Innholdsfortegnelse for Oct/Nov 2023 i Go! Drive & Camp

INBOX Thank you for the article about Eswatini in the June-July 2023 issue. Information for selfdrive tours in this country is rather sparse. We’re planning a tour from the Western Cape to the Kruger National Park and would like to make a detour through Eswatini. Our time for the whole tour is limited, so we’re basically just driving through Eswatini. We plan to visit Ngwenya Glass and possibly the Sibebe Rock as well. We’ll be camping at Malolotja and aim to continue the next day through the Bulembu border post to Barberton, and then on to Sabie. We have five vehicles, each with a bush caravan. I’d like to know if our intended route, especially from Piggs Peak through the Bulembu border post, will be suitable for towing the caravans.…

Since childhood, I used to go on caravan holidays with my parents. From Outjo in Namibia all the way to Vryheid and Port Elizabeth, as it was known back then. We later moved to Montagu and camped every December in Struisbaai. At one point, my tent and camping equipment were always in my car’s boot. Then, in the nineties, my brother Johan and I bought a Gypsey Caravette. Unfortunately, he used it more than I did. About two years ago, I bought a trailer with a tent on top to start camping with my wife, Corlia. We toured through Namibia, and about four months ago, we decided to buy a caravan. We started looking and settled on an older Gypsey 5. The caravan seemed to be in good condition. But…

Getting your trailer to the campsite is one thing but manoeuvring it by hand once you’re there isn’t always feasible. Enter caravan movers, transforming your caravan into a remote-controlled wonder you can park wherever you wish. Pieter Kalis and his team at Caravan Movers in Benoni specialise in installing caravan movers, serving the northern regions of the country: Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West and the Free State. Ewiks is one of their trusted brands, and their latest model, the Ewiks Auto, is now available. This smaller version fits caravans where there wasn’t enough room for installation before. The Auto isn’t just whisper quiet; you won’t need to manually engage the unit’s roller with a wrench. As the name implies, it’s automatic – the roller works at the push of a…

NEWS A decade ago, in 2013, Rhinoman was born. Starting out in a modest factory space of 150 m2 with just five members of staff, their daily output was two canopies. Humble beginnings indeed. Over the years, Rhinoman has undergone a remarkable transformation. The factory floor now spans an impressive 15 000 m2 and employs 170 hardworking individuals. Modern technology has become the cornerstone of the company, boasting the latest laser and bending equipment to manufacture parts and panels of unparalleled accuracy and quality. Rhinoman’s mission has remained steadfast: to provide Rhinoman canopies for every bakkie owner striving to maximise their vehicle’s potential, while also becoming South Africa’s leading manufacturer of aluminium canopies. This feat is made possible by a team of craftsmen using the latest technology to ensure each…

At some point in your camping life, you simply have to pitch your tent on a working farm. Witness the journey from farm to shelf as you kick back and take in the land that feed us. That’s exactly what you get to do at Melkhout and Leopard Trail guest farms near Bonnievale. At Melkhout, you set up camp amid a herd of Jersey cows next to the Breede River, complete with your own bathroom. Leopard Trail lies at the foothills of the Langeberg and is part of the Sitruspoort farm, where you’ll see vineyards and orchards along the way. Forget electricity; a trusty old donkey boiler provides the hot water. Bonnievale is renowned for its cheese and wine, but to really appreciate it, you’ve got to get to grips…

Nestled along De Wagendrift Road (D1333) within the broader Dinokeng Reserve – but beyond where the Big Five roam freely – is Nyani Lodge with its brand-new campsite. The reserve is divided into two phases: Phase 1 allows animals to roam freely among properties, while Phase 2 properties are still fenced in. Nyani Lodge sits in Phase 2. Situated within their wildlife enclosure, the Nyani campsite may be secluded, but there’s no need to worry about safety. Only small game roam here, and any lion roars you hear come from the Kevin Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary nearby. UPON ARRIVAL, you’ll first check-in at the lodge to fill out all the necessary paperwork. Once that’s sorted, you exit the main gate and immediately turn right into the wildlife enclosure. Advance arrangements for…

It’s a tradition that’s come a long way: many years ago, the Coetzee and Prinsloo brothers – three of each – started a tradition that’s has evolved over time. Their fathers were family friends who regularly went hunting together in the Bosbokrand area. The six youngsters were also good friends, building wire cars and shooting clay pigeons. That friendship was so strong they continued hunting together even after their fathers had passed away. These hunting trips acquired the name CP (for Coetzee and Prinsloo, naturally) followed by the year. For CP22—that is, last year—the six friends headed to Bosbokrand for a 4×4 weekend. They had a great time, got rather nostalgic, and even began discussing what lay ahead for CP23. Kabous tells us all about it. "André Scholtz’s message consists…

"Drive & Camp says The entire manual is available on the Everest’s computer. You have the option to search for specific terms, making it easy to track down information. R953400 Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD6 4x4 VX BT Comes with an 80 ℓ tank, delivers 500 Nm, and has a towing capacity of 3 300 kg. R1145500 Toyota Prado 2.8 GD TX Features an 87 ℓ tank, delivers 500 Nm, and has a towing capacity of 3 000 kg. R1393800 VW Touareg Luxury Sports a 90 ℓ tank, delivers 600 Nm, and has a towing capacity of 3 500 kg…

BAKKIE OF THE YEAR At the recently concluded SA Bakkie of the Year competition, overseen by organisers Dirk Gallowitz and Ferdi deVos, Nine bakkies had to prove their mettle in towing, off-roading and dynamic handling. For the first time, towing has been included in such a competition. Drive & Camp was invited to join the panel that judged the towing and 4×4 sections, which were performed respectively by Leon Botha and Cyril Klopper. In the end, there were seven category winners and one overall victor. Leon kicks off the towing discussion, followed by Cyril’s 4×4 impressions on page 88. Who participated? The focus was on luxury automatic 4×4 double-cabs. Manufacturers had to enter, and only Mahindra, Peugeot, GWM, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Isuzu, and Volkswagen (with two models) showed up at the…

NEWS Hogzilla4×4 is hitting two birds with one stone as it ventures into the camping world: its Xpander is a modular camping unit that fits onto the back of a bakkie when the load bed is removed. But that’s not all, the unit is also available as a standalone trailer with its own chassis. Hogzilla makes its debut with a truly unique product. Its patented sleeping area forms a key part of its winning formula. This unit is compatible with any bakkie, from single to double cab. However, what sets it apart is the economic use of space. Unlike traditional designs where the sleeping area is either internal or pops up, the Xpander’s bed extends from the back like a drawer. This in itself isn’t new, but how it’s executed…

NEWS When it comes to adventure travel and remote destinations, the quest for reliable and innovative equipment is a never-ending pursuit. While world-renowned brands have their place, South Africans have access to a rich variety of local options. Owing to our diverse terrain, rugged landscapes and access to remote destinations, South Africa boasts some of the world’s leading manufacturers of off-road equipment. We have brands that have been trailblazers in designing rooftop tents, dual-battery systems, roof racks, 12V cooling solutions, canopies and more. One such world-renowned brand is National Luna, a specialist manufacturer that has been providing 12V cooling, lighting and dual-battery solutions to both the local and international markets for nearly 40 years. The company faced a significant setback in November 2019 when a large portion of its Johannesburg…

Conqueror’s existing range of Commanders is available in three variants: the Classic, Platinum, and Recce. The brand-new Commander X isn’t part of these variants but a model in its own right. Besides the difference in size and weight, the Commander X introduces a range of new features: the roof and the front bed have been redesigned, and the outdoor bathroom partly moves indoors. What’s different? Compared to the current Commander, the new model is 490 mm longer, 175 mm wider and 55 mm higher. The tare weight has increased by 120 kg (1 500 kg compared to 1 380 kg), and the GVM has increased by 150 kg from 1 800 kg to 1 950 kg. These differences make for ample room. The existing Commander series comes with two similar…

Located about 250 km north of Cape Town, the Cederberg nestles between Citrusdal and Clanwilliam. To the west, you’ll find the Sandveld, famous for its potato spud farms; Pakhuisberg lies to the north with its haunting allure of ghost stories; and eastwards stretch the Springbok Flats and the tranquil Tankwa Karoo. “Inlanders dream of the Bushveld. We Capetonians from the green south, we dream of the mountains. And among mountains chiefly, the Cederberg,” muses Jan Rabie in his Afrikaans language book Droomberge – Sederberge. This is a place where you’ll encounter a Nieuwoudt around every bend, where poets Boerneef and C Louis Leipoldt penned their most beautiful prose, and where Jan Rabie wore holes in his boots. OUR JOURNEY KICKS OFF from Clanwilliam. If you spent the previous night in…

REEL & WHEEL The second series of Land en strand, the Afrikaans fishing programme hosted by Bok van Blerk, is currently being broadcast on Fridays at 19:30 and Saturdays at 16:00 on VIA (DStv channel 147). We chat with him about his love for fishing. TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAMME. I have a great love for the outdoors and angling, so when my good friend Mark de la Hey suggested we try a TV programme, I was on board. Each episode involves us touring and searching for a specific fish species. While we’re at it, we explain how to hunt that species, the different ways to catch it, and what type of bait, hook and knots you can use. If the fish is edible and on the…

The last Everest we tested was the 2.0 BiT Limited 4x4 model with its 500 Nm engine, and it seems the manufacturer has used this torque as a starting point for its new models. Four out of the six models still have the two-litre engine that delivers 500 Nm, but it’s the 3 ℓ V6 under the hood of the other two, the Wildtrak and Platinum, that catches the eye this time, delivering a whopping 600 Nm. Price differences between the two- and three-litre models are as follows: the 2.0 ranges from R848 300 to R1 020 300, while you’ll pay more for the V6 models: R1 104 600 for the Wildtrak and R1 168 400 for the Platinum. Only the Platinum comes standard with 21” wheels; the rest have…

CAMPER TEST The well-known manufacturer Invader – popular for its two established models, the Duo and Quattro – has now unveiled a variant of the former, named the Duo X. Although the core concept of the two Duo models remains the same, the X is a model in its own right. Instead of 15-inch wheels, 17-inch wheels come standard on the newcomer, while the 1,8 t axle makes way for a 2 t version. Their dimensions and weights also differ slightly: the X is 100 mm longer and 50 mm higher and wider. Its tare weight is an additional 50 kg, but the gross vehicle mass remains at 1 500 kg. Where the standard model comes with one 105 Ah battery, in the X you get two of them, and…

BAKKIE OF THE YEAR After Leon participated in the towing test for three days, he was relieved by Cyril for the 4×4 test. Proceedings were set to start late morning as Toyota had sent a Hilux 2.8 4x4 RS at the eleventh hour, and this had to complete the towing test before we could tackle the off-road obstacles. Over the next two days, the bakkies were put through the wringer on an off-road course to see what they’re made of. One bakkie broke down and another had to skip a test because it just couldn’t handle the course. Prepping for torture In the initial phase of the evaluation, we parked the various bakkies side by side, comparing them through the eyes of a jury. Points were awarded for different categories…

Driekie Dekker From Hentiesbaai to Dannhauser in KwaZulu-Natal: 2 400 km. My husband and I. My husband drove the whole way by himself. Definitely never again! Miller Langenhoven I drove 3 000 km in 30 hours, but I’ll never do it again –and I don’t recommend it either. Pieter Rossouw From Lower Sabie to Cape Town. Will never do it again! Agatha Ikking From Kempton Park to Kasane in Botswana. But I will never drive that far and long consecutively again. It’s asking for trouble and it’s unpleasant anyway. Erich Jacobs From Pretoria to Cape Town, but I started driving at 5:00. In my student years, I drove from Plettenberg Bay to Sasolburg and only left at 16:00. I was in Bloemfontein by midnight and will never ever do it again. Those last three and…

Mahindra Electric Automobiles Limited (MEAL), a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, pulled the wraps off its futuristic Vision Thar.e concept on 21 August this year at a glitzy event in Cape Town. This vehicle is part of Mahindra’s future plan to build electric vehicles, especially targeting overseas markets like Europe and Britain. The Indian automaker already sells a gaspowered Thar in its home country, and the Vision Thar.e offers a glimpse into the company’s vision for the future. The concept is built on the so-called Inglo platform – a blend of the words “India” and “global”. This Inglo platform is the result of a collaboration between Volkswagen and Mahindra, and uses various components from the German automaker’s future MEB architecture. The top brass at Mahindra say the Thar.e is more…

"About 10 years ago, our family of five first towed our Jurgens Penta with our Toyota Hilux to Klein-Kariba. Ever since then, I’ve returned every year with my wife Sharon, and our three sons, Roelf (16), William (14), and Gerhard (11). It’s just a over a two-hour drive for us and because it’s so conveniently close, we hardly need any convincing to escape here for a weekend. And every time after we’ve spent the weekend camping here, we realise anew how fantastic it is, and we end up coming back for the school holidays as well. We joke when we hear people talk about their holiday homes in Stilbaai and such places. We say we have one too… at Klein-Kariba WHY ALL THE LOVE FOR KLEIN-KARIBA? If you ask me,…

According to the Gauteng Health Department, an ambulance takes 30-60 minutes to reach an accident scene in that province. Cape Town claims its ambulances can get to an accident within the Metro area in 15 minutes. If you’re severely injured in the wilderness, it will take any emergency service several hours to reach you. For this reason, you need to be able to aid yourself while waiting for help to arrive. ALCOHOL SWABS Clean and serene Mainly used to clean medical equipment like scalpels and lancets, these wipes can also be used to clean wounds before treating them. If you get an annual flu jab, you’ll know the nurse first wipes your arm with an alcohol swab before the needle goes in. Drive & Camp says Use them to clean…

Many campers – or anyone fond of hitting the road and seeking the open plains – have stories of something going wrong at some point. And it doesn’t necessarily have to happen on the road; the seed could have been planted at home, only to sprout later. Who hasn’t forgotten important camping or travel gear at home? One such tale I personally experienced wasn’t the result of my own negligence, but that of a fellow camper. It unfolded one Easter weekend at the Algeria campsite in the Cederberg Mountains. Our group had already set up early in the beautiful, expansive campsite. The campfire was lit, and we could sit comfortably with a glass in hand and start socialising. It was around this time that our camping neighbours arrived. It was…

Since Citroën’s inception in 1919, the company has been known for its somewhat unusual but exciting vehicles. For instance, think of the DS, 2CV, the more recent C4 Cactus, and now the Type Holiday. The French manufacturer unveiled its latest mobile home at the recent Düsseldorf caravan show in Germany. The Type Holiday is actually a revamped Citroën SpaceTourer – sold in South Africa as an Opel Zafira – and it strongly evokes the Citroën H-Type vans of the 1940s with its corrugated body panels. As far as we know, the H vans were never officially imported to South Africa, but you may recognise this van if you watched the dubbed ‘Die meisie van Avignon’ on the old TV1 on Monday nights. The H van’s styling takes inspiration from the…