Innehållsförteckning för Oct/Nov 2022 från Go! Drive & Camp

Off-road caravan manufacturer Bushwakka has just launched its first bakkie-based camper. The Kamelback is based on the company's Sundowner Classic caravan that fits on the chassis of a Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (single cab). (Incidentally, “Kamel” is Arabic for “the perfect one”.) The camper therefore has the same outdoor kitchen on the left and fold-out bed on the right. You also get in at the back, but Kamelback boasts a newly designed stairs. It is a retractable scissors type and works great. (It will henceforth be used on all Bushwakka's caravans.) The roof lifts with the typical Z-frame. As you climb inside, there's a tabletop that folds up on the left and three spacious lockers at the back of the cabin. The standard unit includes among others a fully equipped…

NEW CARAVAN If you haven't needed to change the basic concept of an off-road caravan in 16 years, you know you've got a winner. And now, judging by the Conqueror Commander's new Stealth version, the next 16 years look equally rosy. Conqueror built 10 Stealth units initially, and we had the opportunity to see this new caravan at La't Wiel 4×4, Conqueror's new dealer in the Cape Winelands. There are currently three Commander versions available: the basic Classic, Platinum and Recce. The Stealth is priced between the Platinum and the Recce. What's different? One of the most noticeable changes is the near black appearance, a first for Conqueror. The Platinum model already uses a charcoal colour, but it is a lighter hue. Against the dark bodywork, the red branding really…

4×4 DESTINATION The legend begins in 1837 when the Voortrekker leader Piet Retief descended on the foothills of Kerkenberg accompanied by nearly 55 oxwagons and hundreds of Voortrekkers. They were on their way to a new world named Natália by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. Retief and his men were amazed by what they saw and when they returned they informed the trekkers that the journey would continue. Five of the families apparently decided enough was enough. They didn't want to continue trekking or negotiate for land with anyone – Zulu or Brit. They headed west and came across a picturesque valley about 30 km from Kerkenberg. It was surrounded by cliffs and had only one natural entrance. The trekkers’ oxwagons could not pass through the entrance, so they…

Say again? R988 995 for the Kia Sorento 2.2CRDi SXL AWD? Easy on the eyes, a smooth engine and gearbox, comfortable seating for seven, a smooth ride that shortens a long road, plus ample luxuries and safety features.This new Kia rewrites the rulebook for Korean vehicles – and once you've driven it, its price makes a lot more sense. The new engine produces 148 kW and 440 Nm of torque, and the momentum is sent to all four wheels (as needed) via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The sumptuous high-quality interior boasts a 12-speaker BOSE sound system, and every imaginable gadget comes standard. What's more, the 2.2 ℓ engine consumes an average of 9ℓ/100 km. A long-distance vehicle of note.…

Goegap's gate is located just behind Springbok's airfield. After parking, check in at reception to discuss the route with staff and get a paper map on which they'll mark the roads accessible for regular vehicles and which are strictly 4×4. It would be wise to unhitch your off-road trailer or caravan here and explore the reserve without it. Now pass through the gate – the guard will sign you in and remind you that the gate closes at 18:00 – and then you simply follow a tar road for 5 km to a turn-off to the left with a road sign indicating “Tourist route”. We drove Goegap's route in January 2019 (see Drive & Camp #21), but this time we came here during the flower season, when the landscape looks…

One-pan plan Serve this quick meal with steamed couscous. Ingredients (serves 4) 4 hake fillets 1 tablespoon cake flour 4 tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped a pinch fine cumin 4 ripe tomatoes, diced 100 g pepper-stuffed green olives, roughly chopped 1 lemon, peeled and sliced 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley) salt and pepper to taste Here's how 1 Roll the hake fillets in flour and shake off the excess flour. Fry the fish in half the oil until nicely browned and just cooked. Scoop out and set aside. 2 Heat the rest of the oil and fry the garlic, cumin and diced tomatoes until they are nice and flavourful– the juice should reduce slightly (no longer than five minutes). 3 Add the olives,…

In 2011, Mitsubishi South Africa launched its first ASX, and almost 9 500 of these cars have been sold over the past 11 years. While it is true that that sales figure is far below other brands – thinkVolkswagen Polo – but it is nonetheless a top seller for Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi announced an ES version earlier this year, which is a more affordable version of the existing LS model that we last reported on in August 2020. The ES models are available with a manual gearbox and also a continuously variable transmission (or CVT). It is geared toward young families who want to be part of the Mitsubishi family, but cannot yet afford a Pajero. What do we have here? By folding down the 60:40 split rear seats, the luggage…

NEWS The name Berg en Bos seems appropriate for this new campsite outside Brits. Krokodilpoort is a farm owned by Peet and Yvonne Victor where you can simply relax and enjoy the bushveld's natural beauty. The farm lies in a gorge with the Crocodile River forming a border on one side. Upstream on the opposite bank is the famous Drie Berge caravan park. There are three groups of stands: four higher up (with two under shade net and the other two with shade), three 50 m from the river, and two farther downstream. Next to the upper stands is a small ablution block with two bathrooms, each with a shower, sink and toilet – the geyser is powered by electricity here. The three stands closer to the river have reed…

NEW WHEELS Land Rover launched its latest Range Rover Sport in spectacular fashion back in May this year, but prices were only recently announced. At the launch, stunt driver Jessica Hawkins thundered up the spillway of the Kárahnjúkar Dam in Iceland with a new Range Rover Sport and then blasted through muck in the canyon below the dam. “The power of the water surging down the spillway was breath-taking from the side of the valley. Driving into it knowing that a 90-metre drop was waiting behind me at the bottom of the slope, if things went wrong, made this the most challenging drive I've ever undertaken. Despite the steep slope and rushing water. New Range Rover Sport made it look easy. Its traction, composure and commanding visibility inspired so much…

Oban Guest Farm, Van Reenen If you're looking for a posh hotel, steer clear. This is a delicious and comfortable farm experience, complete with everything one needs, in-between cattle and other elements of a working farm. A stopover at the historic farm is a lovely option for those making the trip from Johannesburg to Durban a two-day one. It is approximately 7 km from Van Reenen. There is a restaurant here, you bring your own drinks. Prices start at R390 pppn. Contact obanguestfarm.co.za 084 567 8920 (only WhatsApp) Phatt Chef Roadside Diner and B&B, Oliviershoek Pass Having owned a successful restaurant for many years in Clarens, Simon Kerr and Megan Kerr decided it was time for a change… and so they ended up at Oliviershoek Pass. The comfortable B&B has…

CAMPING DESTINATION. Marloth Park was declared a holiday town 45 years ago, and that holiday continues to this day Why can't all of South Africa be like this? You've probably heard about it even it if you haven't yet been. Many people mistakenly think that it is a timeshare or a private security complex, but this isn't true at all. Like other towns, Marloth Park is managed by a municipality, but there is one notable difference: humans and wildlife coexist side-by-side here. Approximately 4 500 plots have been laid out in Marloth Park, along with a few campsites if you want to share in the peace, albeit temporarily. The Henk van Rooyen campsite is the best known of these and we have stopped by more than once – it is,…

“Over the past three decades. I've owned no fewer than seven Land Rover Defenders, not taking into account those owned by my wife, Carina. My current vehicle is a 2016 model 110 that I purchased in 2018. I caught the Defender bug in 2000 while riding along in my friend Ters Anderson's Defender. We were at an off-road event near Lamberts Bay, and i became enamoured with the 110 Tdi because of its exceptional ability and unique appearance. That day marked the beginning of my relationship with Defenders. I purchased a 1996 Defender 90 Tdi the same year and traded it for a 2000 Defender 90 Tdi with the TD5 engine three years later. After only three weeks of having the Landy, I realised it wasn't big enough for our…

Not only is the Landrek Peugeot's first bakkie in decades, but also its first double-cab. It's not that surprising, since double cabs are popular vehicles, and if there is one thing these rigs are geared for, it's towing. The Landtrek's 1,9 ℓ diesel engine is quie small. It's completely understandable to doubt such a small engine's ability, but Volkswagen silenced all the sceptics regarding this issue about 12 years ago. At the time, the Amarok's 2 ℓ engine was also the smallest engine among its competitors.That engine produced 90 kW and 340 Nm, while Landrek's 1,9 ℓ produces 110 kW and 350 Nm respectively. Amarok's 2 ℓ engine has proven itself and there's therefore no reason to look askance at the Landtrek's engine. Two in one Two models are available…

CAMP BOFFIN The average size of current caravans South Africa - be it a road caravan, off-road camper trailer or off-road caravan - is 4,8 x 1,97 m with a height of 2,03 m. It has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 1 500 kg and weighs just under 1 000 kg on the showroom floor. The caravan comes with 15” tyres and a 2 t axle, and you will have to shell out R365 691. That's correct, this is the average price of a new caravan on local soil. Says who? Based on the average size, weight, and price of all the new production models in the country - 250 units in total - you can statistically determine what the average caravan looks like. Using the above numbers, you…

PIETER'S STORY I should have recognised it as an omen. The day I stood contemplating fishing tackle in the Jack Lemkus sports shop and suddenly heard a voice next to me say: “Can I be of assistance, Sit?” Caught off guard, I replied: “No thanks, hey, I'm just looking at the… at the… winch thingies.” After a slight pause, the salesperson understood. “Oh! You mean the reels, Sir. You are looking at the reels?” An omen. That's what it was. Right then I should have called my pal Erasmus. “That camping and fishing trip we're planning for the weekend… it's not going to happen. I have an odd feeling of foreboding.” But I didn't make the call AFTER A BEER on Friday afternoon, we left the city for the West…

NEWS The area surrounding Thabazimbi is known for its game farms. Lethabong Lodge, which opened a few months ago, is one of them. The campsite makes the place even more special. Aerial photos of the resort show a lot of bush… but there is a blue spot in the middle surrounded by a green border. Lethabong's water park and neat lawn are a child's dream. It has slides, swimming pools, a foofie slide and waterways where you can float around on a tube. There's also a jumping pillow that's a cross between a trampoline and a bouncy castle. Next door is the tuck shop, where you can also buy wood, charcoal, and fire lighters. The play park is open from 9:00 to 18:00. There is no admission fee for campers.…

Pretoria's Caravan Fitment Centre has just acquired the rights to import Caretta caravans from Turkey. Caretta has several models, and four will be brought here. They will be available at Pretoria Caravans. According to Michael Barwise, co-owner of Pretoria Caravans and distributor, the idea was to look at light caravans from elsewhere. The three models currently on display are the Uncle, Junior and Off Road. The Uncle and Junior are road caravans with fixed roofs and boast luxuries including interior bathrooms. The Uncle is for four people and the Junior for two, while the Off Road is a typical teardrop. A bonus is that you can tow the caravans with a normal driver's license – the Uncle, for example, has a GVM of 740 kg, and it's also equipped with…

NEW CARAVAN Until recently. Armadillo had three models available: the XTR 504, XTR 402, and the smallest model, the XTR 302. The latter made its appearance two years ago and had a significant influence on the way forward. All three models have made way for the XTR 312, and the XTR 302 was the blueprint. What's different? At first glance the XTR 312 looks a lot like the XTR 302. The most noticeable difference is the shape of the nose: the newcomer has a flat panel while the XTR 302 has a fold line. The XTR 302 was aluminium, and the plate had to be bent in places, of course. And this is the XTR 312's biggest difference: solid panels are now used. The panels are modular – which will…

Despite its involvement in the agricultural sector, Mahindra is also aiming to make inroads in the lifestyle market by creating three special versions of its Pik Up Karoo bakkie. “The Karoo nameplate signifies our commitment to South Africa and the way South Africans have adopted the Pik Up lifestyle range as their desire to ‘Unleash the Explorer in You’ and enjoy the adventure and family fun. This is equally true of our new Karoo Dawn, Dusk and Storm models, and we are very excited to showcase our range of authentic bakkies to our fans,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa. In its Durban plant, the company recently built its ten thousandth Pik Up, and the brand continues to grow. Dusk This special version, which was available in limited…

Bush 'n Buck's name could have just as easily been Bush ’n Bird, because the moment you drive into this place, it's obvious this is a birdwatcher's paradise. As the plover's shrill call welcomes you, hornbills approach curiously, checking if you can pitch a tent. Even before the sun's rays penetrate the branches of Bushveld trees, they descend en masse. Make sure your camera is at the ready. Southern pied babblers swarm into your campsite like locusts, noisily hopping around and pecking at the grass. Then the arrow-marked babblers and groundscraper thrushes also arrive, with the weavers and sparrows checking things out from the trees. The timid crimson-breasted and magpie shrikes hide among the leafy branches, and the tiny blue waxbill won't let you get close enough to photograph it.…

DRIVING IMPRESSION When Opel's press fleet manager delivered a Mokka for us to test drive, we nearly turned it down, because at first glance it seemed to fall outside the scope of our magazine. We write about gravel-road rigs and towing vehicles and the Mokka was anything but. It actually reminded us of a tiny Ford Mustang – not that there's anything wrong with a Mustang, mind you. But it's certainly no towing nor overlanding vehicle.“Drive it, you'll see…“insisted the fleet manager with a wink. And so? Well, I never! The Opel Mokka handled dirt roads with aplomb. It doesn't have all-wheel drive – few crossovers do – but its ground clearance is sufficient and, thanks to its low weight, it shouldn't easily get stuck on a sandy road. Its…

4X4 PROFESSOR With new cars becoming increasingly expensive, the market for second-hand vehicles, especially 4x4 rigs, continues to boom. Newbies longing for their very first off-roader are often surprised by how cheap, for example, a Land Rover Discovery 2 can be these days (often as low as R40 000), unaware that this kind of vehicle easily becomes a money pit which is precisely why the owner wants to rid themselves of it. This article discusses secondhand four-wheel drive vehicles sold by private sellers - and the pitfalls that newcomers should avoid. It is important to note, however, that this is only a superficial examination. Deft hands who don't mind buying a wreck and restoring it lovingly and thoroughly won't find this list helpful. In our quest to find out what…

…AND FINALLY You're pot the only one thinking about Cinderella's favourite mode of transportation while looking at this orange off-road caravan. It certainly isn't a common or garden colour. Like all the other models Jaguar Caravans make, Etienne's Jag 1 off-road caravan was supposed to be grey. That was until he placed his order. Etienne told Jacques Serfontein, Jaguar's owner, that he'd like it to be orange. Jacques was taken aback by this unusual choice in colour – a first in his 25 years of building off-road caravans. And so it happened. In early 2017, Etienne got his brand-new orange caravan –and didn't have to pay extra for the colour. Etienne's wife Marlene says the caravan looks like a pumpkin to her, and she had a pumpkin sticker made. It's…