Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2019 i Go! Drive & Camp

“In our family, the only thing we plan carefully when we go camping is the first night’s braai. Because it feels as if that’s the most important one” The world has seen several iconic collaborations that have provided loads of entertainment across a wide spectrum. Instances where you can’t say the one’s name without instinctively thinking about the other. I’m talking about combinations like Victor and Bakkies, Lennon and McCartney, Laurel and Hardy, Jagger and Richards, Petersen and Kramer… The thing about these combinations is that although each would probably have reached extraordinary heights on his own, he was just so much better off with the other one. Victor would still have been unmatched in the line-out, but how many opportunities would he have had to excel in the loose…

Our Facebook friends recall those ceramic fuses… Piet van Heerde I remember that foil from a pack of 30. Tear it into  narrow strips to apparently change their “strength”. Eugene Heiberg My Ford Cortina bakkie still uses these ceramic fuses today. Frikkie Booysen I also used the shiny paper and almost burnt out my  Chev Firenza. Cedric Pieterse I was brave enough to use a copper screw instead of the  fuse. When doing that, one of two things could happen: either the problem didn’t return, or you could immediately see the problem because that’s where the smoke or flames would start.…

Campsite 35 stands, all on sand and mostly under trees. The ground isn’t 100% level, but it’s nothing a brick under a wheel of your caravan can’t fix. Ablution facilities Dilapidated, but serviceable. There is no toilet paper. Price R60 pppn plus R80 pn per site. Arrival and departure times 14:00 and 11:00. Contact 00 25 82 825 9019 (Mozambique) palmeirasbilene@gmail.com complexopalmeiras.blogspot.com Nearest town The resort is in Bilene. What does the road look like? Tar all the way. GPS S25.28213 E33.25971 go! Drive & Camp says You come here to play with your jetski and to snorkel – just avoid the less than desirable half of an otherwise good resort.…

The Magoebaskloof is a spectacular series of gorges on the northeastern tip of the Drakensberg. This region in Limpopo was named after chief Mamphoku Makgoba who was beheaded 124 years ago by Swazi warriors and, according to some German tourists, the region looks exactly like the Black Forest between the Rhine River and the Feldberg in the Baden-Württemberg state. That is, of course, if you ignore the banana trees… At the top of the Magoebaskloof Pass, between Tzaneen and Haenertsburg, lies the Magoebaskloof Mountain Lodge, which is practically surrounded by the broad tar road that winds over mountains and gorges. Motorists and motorcyclists like to speed their way through the twisties, and if you’re coming up from Pretoria, you’ll have to hustle to get your caravan accross the oncoming traffic…

Fish Yellowfish, mudfish, catfish and carp. Campsite 350 stands with power. The sites vary depending on where you pitch, you might have shade, full sun or half shade. Ablution facilities 10 neat bathrooms and 4 sculleries. Price Depending on the season, R300 or R400 per stand for the first 4 people; thereafter R100 pp (R50 for kids 3-12 years); max 6 people per stand. Contact 076 017 4354 or 072 823 5236 klipdraaikaravaanpark.com discussions@klipdraaikaravaanpark.com Nearest town Klipdraai is in Meyerton. What does the road look like? Tar road to the resort, with the last 340 m paved. GPS S26.609762 E27.9962660 go! Drive & Camp says Catch and release is the law at Klipdraai. And don’t sneak one into the pan or over the coals, as evidence of insecticide was found…

Weights The Isuzu engineering team had this to say about tare, GVM and payload. Tare mass (kg): This is the weight of an empty standard vehicle with all its fluids, including oils and coolants, but only 10 ℓ fuel in the tank. We assume 10 ℓ was chosen as an industry standard to allow otherwise empty vehicles to be driven to and from a weighbridge. Gross vehicle mass (GVM): The is the maximum your vehicle may weigh when fully loaded as specified by the manufacturer. You will usually find this figure on the vehicle’s weight placard, which is generally found in the driver’s door opening, or in the owner’s manual. GVM is the kerb mass plus all accessories such as bullbars, roof racks, winches, and payload. And if you’re towing…

It has been an interesting couple of weeks for yours truly. An opportunity came up to replace my Ford Ranger Wildtrak with a vehicle I’ve been coveting for several years – a Toyota Land Cruiser 76 Series wagon. As I drove out of the Toyota dealership in my new truck, that old familiar feeling came rushing back of being in a very basic machine with awesome capability. Despite all the great four-wheel driving that I have done over the years, the times behind the wheel of my first 4x4 always seem to have been the best. I still miss my old Hilux bakkie with its solid front axle. The timing of this acquisition for me is probably more significant than the mere desire to own an old-school classic 4x4. Engines…

Four years ago, the amount of plastic in our oceans was estimated at around 40 billion tonnes. This, apparently, is enough to cover the earth with clingwrap six times over. Marine biologists predict that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans – some even claim that there are more microplastics in the oceans than the 200 billion stars in our galaxy. Plastic in the ocean moves along ocean currents and collects in five vortices. Two of these are located between South Africa and Argentina, and southeast of Mauritius. Packaging material from South Africa is found in some of these vortices. Our 3 500 km coastline is an irreplaceable food source, attracting tourists and providing a home to some 13 000 marine species, of which 33%…

Namibia is a wonderful place This past June holiday, I was privileged to travel through Namibia with my wife, Ancen. How friendly the people are was evident, and we felt safe. It was only the bad roads around Sossusvlei that bothered a little. The first night we camped at the Orange River Rafting Lodge and shot up to Rehoboth for the second night which we spent at Lake Oanob. It was quite an experience camping next to the dam and we appreciated the hordes of bird species. You get your own bathroom facilities, a kitchen, built-in braai area and a private deck. Etosha, however, was somewhat disappointing and we did not see as many animals as in the Kruger National Park. The game we did see was healthy. From here…

Unlike the struggling X-Class, it appears that the V-Class is a success story for Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz. Since its launch in 2015, some 209 000 of these vans were sold worldwide, of which 64 000 found homes in 2018. This is in contrast to the 16 700 X-Classes sold in the same period. This is why Mercedes-Benz decided to give its popular van a makeover. “It will be easy for the V-Class facelift to take over from where its predecessor left off, as it was such a stylish and dynamic offering. In its latest guise, the V-Class continues to convince families, various leisure adventurers and business customers alike, that the V-Class is the perfect fit for any purpose,” says Nadia Trimmel, vice-president of Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa.…

You would think the sales success of the Ford Ranger bakkies would have a positive influence on the sales of of its SUV sibling the Ford Everest – but the Everest has a mountain to climb. And so far it just hasn’t been able to summit Mount Fortuner. Toyota’s hugely popular Fortuner SUV, based on the Toyota Hilux, still outsells all its rivals combined by a Kalahari mile. With a new range of turbocharged engines, a sophisticated 10-speed automatic transmission, and an improved front suspension, the Ford has definitely reached base camp though. We spent some time driving the new Everest in town and off-road on the sandy tracks of Botswana, and the improvements to the engines, transmission and suspension certainly transforms the Ford into a serious contender. The engines…

Campsite 40 stands – all on sand and under trees – of which nearly half are level and large enough for caravans. Ablution facilities Clean but well-used and cramped. Price R100 pppn plus R100 pn per stand. Arrival and departure times 14:00 and 10:00. Contact 082 653 8197 (SA) or 00 25 84 207 1650 (Mozambique) montegomoz.co.za bookings@montegoresort.co.za Nearest town Xai-Xai, 21 km. What does the road look like? Tar and a firm sandy road. GPS S25.10511 E33.76751 go! Drive & Camp says You come here to swim and fish. Don’t swim alone near the reef.…

Campsite Five enclosed stands at the main building and 10 unmarked stands at the bush camp. Ablution facilities Private facilities at the main building and 1 ablution block at the bush camp. Price R125 pppn. Arrival and departure times 14:00 and 11:00. Contact 00 25 884 546 2263 (WhatsApp) stander.bertie@gmail.com facebook.com/MachuboBeachResortMozambique Nearest town Manhica, 8 km. What does the road look like? Loose sand; a 4x4 vehicle is essential. GPS S25.54998 E32.86643 go! Drive & Camp says The Machubo Beach Resort is still expanding; so it will only get better with every visit.…

Campsite 3 stands near the pool and 2 stands farther away. Ablution facilities 1 building with 2 private bathrooms. Price R350 pn per site for 4 people (R445 in peak season); then R25 pp extra (maximum 6 people). Contact 015 305 7906 info@magoebaskloofmountainlodge.co.za magoebaskloofmountainlodge.co.za Arrival and departure times 12:00 and 10:00. What does the road look like? Tar all the way. GPS S23.86404 E30.00692 go! Drive & Camp says It’s a stunning destination, but few stands.…

Maximum number of vehicles None. It’s a public road. Do I get a map? No. Will I scratch my vehicle? No. Should I take a compressor? No, unless you need to repair a tyre. Can we braai next to the road? It’s going to look weird, but yes, why not? Can I turn around halfway? Of course. Is there cellphone signal? Yes. AROUND THE ROUTE Best time to go? All year. Can I take my family along? Yes, definitely. How long does it take? Three days. Are there ablution facilities? Yes, in the towns. Directions From Johannesburg, you drive along the back roads through Parys, Bloemhof, Warrenton, Douglas, Strydenburg, Vosburg, Loxton, Sutherland and Ceres to the Cape. Cost? Your tax money pays for it.…

Fishy spread Even when you camp in the Bushveld, you can make this delicious snack - just in time for sunset. You need (enough for 4) 1 tin (215 g) sardines ½ cup cream cheese zest and juice of ½ lemon salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped 2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped 8 slices ciabatta olive oil for frying Here’s how 1 Carefully remove the bones from the fish and then mix the meat with the rest of the ingredients (except the bread and oil). 2 Baste each slice of bread well with olive oil and fry in a hot pan on both sides until golden brown. Serve the pâté with the bruschetta. go! Drive & Camp says The secret of this pâté lies…

Johan Duvenhage I was previously a member of SACA, but it wasn’t for me. Everyone says you are not obliged to participate at such gatherings, but if you don’t, you get looks. There were also a few cliques. Mathys Pretorius I have nothing against clubs, but we do our own thing with friends and family. Zaandre Campher I was a member of a club for a few years and had great times. A club does need to grow and change as members change. Right now, I’m not part of a club and camp with a group of family and friends. We let each other know when we go camping, and those who want to join, do so. It’s not a problem if you can’t or don’t want to. Sometimes you…

Johan wins a cooler bag worth R220. Whether you’re a camper, fisherman, or sports fan next to a cricket pitch; this cooler bag has room for lunch and a 1,5 ℓ cool drink bottle. The lid also has space for a coffee flask. The interior is lined with PVC, which makes it easy to keep this bag clean and hygenic. The bag has a short strap that reaches over the top and attaches with a Velcro strip, and also a longer shoulder strap if you’re going to carry it over longer distances. It’s an ideal picnic accessory or a padkos bag for a road trip. winkel.weg.co.za…

and we might publish them here. We’re not looking for traditional “prize winners”, just regular pics that you love. Think of the type of pic you’d use as your Facebook cover photo; or something charming, such as kids warming their hands over a campfire. Whether the pic was taken with an expensive DSLR camera or a run-of-the-mill cellphone, if it’s good enough for your family photo album it’s good enough for us. Mari Marais wins a go! Drive & Camp camera bag worth R520 with her photo – congratulations, Mari! Send your photos and contact details to leon.botha@media24.com…

Shaun Stevens (centre) of Vanderbijlpark drives a 1996 Defender 110. He camps with his wife, Carien, and their sons, Jaden and Joshua, in a Tentco Bush Camper. Shaun’s cousin Zanetta van Huijssteen (left) from Potchefstroom and her husband, Hansie, drive a 2005 Discovery 3 and tow a Sprite Tourer SC. “We feel safe here and the water is clean. You can go snorkelling in the lagoon and see the fish clearly. It’s strange that the resort’s management does not provide toilet paper, but the ablution facilities are clean at least.”…

Corrie and Nicky Gouws of Nelspruit drive a 2000 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DID and camp with a Campmor dome tent. Their grandchildren Michaela and Michael joined them on this trip to Mozambique together with their friends Charlotte and Barry Barnard. “This is our tenth visit to Machubo, and Bertie and Lynne have become like family. We love the simplicity, nature and the lack of cellphone reception at Machubo. No one bothers you here because it’s far from the hawkers and tourist traps. Mozambique generally feels safe and friendly, and this is why we prefer to spend a holiday here rather than in South Africa. This is the third time that Barry and Charlotte, also from Nelspruit, have come to Machubo, and when they hear us making plans, they’re ready to…

Can I do this route on my own? No, this route runs through a concession area only accessible by a permit on a guided 4x4 tour such as this one. How long? The Skeleton Coast Shipwreck Expedition is a six-day trip starting in Lüderitz and ending in Walvis Bay. What should I drive? You can only do this route in a 4x4 with good ground clearance, low range and at least a rear differential locker. Make sure your vehicle is fitted with front and rear recovery points. How much fuel do I need? Plan for a minimum of 700 km in 4x4 conditions. At least 220 ℓ for diesel vehicles and 250 ℓ for petrol vehicles is recommended. Gear to pack? Bring a tyre gauge, a compressor, a tyre puncture…

Mamphoku Makgoba was the chief of the BaTlou who opposed the efforts of the boer Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) to relocate them and convert the gorges into a buffer zone between white farmers and black tribes. Commandant-general Piet Joubert was tasked by the ZAR in 1895 to drive Makgoba out. He led about 800 boer commandos and an impi of more than a thousand Swazi warriors to the valley where Chief Makgoba hid with 500 of his Tlou warriors – and where the Magoebaskloof Mountain Lodge stands today. A battle erupted, Makgoba was defeated and beheaded by the Swazi, and his head was brought to Joubert as evidence. The gruesome trophy was on display for a long time and the skull was eventually lost – presumably stolen. A bust of chief…

FISHING RESORT KLIPDRAAI CARAVAN PARK CHOOSE YOUR SPOT Much of the Klipdraai Caravan Park lies on the Klip River in Meyerton. On the way here, you’ll briefly drive through the Rothdene neighbourhood, and mere moments later you’ll find yourself in front of the resort. The town’s road stops at Klipdraai’s gate, and this is where you leave the town behind. Below the high-voltage pylons in front of you lies a patch of grass where several antelope graze. Expect to see springbok, blesbok and nyalas at the very least. If you want to camp close to the heated pool, aim for the first stands, but if you desire more shade, carry on past them. The farthest stands are on the banks of the river (which forms a horseshoe around the resort)…

Mitsubishi’s new Triton is popular in Asian markets, but it poses little threat to its competitors in countries with more Western sensibilities, like South Africa and Australia. More’s the pity, because it boasts off-road talents that give it the potential to be an excellent adventure rig. For this reason, we took a drive through the dams and mountains of the picturesque town of Franschhoek in the Cape winelands to find out what these talents – and shortcomings – are. The drive In go! Drive & Camp # 23 we shared our first impressions on the Triton’s outward appearance and interior finishes – this is our driving review after a week behind the wheel. The 2,4 ℓ MIVEC diesel engine introduced to us in 2016 remains unchanged, but the old five-speed…

You’ve just kitted out your new vehicle with R200 000 worth of accessories, and you’re ready to visit that remote campsite with your trusty off-road caravan, already looking forward to the nearby 4x4 trail that’s been marked out in the area. Everything is packed and you hit the long road. You join the impromptu convoy on the N3 heading to the KwaZulu-Natal coast. At first, it’s a mere inconvenience when a traffic official waves you down as you pass a weighbridge. But then you get told that you’re 300 kg overweight and need to start unpacking before you can carry on. Oh, and you’ve also been handed a fine. And let’s not forget that you need to organise for someone pick up your goods as well. So, what now? Setting…

LAMB SHOULDER POTJIE WITH CURRY Soul food Good lamb doesn’t need a lot of fuss when you braai it, but this melt-in-the-mouth lamb shoulder in its curry sauce is simply an absolute delight. Ingredients (enough for 8) 1 lamb shoulder – 1,2 kg 1-2 red chillies, coarsely chopped 4 garlic cloves, quartered 2-3 tablespoons masala curry spread 1 tablespoon desiccated coconut 3 onions, thickly sliced cooking oil for braaiing 2 bay leaves 1 bottle (330 ml) beer salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 cup coconut milk 2 tablespoons lemon juice Here’s how 1 Pierce the meat with a sharp knife all over and squeeze the garlic and chilli pieces into the cuts. Mix together the curry paste and desiccated coconut and rub it all over the meat.…

DATES 1 – 7 Mar / 15 – 21 Mar 2020 COST R 11 350 per person sharing (children under 10 @ 50%) BHEJANE PROVIDES Your tour leader is an experienced nature conservationist and adventure guide. He will be in radio contact with you at all times along the trip. We will be enjoying all our breakfasts and suppers at the guesthouses en route and the Bhejane team will be preparing picnic lunches for you during the daily excursions. WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING This unique trip requires a 4x4 vehicle with high vehicle clearance and low range gear for the mountain passes – some of which will are fairly technical). Yes, I want to go! To book, call 044 535 9033 or e-mail bookings@bhejane.com Find out more at bhejane.com…

11 days/10 nights (tented accommodation) Start point: Letlhakane, Botswana End point: Kasane, Botswana DATES & RATES 8 – 18 October 2019 R14 938,50 per adult sharing; half-price for children under 10 21 – 30 March 2020 R15 950 per adult sharing; half-price for children under 10 THE RATES INCLUDE • The services of an experienced field guide • Two-way radios in all vehicles • All camp fees, park entrance fees and advertised activities • All tents and associated camping gear, including cutlery and crockery • Three meals a day, plus coffee and tea all day in camp WHAT SHOULD I BRING? • Your own vehicle, and fuel • Sleeping mattress, sleeping bag, camping chairs and a camping table • Drinks and padkos • Travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance (compulsory) • You’re responsible for border-crossing fees and road taxes I…