Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 8 (Jun 2021) i Adventure Afrika

I have always wondered why Ford’s SUV offering does not give the segment leader, the Toyota Fortuner, a stiffer run for its money. It’s a good-looking, rugged vehicle filled with some clever tech and a host of driver aids and safety features. It offers ample space and a decent drive, coupled with very capable 4x4 abilities. Yet, the buying market seemingly still favour the “Mexican hat” from the East over the “Blue Oval”… But, that’s enough of the sales debate. It has been a while since I drove the Ford Everest, and getting behind the wheel of the newly styled Everest Sport over the two days was great fun. Don't be fooled by the "Sport" insignia, though – the engine performance remains the same as the XLT model it is…

Intrepid explorer and avid nature lover André van Vuuren has offered overland excursions and safaris throughout Southern Africa for the past 24 years (since 1997). He owned the only South African Safari Company in possession of a Category C Tourism Enterprise Licence registered in Botswana for a while and specialises in guided self-drive safaris to Botswana, Zambia and Malawi. He also offers fly-in safari packages to the Serengeti and Zanzibar. He is a highly experienced and qualified safari guide and knows how to take the best that Africa offers and create a memorable experience for his clients. All his guided self-drive safaris for 2021 are unfortunately fully booked, but be sure to secure a spot on one of his 2022 adventures: Turtle Tour iSimangaliso Wetland Park 15 – 21 January…

Suzuki launched the long-awaited Vitara Brezza earlier this year, and from the get-go, it turned heads with its attractive styling. But in one of the most highly contested segments on the market, does it have what it takes to compete successfully? We finally got the opportunity to sample the newcomer for an adventure to the northern part of the Kruger National Park recently. Powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine, the Vitara Brezza we drove develops an efficient 77 kW power and 138 Nm peak torque at 4 400 rpm and we expected a solid urban performance, which it delivered with gusto. The bigger question for us, of course, was: how would it peform on our adventure which would include towing and some gravel travel in the park? According to…

Graskop Gorge Lift Company The Graskop Gorge Lift Company is centrally located on the Panorama Route (on the R533 towards Hazyview). It makes for a great stop-over point, with lots to do on-site which include a walk in the gorgeous indigenous forest, plunging down the gorge or ziplining over it, enjoying a coffee with a view or supporting the local arts and craft talent at the fleamarket. +27 (0)13 767 1144 | +27 (0)66 305 1572/3 info@gglc.co.za | www.graskopgorgeliftcompany.co.za Moholoholo Offering a wide range of activities and services, the Moholoholo group of properties is a true Lowveld gem worth visiting on your next trip: Offeringtwodailytoursfrom Mondays to Saturdays (09:30 and 15:00) and one on Sundays (15:00), it is a must-see experience. Luxuryaccommodationfor22guests with all meals and game drives…

Additional additives can be equated to vitamins for your car. It works fine without them, but you may just get more kick out of your engine with them! They ensure cleaning and corrosion protection for stable lubrication and temperature resistance. Engine oil lubricates and reduces friction between your engine’s moving parts. Most motor oil contains about 15 to 30% oil additives straight off the shelf. These are chemical compounds designed to improve the oil’s performance. However, in time, this oil will lose some of its additives through natural oxidation and decomposition. If your vehicle uses cheap or poor quality oil, there might not be sufficient additives in the oil in the first place. This is where adding additives come into play. Four types of additives to consider Do you really…

Don’t go too low This is almost the number one reason for getting blurred and soft images. When we look at a client’s metadata on an unfocused image, we more often than not find that the shutter speed is far too slow for the zoom length. The inverse rule for shooting with zoom lenses is a pretty good initial guideline. This guideline suggests that if, for example, you are zoomed in to 600 mm, then your shutter speed should not be slower than 1/600s. Once amateur photographers master shooting at higher shutter speeds, their image sharpness usually improves dramatically, which obviously improves their photography. Shaky business We all shake or move a little when trying to handhold a camera and large lens steady without any support. Rest the camera and…

Let’s not beat around the bush. We have always loved the aggressive – okay, let’s stick to being straight-up and call it what it is: badass – styling the Ford Ranger Raptor brings to the line-up. However, we have also had numerous fire-side debates, wondering if it is really worth the R100k-odd more you have to fork out for what many people believe is an overpriced body kit and suspension. Both the Ford Thunder and Wildtrak boasts more safety and tech features than their sexy big brother, they are super capable, and it’s not as if their styling is not on point either… So, for us to assume the Ranger Raptor is a waste of money was surely not unwarranted? Having driven it for a week, both in town and…

Rats, away! The rat population worldwide has exploded due to lockdown, and a recent estimate for the United Kingdom is 150-million. That’s about 2.5 per person, and applying the same calculation to South Africa, our population of 58-million humans means we’re theoretically home to about 145-million rats. Fortunately, when it comes to making your vehicle, caravan or trailer unattractive to these furry friends, help is at hand in the form of Liqui Moly’s Marder Spray. This people-and pet-friendly spray is detested by rats (Marder is German for marten, a family of mammals related to rats), and all it takes is a periodic spray on plastic and rubber surfaces to keep the rodents at bay. *Available from Builders Warehouse for R105 (200 ml): www.builders.co.za More room for Jimny owners Owners of…

The search for the Shoebill was only one of the items on our bucket list we had hoped to mark off on our Uganda adventure. The other big one was to see the eastern mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Would Mother Nature smile upon us and make this dream a reality too? According to our guide, Emmy Gongo, the Ruhija area – which 11 groups of gorillas sensitised to human presence calls home – would be our best opportunity to spot them. As with our Shoebill experience, the According our guide, Emmy Gongo, the Ruhija area – which 11 groups of gorillas sensitised to human presence calls home – would be our best opportunity to spot them. As with our Shoebill experience, the anticipation was palpable, and we were…

I read a quote the other day, saying a daughter is someone to laugh with, dream with and love with all your heart – basically a little girl who grows up to be your best friend. I am indeed blessed to have two daughers who are growing into my best friends and our recent all-girls weekend to the lowveld was just what the doctor ordered to relax, recharge and reconnect. When Subaru phoned us, asking if we’d like to test the all-new Subaru Forester – now boasting more style and a fraction more power – the entire team immediate put their hands up, wanting to drive this all-time favourite. Since I’m the boss (now it is published so it MUST be true), I simply ignored all requests and booked this…

With so many options out there, it might be challenging to choose which of the two options (caravan or trailer) you need. According to Clive van der Vyver, these are the top five things to keep in mind when purchasing a caravan or camper trailer. Be sure you are legal One of the biggest and most frustrating obstacles that many first-time buyers face is the fact that they did not complete an EB driver’s test. An EB licence is needed to tow and, without it, towing a caravan or trailer is illegal. In 2000, the government changed to the credit card-type driving licence. When this happened, all Code 08 licences were automatically converted to EB code licences. Without this, drivers are only allowed to tow a light luggage trailer weighing…

1. Ruah Park This campsite is a newly developed reserve in the beautiful green valley of the Bobbejaansberge, only 30 km north-east of Pretoria. This piece of bushveld boasts 38 exclusive campsites with all the amenities for the discerning camper. Each stand has private ablution and washing-up facilities, electricity, running water (a tap) and a braai area. There is also a three-bedroom self-catering house available for the person who enjoys the outdoors but do not want to camp. A natural fountain flows through the park and creates a paradise for the antelope that move around freely. The birdlife in this area is also worth a mention, and for the more energetic campers, there are hiking trails around the dam. Be sure to pack your fishing gear for the bream in…

Send yours to us at: info@4x4afrika.com Aslam Mxolisi Tawana 2011 Toyota Landcruiser 79 “I love my ride, nicknamed Musafir, because it is a Toyota! It’s the brand I grew up with as my father only drove Toyotas. Furthermore, I love the 70 Series bakkies because of the capabilities for my work and lifestyle. It is a strong bakkie that can take on the inhospitality of the roads and routes here in our country and on the continent which I use as a farmer and overlander. Lastly I love the bakkie because it can haul our fully loaded Jurgens XT160 off-road trailer as well as our farm trailers with ease!” *Like and subscribe to Black Boy Adventures on YouTube and follow them on social media: @blackboy_adventures Johan Meintjes 2003 Isuzu K300…

Identify the more than 100 different makes of cars and models in the above block. It can appear horizontal, vertical or diagonal and can be in any direction. Diaeresis, lower case and circumflex are not used. AGYA ATOS CHEROKEE CRETA DEFENDER FERRARI GTR HYUNDAI JEEP KWID MAHINDRA MICRA OPEL PRADO STELVIO TOURNEO URUS VOLVO ALFA ROMEO AUDI CHR CX DISCOVERY FIAT GWM IGNIS JMC LAMBORGHINI MASERATI MINI PAJERO RANGER SUBARU TOYOTA VENUE WRX ALMERA BAIC CIAZ D MAX DYNA FIESTA HAVAL ISUZU KIA LANDCRUISER GHIBLI MITSUBISHI PATROL RENAULT SUZUKI TROC VIGUS XTRIAL AMG BENTLEY CITROEN DACIA ECOSPORT FIGO HILUX JAC KOLEOS LAND ROVER MAZDA MUSTANG PEUGEOT RIO TATA TUV VITO XUV ASTON MARTIN BMW CORTINA DATSUN EVEREST FORD HONDA JAGUAR KONA LEXUS MERCEDES NAVARA POLO STAR THAR URBAN CRUISER VIVO…

Isuzu MU-X out and about Down Under The 2021 MU-X has already been turning heads in Sydney, Australia. An avid fan of CarAdvice Australia submitted photos of this long-awaited SUV being filmed in the Sydney CBD, leading to speculation that the launch TV commercial was being shot. According to various sources, the new MU-X will sport some of the latest safety technologies, including a centre airbag between the front seats, radar cruise control, twin-camera autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and speed sign recognition, to mention a few. Powering the new MU-X will most likely be the new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder which will also feature on the new Isuzu D-Max bakkie. It is said to develop 140 kW and 450 Nm and will probably be paired with a…

It all started with a phone call from Jo Lambinon, an old safari client who travelled with me to the Okavango Delta in 2018. He told me they had enough of the pandemic, the subsequent lockdown and all the depressiveness that went along with it. They were earger to go on safari and since Botswana is one of the wildlife destinations that one can visit over and over again, I started to work on a tailor-made trip for them. At that point, the Botswana borders were still closed but, ever so hopeful, we penciled the school holidays during April/May 2021 in our diaries. The itinerary would take us via Nata Lodge and Maun to Third Bridge in the Moremi Game Reserve and, from there, to the Magotho Community Camp and…

If anyone is to ask me about what stood out for me during my first camping experience in the Kruger National Park, it would undoubtedly relate to early mornings. Yes, waking up before noon is not a typical Generation Z’s favourite thing to do, but it is vital to optimise your Kruger experience, as per Anton Willemse Snr, who is well-versed in all things Kruger. Besides, the calm and quietness that engulfs you quite early every evening, ensures you find your sleeping bag at a decent hour, dozing off while blissfully listening to the magnificent evening sounds ranging from the piercing roar from the King of the Jungle and the familiar call of hyena and jackal. On our first morning, we were up at 04:30, ready to pack a few…

The Limpopo region is the perfect destination when searching for various reptiles and amphibians, as it has 78 different types of snakes of which 37 species are not venomous. Nine of the 78 snake species can inflict rather painful bites, and seven are considered potentially deadly. The province is also home to numerous other reptiles, amphibia and scorpions. The ASI team of Johan Marais and Luke Kemp is currently writing a field guide, set to be a first for Africa, that will cover reptiles and amphibians of Southern Africa. As such, this four-day trip gave them a fantastic opportunity to catch some of these animals in order to take updated photos for the book that will be released during 2022. The ASI team travel thousands of kilometres throughout Southern Africa…

As an outdoor and adventure crazy family, we very seldom back away from a challenge or say no to an adventure. So, when a friend of my dad phoned a few weeks ago, indicating that they could no longer use their booking for a weekend trip to the Kosi Bay region searching for turtle hatchlings, it didn't take much convincing for us to fill in. To witness such a spectacle in nature has always been a bucket list item for us. Less than a day later, we were ready to depart on an epic three-day off-the-grid camping trip to the unknown campsite near Bhanga Nek. Since there was space for an additional explorer, we invited our close friend Warren Sellars along, which meant we had a convoy of two 4x4’s…

Following the gorgeous rock pool shortly after the Paarde Vley section, the road rises from the 11th km mark over a small neck and then begins descending once again down a narrower section of the gorge (just over 1 km wide). Immediately to your left (south), you will get a good view of the towering Kariegasberg with a summit of 2 053 m. If you look a little further ahead, you can see Kangoberg. This peak is slightly lower in height at 1 853 m and holds sentinel over this section of the road. Most of the following nine kilometres are in descending mode, and 440 m of latitude will be lost as you progress into the west. This section of the road traverses the two original farms of Kliphuis…

VEHICLE DETAILS: 2011 Jeep Wrangler JK Sahara OWNER DETAILS: Donovan Marais – Small business Owner This little warrior is my pride and joy," said Donovan when we chatted to him about his 2011 Jeep Wrangler. Named Junkies, this tiny thing has a menacing posture, much like a little terrier. Donovan loves to take his Jeep mate out on trails, and being a soft top means that he can be close to nature while driving. "I simply love driving the Atlantis dunes every year on my birthday," Donovan said when asked about his favourite moments with Junkies. His dream is to take the next big step and go camping with his vehicle to be inaugurated as a true overlanding adventurer and cited his dream destination as the beautiful Tankwa Karoo. "Of…