Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 i Go! Drive & Camp

Let’s immediately address the elephant in the room by discussing whether the X-Class is simply a Navara with mascara. Is the Merc’s body shell bolted onto a Nissan Navara chassis? Yes, sort of. The key fobs look exactly alike, the rear-view mirror has the same compass-direction indicator, and, of course, there is Nissan’s 4-cylinder diesel engine. But the differences ultimately outweigh the similarities. More on this later. For now there are three variants to choose from: The X-Class Pure is a basic variant ideal for rugged, functional use (unpainted bumpers and steel rims). The eggheads at Mercedes thinks it’ll be popular among tradesmen but if a plumber pulls up to your house in a Merc bakkie, you should probably prepare for a ridiculously high plumbing bill. The X-Class Progressive is…

Every month, our longterm test vehicle, a brand new Mazda BT-50 3.2 4x4 SLE bakkie (double cab, automatic), gets equipped with a new off-road modification. It already boasts a set of BF Goodrich T/A tyres, a steel rear bumper, bullbar, winch, bash plate and a set of side steps. Now it’s time to fit a canopy. Made by hand If you really want to head into the bundu for a few weeks and measure yourself against the elements, a decent canopy for your bakkie is not negotiable. The benefits of a good canopy include the packing space, the increased security and the fact that you protect your vehicle against the elements – stuff like rain and dust. And when the canopy is on, you can start looking at items including…

After six years in Vosburg, the Bull Run and the 150-strong herd of testosterone-charged, adrenaline-fueled classic cars moved camp to Vanwyksvlei in the Northern Cape. The participants went all out dolling up their steeds – all predating 1980 and costing less than R25 000 – and the stage was set for an epic event of team revelry and engines revving. Thursday night we braaiied, and on Friday morning, the teams tackled the gruelling stage race for the Friday, with strict instructions to abide by the law (drivers are breathalysed and cars are timed to the local restrictions). Saturday’s action took place on Wilhelm’s pan, a massive dirt pan 15 km outside town, where drivers tested their abilities in the form of gymkhanas and the customary head-to-head drag racing. Drivers…

We’re always on the lookout for new camping spots. When my wife Tina’s parents from Sweden visited, we’d booked into a chalet at Bakgatla Resort in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. This time around, we booked ourselves a stand there. Tell us more about Bakgatla The campsite and recreation area is very neat, though it can do with a bit of an upgrade. There are also different camping sections. There’s a section for tent (and trailer) campers without electricity, one for tent camping with electricity and then a newer section for caravans or trailers only – and that’s where we camped. The stands are well marked, but not numbered as it’s on a first-come, first-served basis. Not all the stands have shade and grass is scarce, but they are generous in…

FISHING RESORT Far from the noise and close to the sea Oyster Bay Resort This resort is located in the tiny village of Oyster Bay, about 40km from Jeffreys Bay in the direction of Plettenberg Bay. It’s barely a dot on the map – there isn’t even a post office here. If you want to go fishing, make sure your fishing permit is valid or stop at Humansdorp’s post office to get your paperwork in order. The Oyster Bay Resort is more or less in the centre of town and the beach is no more than a five-minute walk away. The resort itself is a nice, neat campsite where you camp on even stands and green grass. Shade is scarce, but taps, power points and bins are abundant. The stands…

For most of us, the Northern Cape, with its extensive dry plains, is more than a day’s drive, and it’s more than likely not the first place that comes to mind when you are looking for potential holiday destinations. But this is a big mistake. In this part of the world you’ll definitely not struggle to find things to do. Our country’s largest province (bigger than Germany) has a rich history and bucket loads of natural beauty for you to marvel at. Back in the day, Springbok boasted the world’s richest copper mine, and one of South Africa’s most impressive waterfalls is located a little bit further inland in the Augrabies National Park. We stopped at two great campsites and now understand why everyone should visit this area at least…

The farm Kazi Mingi lies in the Mootvallei, just north of Modimolle, and between the Waterberg and Swaershoek mountain ranges. This is where Kobus and Trudi Nel farm with mostly avocados, guavas, pecan nuts and macadamias. They also plant a few cash crops, but those usually suffer under the baboons. In October, when the guavas are ripening, their tropical scent permeates the orchards. Next to the guavas, the macadamias start changing colour from green to brown here and there, while the pecan trees start sprouting their first green leaves. Trudi hails from Kenya originally – hence the farm’s Swahili name, meaning ‘hard work’. It’s here, on the farm, that she’s established a small, intimate bush camp between the indigenous Bushveld trees with only five stands. > And each of them…

What would a camping trip be without food that’s been prepared right there on the coals? Succulent steak and chops cooked to perfection. Wors that would make Nataniël weep. Potjie that proves you’re the best camp chef in the family. It’s all very well and good to have the right ideas and recipes for camp kitchen glory, but you’re definitely going to need the right tools to complete the job. After a hard year putting in the hours at campsites all across South Africa and just outside her borders, we’ve deduced that our very own braai collections could do with these braai essentials in our Christmas stockings. (Ahem… nudge, nudge, wink, wink. – Ed.) Schalk Jonker FIRESIDE FIREPIT AND GRID A big-boy braai It’s all too often that you arrive…

Rule Britannia 2013 LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110  Considering that these models are no longer produced, all the places he’s visited with his Defender makes the memories that much more special, says Peter Field from Saldanha Bay. “I was tempted to buy a Toyota Land Cruiser when I was in the market for a 4x4. I wanted a good all-rounder that was big enough to lug all our camping gear around. But ultimately I was won over by the Land Rover’s outstanding low-range ability and especially its prowess in soft sand. I bought mine new for R413 000 and named it after my late mother, Hilda. Because the Defender is already quite capable as an off-roader, all I had fitted to help it slightly in this regard is a set of…

Fuel consumption is a tender subject for most people, especially men. You sometimes get the impression that your status is determined by that number – your mileage per litre – just as it is by your car, your rugby team, your job description and how many followers you have on social media. How many times haven’t I had to listen to my friends arguing over whose car has the best fuel consumption? And the excuses as to why Willie’s is better than Braam’s... wind resistance, wheel size, air pressure, octane, tire pressure... everything plays a role. The one thing that never changes is the fact that everyone’s car gets lighter on fuel as the night progresses, as opposed to the size of the fish that got away. MANY YEARS AGO…

Motorhome-World, the largest motorhome manufacturer in the country, has just launched a new model. The Discoverer iD is cheaper than the luxurious Discoverer Deluxe model and, although it is similar from the outside to Discoverer 4 and 6, it is shorter. The iD boasts the popular island beds and is available in two variants: the standard model for two people (one double bed) and one with two double beds. The door is on the left behind the steering cabin’s door, with the dining corner in front on the opposite wall as you get in. The bed is built-in to your right at the back with the fridge in front of the sleeping space. The microwave oven sits above the fridge and is about shoulder height when standing before it. The…

“One giant theatre performance. That’s what this tour is,” says Phil van Wyk, tour guide at Bhejane 4x4 Adventures. Phil is from Goghas and he is the stage manager. He ensures you’re at the right place at the right time to experience the suspense and feel the adrenaline. His Land Cruiser is packed like a train in India. Next to it is a Hilux taking strain under its load of 750 kg. This belongs to Harry Kielblock, Phil’s partner. Together with his team, Malcolm Gawie and Hansie Ruben, a Nama from Goghas, Harry drives ahead to ensure the comfort of his clients at the six different campsites on the route. The vehicles of this hotel-on-wheels each carry 40 ℓ extra diesel, fridges, water, tents and food for 27 people. We’re…

It all started with a very innocent question: “Well, where are we going next?” This was after a trip through Botswana and our group was reflecting over the few days. “Where do you want to go?” asked Jacques Fouché, our organiser and tour leader. I thought for a while, and then suggested we should head further, East Africa. A proper bucket-list adventure: Uganda’s gorillas, the Serengeti, everything. Many liked the suggestion, and soon our plans began to take shape. We’d be travelling through Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda to Kenya and then return via Tanzania and the Serengeti, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana. There was no shortage of interest. The Dempers would travel with Marius and Magda de Jager of Paarl, Frikkie and Winnie Cronjé of Riversdal, Dirk and…

Echo4x4 is one of the largest off-road caravan builders in the country, and you have a choice of three off-road caravans – as well as a range of off-road trailers. Other off-road caravan manufacturers use mainly aluminum, steel or a combination of the two, but Echo is one of the few whose caravan bodies are made of fibreglass monocoque structure. Not only is fibreglass almost completely weather-resistant, but it’s also one of the strongest materials one can use What’s more, Echo’s caravans are manufactured on site pretty much from head to toe: from the fiberglass shell and electrical system to all the canvas work and its cooling-truck locks. Of the three off-road caravans – the Kavango, Namib and Chobe – the Chobe is the latest addition, and also the smallest.…

Fire is one of man’s oldest and most primitive tools, and yet it is often still misunderstood and not given its due respect. Rather than just hope you’ll be able to deal with the unfortunate event of a blaze at your campsite in the correct manner, you should definitely be able to act with confidence, armed with the right tools and information. We spoke to Sally Sweetnam from TransFire, a leading and respected name in the fire-protection industry, about putting out fires yourself. First and foremost, know what kind of fire you’re facing. Using the incorrect method and medium could have dire consequences for you, your family or friends. “We have a saying here at TransFire,” says Sally. “If you don’t know, don’t go – it might blow.” CLASS A Fire…

WINNING PHOTO Sundowners Neels and Elma Meyer of Mossel Bay tackled the sandy roads of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in August. As well as his wonderful memories, Neels has also notched up a winning photo. “We entered Botswana at Mata-Mata. From here we meandered up next to the border to Buitepos. We stayed on the sandy roads to Khaudum – one of the many highlights of our tour. “Every day brought its own delight and, at the Tsoana waterhole, we saw an unusual sight. A good 160 or so elephants gathered at the waterhole as the sun set. Small calves played in the water while the big ones curled their trunks in curiosity. We only got to camp in the dark, but we didn’t complain – it was such a special moment.”…

“We’ve camped for 50 years with many different types of rigs. All of them have similar disadvantages. They take too long to set up, involve towing or ladders, are too heavy, and require too much effort. We needed something simple that’s quick and easy to erect. After some sketches, a bit of daydreaming and discussions with my wife, I decided to build my own campervan. For our ideal camping scenario, we needed to have the essentials fit inside a van. It had to be a case of arrive, unpack table and chairs, and then just relax. We found that the Hyundai H1 panel van suited our needs in terms of size. We could have gone for a bigger vehicle to pack in a lot more unnecessary stuff, but that would…