Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 35 i Adventure Afrika

It was just another ordinary day in the wild when I arrived in Northern Sabi Sands, South Africa. Little did I know that this adventure would become a defining chapter in my life. What started as a gig as a freelance guide at a luxurious lodge quickly evolved into a thrilling journey as I transitioned to become a naturalist on a popular live safari broadcast programme. The northern Sabi Sands has always been a mecca for wildlife enthusiasts, and my experiences there over the past month were nothing short of exhilarating. Bordering the Kruger National Park, this region is renowned for its abundance of wildlife, and it was here that I began my adventure. The lodge I worked at was a haven of luxury, nestled amidst the untamed beauty of…

When the invitation to the launch of the Wildtrak X arrived in my inbox, I was perplexed. Ford already has a Ranger Wildtrak in its stable, so what would be different in this model? Turns out it’s a more off-road oriented version and, as such, it has a more muscular character and even greater off-road capability – perfect for those with an active, outdoor lifestyle. To achieve this, Ford has pulled more than one rabbit out of its hat, endowing the newcomer to the range with a host of special enhancements. The big news The launch of the Ranger Wildtrak X marks the first introduction of Ford’s pioneering Trail Turn Assist. This nifty tool helps drivers negotiate tight bends on narrow tracks by applying the brake on the inside rear…

American novelist and travel journalist Stever Rushin says that when you go on a road trip, the trip itself becomes part of the story… I could not agree more – but to find that story, you must get a few road trip essentials right. First up is the destination. Rather obvious, I know – but in a country as diverse and beautiful as ours when it comes to places to explore, it can become a story in itself! And that is certainly the case for the recent road trip I embarked on with my girls. After much deliberation (and yes, being girls who had to decide – a bit of arguing!), we opted for exploring the vast beauty of the Eastern Free State. Our final destination would be the stunningly…

The Wild Coast, Eastern Cape The ruggedly beautiful and aptly named Wild Coast runs from the coastal city of East London in the south of the Eastern Cape to the border of KwaZulu-Natal, some 350km to the northeast. The Wild Coast boast the most idyllic and unspoilt beaches to be found anywhere in South Africa but be warned – at back packing paradises like Coffee Bay or Port St Johns, you may find more cows lazing on the sand than people! • Best for: pristine coastline and rich cultural heritage • How long: 7 days • Accommodation tip: The well-run Morgan Bay Hotel overlooks a gorgeous beach and offers spacious rooms and a caravan park. • Must do/see: The Hole in the Wall, a natural archway found south of Coffee…

It has been nearly five years since an evaluation of all terrain (AT) tyres was done locally. Over this period, technology has moved forward and the local playing field – in terms of local manufacturing of tyres versus importation – has changed dramatically. This alteration in the industry was particularly noticeable when we started assembling the different contenders for the big All-Terrain Tyre Test, this time for 18-inch rubber, in association with Tiger Wheel & Tyre and GWM South Africa. Since 2019, the tyre market has rapidly expanded in terms of volume and brand diversity, pitching world-renowned manufacturers with production facilities here – such as Bridgestone, Goodyear, Continental (General) and Sumitomo (Dunlop) – against a plethora of brands imported through companies like TiAuto, SA Tyre, Treadzone, Exclusive Tyres, Minty’s and…

A trip to the magnificent Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is always a great adventure and a huge privilege. So, understandably, there was great excitement when we managed to secure a booking and we counted the days until it was finally time to hit the road. Once you get up past Kimberley into the Northern Cape, everything feels different somehow. You literally feel the worries and stresses of life fade away as you start to unwind and relax. The roads are quiet and in great condition and the farmstalls along the route remind you that you’re in a remote area, privileged to be embarking on a great adventure. As you drive from Upington towards the Twee Rivieren border post, the red dunes of the Kalahari become more prolific. Along this final stretch…

The annual Mystery Rally has captured the imagination of locals, and 4x4 and overlanding enthusiasts alike. As a result, participants and spectators converge in the Western Cape each year for an exhilarating experience, marked by secrecy, adventure, and an unpredictable journey into the unknown. In fact, the entire event stands as an example of how mystery and adventure can come together to create a unique and unforgettable event. The origin of the Mystery Rally The Mystery Rally has been a highlight on the overlanding events calendar since 2015. While the exact origins are also… well… shrouded in mystery, some accounts suggest that a group of adventure enthusiasts and thrill-seekers decided to create a unique event that would embrace the spirit of the unknown. The core idea is to bring people…

The Urban Cruiser was first introduced in South Africa in 2021 and frankly, I think even the marketing people at Toyota were surprised by its popularity with the buying public. It sold like hot cakes and consistently topped the extremely competitive B-SUV (or rather compact crossover) segment, achieving a market share of 19 percent. This achievement is not to be sneezed at, especially if one considers that its Suzuki twin – the Brezza – didn’t sell nearly as well. I have a few theories around this… but that’s a discussion for another day. Two years down the line, Toyota introduced its successor, and I couldn’t help but wonder how an already near perfect recipe could be improved on. But that’s what Toyota does best! The newcomer is bigger, has a…

Africa doesn’t need us – we need Africa… and what better way to quench this yearning to explore this magical continent of ours than behind the wheel of one of its greatest legends, the Land Rover Defender. If you own a Landy, you will know that it is more than just a vehicle. It becomes interwoven in your life, an extension of your personality and the personification of the adventures that beckon. My Defender – affectionately named Trompie – enriches my life in ways that I cannot explain. Its unbeatable off-road capabilities mean I can visit places that many others can only dream of. There’s a reason why it’s called ‘the best 4x4xfar’! But it goes deeper than that. It allows me to experience life to the fullest, meet new…

I often get asked whether I prefer a double cab bakkie or a SUV. My answer is simple: I am – and always will be – a bakkie man. It’s such a versatile vehicle and by simply adding a canopy, you can virtually double the amount of packing space available. How can a SUV ever compete with that? I must add, however, that the kind of canopy you choose is also important (read my thoughts on the subject on page 4). If you’re heading into the bush, I would definitely recommend a steel or aluminium version. We have tested quite a few of these over the years and for our recent trip to Botswana, we opted to have a Bushtech canopy fitted to the Toyota Hilux Raider X we drove.…

Not many people know that Machadodorp (now officially known as eNtokozweni), was once the capital of the Republic of Transvaal. After British soldiers took control of Pretoria during the Second Boer War, President Paul Kruger and his cabinet fled to Machadadorp, proclaimed it as the capital and used railway carriages as their offices for a few months during 1900. The town was initially known as ‘Geluk’, named after the farm on which the train station was built. In 1894, it was renamed after Joachim Machado, an engineer of Portuguese origin who carried out surveys for the Nelspruit-Delagoa railway line. The Land Rover Bush Run group decided that this forgotten little spot along the N4 on the Mpumalanga escarpment would be the ideal destination to explore during the Heritage Day long…

Released globally in 1998, this MPV was first known as the Kia Sedona. It was pretty inconspicuous until 2010, which is when Kia’s then-design wunderkind, Peter Schreyer, introduced the iconic tiger nose grille to Kia’s product. This transformed the rather utilitarian-looking Sedona into the looker it is today. By the time the fourth-generation Carnival was released (globally during 2020, locally towards the end of 2021), it had not only undergone a name change but also kept up to date with modern styling, creature comforts and substantial safety features. That stand-out tiger nose grille has been accentuated, adding substantial width to the vehicle’s face, which is further enhanced by hi-tech LED headlamps. To make it more SUV than MPV, a rear skid plat was added along with a choice of 18-…

If I had to describe the Letaba rest camp and the surrounding area to someone who has never been there, the words ‘diverse versatility’ come to mind, followed by ‘idyllic’ (especially during the beautiful, lush summer months). Letaba means ‘river of sand’ in Sesotho – quite apt since the camp boasts a beautiful view over a large part of the riverbed and the Letaba valley. During the winter months, the massive sandbank is quite charming, but it is even more special when it becomes a vast body of water after good summer rainfall. Long before the Kruger National Park’s creation (in the 1800’s), the Letaba area was inhabited by a group of Sotho-speaking Ba-Phalaborwa people. They were mostly cattle farmers with expansive iron-smelting experience – but more about them later.…

While the rest of the Adventure Afrika team headed to the Eastern Free State for the inaugural Jimny Gathering over Heritage Weekend, I had more serious matters to attend to. My family and I were to represent the publication at the annual Toyota Rust de Winter 4x4 Jamboree – not as spectators, but as participants. I had been invited by Toyota, the main sponsor, and this was serious business. I wouldn’t be competing in the main event, but rather against a few of my colleagues in a special media challenge. I was confident though as this wouldn’t be my first rodeo. In fact, the last time I attended Rust de Winter, in 2014, I managed to win the media challenge. I also broke my ankle, but let’s not focus on…

The first day had been a long one, covering three passes, including the Sani Pass, Black Mountain Pass (also known as Kotisephola Pass) and the rather challenging Moteng Pass with its 91 corners… but we made it, hearts and minds filled with memories of Lesotho’s beautiful expansive vistas. The following day was to be another time-pressure day, with the highlight being a tour of the Katse Dam at 11:00. This meant that we had to cover the 144km trip in under three hours, so we called for an early breakfast and departure time of 07:30. We took the A1 out of Butha Buthe and headed for Hlotse, where we were faced with some rush hour traffic. Be sharp, as the residents here seemingly have a different set of traffic rules…

We recently spent some time with the all-new Chery Tiggo 8 Pro MAX (the brand’s crown jewel) and right off the bat, I must admit that it was way better than I’d expected. It is, in fact, a rather good (and affordable) option in the growing crossover segment. Under the bonnet is a four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that produces a healthy 187kW at 5 000rpm and 390Nm between 1 750rpm and 4 000rpm. It features Chery’s second-generation i-HEC (ultra-high compression direct injection) combustion technology, which allows for better thermal efficiency. Grunt is sent to the front wheels only. Embracing the SUV-feel, the Tiggo 8 Pro’s design is modern and appealing. Riding on 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels (depending on the model you choose) it boasts an impressive 203mm of ground…

Identify the different caravans and trailers in the word block. It can appear horizontally, vertically, or diagonally and can be in any direction. Diaresis and circumflex are not used, and words in brackets are part of the words or per explanation. *Word block by Louis Krouwkamp. ADVENTURE POD ALPHAGO (x2) BERMAC BUSHLAPA CASCADE COMPACT CUSTOM CANOPIES EDGE(OUT) EXTREME GRAND INVADER KOVU LITE MOBI X OUTBOUND (CAMPERS) PREDATOR ROADTRIPPER SAFARI EXPLORER SHUMBA STEALTH TUFFCATS VILLA ADVENTURER ALU (STAR) BHOMA BUSHWAKKA CHEETAH COMPASS DAWN ELXV FEROX GREY JAGUAR LEBOMBO MAIA MODEL T QUANTUM ROAM SAVUTI SKIPPER STRIATA UEV WARRIOR AFRICAN BACKBONE ANEE BORDER X CALF CHOBE CONQUEROR DESERT WOLF ENKULU FREELINE (CAMPER) GT (CAMPER) JETSTREAM LEBUSHA MAXI NATURE OVERLANDER RAASBLAAR ROGUE SEE(KOEI) SLIDE (ON) SUMMIT UNIPOD WISH AFRISPOOR ARMADILLO BOSKRIEK CAPRIVI COMFORT…

Kia helps raise funds for kids with cancer The annual Seven7 Drive in aid of childhood cancer awareness set off from Kia Sandton in Johannesburg towards the end of September 2023 and concluded the seven-day adventure a week later at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Tshwane. In the process, this initiative – conducted annually during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September – raised a total of R51 890, which was donated to Cupcakes of Hope. Now in its eighth year, the annual Seven7 Drive was once again supported by Kia South Africa, who provided three SUVs for the adventure: a Seltos 1.5 CRDi EX+, a Sportage 1.6 CRDi GT-Line Plus and a Sorento 2.2 CRDi SX. The route – which covered just under 7 000km in total – provided…

Contact details Waterfall Guest Farm: +27 62 072 0221 /+27 69 248 9931 Machado Slaghuis: +27 82 561 9139 NG Kerk Machado: +27 64 687 5920 Zongororo Village of Ministry: +27 78 577 2745 | www.zongororo.co.za Kruger House Lodge: +27 82 950 2417 Battle of Halvitia: Susan / Charl 082 818 1159…

Nestled in a valley between the small rural farming villages of Ficksburg and Clocolan – with views stretching to the majestic Maluti Mountains in Lesotho in the south-east – Amohela ho Spitskop is the perfect base from which to explore the Eastern Free State. The self-catering cottages (serviced daily) are beautifully positioned to enjoy the most spectacular views, with various options to suit your needs. Skywind Cottages (Quail & Francolin): Built from sandstone blocks hand-hewn from the foothills outside the village of Teyateyaneng in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, these simplistic barn-style cottages offer expansive views of the beautiful Eastern Highlands landscape. Local builders, who have lived with and worked with this magnificent stone from generation to generation, were called in to construct the barn-style structures, with high beamed ceilings, lime-washed…

JOAO (1939 – 2000) was named after a legendary priest-king of ancient Africa and was a peace-loving elephant primarily spotted around Shingwedzi. In 1982, he was attacked by poachers with AK-47s but luckily survived. However, in 1984, during a fight with another elephant bull, Joao broke off both tusks and the ivory was never found. He is believed to have died of natural causes by 2000. • Left tusk: 271cm long | 51cm wide | 55kg • Right tusk: 250cm long | 51cm wide | 45kg *His tusks were measured while he was under sedation for the fitment of a radio band (for tracking purposes) shortly after the 1982 attack. DZOMBO (1930 – 1985) is the only one of the Magnificent Seven killed by poachers, but thanks to the swift…

These days the store shelves are packed to the brim with sweets in all colours, flavours, shapes and sizes. If you have a sweet tooth like me, then this is a huge temptation and one that I usually cannot resist. The result is that there is always a decent-sized stash of mass produced sweets hidden in secret places in my house… just in case someone (usually me) gets a craving for something sweet after dinner. However, I recently thought back to how my grandmother spoiled us with homemade fudge and realised that it’s not that difficult to make your own sweets. In fact, there’s something very satisfying and rather fulfilling about the entire exercise and it’s certainly much more impressive to be able to say you made it yourself. Of…

Send yours to us on: info@4x4afrika.com (Subject: My Ride & I) WINNER Braam van Eden 2012 Land Rover Discovery 4 “I have always had a soft spot for Land Rovers, having previously owned a Disco 3 which I drove until just under 400 000km on the clock. My car – we call it Ompad, which translates to detour as a Landy never backs away from especially a gravel detour – is my happy place and lifts my mood every time I get behind the wheel. It drives like a dream, fits my family comfortably and has never let me down. Landies are simply the best vehicles – and if you disagree, you simply don’t get it!” *Follow Braam on his detours on social media: @4_who_explore Nicola Bourdillon 2009 Gen 3…