Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 31 i Adventure Afrika

As the change of season creeps up on us, the bush starts to change. The wildflowers that once littered the landscape start wilting, and the vibrant green grass changes to more recognisable shades of brown and yellow. The thickets of trees begin to thin out, allowing for unobstructed views of more and more game. From waterbuck to warthogs, a wide variety of animals are spending more time feeding to attain enough nutrients to sustain them through winter. This is a conservation ecologist’s dream in terms of monitoring and a photographer’s delight as there is not much obstructing the wildlife subject from the lens. Speaking of photography and generating images, the new era of artificial intelligence (AI) brings with it some interesting takes on wildlife photography. I recently read that with…

Excitement is mounting after the launch of the JAC T9 double-cab range at the recent Shanghai Automotive Show and the news that it will be introduced in South Africa in the not-too-distant future. The T9 line-up comprises a range of internal combustion engines, as well as BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) derivatives. JAC Motors South Africa plans to introduce the T9 line-up as the top-of-the-range offering in the T-Series, featuring the full range of powerplants in 4x4 and 4x2 guise, as well as various specification levels. The T9 diesel and petrol turbocharged derivatives will be available in the second half of 2023. The BEV and PHEV 4x4 will follow in 2024, and the first quarter of 2025 will see the addition of a 2.5L turbodiesel.…

Kia has introduced three new turbodiesel derivatives to its Sportage line-up. The new additions are powered by a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine, also available exclusively with an advanced version of Kia’s seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). The 1 582cc Common Rail Direct Injection diesel engine delivers 100kW of power at 4 000rpm, with 320Nm of peak torque available between 2 000rpm and 2 250rpm. The 1.6 CRDi engine and seven-speed DCT pairing endows Sportage with an optimal balance between power, performance and frugality. It completes the zero to 100km/h sprint in 11.4 seconds, with a top speed of 180km/h. The new turbodiesel models mimic the existing Sportage range and are available in three grades: the not-so-entry-level LX the mid-tier EX and the GT-Line Plus. The Sportage GT-Line Plus package ticks all…

Most everyone knows what food envy is, but have you ever heard of launch envy? That’s when you’re jealous of your work colleague who gets to attend the launch of a great new product from an iconic brand, and you’re stuck behind your laptop because you’re on deadline. The launch in question was that of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee seven-seater and I was far from amused that I couldn’t go. But to quote Alanis Morrisette, life has a funny way of helping you out… So, lo and behold, guess who got to attend the launch of the five-seater of the Grand Cherokee? Yes, yay me! After all, it is the same thing… only shorter and with two seats less. This is because Grand Cherokee is built on an all-new…

After fetching our custom-built Motorhome Over-landing truck from AC Motorhomes in Cape Town in October last year, we drove it back to the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal… along the back roads, over two weeks, getting the feel of it and how all the appliances, tanks and battery systems worked. It was a pretty mild run of about 4 000km, none of which required that we test the low range of the Buffalo – as our ride has been christened. Basically, it was a sedate and adrenaline free trip home. After that, we had the decal made up and stuck on and put her into storage in Howick, while we worked through the ‘silly season’ and attended to the official handover of our business to my son and daughter-in-law since we…

The debate over off-road accessories and gear has been swirling around campfires for decades, and it is probably the question that I get asked the most by the guests on our tours. What is the best 4x4 brand? A bakkie or an SUV? What is the best tent setup? What are the best tyres? Should I fit a bull bar? The list goes on and on… While these may sound like pretty straightforward questions, answering them isn’t… there are simply too many personal preferences involved. In my opinion, the answers to all of these questions will differ for each individual, based on their needs and the type of travel they will be undertaking with their 4x4 vehicle. For instance, someone that uses their Toyota Fortuner for their daily commute through…

Must-have SUPPLIES No matter where or how ‘rough’ your camping trip is, you will always need the following: • Torches for getting around camp. • Standing lights that can be placed around the campsite or inside the tent. • Headlamps for when you have misplaced all the aforementioned lights and are now crawling around looking for them. Or if you want to be able to read comfortably. • Batteries for all of the lights/torches. If you opt for solar, make sure your set-up works properly and that you’ll have enough time to charge your panels during the day. • Camp chairs will greatly affect how much you enjoy your trip. If you have space, always take camp chairs. • Wet wipes, which every experienced camper will tell you, are essential.…

Many journalists have called this bakkie the budget option in the Ranger series, but in my opinion that is very unfair to this well specced vehicle. At R809 500, this bakkie is stuffed with many of the same goodies that the flagship models of other brands boast with. Well, except for adaptive cruise control. But who uses that in the bush anyway? We had the XLT on test for a week and had an impromptu trip to the mountains outside Lydenburg. The vehicle was loaded with our tent, Ecoflow Delta Pro, fridge and all the camping kit we usually take along and driving down the N12 at a speed of just over 120km/h we were able to average just above 8 litres/100km. That’s pretty good in my books, especially considering…

Send yours to us on: info@4x4afrika.com (Subject: My Ride & I) Evan Staley 2015 Ford Ranger “To wander can be defined as exploring aimlessly. If you use it as a verb, you are a wanderer or a person searching for leisure. Or it can refer to a black 2015 Ford Ranger. We love our Wanderer. She allows us to see some really spectacular places. And for those who have never had the privilege of exploring our beautiful country, I implore you to get your own personal Wanderer, and while you’re at it, get yourself a set of fur babies and a great partner to enjoy the adventures with you. Some things can only be appreciated if you have someone to share it with.’’ *Follow Evan and his adventures with his…

Mark 25-27 August on your calendar. These are the dates for the 2023 Festival of Motoring, once again to be held at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. The three-day event provides consumers with a unique opportunity to experience new and exciting vehicles, technologies and innovations. It also promises to be a lifestyle experiential showcase that provides plenty of fun. Leading manufacturers will showcase their impressive range of vehicles on various tracks, including the main circuit, the self-handling track, and the 4x4 course. Brands already signed up for the 2023 line-up include BMW, Mini, BMW Motorrad, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Fiat, Jeep, Mopar, Opel, Peugeot, Suzuki, Haval, BAIC and Isuzu. So, there’s bound to be something to tickle everyone’s fancy. Adrenaline junkies will be excited to hear that…

Mitsubishi has always valued the input for customers and when it comes to so special editions, this brand has all its skin in the game. Triton Halo AT35 The Mitsubishi Triton Halo AT35 is based on the flagship Triton double cab 4x4 and was developed in conjunction with Arctic Trucks, the Icelandic company with a reputation for building bakkies that can conquer the harsh Icelandic conditions, making them perfect for hard core off-roading in South Africa as well. Bakkies and the modification of bakkies remain extremely popular in South Africa and the Triton Halo AT35 prototype is a unique product that gives off-road enthusiasts and extremely capable vehicle that is well engineered and backed by Mitsubishi’s factory warranty. With the Halo AT35 imposing styling of the Triton in standard form…

Meet the new D-MAX Arctic AT35, the second iteration of Isuzu’s specially developed ultimate double cab bakkie. Designed in collaboration with Arctic Trucks, it is proudly locally assembled at the Isuzu Motors South Africa plant in Struandale, Gqeberha and is available on special order through Isuzu’s local dealer network, with limited production numbers making it quite exclusive. The Struandale plant is the only Isuzu facility in the world accredited by Arctic Trucks to produce the D-MAX AT35. Based on the range-topping D-MAX V-Cross 4x4, the AT35 is produced on the same production line as the standard D-MAX models. However, the bodywork enhancements are added in a dedicated Arctic Trucks conversion area in the body shop. The muscular design of the D-MAX Arctic AT35 matches its tough underpinnings, and there’s no…

Focus on safety AND SECURITY The state-of-the-art Jeep Grand Cherokee boasts more than 110 advanced safety and security features, including innovative applications of technologies that refine the connection between the driver, the vehicle and the road. Standard safety features across the line-up include: • Full-Speed Collision Warning with Active Braking and Pedestrian/Cyclist Detection • Rear Cross Path Detection • Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop/Go • Active Lane Management • LaneSense Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist • Advanced Brake Assist • Blind-spot Monitoring • ParkView rear back-up camera • ParkSense rear park assist sensors with stop • Switch-activated electric park brake • Tyre-pressure monitoring • Night Vision Camera with pedestrian and animal detection • Intersection Collision Assist • Drowsy Driver Detection system • Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist •…

Rather try out the new Ford Everest for your trip to the Wild Coast,” a friend suggested, just as I had planned our route down to the Transkei in my much-loved Ford Ranger Raptor. I’d been to those parts twice in the last few months and had a good idea of what the roads looked like. There may have been a time when they looked decent but now, as we are fully aware, they they are stuffed – regardless of whether you travel on tar or dirt! Which is why the Raptor would have been the ideal vehicle, but my parents taught me not to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially a generous one, so I agreed. I could choose between the Platinum 3.0-diesel V6 with 184kW and…

The fun starts the moment you leave Walvis Bay. From the first dune, just outside the town and overlooking an incredible landscape filled with pink dams, your skills are tested. These are the salt mines. There is water everywhere along the road to the ocean and although it looks rather ominous, it is actually shallow enough for flamingos to stand in. The water comes from the washing plant and gets pumped back into the ocean. After a few kilometres, you reach the end of what is called Paaltjies, a well-known angling spot that is only open at a specific time of the year as it is a breeding ground for fish. At this point, we were told to stop and deflate our tyres some more before the real action starts!…

I have always had an immense love for Land Rovers. Most of our first encounters with overlanding and overlanding vehicles were with a humble Landies. The brand has long been the poster child for overlanding and adventure, so naturally, as a little boy, I fell in love with the culture. I felt that childlike sense of wonder emerging once again as we set up camp for the weekend, surrounded by people who carry their passion for their rigs and overlanding proudly on their sleeves (literally – I have never seen so much branded clothing at an event!). The LandyFest is an annual yearly gathering at the well-known Rust De Winter 4x4 grounds (just outside Dinokeng), hosted by LR Classic and Land Rover lover André Verster. The goal of the event…

Nestled within the crater of an extinct volcano, Pilanesberg is an area of great scenic splendour and richly diverse wildlife, with a history extending way back before the Iron Age. The beautiful little Bloenek Pass is located in the south of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve on the tarred road which dissects the reserve from north to south, called Kubu Drive. The road surface has deteriorated rather significantly over the past few years but remains suitable for all vehicles. From Johannesburg or Pretoria, head in a north-westerly direction along the N4 towards Rustenburg. Take the R556 offramp – signposted as ‘Sun City’ – and turn right. After travelling along the R556 for approximately 75.4km, you will reach the entrance to the Sun City entertainment complex, whereafter you continue straight along the…

Hugging the border between South Africa and Lesotho and a two-hour drive from Durban and four hours from Gauteng, the spectacular uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park is a 2 428km² protected area. This destination received World Heritage Site status on two counts – firstly, due to the Drakensberg’s unique flora and fauna, boasting some 2 500 plant species (350 are endemic and over 500 near-endemic), as well as ten unique vertebrate species that only exist here. Secondly, it received this accolade due to the more than 30 000 examples of San rock art found in this area. Besides hiking and trail running, visitors to uKhahlamba can enjoy fishing and swimming in crystal clear rivers, river rafting on the Tugela River, rock climbing and magnificent mountain biking routes. For history buffs, ancient San…

I can still remember when the Hyundai brand was first introduced in South Africa in 1999. Back then many people rolled their eyes. I might have been one of them. Korean cars? Sold in South Africa? It will never work! Yet here we are, more than 20 years later and Hyundai is a consistent top-five performer on the sales charts. Once the buying public realised that these vehicles weren’t the cheap-and-nasties everyone expected them to be and saw Hyundai for what it was – an affordable and well-packaged alternative to the more traditional brands – it slowly gained traction and before long it became a household name. Now nobody bats an eye when you mention Korean cars. Many years ago, we owned an Elantra station wagon and to this day…

For most people, a car can be just a tool or a form of transport, but as BOET BOTES explains, for him it’s the living embodiment of his passion for overlanding. My ride has been given many names, from wyntrein to brandweerwa and even Mazdarati… the list goes on. One name stuck though, and now even my close friends call her ‘Die Rooi Lorrie’, even though she is actually maroon in colour. Every trip I undertake gives me insight into what works and what doesn’t and as a result, my dream rig has changed dramatically over the past seven years. The most useful modification is, hands down, the BunduTop rooftop tent from BunduTec. It’s quick and easy to set up and sleeps very comfortably. The new suspension from Camil was…

ADDDO ELEPHANT ELEPHANT (PARK) BLYDERIVIER CANYON DIE HEL FORT (BEAUFORT’S MARTELLO-TORING) GOLD (MINES) HONDEKLIPBAAI KAR(KLOOF) KOSI (BAY) MID(MAR DAM) NELSON (MANDELA STATUTE IN KZN) PARYS (IN OFS) ROBBEN (ISLAND) SEWE (PASSE - PAD TUSSEN GEORGE EN KNYSNA) STERK(FONTEIN CAVES) TABLEBAY TWEE (RIVIEREN) VERNEUK(PAN) WILDCOAST AMPHITHEATRE BUNGY (JUMPING) DRAGONS PEAK GOLD REEF (CITY (BO)KAAP KASTEEL (IN CAPE TOWN) KRUGER NATIONAL PARK MOSSEL(BAY) PELGRIMSRUST SABI (SANDS) STORMSRIVIERMOND TAFELBERG TZANEEN VISRIVIER (CANYON) BELA (BELA) (CANGO) CAVE DRAKENSBERG GAMKAS (KLOOF) GOLDEN GATE KALAHARI (x2) KIMBERLEY BIG HOLE KIRSTENBOSCH LAMBERTSBAY NAMAKWA(LAND) NIEU (BETHESDA) PILANESBERG SALT (PANS) SKILPAD (KAMIESKROON) SUN (CITY) TANKWA KAROO NATIONAL PARK UNION (BUILDINGS IN PRETORIA) WATER (WHEEL IN KAKAMAS) BLIK(KROEG IN CARNARVON) CHAPMANS(PEAK) DURBAN GARIEP DAM HALF(MENS IN KALAHARI) KANGO (CAVES) KIRSTENBOSCH LOST (CITY) NAMIB (DESERT) OKIEP PLETTENBERGBAY SANI (PASS) SWARTBERGPAS BLOU(KRANSRIVIER…

The Ford Wildlife Foundation (FWF) is supporting the protection of threatened freshwater and marine environments and their important fishes by providing a Ford Ranger Double Cab 4x4 to the Rivers of Life Programme at the University of Mpumalanga. The vehicle will be used for one of the programme’s new projects focussing on the ecology of western Indian Ocean Anguillid freshwater eels and their contribution to sustainable fisheries and livelihood along the east coast of Africa. “Southern Africa’s freshwater eels are the world’s mightiest migrating fish species, swimming for more than 10 000km, upstream from the Indian Ocean into our east-flowing rivers,” said Professor Gordon O’Brien, director of the Rivers of Life Programme at the University of Mpumalanga. “While we boast the greatest diversity of freshwater eels globally, which are now…

GWM has expanded it’s the line-up with the introduction of the P-Series LTD. The new model slots in at the top of the P-Series line-up, above the existing LS and LT variants. The LTD is set apart from the pack visually with 18-inch gloss black sports alloy rims with all-terrain tyres as standard. It also boasts body-coloured door handles and mirrors alongside a black sports bar, plastic bed liner, off-road steel front bumpers, rear bumpers and off-road wheel arches. Additional LTD features include new black roof rails, a specially developed snorkel, a 4,2-tonne winch, a 12-volt accessory connector in the engine bay, and a 120-Watt 220V plug located next to the rear USB port. The significant difference between the new LTD and its lesser siblings is the addition of GWM’s…

Since its introduction in 2021, Toyota has enjoyed great success with its B-segment SUV, the Urban Cruiser, boasting a market share of 19 percent thanks to a great product at a great price. The Urban Cruiser was one of my favourites within the segment and as such I was very excited to drive the all-new 2023 model. First impressions are everything It was no secret that the previous Urban Cruiser was a rebranded Suzuki Vitara Brezza. This time the situation is quite similar, with the recently launched Suzuki Grand Vitara being its new twin. However, unlike the previous generation, the Urban Cruiser isn’t just a rebranded Suzuki but a more collaborative product between Suzuki and Toyota. To this extent, the new Urban Cruiser looks vastly different to its so-called twin.…

If shortcuts were the best path to take, the main road would have been there.” That is what one of my late mentors taught me a while back. Although this statement was based on professional work, it rings true for just about every aspect of life. For months, our group of friends have been planning an amazing 4x4 weekend getaway to the Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve and Wolkberg Wilderness area… the ideal escape from cell phones, computers, work stress and load shedding! Being back in nature and camping next to rivers with mountains towering in the background is just what your soul needs. Add some great friends, late-night conversation around the campfire and, of course, some 4x4 driving… heaven on earth! The first day of our adventure starts with the group…

Some people might raise their eyebrows ever so slightly and even drop the cup full of ‘I’m oh so holy’ from their hands when I say that the everyday – or rather tourist things – never appealed to me. I honestly have no desire to explore that old tower in Paris, Italy’s Instagram-worthy coastal towns, the resorts in Mauritius or – closer to home – the busy beaches of Hartenbos and Stilbaai… Nope. I much rather keep my ear to the ground for places that are remote and not easily accessible to the average tourist. The moment we get the annual calendar from school, I start studying the potentially available weekends, long weekends and school holidays… and then it’s a simple formula of affordability and, of course, availability before the…

Nestled on the southwestern coast of Namibia, Sandwich Harbour is a pristine natural wonder that has remained relatively untouched by human intervention. The area combines towering sand dunes, crystal clear water, and abundant wildlife. History: Named after the British Earl of Sandwich – who commissioned Captain James Cook to explore the area in the 18th century – Sandwich Harbour was once a bustling port, serving as a trading post for the indigenous Topnaar people and European colonists. However, with the decline of the whaling industry and the shift towards larger ports, Sandwich Harbour was abandoned in the early 20th century. Ecology: Today, Sandwich Harbour is a protected wetland and home to a diverse array of fauna and flora. The wetlands provide a vital habitat for 200 bird species, including the…

The founder of LR Classic, André Verster, owns a fleet of classic Land Rover Defenders and authentic Series Land Rovers. His vision for LR Classic is to become the preferred specialist tour operator and distinctive 4x4 events host in Southern Africa. The core focus is on offering international and local tourists and guests exclusive events, as well as guided self-drive classic safaris with his fleet of Land Rovers or guests’ own vehicles. André qualified as a tour guide in 2009 and has been guiding off-road safaris, 4x4 overlanding expeditions and events ever since. He recently updated his tour guide qualification with new regulations, including first-aid level three. CONTACT: +27 83 640 3057 | andre@lrclassic.com…

Camping is the ideal getaway because you can tailor your trip to fit your budget, needs, wants and experience. The best way to learn to camp is to jump right in and give it a good try. However, as with many things in life, everything does not go according to plan and its important to have a flexible attitude and sense of humour when you go camping. Even experienced campers with all the kit will, at some point, have to deal with harsh weather, forgotten items and locations that don’t quite match what appeared on the website. However, as long as you know the camping basics, the rest will become memories and experiences. Know before you go Picking the perfect camping location can be challenging. Is it going to be…

Pilanesberg Game Reserve hosts a wide variety of birds and animals, including the Big Five, cheetahs and wild dogs. The reserve is the fourth largest of all of the big parks in South Africa, covering an area of some 550km2, and is a great weekend destination for city dwellers from Jozi and Pretoria since it’s only around 200km away. Pilanesberg is named after Pilane, chief of the Bakgatla tribe, who ruled over this clan from 1825 to 1850. Just as he took power, the Ndebele warlord, Mzilikaze, swept into the region. He brought turbulence and terror, subduing Pilane’s people, imposing taxes and forcing them to look after his cattle. As missionaries and settlers began to move into the area, Mzilikaze refused to tolerate their presence, except for Robert Moffat, whom…

I probably shouldn’t say it out loud, but I kind of enjoyed the initial hard lockdown period. All three the men in my life were at home, I could walk around in my pajamas all day and I didn’t need to leave the house. Yes, I realise it was a traumatic and uncertain time and I myself did not have an income for a few months. But allow me to explain: I don’t like winter. When the temperature starts to drop, I get cranky. I want to wrap myself in warm clothes, put on my slippers and hide from the world. The problem is that I tend to want to eat more than usual too. Comfort food. I’m like a Farmer Brown chicken… I look so good because I eat…