Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 14 (Dec 2021) i Adventure Afrika

Isuzu’s gen-2 mu-X ready to roll Second-generation vehicles have to be bolder and better to get attention, and here Isuzu has nailed the looks department with the newest mu-X, which hit local showroom floors earlier this month. Based on the upcoming D-Max bakkie, it features a sharper shoulder line, more prominent grille, and striking new Bi-LED headlamps and LED tail-lights. The Onyx flagship model boasts fashionable 20-inch wheels on diamond-shaped alloys, with the lower LSE on 18s and two baseline LS derivatives on 17-inch alloys. The seven-seater SUV is larger inside, with improved materials notably on the top models, and lower NVH levels, after revisions to sound-deadening insulation placement and to the chassis which is both lighter and stiffer. All four models in the new range make do with a…

It’s no secret the Compact SUV and Crossover market has exploded in South Africa, at the expense of traditional sedan and C-segment vehicles. Step back a few years and the compact SUVs were vehicles like the Daihatsu Terios, Nissan Terrano, Mitsubishi iO and Suzuki Jimny, with just a few ‘Cross’ versions of everyday hatches like the Polo and Etios. But fast forward to 2021 and there are more than 30 raised hatches spanning a number of size segments, all jostling for buyer attention. What this segment has done is expand the lifestyle possibilities for many young families, who are now no longer restricted just to tar roads. Thanks to these mini-adventure vehicles they can tackle some gravel, and all the gear needed for a wide range of escapes will fit…

The Anglo-Irish writer and poet Oliver Goldsmith once said that the forgotten and remote roads are your passport to incredible possibilities. He probably meant this in a more philosophical way about life choices, but we took it a little more literally for this story. A recent trip through the Northern Cape on those particularly remote roads opened our eyes to a myriad of adventure possibilities. When the invitation from Suzuki landed in our inbox, there was a long debate about who would get to go on this fun #SuzukiSafari. We were the lucky winners, and what an adventure this was! After an early morning start at the airport for our Covid-19 tests, we hopped on a quick flight to a sweltering Upington. Thank goodness for air conditioning in the Jimny!…

The Xitsonga word, Timbavati, means "the place where something sacred descended from heaven to earth", and the area is known worldwide, primarily due to the phenomenon of the so-called white lions that naturally occur here from time to time. Although Chris McBride wrote about them for the first time in 1977 in his book, The White Lions of the Timbavati, these unique lions were recorded by local tribes as early as 1938. The lions are white because of a colour mutation, and not albinism as originally believed. This Mpumalanga gem is located on the border of Hoedspruit and Acornhoek, north of the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve on the western edge of the Kruger National Park – about 500km from Johannesburg. The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve story began in the…

After losing our trusty travel partner Mitsi (a 2008 Mitsubishi Triton 3.2-DI-D 4x4) in a freak accident on one of Botswana’s pothole-filled tar roads, we spent months deliberating on which vehicle make and model would best suit us and our adventures. We finally settled on a manual VW Amarok 2.0 TDI 4x4 with just over 200 000km on the clock. The vehicle that we now call AmaTrokkie came already fitted with an ARB Replacement bull bar, Stofpad 4x4 rock sliders, underbody protection, a long-range fuel tank, and Old Man Emu suspension. This was a good starting point for our extra modifications. First, we removed the load bin and replaced it with a custom-built camper module which contains a full kitchen set-up, two food drawers, four clothes drawers, and a rear…

1. Oranjerus Holiday Resort The lush green and well-equipped Oranjerus is the perfect pit stop on the way to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Augrabies National Park or Namaqualand. Situated on the banks of the Orange River, there are plenty of activities to choose from, including hiking and mountain biking trails, water activities (bring your own boat, canoe or jet ski), fishing and even wine tasting at the Orange River Cellars in Upington. All campsites are equipped with electricity, and the communal ablution facilities boast a 4-star rating. The self-catering units range from luxury units to budget accommodation and the Ibis restaurant – with a beautiful view of the river – is available for lunch and dinner NEAREST TOWN: Keimoes (15km) /Upington (25km) SHOP: Yes PET-FRIENDLY: Yes (arrange beforehand) FISHING: Yes…

Six years ago when Jurie Wessels needed a camping trailer, he had a look around at what was then on the local market and decided he could build his own. Not only would it cost him less, it would be lighter, tougher and exactly suit his style of camping. It seems he couldn’t hang on to that trailer for long. A local farming friend gave it one look and took it off his hands. So he had to build another, and when that one caught the eye of a fellow camper it was also gone. This was how Infanta 4x4 started. Having long been in the transport and farming business, Jurie was used to making a plan and getting things done from his storage sheds in Buffeljagsrivier, just outside Swellendam.…

Short wheelbase vehicles are known for being pretty nifty in tight off-road conditions, and they have good break-over angles to ace those big humps. So what happens when you pitch a contest between two SWB 4x4s currently in production that are made in the old-school mould? We‘re talking here about a ladder-frame chassis rigid axles front and rear, coil springs, and low-range transfer cases that allow a shift from rear-drive to four-wheel drive. Our contenders are both very simple, rugged and capable off-roaders with one clear shortcoming in standard trim: they make do with traction control to tame wheelspin when cross-axled, and neither features a standard rear differential lock. In the one corner we have the Jeep Wrangler Sahara two-door, with its price sticker of over R800 000. It features…

The third-generation Ford Ranger based on the T6 platform is set to arrive during 2022, and will be built in South Africa and Thailand. Longer and wider, with revisions both inside, outside and underneath, it will be available with additional engines – including a Ford-sourced 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel and a 2.3-litre 4-cylinder Ecoboost petrol. The latest design has been tweaked by the Ford Product Development Centre in Australia, in line with what the company calls “Global truck design DNA”, which means the new front end looks like the best-selling F-150. It now has a prominent wide grille bookended by a C-shaped strip of daytime running lights. Their shape is echoed by the new rear tail lights, nestled in a redesigned tailgate. The fender flares are wider and the overall stance…

As an adventurous couple who love to travel, whether it be a short trip closer to home or a longer adventure through South Africa and beyond, the last months have been quite challenging. This was after an accident in Botswana in July, when we lost our trusty Mitsi – a 2008 Mitsubishi Triton 3.2-DI-D 4x4. However, after an eventful few months, we have a new four-wheel partner, a 2011 VW Amarok 2.0 TDI 4x4 that we have modified and named AmaTrokkie (read more about her on p44). The first trip with the vehicle was a relaxing family camping trip close to home at the Olifants River Lodge. However, Jaco had planned another trip in secret for our first wedding anniversary just a week later. This was to be a three-day…

As a novice adventurer with limited off-road driving experience and a basic training course under my belt, I was keen to raise my 4x4 driving skills and knowledge. So, when the Toyota Gazoo Racing Driving Academy invited the Adventure Afrika team to participate in their Advanced 4x4 and Recovery course, I put my hand up without hesitation. As my grandma always says, “you don’t know what you don’t know”. And boy, did I learn that I don’t know a whole bunch of things! We headed to the Gerotek Test Facilities in Pretoria West for what promised to be a challenging, but informative day of training behind the wheel of the capable Hilux 2.8 4x4 double cab Legend RS, which was supplied by the driving academy. After refreshments and sharing a…

In this article, we’re talking about the most popular electric winch types used by the typical off-roader, which are mounted to the front of a vehicle and are powered by the vehicle’s cranking battery. As with all expensive purchases, do the research to ensure you are buying a quality winch, with enough capacity to handle your fully-loaded vehicle, and that your chosen supplier offers a decent warranty and back-up. 1. Power rating Winches are for some reason still rated in pounds of pulling power, and your winch needs to be rated to pull your vehicle with all its extra kit and equipment up a slope or out of a bog. The rule of thumb is to build in an extra margin of 1.5 to two times that mass. For example…

The base unit for the Infanta 4x4 Tray module is R105 000 for a double cab and R115 000 for a single or extended cab bakkie. And one could drive away with a fully-kitted camper for under R200 000. Extras available include a hardshell composite rooftop tent, easily removable using the Front Runner quick couplers, at a cost of R30 000. The kitchen is R15 000, a plumbing system R11 000, a ladder R5 000, fridge slide R3 000, drop-down shower curtain on door R3 000, and so on. The base prices above include fitment (but exclude VAT) and Infanta 4x4 is able to do the complete installation, including the electrical/battery/solar system, with pricing based on what the client supplies. Product advice, says Jurie, is free, and sensible, as he’s…

This HSE TDV6 with its distinctive Tangerine Orange hue participated in the Land Rover G4 Challenge as vehicle number 29, so it’s a rather special Discovery that’s been kept in its original competition-ready state. Affectionately dubbed the ‘Orange Monster’, she was nearly lost due to an unfortunate and almost terminal engine crank failure. However, Rabbiddog (as Peter was known amongst his fellow adventurers on the 4x4 Action Group online forum) would have none of that! “He was insistent that writing her off was not an option, and the engine was rebuilt and restored,” says his partner of 20 years, SueAnne MacRae. SueAnne says the Discovery and Peter were like one. “If you saw that orange Landy, you knew Loveland was behind the wheel. He adored his ride,” she says. The…

When we asked our online audience what they thought I would be driving at the Peugeot launch, the majority predicted a crossover or SUV. This was a fair call, considering it is three decades since the French automaker was represented in the local one-ton bakkie market. In its heyday, Peugeot bakkies were rather popular across the African continent. Chatting to my fellow motoring scribes that evening on the roof of the tallest building in Africa, The Leonardo Hotel in midtown Sandton, almost everyone had an oom or oupa who drove an old 403 or 404 on the farm. Not to mention the many that did reliable duty across the continent – enough to earn it the ‘Lion of Africa’ moniker. So, heritage the Peugeot has in spades. Whether it will…

We were mesmerised as the two hippos rose out from the streak of orange light across the lake, silhouetted in the late afternoon sun. Sipping drinks as our boat cruised slowly up the Okavango Delta channel, we could not help feeling the magical scene captured all that is beautiful about Africa. This was an epic end to a great adventure tour, and we both agreed: the almost surreal calmness and serenity on the water surrounding Third Bridge camp could not be further removed from our busy lives in Jozi. To top it all off, on the short walk back to camp, an elephant and her calf were grazing just metres from us. Had this been at the start of our tour we would have panicked and done all the things…

Ingredients: 1 can of snails Crushed garlic (the bottled version)Black pepper¼ cup of creamRound bread rolls½ block of butterBasil pestoSaltCheese Method: Place a pot on a stand over the fire. The fire throughout the cooking process should be at high heat without it burning the butter. Place butter in the pot, and while it is melting add garlic, basil pesto, black pepper, and salt to taste. Drain the snails and add them to the pot when the butter is completely melted. Heat through before adding the cream and a handful of cheese. Stir until cheese melts. Hollow out the top of the round bread rolls. Scoop a generous portion of the filling into the hollowed-out bread roll. Add more cheese on top of the filling and enjoy!…

Overlanding involves adventures to remote places where the main form of accommodation is camping. It often extends over longer periods (weeks to months and even years) and across many international borders. Know your gear Solar panels, battery chargers, satellite phones, GPS units, power converters. These are just some of the typical items of equipment you will need. Make sure you know how everything works and that they are still in working order. Focus specifically on the all-important power system – not only does it supply power to your fridge and other electrical equipment, but it can cause significant problems if not done correctly. The last thing you want is a burnt-out vehicle due to poor wiring. Also, double-check that you know where all your light bulb fuses are and pack…

Located around four hours from Johannesburg and Pretoria, Golden Gate is within reach as a day-trip destination, but most people prefer to spend more time so they can take in the area’s many additional attractions. There are a host of excellent and varied accommodation options, ranging from hotels and chalets to guest farms and mountain retreats, and a range of activities to indulge in from golf to horse riding, hiking, 4x4 trails and white-water rafting. The recommended route has travellers approach from the west, starting near Clarens (S28.510792 E28.424886), from where you would travel in an easterly direction along the R712 for 16.8km. It will take you to the park entrance gate and the western start point of the pass (S28.501258 E28.578778). Alternatively, you can approach from the east, in…

The green mamba occurs in coastal forest from the extreme northeastern part of the Eastern Cape along coastal KwaZulu-Natal northwards into Mozambique and elsewhere further north. It is mostly found very close to the sea (within a few kilometres), but further north (when you get to Hluhluwe and Mkuzi), it may be found inland up to about 40km from the sea. There are no green mambas in Mpumalanga, eSwatini and the Kruger National Park. Hatchling green mambas are 30 to 45cm in length and are green above and below with golden brown eyes. They grow rapidly and once longer than a metre they are much thicker than an adult male’s thumb. While they rarely exceed 2m in length, the maximum length of this snake is given as 2.5m. The venom…

The Ranger Raptor was a sensation when it was launched in 2019. Here was a production vehicle that had some of the bump-soaking abilities of a blue-blooded off-road race vehicle. You could give it stick in the gravel and even get some air under the wheels on the big whoops without feeling a thing inside the cabin, because that trick suspension would soak it all up. It was also more stable at speed and stopped far better than a standard Ranger, all down to real things, like a wider track and ventilated disc brakes all round. So, we were pretty excited to get behind the wheel of the 2021 Raptor Special Edition, which adds a heady R40 000 to the standard Raptor’s sticker price. And what better place than the…

Send yours to us on: info@4x4afrika.com (Subject: My Ride & I) WINNER Andre vd Sandt Willys Jeep “I think that my Willys Jeep from World War II is truly one of the most unique and recognisable vehicles. I restored and built this true classic, but it certainly is not just all show and no go! The Jeep is still being used regularly – I have driven it as far as eSwatini, and for my 50th birthday we even conquered the mighty Baboons Pass. My Jeep was also the inspiration for the ‘Classic, not Plastic’ trip presented by eRG Lekker 4x4 Adventures, where the only entry criteria was that you must have a steel dash. Another one of these adventures is on the cards!” Douw Steyn 2019 Toyota Hilux Legend 50…