/h: 8,9 sec Fuel consumption: 10,3 litre/100 km Fuel tank: 93 litre + 45 litre sub tank Transmission: 6-speed auto, full-time four-wheel drive, high and low range Chassis: Ladder frame Suspension: Independent front, solid axle with coils at rear Tyres: 285/65R17 Ground clearance: 230 mm Wading depth: 700 mm Weight: 2 740 kg Service intervals: 10 000 km Maintenance plan: 5 year/90 000 km Warranty: 3 year/100 000 km Price: R850 000…

1 GET YOUR WIFE OR PARTNER TO DO PROPER 4X4 TRAINING Have you ever considered what would happen if you got injured on a trip and became unfit to drive your own vehicle? For this reason alone it makes perfect sense to make sure that you’re not the only one in your vehicle who knows when and how to use a diff lock and safely drive down a steep descent. What are you waiting for, huh? 2 PAY IT FORWARD Do you have any 4x4 or camping equipment that you really aren’t using anymore? What about giving it to someone else who might be able to put it to good use – free, gratis and for nothing? The reward lies in the knowledge that you’ve helped someone else. 3 ENJOY…

THE QUESTION: I bought a T-Max winch about a year ago. I used the winch often in the first few months, not because it was needed, but more to familiarise myself with its operation. Admittedly, it’s been more than 10 months since the winch saw any action and now I’m worried about it. The winch still works fine, but I’ve got a big trip to Moremi coming up and I’d like to be sure it doesn’t suddenly bomb out on me. What can I do to service the winch and make sure it’s in tip-top working condition for Botswana? THE ANSWER: THE 4WD TRUCKIN’ COMPANY SAYS: Winches are generally robust pieces of equipment, so ordinarily, we’d say: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, your concerns are justified, and…

DATES: 21 to 29 May 2016 TOUR PRICE: R10 650 (half-price for children younger than 10) ACCOMMODATION: Tents THE TOUR PRICE INCLUDES: Tents, tables and eating utensils Three wholesome meals per day, plus tea and coffee All camp and reserve entrance fees All advertised activities A professional field guide Two-way radio communication WHAT YOU NEED TO PROVIDE: A 4x4 vehicle with high ground clearance and low range Fuel is for your own account Mattress and/or stretcher, bedding and camp chairs Drinks and snacks…

NIKON VERSUS CANON If I had a rand for every time someone asked me “Which is the best camera, a Nikon or a Canon?” I could have built a double-storey house by now! If you think things get heated when people talk about Toyota vs Land Rover, just start a discussion about Nikon vs Canon on a photo tour and watch how the tempers fly. But does it really matter whether you buy a Nikon or a Canon? If you ask me, you can buy either of these two. Both are excellent when it comes to technology, quality and user-friendliness. It is more important that you buy the correct model. In other words, one that matches both your photographic requirements and your budget. SECOND-HAND VERSUS NEW I’m nervous about buying…

IT DOESN’T GET EASIER THAN THIS THE QUICK & TASTY RECIPE SERIES Compiled by Hendri Warricker and Riaan Bosch PUBLISHER: Lapa PRICE: R49,00 per title Lapa Publishers’ Quick & Tasty series is precisely what the title says it is – a series of short recipe books with tasty meals that you can make quickly. The series varies, and includes more than 20 recipe books covering everything from bread to bredies and braai food. As I was looking through the four that we have – Sausage dishes, Pantry foods, Biltong dishes and Rusks – my stomach started growling long before lunchtime. How about a container of yoghurt and condensed milk or coconut and cream rusks for your next road trip? Or a biltong potjie with cream and grated cheese? There are…

Whether you find yourself in the bushveld, on a hunting trip, in the mountains or by the seaside, few things say “holiday” like a lazy breakfast around the camp fire with nothing else demanding your attention. And while bacon and eggs is always a winner, there are so many other lekker meals that one can make around the camp fire to kick-start the day in the right way. MEXICAN BREAKFAST There is a good reason why the Mexicans are such excitable people – they get to eat this meal every morning. INGREDIENTS (for 4 portions) 1 cup finely chopped onions 1 green pepper, finely sliced 2 chorizo sausages, sliced into 1 cm pieces 4 medium-sized tomatoes, skinned and sliced into blocks 1 chilli (optional) 1 teaspoon fine garlic 1 teaspoon…

For National Milk Tart Day on 27 February, our sister magazine go! has launched a campaign called Top Tart to find the best milk tart in the country. This is no easy task, because South Africans are milk tart masters. Milk tart is taking social media by storm too: The Facebook page for National Milk Tart Day has more than 3 500 followers and Instagram is brimming with hundreds of photos of milky goodness. Many of our fans and photographers are South Africans baking away on foreign soil, stirring up interest among their international friends. And just look at some of the creative hashtags milk tart fans have come up with: #homemade, #tertliketheresnotomorrow, #yummyinmytummy, #cantgetanymoresaffa… You’d be surprised how far and wide milk tart is enjoyed – it has become…