Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 16 (Feb 2022) i Adventure Afrika

Despite two years of ongoing product introduction delays due to stock shortages and difficult trading conditions due to Covid-19, Kia South Africa has shown positive growth year on year. Their 48% growth versus 2020 was only narrowly beaten by one other brand in the local car industry, and all run-out targets for the Sportage, Sorento and Grand Sedona were achieved. So just how did they continue their success while several other brands battled? According to CEO Gary Scott, the brand’s shift to products that focus on customer needs, and Kia’s ability to offer a comprehensive model line-up, both played a massive role. “With the introduction of the Sonet crossover, for example, we offer an affordable entry point to the adventure lifestyle. From there, Kia has various options right through to…

Getting to Massingir Dam, the first destination on our bush-to-beach December getaway, was certainly adventurous. Quite by chance we navigated long sections of The Grand Tour route as driven by the Top Gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. Would we stick to the plan this time around or venture off the beaten track again? So far our fishing attempts on the spectacular Massingir Dam had been downright lousy, despite all the help we could get from the good folk at Covane Community Lodge and superb fishing gear courtesy of Iron River. Still, the memories made during many hours on the fishing boat and late-night chats around a cosy campfire more than made up for it. We were excited to make the long eastward trek to Mozambique’s lush…

One can always find an excuse to take a break from city life – whether you’re celebrating a big milestone, treating yourself to a mini vaycay, or perhaps fancy a working holiday by moving your “office” to the bush for a change of scenery. And for this purpose, a quick getaway to Cullinan and surrounds is perfect. With the Dinokeng Game Reserve just a stone’s throw away, you can even see the Big Five, right on Jozi’s doorstep! Situated in the north-east corner of Gauteng, the quaint Victorian village of Cullinan is a short 30-minute drive from Pretoria and just over an hour from Johannesburg. Cullinan’s streets are lined with giant oak trees and Edwardian houses, as well as several cosy cafés and art shops – making for a perfect…

Both of us are avid nature and camping enthusiasts and have travelled South Africa extensively in our trusty Defender 90 known as Mr. Landy. It has taken us from Durban to the tip of the continent, we have explored the beauty of the East Coast, the West Coast, Kgalagadi, Namaqualand, the Eastern Transvaal (now Mpumalanga) and many nature reserves and game parks in between. We have travelled to almost every corner of South Africa, and with each journey we are more in awe of the extraordinary country we live in. The arid beauty of Namibia has inspired us both to become keen photographers. This was after a three-night/four-day paddle down the Orange River, followed by the arid beauty of the Richtersveld and the Skeleton Coast, with a highlight being the…

Battlefields Tour: 3 – 12 April R7 200 per person sharing A number of linked factors led to the Second Anglo-Boer War, including the conflicting political ideologies of imperialism and republicanism, the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand, tension between political leaders, the Jameson Raid and the Uitlander franchise. This tour gives you the opportunity to learn more as we visit some of the battle sites and museums. As a history buff, George will delight and entertain you with battle stories, ranging from the well-known Battle of Magersfontein to the lesser known battles such as the Battle of Boshof, Belmont or Graspan. What do you need: A good, reliable, and serviced 4x4 or high ground clearance 4x2 vehicle. Fuel range of approximately 350km (the terrain can get quite rough in…

Rhino poaching. Honestly, I feel that should be enough of a call to action. I reckon we all have a responsibility to contribute to the conservation of our natural world. In fact, the situation is now so serious that each and every one of us should be getting actively involved in some way. As a travel and adventure filmmaker, I have recently undertaken to change my entire approach to content creation to ensure it is centered around raising awareness about conservation efforts. But rhino conservation? It has become a loaded term with such terrible stigmas surrounding it that I tend to steer clear of the subject altogether. From 2010 to 2013, when the rapid growth in rhino poaching numbers was shocking everyone around the world, I was working as an…

1. Medolino Caravan Park This peaceful caravan park in the popular holiday town of Port Alfred is the perfect base from which to explore and enjoy the various activities in the surrounding area from enjoying the beach to the variety of water sports on the Kowie River, swimming, fishing and exploring the nearby game reserves and historical sites. Set in lush surroundings, each of the caravan park’s 32 large, grassed camping sites has its own power point and a tap, with most sites shaded by big trees. The three well-maintained communal ablution facilities are family-and wheelchair-friendly, and other facilities include a boma, a neat scullery, and a laundry room. While the youngsters enjoy the playground, bird watchers can tick up to 133 different bird species off their lists. NEAREST TOWN:…

Sleeping arrangements are a top priority when camping, especially when you want to keep the entire family happy. There’s no reason not to expect a comfortable night’s sleep for all, and the space to cook and relax when the weather is not great. What are the choices then? You could narrow that down to a ground tent, rooftop tent, full-size off-road caravan or trailer tent. According to Theuns van der Kolff, who works in the corporate sales division of Tentco, what you decide to get really depends on your needs. “The truth is there is no wrong or right answer in this debate,” he laughs. “While many customers swear by a rooftop tent due to its easy set-up and relative affordability, others say they will not camp in anything but…

The team at Terrain Tamer nicknamed this Cruiser “Onderhoud” due to the massive amount of work that has gone into kitting it out, but it has all been worth it for Hannes van der Merwe, who heads out to the bundu at every opportunity he gets. “My vehicle is kitted out with a dual purpose: to make it suitable for both 4x4 trail driving and overlanding, which makes it perfect for both my passions,” he says. “It takes me wherever my travels take me, never backing away from any challenge – and man, does it look good doing it!” Picking just one favourite memory is quite difficult for Hannes, as he has travelled the length and breadth of South Africa. “A standout must be a Richtersveld trip during 2021 when,…

TGB recently launched their impressive feature-packed TGB Blade 600 series quad-bike range, which will initially consist of two models. The sporty TGB Blade 600 SE.X EPS 4x4 ATV is suited to anything from day-to-day work to leisure and recreational use. The model looks contemporary, aggressive and functional, with its streamlined body design, narrow seat area, and bright LED front lights. To add to its recreational utility, the passenger seat comes with a backrest. Additionally, it is also equipped with composite load-carrying racks with a capacity of 30kg in the front and 50kg in the rear. The TGB Blade 600 AR EPS 4x4 ATV model, on the other hand, is designed to be a workhorse, claiming to withstand the rigours of everyday use required in the agricultural and mining industries. It…

The 2022 Dakar Rally started on New Year’s Day in Jeddah and ended back there two weeks later - after a short prologue, 12 stages and more than 8 300 gruelling kilometres. For the South African-based Toyota Gazoo Racing team, the drama started even before participants could leave for Saudi Arabia. With the world having a complete wobbly over the Covid-19 Omicron variant and putting southern Africa on the red list with ridiculous travel restrictions, our team was stranded. True to their fighting spirit, the team at Toyota made a plan and arranged to get all the stranded participants to Saudi by chartering a flight with Air Seychelles. Toyota Gazoo Racing fielded four teams for Dakar 2022, three of which were proudly South African. The South Africans included Dakar legend…

The Chicuanga Resort is situated on the scenic east coast of Mozambique, approximately 250km north of Maputo and 30km north of Xai-Xai in the Gaza district of Mozambique. Nestled in the dunes with stunning sea views, the resort is situated in lush coastal jungle surrounded by beautiful inland lakes and coastal dunes. The climate is tropical with a rainy season between October and April and average temperatures of 27 to 29°C in the summer and 18 to 20°C degrees in the winter. Whales can be spotted in the winter months. Visitors can book various tours through on-site company East African Safaris, including birding, quad riding, snorkelling and fishing. The fishing in this area is terrific, with visitors allowed to launch their boats or charter one, skippered by one of the…

When the Suzuki Ignis arrived in South Africa as a new player in the compact crossover market back in 2017, many perceived it as a little town runabout similar to the Volkswagen Up and Kia Picanto. From the onset, though, the Japanese automaker positioned it as a “gateway into the adventure and SUV life”. As such, we set out to see if this vehicle really does have SUV cred. The little Ignis (it means fire in Latin) surely looks more off-road than town, with design cues that blend retro and modern to create quite a feisty SUV-like stance. It looks like the progeny of a union between a classic hatchback and a Suzuki Jimny. The word quirky comes to mind, and for me, quirky is good! So what about the…

Overlanding is defined as “a form of self-reliant adventure travel in which the journey is prioritised over the destination”. In other words, overland adventure is more about challenging yourself to live comfortably in an unconventional manner than it is about where you decide to drive and camp along the way. None of us like to struggle or have problems and issues on what is supposed to be a “holiday”. Over many years of doing tours and many solo trips, I have learned a few valuable lessons from some painful and costly experiences. These tips could mean the difference between a successful or failed adventure. In this edition, we take a look at weight and power management. Do I look fat? Weight can be your single worst enemy when it comes…

2022 dates: 15 – 17 April 9 – 11 September 4 – 6 November 13 – 15 May 7 – 9 October 9 – 11 December The details: R3150perpersonsharing (R3 780 for single) R7300 R11500 R3950perperson R4200 *The two-night package includes accommodation, meals, T-shirt and a certificate for each particpants. It excludes drinks (cash bar available). CONTACT: +27 83 448 5820 | info@insimbilegacyprojects.co.za | www.insimbilegacyprojects.co.za…

The current version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is the fourth generation which launched way back in 2011. And with the fifth generation on the horizon, you are probably wondering what the point of a review of this vehicle could be? What can be said of a platform now nearly a decade old? Does this classic 4x4 still have a space in a segment littered with updated size rivals such as the Toyota Prado, Land Rover Discovery, VW Touareg and Mercedes-Benz GLE? While the saying goes that you can’t show an old dog new tricks, the Grand Cherokee has a few up her sleeve. A recent update meant some aesthetic and comfort tweaks including a more modern touchscreen (albeit much smaller than those in its competitors), the addition of an…

How to enter? Simply send an image – minimum 1MB in size – of you and your vehicle, out and about on an adventure to info@4x4afrika.com (subject: Four-Wheel Partner). Include the following: Driver details Year model and derivative of the vehicle Any modifications made (and which has been the most useful) Vehicle’s nickname (if relevant) Favourite memory/trip with your vehicle Your bucket-list trip Top expedition/adventure tip Why you love your ride T&C’s: The decision regarding featured entries rests solely with the Adventure Afrika team, and no correspondence will be entered into. | Should the promoter (Tentco) withdraw the prize sponsorship, Adventure Afrika reserves the right to publish any entries without awarding any prize. | Adventure Afrika and Tentco retain the right to use any image submitted in promotional or marketing…

It’s a bold move to launch a traditional 4x4 in 2022 when one has to apologise for using an internal combustion engine, so one has to admire the determination of Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe, a UK entrepreneur who has brought his vision of a proper working vehicle to market. The first test units arrive in South Africa in July, and first deliveries of the Ineos Grenadier are expected in October this year. Cheesed off that Land Rover had culled the Defender, Ratcliffe decided to build his own go-anywhere, working 4x4, taking it from an outline sketch made in 2017 on a table napkin at the Grenadier Pub in Knightsbridge in London, to a production-ready vehicle. Of course, this has required massive efforts from a team of engineers and huge capital…

Without fear of overstatement, the Toyota Fortuner is one SUV that definitely needs no introduction – it has firmly entrenched itself in the local marketplace and has been a runaway success since its inception way back in 2006. Now in its second generation, the seven-seat Fortuner forms part of the Innovative Modular Vehicle (IMV) platform and shares mechanical componentry with the revered Hilux, underpinning the vehicle’s mass appeal with the South African public. While a two-tier grade strategy (entry and mid) has been in place since its introduction, changing market requirements have led to introducing a new ‘range-topper’ in the form of the new 2.8 GD-6 VX we tested. The VX suffix is employed on Toyota’s other SUV ranges (RAV4, Prado and Land Cruiser 200) and denotes the highest specification…

Butjani Lodge Only 130km from Sandton and 75km from Pretoria, Butjani Lodge offers a serene and tranquil wildlife experience. Fully catered (offering breakfast and a three-course dinner), the cosy lodge comfortably accommodates 10 guests in the one guest suite and four tented en-suite chalets. As the sun sets, head off for a complimentary game drive and sundowner in the bush. Activities include mountain biking, bush walks and birding (best down at the Elands River). CONTACT: +27 82 803 8608 penny@butjanilodge www.butjanilodge.co.za Cullinan Adventure Zone Nestled in the quaint miner’s village, Cullinan Adventure Zone is home to some of the best adrenaline-pumping activities in Gauteng. Accommodation and conference facilities are available close by, making this an ideal corporate team-building option. Tailor-made school excursions and workshops can also be offered, which include…

The Eastern Highlands, also known as the Manica Highlands, straddles the border of Zimbabwe and Mozambique and features a mountainous area of spectacular natural beauty, rolling hills, green forests, rugged peaks, misty valleys, deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, and sparkling rivers and lakes. The cool, damp climate and lush green landscapes are a contrast to the dry savanna most visitors expect to encounter in Zimbabwe. After leaving Gonarezhou, we drove through the Malilangwe Conservancy, home to Zimbabwe’s Rhino Protection programme. The animals are under heavy surveillance and 24-hour protection by armed scouts, and this programme counts as one of the few rhino conservation success stories in southern Africa. During 1997 to 1998, a total of 12 white rhinos and 28 black rhinos were translocated here from South Africa. After a settling…

Water is your friend. Ensure that you stay hydrated and remember that the local water supply is not always safe for human consumption so you generally have to take drinking water with you. Don’t just drive from point A to B – the less you drive, the less it will cost you and the more you will experience local flavour. Build a network of reliable contacts (locals as well as across the globe) – you never know when you may need help in an emergency. Take walks and explore on foot. Not only does it keep you fit and healthy, you get to experience nature in a whole different way than through the window of a car. Bring basic tools (having proper tools to fix your gear or vehicle can…

This rough, steep gravel pass crosses the Grootrivier (also called Groot River) on the northern side of the Baviaanskloof Mountains via a river crossing just below a weir, without a bridge. While the pass itself is a mere 5km long, it is the access roads that make driving this pass something of an adventure. You will not be able to drive this pass without being in a 4x4 vehicle with good ground clearance, and adventure bikers will need to be experienced to handle this road, as it is long, rough, steep and dangerous in parts, including the entire eastern section between the pass and Patensie. Located 21km north-west of Patensie (as the crow flies), and involving about 2.5 hours of real-time driving, this remote pass will knock your socks off.…

Fact file: Full name: Common Night Adder (Causus rhombeatus) Other names: Rhombic Night Adder; Nagadder Classification: Dangerous Despite the common name, the Night Adder is more active during the day. The largest member of the genus Causus, it averages 30 to 60cm in length, but can reach up to 1m. The snake can be identified by the distinct dark V-marking on the head. Their bodies are usually grey or light brown in colour, with dark brown, light-edged blotches (rhombic markings) along the centre of the body and tail. Occasionally it can be olive-coloured. The relatively blunt snout is generally more rounded than in other members of this adder family. The Night Adder favours the wetter eastern half of South Africa and occurs right down to Swellendam in the Western Cape.…

Weight distribution When you are carrying your world with you, which means all the clothes, and cooking, sleeping and other leisure gear you need for comfort, the total mass of extras is often at or near the vehicle’s maximum carrying capacity, or GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass), which includes passengers. Remember to add in the weight of all those after-market accessories when calculating your load. The rule is: don’t just keep adding stuff because it’s a nice-to-have. Rather spread it all out before you start packing, delete what you can, and place the heaviest items first, as low down as possible. Next, keep all those heavy items as close as feasible to the centre of the vehicle – this will keep the centre of gravity low, and prevent pitching and wandering…

Send yours to us on: info@4x4afrika.com (Subject: My Ride & I) Tannies met 'n trailer Whoever said camping, overlanding and off-roading is a man’s world? We stumbled across an impressive group of women called “Tannies met ‘n Trailer” on Instagram and simply love their rides and their spirit. These adventurous tannies travel southern Africa together, eager to explore new places. They love wildlife, camping, travelling, and GIN! This group welcomes any lady interested in taking on fun adventures alongside their peers. According to the group’s Ayesha Cantor, “not all of the tannies have trailers – some have rooftop tents, some tow tiny collapsible caravans and some even camp in ground tents.” “We are simply a growing group of ladies who mostly travel without husbands, although sometimes they do join us…