Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2016 i Go! Drive & Camp

At the last count, I’ve been to 31 countries on six continents. So I can say with a fair amount of certainty that Southern Africa doesn’t have the monopoly on beautiful destinations. But what does set us apart is our huge geographical diversity. If you want anything remotely similar, you’d probably have to go to North America, where you’ll have to travel thousands of kilometres to enjoy the diversity that we only have to travel, at most, a few hundred kilometres for. We don’t always realise how fortunate we are. One such a place is the Richtersveld, that rock-strewn stretch of land in the northwestern corner of our country, pressed up against the Orange River. I’ve been there quite a number of times throughout the years, both for work and…

Where: West Coast When: The whole of September! The West Coast is the place to be in September. The region is covered in flowers in spring, and this month is usually the best time to see them at their most glorious. If you time your visit, you can even get in for free at the national parks, since it is National Parks Week from 12 to 16 September. The most popular place for flower viewing is the Namaqua National Park (it’s not part of Parks Week), but there are other places where it is equally beautiful. The Postberg area in the West Coast National Park has the best display in the park, and it’s only open to the public in August and September. There are also a few interesting towns…

Most of us think of our GPS as a navigation tool for driving, but I think you could benefit a lot more from your device if you know a few tricks for using it on foot too. The first scenario that comes to mind is something similar to what happened to me during a trip to Kafue National Park. Our fishing boat’s battery gave in, and no matter what we did, we couldn’t get it started, leaving us potentially stranded. We had only seen one other boat in a week and there was no cellphone reception. So, one of the men decided to walk back to camp and fetch another boat to assist. GPS to the rescue Using our GPS device, we could first of all orientate ourselves accurately, i.e.…

Our Kaokoland adventure started with a hiccup or two, and we only arrived at our first campsite for the trip, Oppikoppi in Kamanjab, after 5 pm. Maybe it was a sign of things to come. Before leaving Windhoek, we had to ensure a hired 4x4 was overland-ready, buy last-minute provisions (with roof racks too high for most shopping centres’ parking areas) and find ATMs that would accommodate our large cash withdrawals. Then, an hour before reaching Kamanjab, one of the vehicles developed fuel starvation symptoms. We weren’t even in Kaokoland yet! Our company consisted of Rodger Hart, a retired geologist and now full-time sculptor; Nira Sklair, a photographer, gym instructor and lecturer; Derek and Toni Manne, owners of a printing company in Jeppe, and me and my wife Corlien, both…

“What a crap tyre!” This is a sentiment commonly heard after a tyre failure – usually a few days after you’ve recovered from the thought of nearly crashing your vehicle and possibly dying. It’s a common response to believe that the tyre blew out because it was defective. We’re going to ignore the fact that 99% of all road users don’t take care of their tyres, while conveniently forgetting the countless quality-control standards that govern the tyre trade. Heck, it’s impossible to sell teddy bears in Europe without first having to pass a thousand health and safety laws, but sure, defective tyres are running rampant on the roads… Do you regularly check your tyres? I’m not suggesting that tyre defects don’t occur, they do, but on a level that’s nowhere…

ETIENNE ERASMUS DIRT ROAD TALES, P. 97 Etienne Erasmus from Sasolburg has his own business, Go Direct, and he’s a part-time pastor. But he and his wife Engela dream of becoming full-time “travelling bums” one day. What is your earliest travel memory? When I was five years old, our family travelled from Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape, through the Free State and on towards Hibberdene. Those were the days when we still stopped at the cement tables and chairs next to the road to eat cold potatoes, drumsticks and sandwiches from my grandmother’s cane picnic basket. The best place you’ve ever visited? Tsendze Camp in the Kruger National Park. The stillness, combined with the sounds of the bush at night, is therapy for the soul. What is your…

Whenever I come across the topic of trailer sway, I’m reminded of an incident years ago when I was a young boy. We were driving on a dirt road in our old Ford Ranchero, towing a caravan. No one in my family knows exactly what happened, but suddenly the caravan tried to overtake the bakkie and the next moment it started to drag us into the mealies. How times have changed! I recently saw a similar scene unfold while driving through the Karoo on a windy day, but with a very different ending. A Ford Ranger, towing a large Jurgens off-road caravan, overtook a truck, in a normal and safe fashion. As the bakkie and caravan emerged from the wind shadow in front of the truck, the strong and sudden…

To follow all the road rules and regulations in some of our neighbouring countries can sometimes make you feel like you’re trying to throw a coin into a Coke bottle – while it’s strapped to the back of a rabid squirrel! On a recent tour through Zimbabwe this year, our convoy went through scores of road blocks. We were only pulled over at about a quarter of them, but even so, our group coughed up a few spot fines for reasons none of us thought possible. One’s first instinct is to blame corruption, but with a bit of research I realised that all the fines, bar one, are listed in their road regulations. So what’s the (expensive) lesson? With a few extra hours of preparation we might have been able…

As we enter Zimbabwe through the Plumtree border post, we’re greeted at the gate by none other than the country’s Minister of Mineral Resources. Well, that’s how he introduces himself as he sticks an old wallet through our Hilux double cab’s window, an equally old and barely readable ID card flapping out from inside it. Rooijan Sefore, a member of Bhejane 4x4 Adventures’ logistics team, is on the back seat next to my camera bag, clothing and a few boxes. The “minister” apparently doesn’t like this, and we get fined “for carrying passengers and goods together,” he explains. I bite my tongue and leave the negotiation to Cronjé Wessels, Bhejane’s guide on the tour of Zimbabwe we’re about to embark on. It’s a friendly transaction, I must add, and by…

SENDELINGSDRIF This main camp has ten chalets, four with four beds and six with two beds each. Each unit has power, air conditioning, a fully-equipped kitchen and a patio with a braai that overlooks the Orange River. You can cross into Namibia with the ferry here. POTJIESPRAM There are 18 campsites here with ablutions, showers (cold water only) and braai places, as well as shade trees. DE HOOP This popular location on the banks of the Orange River has 12 campsites with ablutions and cold showers. The view over the river is one of the best in the park, but there are only a few trees that provide shade. RICHTERSBERG Richtersberg lies on the riverbank, 9 km south-east of De Hoop. It has ablutions with cold showers for 6 campsites…

Back in the day prospectors from the Cape were sent north, and some settled in the region of Pofadder. These men came into contact with the local Khoi communities, and soon the first mixed race children were born. Over the years the numbers of these people, later labelled as Basters (bastards), grew into their own community consisting mainly of nomadic farmers and labourers. They were never allowed property rights, their own churches or schools. In the early 1900s the whole region was divided up into farms and the once-nomadic Basters found themselves boxed in on a farm called Bo-Sluis. It is from this farm that the Bosluis Basters got their name. Without water and grazing for their livestock, the Basters fell into poverty, and by the 1940s there was great…

THE QUESTION I’m considering fitting a snorkel to my 4x4. As far as I can tell, it appears to be a relatively affordable modification when compared to other off-road accessories. However, I’m not completely sold on the benefits, especially when so many people are unsure about whether or not a snorkel is even necessary. Apart from the “it looks cool” argument, is a snorkel a worthwhile investment? THE ANSWER Definitely! A snorkel offers many benefits to the off-road enthusiast, but like so many things, it’s a misunderstood product. The argument generally starts with wading depth. Contrary to popular belief, a snorkel will seldom increase your 4x4’s water-fording ability. In theory, it is possible; but the reality is that your 4x4’s wading depth is determined by multiple factors, and not just…

Yes, we all love hamburgers. But there are so many other delicious options that can be made using bread that there’s no reason to just stick to hamburgers. Plus, these days there is a wide variety of breads available with which to make a range of meat-and-bread combinations. Just think of pitas and flatbreads, wraps and Indian naan or French brioche. And don’t forget about a good old roosterkoek around the camp fire! Bread is the perfect companion to meat, seafood or vegetarian fillings. Besides, it’s easy to prepare in even the most basic of camp kitchens. GREEK KEBABS WITH FLATBREAD (6 PORTIONS) This kebab is as Greek as you get. (Remember, a sosatie is specifically something that has Malay spices) By the way, if you’re not careful, people will…

TAKE THEM ON – ON THE TRACK! I enjoyed the editor’s letter in Drive Out #102, because Jaco hit the nail on the head. Yes, sometimes we can be spiteful and want to slate the other guys’ vehicles. It usually happens when the guys have had too much “lemonade” to drink. I’ve heard all the arguments. I’ve taken on the guys a few times and challenged them go to the 4x4 trail to see who wins. Funny that just two of the guys accepted my challenge and both lost. So to get someone to shut up, call him out. A year ago someone held a challenge on the West Rand and different vehicles competed against each other. They just made one mistake, and that was to pit the two strongest…

SEPTEMBER DUST CHALLENGE SERIES – WEEKEND Where: West Coast and Cederberg When: 17 and 18 September Why you should go: The last leg of the Dust Challenge Series is a weekend filled with 4x4 routes and lots of gravel. It is the last chance to qualify for the Tankwa Dust Challenge, the final of the series, which will take place in the Tankwa Karoo in November. More information: www.dustmedia.co.za; gerrie@dust-media.co.za; 082 374 4193 WILDEBEEST 4X4 CHALLENGE Where: Malmesbury Showgrounds When: 24 September Why you should go: This event is part of a series of 4x4 challenges throughout the year. There are various classes that include standard vehicles, modified vehicles and even pipe cars. Whenever you see an entry form that specifies “helmets compulsory”, you know there will be action. More…

Zimbabwe’s tourism authority has finally made a plan to make one of Southern Africa’s most notorious border posts – Beit Bridge – less of a pain for tourists. go! travel editor Toast Coetzer recently put it to the test, and he was impressed. A group of officials is now permanently stationed near the border. You contact them a day before you plan to cross the border, and then again when you arrive. One of the officials will meet you and accompany you all the way through. Contact the area manager, Bertha Mutowembwa, on 00263 286 23640/1, 00263 772 344 317, 00263 712 320 428 or by email on berthamuto@gmail.com. Also try the marketing executive, Lindarose Ntuli, on 00263 772 409373, the above office number or email her on lindarosentuli@gmail.com. The…

DAY 1: Our adventure through the Kalahari begins as we settle in at our first campsite – Twee Rivieren in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. DAYS 2 AND 3: We pack up and leave for Nos-sob Camp, where we stay for the next two nights. On our way, we visit the Auchterlonie Museum with displays of the park’s history. When we arrive at camp, our pitched tents, as well as coffee and tea, will be waiting. After a light breakfast the next morning, you can choose to either explore the camp or do a game drive. The waterhole at the campsite is sure to provide some entertaining moments. DAYS 4 AND 5: After an early rise and light breakfast, we head north, crossing the Nossob River into the Botswana section of…

1 THE TOE This impressive rock formation towers above the Kokerboomkloof campsite and does indeed look like the toe of a giant sticking up in the air. Take a stroll around the surrounding hills and let your imagination find more interesting shapes in the unique formations. 2 GOD’S HAND In the northern part of the park, between Potjiespram and De Hoop, you’ll find the Hand of God rock. It’s worth a picture, and the geology in the surrounding hills is also worth having a closer look at. 3 RELAX BY THE ORANGE The river is the giver of life in this arid region and will be an oasis for you too after a long day. The water and riverbanks are teeming with bird life and even if you are not…

Before you hand over your hard-earned cash to buy recovery gear, make sure: • YOUR VEHICLE has the correct recovery points or high-lift jacking points to be able to use recovery gear. • THE EQUIPMENT that you buy is designed for your intended use. Certain items, like a high-lift jack and a tow rope, have more than one purpose. • THE GRADING of the equipment is compatible with your vehicle. There are no rules around this, because the power that is released during a recovery changes from vehicle to vehicle and from recovery to recovery. A safe principle to use as a starting point is that the maximum load of a piece of equipment is about four times the weight of your fully-loaded vehicle (you know, when you avoid weigh bridges because you…

YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED! 101 KRUGER TALES By Jeff Gordon PUBLISHER: PENGUIN/ RANDOM HOUSE PRICE: R250 We often joke that tourists come to South Africa thinking that lions roam the streets. Maybe it’s because they’ve been reading Jeff Gordon’s 101 Kruger Tales. This is a collection of stories from the country’s best-known national park. And some of them are almost too astounding to be true. There’s one Oom Dillon who once slapped a hyena in the face when it tried to nick a leg of lamb from his chalet at Skukuza and the baboon who found himself a “teddy bear” that turned out to be a live leopard cub. Then there’s the black mamba that caught a lift in the engine bay of a surprised Briton, and the lioness…

A t school I was taught that language is a powerful tool. My teachers said that it makes meaningful communication possible and is the only medium by which you can share stories with other people. But it is also the thing that leads to a lot of unnecessary misunderstandings – especially when two people think they are speaking the same language. His whole life, my Afrikaans-speaking grandpa was convinced that “yes”, “no” and “bogger jou” were the only English phrases he needed. So when he had to speak English, especially in the presence of esteemed people, he composed his own dialect. With a thick Afrikaans accent he explained himself, punctuating his reasoning with Afrikaans inserts, stops and starts, ums and ahs. For example, when I was a young boy, he…