Innholdsfortegnelse for Oct/Nov 2025 i Go! Drive & Camp

I’ve always been a little besotted with this time of year. Spring has had a few weeks to show winter the door, and we’re well on our way to year’s end. There’s something almost magical in the air that makes you breathe differently. The soft scent of blossoms, the warmth of the sun, the promise of longer days that call for adventure. After a long, quiet winter, it feels as if the world itself comes alive again – and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to pack up, hit the road and head into nature. For people like us, these months are more than just a change of season. They’re an invitation – to places we’ve never been, and to dust off our tents, caravans and gear. Few…

Isuzu Motors South Africa has taken steps to make schools more accessible to underprivileged communities by delivering 820 pairs of school shoes and socks to two primary schools in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. The shoes were produced by My Walk, a non-governmental organisation that uses recycled medical waste to manufacture durable, reliable footwear. According to My Walk, this approach is not only environmentally friendly but also creates employment opportunities for the jobless. Mandla Sibonyoni, principal of Mikateka Primary School in Midrand, said that children who take pride in their appearance also perform better academically.“Some of our learners have never owned a pair of school shoes,”he said. The initiative is one of several run by Isuzu Motors South Africa to uplift disadvantaged communities and help people make a positive contribution…

The Indian multinational underwent a dramatic restructuring last year, a process expected to continue until the end of this year. The shake-up involves splitting the business so that commercial and passenger vehicles will now be handled by two independent sister companies. The model you see here is one of four new passenger vehicles that have just arrived in South Africa. What’s new? The Tata Curvv is an SUV that edges close to crossover territory, slotting into the so-called “C-SUV”category. Its sleek lines are meant to echo those of a coupé – though of course it has four doors, not two. That hasn’t stopped Tata from marketing the Curvv as an SUV-coupé, though. All versions coming to South Africa are powered by a turbocharged 1.2 ℓ petrol engine. The entry-level 1.2T…

Simon’s Town is one of the brightest gems in the Cape’s tourism crown, a place that’s welcomed some remarkable visitors and witnessed major moments in world history. Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, dropped anchor here a couple of centuries ago to study the region’s geology, and today you can snap a photo of his bronze statue on the quay. Also in these waters lies the wreck of HMS Pelorus, a Second World War warship that went down just off Miller’s Point campsite. That’s exactly where you’re headed for the weekend: Miller’s Point, where it feels like you’re perched on a stage above the sea with sweeping views across False Bay. Slow but steady Miller’s Point lies barely 45 km from Cape Town’s city centre, along a route known to…

It’s hard to miss just how much writing there is on, for example, the sidewall of a Maxxis Razr AT tyre. In this article, we’ll break down exactly what it all means – starting at the 12 o’clock position on the photo below, then working our way clockwise to decode the markings. 01 The first “code” is an easy one: it’s simply the brand emblem with the words “Made in Taiwan” underneath. Maxxis is, indeed, a Taiwanese product, and a common belief posits that a tyre made in its country of origin is usually superior to those produced elsewhere. Next to the emblem, you’ll notice a mountain peak icon with a snowflake – this indicates the tyre meets or exceeds the minimum industry standard for winter performance. 02 This panel…

I read Cyril Klopper’s article, “A secret in the Eastern Cape Karoo” – about the ten passes and one neck – in the June/July 2025 issue, and I’d love to drive that route. There’s one snag: I can’t plot it on Google Maps or in my Tracks4Africa atlas. We love tackling gravel passes and going through poorts while visiting small towns and settlements along the way. A few years back, we drove from Klipplaat over Swanepoelspoort, through Willowmore, all the way to the Prince Alfred Pass. Those ten passes look like a great route on the way to Addo. My question is: which maps does Cyril use to plan his routes? He refers to the P1852 farm road – which maps actually show these kinds of road numbers? The Tracks4Africa…

LIBERTY CARAVANS The Eastern Cape caravan manufacturer Liberty isn’t equally well known everywhere, since most of its models have so far been sold in and around Gqeberha. Now the owner, Dawid Barnard, is ready to spread his wings. For years, Dawid travelled far and wide across the continent, always camping in a tent. Those experiences now take shape in his Liberty caravans, which offer plenty of luxuries, yet are also geared for the bush. Bottom to top The building materials are crucial in any caravan, and from the outset, it’s clear that a Liberty is built to last. An aluminium frame sits atop a galvanised chassis, finished with a fibreglass skin and insulated with a honeycomb composite. The floor uses the same type of material, resulting in a caravan that…

The elephant bull is too close -barely 10 m away - and you sit frozen. It’s past midnight and, apart from his restless snorts, there isn’t a sound. The moonlight is faint, but you could swear he sees you. Or at least smell you. What if he moves closer, straight through the little pan of water between you? Maybe it’s time to slip away quietly… Then, a bothersome lapwing crashes into the glass panel between you and the giant and you realise you’d been so caught up that you forgot about the one-way glass separating the hide from the waterhole. When you walk back to camp later, the handful of tents at Olifantsrus lie dark and silent. This is how the bush is meant to be. “Even in the campsite,…

Not too long ago, I was sitting around a small campfire with friends when the conversation turned to a rather philosophical question: “What’s the best way to camp?” As with any of life’s big questions, there’s no easy answer. What did become clear, though, is that the camping species – (campus generalis), if you will – is made up of several tribes, each with its own customs and rituals. Let’s start with the long-stay camper, the type who has mastered this lifestyle over dozens of seasons. This easy-going tribe quite literally builds a micro-village where you can experience their natural hospitality firsthand. Just ask any long-stayer – camping (or is it staying? … perhaps even living?) is about far more than a little tent and two picnic chairs. No. These…

Just 20 km outside Montagu, you can now escape to peace and quiet at the Ouberg Reserve. It’s 900 ha of unspoiled Klein Karoo nature, where you can settle in at one of five brand-new campsites. At Ouberg’s new campsite, you’ll find a true getaway deep in the mountains, where not even cellphone signal can reach you. But you’re not completely cut off: free wifi is available right at your stand. Each site is cleared in the veld and fitted with a small braai (with a grid) and a tap supplying borehole water. A simple reed shelter on four poles provides shade, with two sides closed for extra protection. And the owners, Richard and Susan Gie, are busy building a plunge pool for campers. The stands line up along a…

Renault South Africa, in partnership with Tennis SA and the Potchefstroom campus of North-West University, hosted a tournament where top school players had the chance to compete on the country’s only five genuine Italian clay courts. A total of 200 players in the U12, U14 and U16 age groups took part across four tournaments held in May and August this year. Top seeds Heinrich Rootman (men’s open), Kaylin Kroon (U16 girls), Alexander Bell (U16 boys), Haniela Hans de Andrade (U12 girls) and Takuto Kasahara (U12 boys) all lived up to expectations by taking the titles in their respective divisions. Haniela Hans de Andrade was the standout performer, dropping only two sets across her three matches. Ines Foucque (U16 girls), Mila Dannhauser (U14 girls) and Luca Muller (U14 boys) entered the…

ADVENTURE XTREME ULTIMATE Just like the rest of Adventure Xtreme’s caravans, the Ultimate’s gross vehicle mass (GVM) is set at 1 600 kg, which means you can hitch it to a mid-range tow vehicle. The Ultimate is the only model in the range which, in standard form, offers sleeping space for three, says owner Jan-Albert van Niekerk. Buyers can also opt for a bunk bed to accommodate a fourth person. Three ways The outdoor kitchen is fitted on the left-hand side, with the washing-up area at the rear. The island bed’s headboard slides out of the right panel like a giant drawer and is secured – in the closed position – with a container lock. You could hardly ask for a sturdier door lock on an off-road caravan. The Ultimate…

Start your journey in Mkhondo (formerly Piet Retief) and head out of town on Kruger Street, which eventually becomes the R543 regional road. The tar is worn, and it’s inevitable that you’ll hit a pothole or two along the way. Exactly 8 km outside Mkhondo’s centre, turn left at the sign pointing to Lüneburg and the Intombe battlefield along the P45. The tar here is in even worse condition than the R543, but the upside is that traffic is sparse. That gives you plenty of time to weave around the potholes – and the freedom to slow down and soak up this beautiful Mpumalanga landscape. You drive past pine plantations and farms producing vegetables, beef and animal feed, with locals along the way filling potholes with soil. About 36 km…

Cape Town enjoys an average of 3 094 hours of sunshine a year – the closest a European city comes to that is Athens in Greece with 2 769 hours. So, chances are the weather will be on your side when you visit the Mother City. Have your ID or driver’s licence ready at the Cape Point National Park entrance to show you’re a local. The entry fee is R455 p.p., but visitors with a South African ID pay only R105 p.p. (R55 for children). Follow Smitswinkel Road for 2,5 km until a roadside sign points you right, towards Olifantsbos. The 11 km tar road winds past rocky outcrops and fynbos to a beach where the rusted shipwrecks of the Thomas T. Tucker and Nolloth can still be seen. Here,…

The Bruiser 4×4 might be a formidable name in the off-road caravan industry, but the man behind the wheel, Brandon Hardie, is hardly. In fact, Brandon is known for his UniPod off-road caravans. According to Brandon, the Bruiser 4×4 is the luxury division in the range that boasts serious off-road capabilities. You don’t often see caravans in dark colours, and black especially is unusual. With its contrasting red badges, the Bruiser 4×4 definitely catches the eye. The exterior has a tough, scratch-resistant Raptor-finish, but should you get a few scratches or stone chips, it can be easily repaired. Moreover, the Expander is custom-made for each client’s needs and tastes. The outside kitchen’s layout can be changed, and inside there are multiple finishing choices, from wall colours to flooring. Pitching perfect…

Have you come across a rare trailer or vehicle? Tell us about it and send a photo to drivecamp@gomag.co.za The American motoring giant General Motors was notorious for rebadging affiliated brands’ vehicles with little rhyme or reason – think of the Isuzu mu-X, which was originally sold in South Africa as the Chevrolet Trailblazer. The second-generation Isuzu Trooper, however, bore the brunt of GM’s badge-engineering antics. In some South American markets it was sold as the Chevrolet Trooper. In Britain, it became the Vauxhall Monterey, Europeans knew it as the Opel Monterey. Australians got the Holden Jackaroo – and even an HSV Jackaroo fitted with a V8 (HSV standing for “Holden Special Vehicles”). Later, there was also the Holden Monterey, with a V6 under the bonnet. Back in Japan, Isuzu’s…