Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 3 (Jan 2021) i Adventure Afrika

Kia Cares KIA Motors South Africa, a subsidiary of Motus Corporation, continued its support of Johannesburg-based RADA through the donation of a KIA K2700 during the national lockdown, as well as a cash donation of R100 000. Additionally the Korean automaker hosted several KIA Adventures focused on supporting smaller towns and tourist destinations recovering from the impact this pandemic had on this industry. Adventure Afrika joined a team of female-only journalists and media influencers on a trek with the super capable and comfortable KIA Sportage through Gauteng and the Free State to deliver much needed supplies to hard-hit communities. One such community is Philippolis where – together with the folk from RADA’s MiPad project and Tiger Canyon – reusable sanitary pads, toys and other essentials were delivered. “We stand in…

Abelana River Lodge In the north of the reserve, located on the banks of the Selati River, the lodge was only recently opened and is already developing a reputation for incredible cuisine and a spectacular location. The impressive 40-bed luxury lodge (20 individual chalets, with luxurious amenities) combines sleek, contemporary African design with organic décor, focussing on a more traditional approach to the safari experience with morning and afternoon game drives. All meals, accommodation and two game activities per day are included. Abelana Safari Camp An intimate, eight-bed tented camp that offers an immersive, authentic safari experience in a style reminiscent of the classical African explorers. With four en-suite Meru-style safari tents tucked into the lee of a towering rock or “koppie”, its stunning 100m² viewing deck constructed on top…

Maybe it was the bright body colour, or perhaps its cheeky stance, but when I first laid eyes on this little giant, I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel. Always up for an adventure, the Jimny simply begs to be played with, and I can understand why people are prepared to go onto a long waiting list to get one. Suzuki certainly hit the jackpot here! Each time I walked by the Jimny where it stood in the garage, it reminded me of that beloved Beetle of days gone by, cheekily winking at me. It was almost as if it was daring me to get out of the city for a little action. And I could feel myself being seduced into escaping to the great outdoors. As luck would…

While driving the new Defender was undoubtedly the highlight of these three days, it was not the only reason we were here. The aim was to see what the Kingsley Holgate and Do More Foundations was trying to achieve with the Mzanzi Edge expedition. It is not just about following the borders of SA, but also about providing food and nutrition in remote areas and assisting NGOs to provide for children that are vulnerable or orphaned. Providing nutrition in the form of an instant porridge called Do More, coupled with COVID-19 health tips, this convoy of hope – as the local communities call it – is doing amazing and important work. Hundreds and thousands of meals have been handed out to the most vulnerable of the local communities – those…

THE PRIZE: A 3-night luxury stay for two people at MOPANE BUSH LODGE in Limpopo including breakfast, dinners and 2 activities per day PLUS a couples’ spa treatment at the Wellness Sala Spa. VALUE: R25 000 HOW? Email us on: info@4x4afrika.com (use “Subscribe & win in the subject line) Visit https://4x4afrika.com/subscribe/Digitale subscriptions are available from: https://www.zinio.com/za/adventure-afrika-m38003 MOPANE BUSH LODGE @ MAPESU PRIVATE GAME RESERVE MAPESU PRIVATE GAME RESERVE pursue conservation efforts that are coupled with responsible tourism to help build the symbiosis between the people that work here, the land and its animals; as well as our guests. Situated in the incredibly diverse area of South Africa in northern Limpopo the reserve spread across 7 200 hectares and is home to four of the big five with the remaining species…

Arbeidsloon is a family farm, owned by the Fivaz family, and is one of the jewels of the Garden Route. A mere 20 kilometres from Mossel Bay and with a short piece of gravel road before the entrance, it is a delightful getaway option for locals longing for some quiet time, or even for Capetonians who don’t mind driving about 400 km on the N2 for a weekend away. Obviously, there is plenty to see and do in the vicinity if you prefer a longer stay, and Vaalies virtually swamp the area during the Easter and December holiday periods. While there are many camp sites and caravan parks in the area, Arbeidsloon stands out because of its tidiness and also because it is accessible with even a regular car and…

In your face An amazing piece of technology, the compact full HD 1080P Car Dash Camera offers modern features such as G-Sensor, night vision, and much more. It records high-resolution, detailed photographic and video imagery; while also doubling up as a professional driving recorder. Video can be transferred by a HDMI transmission cable directly to your LED TV (HDMI) for high resolution display. Fitting this piece of gadgetry to your vehicle will give you the peace of mind of knowing that you can create a record of everything that happens when you're on the move, whether it’s by day or during night-time. *Available from Takealot.com from R599 (SD card for storage not included in price): www.takealot.co.za Keep it cold The Engel Drawer Fridge SB30G – 30L is ideal for filling…

Tour guides and books describe Zambia as the land of waterfalls and large lakes. What is often omitted from these tales and writings, though, is that it is also the land of unknown roads; roads that lead to the most beautiful places on this continent. To see a road on a map or GPS and then physically driving it, are two different things all together, but that is precisely what makes this overlanding thing we enjoy so much so attractive and adventurous. The excitement of the unknown and the adventure that awaits you around the next turn are what inspire us to do it again and again. That was the case with Route 5, just south of Mpika, when we saw it on an old map for the first time.…

Excited to leave the concrete jungle for the first time since the national lockdown, we picked the Baviaanskloof 4x4 Adventure for the promise of a relaxed trip filled with beautiful sunsets and starry nights, set against the unspoilt beauty of the small Karoo towns and the World Heritage site in the area. Afraid we may have set our expectations too high, the week-long trip delivered all this and then some. However, we did not get off to the best start with our timing a bit bungled, teaching us the first lesson of overlanding: allow ample time for vehicle preparation and packing! With only a day to spare to the start of our trip, we finally took delivery of our Land Cruiser at 5pm the day before departure but boy: was…

Winding through some of Mpumalanga's breath-taking scenery, the (in)famous Long Tom Pass is one of those "I love to hate you" passes in South Africa. It is 26.2 kilometres long (or even longer depending on where one starts measuring), plus it displays an altitude variance of 671 vertical meters through a complex network of curves as it ascends up the Drakensberg escarpment between Sabie in the east and Lydenburg in the west. The pass forms part of the Mpumalanga Panoramic Route, which offers stunning scenery (the love part). Still, it carries appropriately heavy traffic – both tourist and commercial (the hate part). Named after the famous Long Tom cannon used in the Anglo-Boer War, the pass is prone to heavy mist, and can be dangerous in low visibility conditions. Sabie…

Send yours to us on info@4x4afrika.com Aidan Leetz 2006 4.0 V6 Ford Ranger 4x4 “Our bakkie has never let us down, doesn’t matter what adventure we embark on. My favourite memory would be the last trip completed – a geological expedition to the Karoo, covering 1 100km.” Jean Loock Pajero 3.2 DiD GLS “Our fourth-generation Pajero – called Gloria as she is a bit of a hippo – is a consummate all-rounder and even with 260 000 kilometres on the clock, the gem that is the 3.2 engine continues to impress me.” *Follow the Paj’s adventure with Jean on Instagram: #4wd_Puzzlers Nick Dekker 1999 Prado 3.4 V6 (Petrol) “While pretty standard with limited extras or accessories fitted, our Old Faithful is always ready for whatever we throw at her –…

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) recently updated their SUV offerings by adding a few new models to the line-up, including the much-awaited GLA. This latest GLA is the biggest and most luxurious to date, ensuring the entry-level model in the brand's family of SUVs rounds off its current compact-car generation in style. South African customers will be able to choose from the GLA 200 and the GLA 200d at launch, scheduled for early 2021. Completely modernised engines significantly increased performance and improve efficiency and emissions. The GLA 200’s 1332 cc engine puts out 120kW and 250Nm of peak torque, with combined fuel consumption of 5.7 - 6 litres/100km. The GLA 200d’s 1950 cc diesel engine generates 110 kW and 320Nm of peak torque, with combined fuel consumption of 4.9 - 5.2…

If, as a little girl, you told me that cars would be equipped with driver aids that essentially give it self-driving abilities I would have thought you had watched one too many instalments of the Back to the Future franchise. Similarly, if you had told the little girl holidaying in some caravan park in Bapsfontein, thinking this was as good as it gets, that there were places like Abelana Game Reserve – where your every need is pre-empted and served – I would have thought you were smoking your socks! But here we are, driving cars that we sometimes feel obsolete in to places we thought only existed in the movies. Prado’s marketing pay-off line promises to turn your dreams into destinations and, bar the poor road conditions on the…

An owner/operator tour and safari company striving to give guests the best value for money, George and Marlene van Deventer from Trans Africa have – through personal experiences – learnt about the pitfalls and surprises a trip through Africa can bring. Through careful research and planning, they turn your dream adventure in to a cohesive trip itinerary that will first leave your speechless and then turn you into a story teller of note. They offer more than just the normal tourist itineraries, taking adventurers places the normal tourist never see and by visiting the off-the-beaten-track destinations. Services include: Guided self-drive tours Bookings and adventure itineraries Camp equipment Equipped 4×4 vehicle rentals Customised tours Some highlights on the 2021 Calendar: GONAREZHOU & ZIMBABWE 16 – 26 APRIL 2021 R9 800 P/P…

Where does one start when writing about the New Defender? Would it be in 1947 when it was born, or 1949 when the first Land Rover Series I was sold in South Africa? Or would one focus on the fact that one of its biggest and certainly most expensive tests was done in Namibia? With so many great milestones and Land Rover moments to choose from, this certainly is no easy task. Dubbed the vehicle that conquered Africa, the Land Rover Defender boasts a very rich history when it comes to exploring the wildest parts of the world and specifically this continent we call home. It earned its stripes for its go-anywhere capability and simplistic mechanics which, many swear, means you can fix almost any mechanical problem with only set…

It may seem obvious why your vehicle’s headlights are crucial to your driving experience. Yes, they light things up at night, and since up to 40% of driving in South Africa takes place after dark, it is vital to get the best headlights for your car. This becomes even more important when heading off into the bundus where your vehicle’s lights are more often than not the only light source on rural roads. In my experience, very few consumers and vehicle owners understand just how important the perceived “minor” details of a headlight can be, let alone the intricacies surrounding LED lighting options. But what are the different factors that make up the details of a headlight? Well, one of the most obvious ones is brightness. Another significant factor is…

Modified to the brim with equipment and accessories to ensure an optimal overlanding experience, Johan Botha’s Isuzu is often the envy of fellow adventurers on expeditions. Having ticked a wealth of bucket-list destinations – including many to his favourite destination, Botswana, and conquering the infamous Baboons Pass – Johan’s bakkie is truly his home away from home. “To this extent, it was important to equip our vehicle with practical amenities such as the RSI canopy with smart kitchen, a drawer system from Front Runner; roof racks and two deep cycle batteries with a National Luna DC to DC charger,” says Johan. He got his whole family and circle of friends hooked on the overlanding lifestyle. Other modifications include a Kilber front bumper, a 9500Lbs Warn winch, bash plates, an Old…