Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 36 i Adventure Afrika

Audi The Q8 e-tron was supposed to arrive locally in 2023, but Audi South Africa has now let it drop that it will possibly arrive by October 2024. It will be available in both SUV and Sportback body styles, with three powertrains and two battery sizes to choose from. The range-topper will be the S Q8 e-tron, which boasts three electric motors and has 370kW and 973Nm on tap. New versions of the Q2, Q3, Q7 and Q8 could also be on the cards during 2024. BMW The new X2 could arrive early in the new year. The top model will be the X2 M35i with a turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine generating up to 233kW and 400Nm of peak torque. A diesel-powered X2 sDrive18d is also expected and will…

Over Heritage weekend this year we were invited to the Jimny Gathering in Clarens. The weekend didn’t start off with a drive to Clarens, though. We were lucky enough to be part of a small media group to take the brand-new five-door Jimny on its maiden road trip in South Africa – so, we were flown down to Durban to hop into a bunch of fresh-off-the-boat Jimny five-doors! The idea was for us to drive to Clarens from there. Our route would give us over 400km in the vehicle, and as we headed out, we hit the morning peak hour traffic. Like most people, my initial thought was that a bigger Jimny would need a bigger engine, or at least a slightly tweaked version of the faithful 1.5 litre, but…

Our journey, which can only be described as a complete and utter success, began at Woodlands Stop Over and Lodge near Francistown in Botswana. Here we did the usual meet and greet, along with a briefing on timing and what to expect the next day. The roads and conditions en route to the well-known Mana Pools in Zimbabwe are less than ideal and require hair on your teeth – patience and alertness are the key. You can’t take your eyes off the narrow, potholed, goat, and truck invested road for a second. Trucks try to dodge the edge of the disintegrating tar road and the massive potholes, which leaves you with very little and sometimes no road when overtaking – falling off the edge is common. Not so great when…

When it comes to navigating challenging terrain or driving in adverse weather conditions, having a capable and reliable vehicle is of utmost importance. Two popular drivetrain options that offer enhanced traction and control are the 4x4 (four-wheel drive) and AWD (all-wheel drive) systems. A 4x4 system is typically found in off-road vehicles and bakkies and distributes power equally to all four wheels simultaneously. By allowing the driver to manually engage or disengage all four wheels, it maximises traction on uneven surfaces, making it ideal for tackling rugged terrain. On the other hand, an AWD system is commonly found in sedans, SUVs, and crossovers. It operates by continuously monitoring road conditions and automatically adjusting power distribution between the front and rear wheels as needed. Advantages of 4x4 systems A 4x4 system…

I ’m not a big drinker, but there are certain occasions that need to be celebrated with something of an alcoholic nature. If – like me – you don’t enjoy hard tack but still want to partake in the festivities, you can always opt for something sweet and delicious that could be passed off as dessert… albeit in liquid form! And you don’t have to spend a considerable chunk of your budget at the liquor store either. These are all relatively inexpensive and super easy to prepare. Peppermint Crisp shooters Ingredients (Makes three to four servings) 50ml vodka80ml condensed milk2 tablespoons fresh cream1 bar of Peppermint Crisp chocolate Method Combine the vodka, condensed milk and cream and shake or stir well. Pour the mixture into shot glasses. You can now…

Earlier this year Ford whisked us off to the dunes of Namibia to drive the new-generation Ranger Raptor… and it was a total blast! This bakkie’s capabilities and the ease with which it flew through and over the sand dunes of Namibia left a lasting impression on me. However, at that point I never considered it for a vehicle to be used as a daily ride and having it to use on a daily basis recently, I stand by my point. In fact, during this time with the beast, I figured out a couple of things about the new Raptor… and also realised something about myself! This vehicle truly is something special. The 3.0-litre V6 twin turbo pushes out 292kW at 5 650rpm and 583Nm at 3 500rpm and is…

VEHICLE: 2009 Toyota Prado 120 4.0-litre V6 OWNER: Tristan Hall Pre-pandemic, we owned a white Toyota Prado 120, which – if I have to be honest – was actually the first of the many vehicles I had owned, that I truly fell in love with. At the time I had never even heard the term ‘overlanding’ and it was simply purchased as a practical vehicle. However, family circumstances resulted in us making the terrible decision (hindsight is always 20:20, right) of selling it to have two cars instead… and then the pandemic changed everything! With the need to own two vehicles removed and my discovery of and growing interest in overlanding, we decided to sell the two compact cars for a SUV again. Unfortunately, the pandemic and the riots in South…

The Tiggo 7 Pro is the third model in Chery’s line-up of SUVs and like its stablemates, the Tiggo 4 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro, it has just about everything that opens and shuts in terms of standard spec. Think electric seats and windows, climate control, an infotainment system with voice command, a panoramic sunroof, alloy wheels… it’s all there, and then some! I’m a sucker for gadgets and every time I got behind the wheel, I discovered another nifty feature that I hadn’t noticed before. Sure, if I’d read the official literature, I would have known about all of this, but pressing buttons and scrolling through the different menus to see what they do is much more fun! The New Tiggo 7 Pro Max is now available in AWD…

The top spec Jimny five-door GLX Auto is listed at R479 900 and in today’s market that seems to be a reasonable price for what you get. The extra R41 000 in price compared to the three-door variant buys you an extra 340mm of length, and although it doesn’t sound like much it gives you two extra doors – with decent leg room for the rear bench. The rear cargo space is considerably larger than that of the -three-door and there is enough space for four carry-on suitcases. The extra money also gets you added safety features, a larger infotainment unit and a couple of other extras. But the question remains: is this vehicle overpriced? So, let’s see what you get at the price. This is an extremely capable five-door…

In October 2017, I was once again bound to the capital of Chad, N’Djamena, for another adventure-filled trip into the Sahara. On arrival, I met up with Moussa who was immaculately dressed in a long white djellaba. He was head of the local tour operator, Tchad Evasion which, along with German operator Desert Reisen, had organised a four week tour into the Sahara for myself and a German group. On the morning of our departure, we met our Desert Reisen guide Matina, who hails from Vienna in Austria – she proudly claimed that she had already visited some 60 countries. And finally, our Tubu team – Omar, guide and driver, drivers Hassan and Abdeh, and cook, Samba. They told me that the Tubu greeting was khalega, and to say thank…

Our route for the day was to be at a more leisurely pace than the previous two days and would take us from Thaba-Tseka to Thaba Bosiu via a range of interesting points of interest. We stopped in Lesotho’s university town, Roma, to refuel and took the tar road towards our first pass of the day – the Ngakana Pass. It was another picture-perfect day, and all was going well until the radio creaked to life. It was Iaan van Heerden in the VW Touareg warning Theo Hammond in the Ford Wildtrak that a liquid was running out of his vehicle at an alarming rate. Philip Rawlins and Theo soon diagnosed the problem as a split in the radiator hose, but it was right at the rear of the engine…

We South Africans are blessed to share our country with an incredible diversity of birds, ranging from the largest living bird (the Common Ostrich) to the bird with the largest wingspan (the Wandering Albatross) to one of the most diminutive, the Cape Penduline-tit. There’s the kaleidoscopic Lilac-breasted Roller, which seems to boast every colour known to man, and the relatively drab Red-billed Quelea, which might not wow with its colours but is sure to leave one speechless if seen in its thousands. We are extremely lucky to have over 870 recorded bird species in South Africa, but it would take a few magazine issues to do justice to them all… so I’ve decided to zoom in on a few bucket list birds – from the most stunning to the most…

The Mahindra Scorpio is a legend in its home market, having sold almost 800 000 units since 2002. While nowhere near those numbers, it has gained somewhat of a cult following in South Africa too, with around 6 000 units sold locally since its initial introduction. Thanks to its rugged and utilitarian nature, it has been dubbed as the poor man‘s Land Cruiser and its owners are always full of praise for its performance and off-road prowess. Although I have always liked the Scorpio, I was a tad uncertain if it would stack up to the praise received from the market, and as such I was rearing to get behind the wheel of the all-new and much better-looking Mahindra Scorpio-N – in a sexy red body colour, guaranteed to attract…

Since its inception, Omoda has been committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and providing a unique driving experience. The recently launched Omoda C5 GT lives up to this promise in no uncertain terms. The newcomer boasts a sportier appearance with a lower front bumper, a split front headlight design, T-shaped daytime running lights, and matrix LED taillights. Front and rear spoilers, side skirts, and an aerodynamic rear wing enhance its unique design. Interestingly, the GT offers up to eight different exterior customisations, enabling owners to personalise their vehicle to match their unique style. The model features a gold logo and rear gold GT badge, with optional 18-inch high-gloss black and gold sports rims. Apart from a customised exterior, the GT also trades the regular C5’s 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine…

I don’t give up easily. If I decide I want to do something, I make it happen… and my brother-in-law, Chris van der Spuy, is the same. Thus, we refused to give up on our dream of travelling to Malawi, despite the fact that there was very little information available about this country as a tourist destination. That said, the biggest conundrum was deciding which route to take. The war in Namibia and Angola was a thing of the past, but recently South Africans were again arrested in Zambia and as a result, we decided not to follow the Zambia route. The only other option was to go through Zimbabwe and the Tete Province of Mozambique, but this also presented challenges as firefights continued to break out sporadically between Renamo…

Nestled in the heart of Namibia, Etosha National Park is a breathtaking wilderness that attracts nature enthusiasts, photographers, and wildlife lovers from all corners of the globe. Covering an expansive area of over 22 000 square kilometres, this stunning reserve boasts a diverse ecosystem, mesmerising landscapes, and an abundance of wildlife. Geographical overview Etosha National Park is situated in the northern part of Namibia, close to the country’s border with Angola. The park is part of the larger Kunene region, known for its diverse landscapes, ranging from savannah and grasslands to mopane woodlands and the iconic Etosha Salt Pan. The park’s geology is a tapestry of fascinating formations. The pan itself is a result of a dry lakebed that existed millions of years ago. The region experienced a series of…

In the world of popular four-wheel drive vehicles, the Suzuki Jimny stands out for not only having supreme 4x4 off-road abilities, but also for being the smallest. In Southern Africa, it has continued to gain popularity both on- and off-road, especially since the introduction of the current fourth generation in 2018. Previous generations of the Jimny have always enjoyed a loyal following, not only in the off-road community but also amongst city dwellers wanting something different as their daily driver and waiting lists for new vehicle stock often test buyers’ patience. Consequently, there has been a marked increase in the enquiries for and sales of accessories for this little tyke. There has also been a significant increase in the range and availability of these accessories, indicating that more people are…

Tsitsikamma National Park, Western Cape Storms River Mouth Rest Camp With a spectacular coastline and indigenous forest meeting one another, this campsite offers the best of both worlds. There is an adventure around every corner, whether it’s exploring the birdlife in the canopies of the majestic trees or getting to know less travelled waters. Facilities • Pool: No • Restaurant: Yes • Bar: Yes • Wood & ice: Yes • Excursions: Hiking, cycling routes, horseback riding, blackwater tubing, canopy tours and game drives. Camping • Electricity: Yes (in some cases) • Stands: Paved/grass • Kitchen area & water: Yes • Ablutions: Communal • Shop: Yes CONTACT: +27 42 281 1607 | reservations@tsitsikammanationalpark.co.za | www.tsitsikammanationalpark.co.za Inkululeko Bush camp Nestled in a Tamboti Grove and offering close encounters with the Big Give,…

Send yours to us on: info@4x4afrika.com (Subject: My Ride & I) WINNER Dave Potgieter 2008 Toyota Hilux D-4D “I love adventures and exploring everything this incredible continent has to offer. This is why choosing a vehicle that was not only trustworthy and reliable, but also comfortable was imperative to make our adventure dreams come true. And while there are many opinions and great products out there, I firmly believe that you can’t go wrong with a Hilux. We have kitted Jameson – as we call it – with a new bull bar, a Front Runner roof rack, a snorkel, a canopy, and various odds and ends to get the absolute most out of it. Our favourite memories revolve around those roads less travelled, and a trip around the Wild Coast…