Innehållsförteckning för Jun/Jul 2023 från Go! Drive & Camp

A few months ago, my daughter and I spent a few days together in a canoe on the Orange River, along with a bunch of Grade 7 schoolmates and their parents. We set off near Noordoewer, travelled downstream, and eventually got out near Aussenkehr four days later. I’ll be the first to admit that I wouldn’t have done something like this on my own. The brochures wouldn’t even have caught my eye. Firstly, because nobody would ever mistake me for a rower, and secondly, because I never thought it would be something my child would enjoy Just goes to show what I know… Friends of ours had been on that very same trip last year. Shortly before our departure, we had lunch with them to get some tips. (“Pack more…

According to Naamsa, the organisation who monitors new vehicle sales and exports, sales of new vehicles are down by 0,2 % compared to the same time last year. The decrease is mainly due to a poorly performing economy and because far fewer heavy commercial vehicles and busses were sold this year. Light commercial vehicles like bakkies sold well, though, and the winner was the new Ford Ranger. According to Naamsa the sale of hybrid and electric vehicles increased by an impressive 62%. The top five brands according to sales are as follows:…

Can I drive on my own? Yes, just be cautious of animals, especially cattle, roaming around. How long is the route? The route we discuss here is 700 km long and takes about five days if you only stay one night at each location. Is a 4×4 vehicle a must? Some dirt roads can be muddy if it has rained recently. Other roads are rocky, so we suggest driving a 4×4 vehicle. How much fuel do I need? Petrol stations are plentiful, and petrol costs R3 per litre cheaper than in South Africa. Can my dog come along? Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in the reserves. What emergency equipment should I pack? The law requires a reflective vest and emergency triangle. A tyre-repair kit is always helpful. Can I ride…

Campsite A lawn surrounding a smallish dam where you can set up camp wherever you fancy. There’s room for a maximum of 15 campers, but if you book, the place is only yours. You’re allowed to swim in the dam, and there’s a small ‘zink dam’ for the little ones. Cellphone signal varies. Ablution facilities Almost Spartan, but good enough to return. One of the two showers is partially open to nature. Price R300 pppn and R700 pppn for the Varacan. Arrival and departure No fixed times. Contact 084 594 9999 felicita.co.za Nearest town Stanford, 9,8 km. Road conditions There's 5,4 km of good dirt road, but the last 1,5 km of it is somewhat sandy. GPS S34.447376 E19.531454 Drive & Camp says Filicita’s campsite is brand new. The name…

Campsite An open area with no demarcated stands, and space for four caravans. There is grass but no shade. Ablution facilities One ablution building with two bathrooms. Price Main Camp: R100 per person per night (R50 for children under 12 years). Bush Camp: R75 pppn (R50 for under 12s). Caravan: R150 pppn (R75 for under 12s). Day visitors pay R50 pp per day. Contact 082 227 4195 ansie.podges@yahoo.com oppirooiplaas.com Arrival and departure No specific times. Nearest city Johannesburg, 250 km. Road condition From Gauteng, it’s highway, then a secondary tar road to Vrede, after which it’s 40 km of dirt road to the camp. GPS S27 361418 E29.520983 (farm gate); S27.371718 E29.509023 (campsite) Drive & Camp says The R543 dirt road is not suitable for regular caravans – and if…

Gretha’s story is an inspiration to everyone, especially campers. Faced with the challenge of glandular cancer, Gretha embraces life with open arms and an unwavering spirit. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she even told her doctor to wait, as she was going camping first. Gretha owns her camping gear and sets up camp herself. Tietiesbaai often sees her, and she cherishes the moments spent camping with all her friends. Gretha tells us more. "I received the bad news four years ago: My leg had been terribly swollen, and the outcome was a cancer diagnosis. However, I grew up in a camping household and quickly decided that I wouldn’t let this situation get me down. My father, Billy Laurence, was a wine farmer in Stellenbosch, and we would often pack the…

FISH DISH Ingredients (serves 4-6) 1 whole snoek without the head, cleaned (about 1,2 kg) 4 spring onions, chopped or thinly sliced 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted 1 lemon, sliced or cut into wedges for serving FOR THE MARINADE 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce 1 heaped tablespoon fine apricot jam, melted 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil Juice of 1 more small lemon 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger Here's how 1 Light a fire but don't start it too early - you need hot coals. 2 Rinse the fish well and pat it dry inside and out with paper towels. 3 Whisk together the marinade ingredients and baste the fish all over. Marinate for 15 minutes. 4 Braai the fish in an oil-greased folding grid. It…

Smartphones are smarter than ever, almost replacing SLR cameras and GPS devices… almost. However, GPS devices still have their place, and of the three big brands: Magellan, TomTom, and Garmin, only Garmin is widely available in South Africa. We are therefore limited to discussing this brand’s range of GPS devices. We also uploaded eight navigation apps on a smartphone and list the four that work the best. GET YOURS HERE Google Play App Store outdoorwarehouse.co.za 4x4megaworld.co.za navworld.co.za Prices were correct at the time of printing, but they can change. Always visit a supplier's website or an app store to get the latest prices. Trailblazing terrain This app’s free base map looks excellent, and if you want more detailed maps with specific information, you can download them from Avenza’s website. Some…

COLOUR IN Get your crayons and colouring pencils out and bring life to this line drawing. WORD SEARCH Search for the hidden words in the list and tick them off as you find them. SPOT THE DIFFERENCES There are at least 10 differences between the two illustrations. See if you can find them all! MAZE Show the maze who's boss. Remember to first do it in pencil, just in case you make a mistake. Word search SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY STARS BryanHabana VictorMatfield PercyMontgomery NaasBotha SchalkBurger DanieGerber JohnSmit SiyaKolisi FrancoisPienaar EbenEtzebeth TendaiMtawarira JeandeVilliers CheslinKolbe JPPetersen FrancoisSteyn JoelStransky MarkAndrews ChesterWilliams Spot the differences Maze Animal facts COMMON OSTRICH STRUTHIO CAMELUS • Ostriches are the largest living bird in the world, weighing between 113 and 136 kg. • They can stand up…

Before a recent getaway, I purchased the October-November 2022 and December 2022-January 2023 issues of Drive & Camp to read during our trip. But I didn’t take any blank paper with me and ended up using the pages of your magazines for notes. It was January, and schools had just reopened. For my wife Tracy and me, that meant it was time to hit the road. We embarked on a five-day journey, never straying more than three hours or 250 km from home. Dusty roads, rivers, mountains, sun, sea and, most importantly: no cellphone signal. Also, we’d be self-sufficient. Our first stop was the mountains just outside Kareedouw, where silence welcomed us. Within 10 minutes, we were set up and enjoying an ice-cold beer – our journey had truly begun.…

Forever Badplaas Contact 017 844 8000 badplaas@foreversa.co.za foreverbadplaas.co.za Price R950 per rondavel Mbuluzi Game Reserve Contact +268 7625 9380 mbuluzireception@gmail.com mbuluzi.com Price R150 per person for camping Royal Hlane National Park Contact +268 2528 1000 reservations@biggameparks.org biggameparks.org Price R145 per person for camping and R80 entrance fee Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Contact +268 2528 1000 reservations@biggameparks.org biggameparks.org Price R145 per person for camping and R80 entrance fee Malolotja Nature Reserve Contact +268 2444 3241 culturalvillage@sntc.org.sz eswatininaturereserves.com Price R570 per self-catering unit…

Campsite Stands with various options: from secluded and self-sufficient, under blue gum trees with power and light, next to the water with power, or a campsite with lush green grass, also with power. Ablution facilities Four neat and private bathrooms for everyone’s use. Price Depending on the season, R250 or R300 pppn. Arrival and departure 14:00 and 10:00 (negotiable). Contact 082 550 3702 or 082 775 0410 johannesfruits@gmail.com riversendfarmstanford.com Nearest town Stanford, 6,4 km. Road conditions The last 6,4 km to the gate is a gravel road with some corrugated sections, but a large section of it will be tarred soon, then there will be only about 1,5 km of gravel road. GPS S34.430801 E19.386791 Drive & Camp says There is no reception or office, but Simbarashe Sibanda will welcome…

"I wanted one like that and nothing else. And she had to have the United Nations’ UN insignia on the door. Nothing less would do. searched for nearly four years and finally found her at Windhoek’s airport – lonely and ownerless. Apparently, she was one of 60 Land Cruisers that arrived in the former South West Africa. It was at the time when the United Nations oversaw the peace process and elections. Rumour has it that six of the Cruisers ‘disappeared’ somewhere between Walvis Bay and Windhoek upon arrival. I paid R50 000 for her. She was like a child with a dirty face, and it was time to clean her up. This Cruiser wasn’t an ordinary vehicle. She had leaf springs front and rear, easily tackling today’s pothole-ridden roads.…

REEL & WHEEL FISHING GEAR Predatory fish in both coastal lagoons and freshwater will have to watch out for Adrenalin’s Mad Whirler artificial bait. It’s an attention-grabbing lure, but with its twin tripple hooks, there’s almost zero chance of escape. The Mad Whirler is reminiscent of a classic spinner, as the rear part of the lure body rotates as you reel it in. This creates splashes as well as a bubble trail behind the bait. The bait works as it should while moving and is designed to be effective on the surface. Other surface baits tend to be more effective during the morning or late afternoon, but the Mad Whirler works no matter the time of day. Because the bait’s shape is streamlined, it makes your casting easier when you…

Fish Catfish, carp, mudfish, and yellowfish. Campsite There are 19 stands in three groups with electricity (two groups are by the water) and two separate stands without electricity. Ablution facilities One building with a newly built family bathroom. Price R150 per night per stand plus R20 per person per night. Arrival and departure 07:00 and 19:00. Contact 061 181 5069 banjadreams@gmail.com Banja Dreams Nearest town Vanderbijlpark, 21 km. Road condition The last 2,8 km is gravel. GPS S26.730776 E27.631210 Drive & Camp says Some of the big fish caught here recently include a 15 kg catfish and a 7 kg yellowfish.…

R540 000 ARMADILLO XTR312 GVM1 900 kg R589 000 AFRISPOOR WILD CAT 2 SLEEPER GVM 1 950 kg Galvanised chassis, stainless steel and aluminium body, and 15” wheels. R379 500 JAGUAR SABOR GVM 1600 kg Galvanised steel chassis and body, and 15” wheels. R490 000 BUNDU X GVM 1 800 kg Galvanised chassis, body made of synthetic honeycomb panels, and 15” or 16” wheels. *Standard prices. The equipment level of models varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Drive & Camp loanedthe Armadillo from the manufacturer.…

CAMP FOOD PAPRIKA BEEF POTJIE Seeing red! This potjie is a royal feast. Remember to make enough rice to mop up all that delicious sauce. Ingredients (serves 6) 1 kg beef short rib, sliced 2 tablespoons flour salt and black pepper to taste BBQ spice mix, your favourite olive oil for shallow frying 2 tablespoons paprika 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 3 large onions, chopped 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 thumb fresh ginger, peeled and grated 1 ½ cups stock 1 tin (400g) tomatoes 500g passata sauce 750 g baby potatoes 500g green beans, halved 1 cup Greek yoghurt or sour cream Here's how 1 Coat the meat in the flour and season generously with salt and pepper. Add a pinch or two of your favourite BBQ spice mix (mine includes…

I often state what a privilege it is to live in Africa, especially Southern Africa. The abundance of places to visit and thihgs to see, explore and experience is almost never ending. I often wonder if I’ll ever get to see it all. This is made even more difficult by the fact that there are so many places that require re-visits taking up precious time that could be spent on visiting new ones. By far the biggest South African fan that I know is my mom. She emigrated to South Africa from England in 1966. She has been back there once or twice, but she has never expressed the desire to return to England for good. Her parents, younger brother and older sister all spent time living in South Africa…

Paul 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 a lunch box and a 1,5 ℓ cooldrink bottle. The lid also has space for a coffee flask. The interior is lined with PVC, which makes it easy to keep the bag clean and hygienic. The bag has a short strap that reaches over the top and attaches with a Velcro strip, as well as 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…

The British manufacturer Land Rover Jaguar is officially changing its name to JLR. Four distinct brands will be sold under this “house of brands”: Jaguar, Range Rover, Discovery and Defender. The name Land Rover will no longer be used. “We love Land Rover, but there isn’t as much equity as Range Rover, and Defender is increasing massively,” says JLR’s chief creative officer Gerry McGovern. “The reality is Range Rover is a brand and so is Defender. Customers say they own a Range Rover. In luxury, you need absolute clarity. Land Rover Range Rover SV Autobiography doesn’t give it,” McGovern added. Dropping the legendary name is not the end of the revolution at JLR. The company will henceforth electrify all its Jaguars. CEO Adrian Mardell said this was something that’s “very…

Maximum number of vehicles? It’s a public road, you can as many friends join as you like. Do I get a map? No, but the road is indicated on maps. Will my vehicle get scratched? Highly unlikely. Should I take a compressor? Yes, and a tyre-repair kit – we had a puncture. Can I braai along the route? Yes, there are indeed braai spots along this route. Can I turn around halfway? Indeed. Is there cellphone signal? It’s unreliable, especially in the mountains and gorges. Best time to go? All year round, but it’s hot in February. Can I take my family along? Yes, definitely. Can my dog come along? Yes, your furry friend is welcome. How long does it take? The route takes at least two days. Are there…

FISHING RESORT BANJA DREAMS RIVERSIDE RIPPLES This spot, formerly known as Geelvis Paradys, has new owners who renamed it. One of the owners, Hector Macpherson, says they’ve installed new electricity points, refurbished the women’s bathroom, added a family bathroom, and built a shelter by the pool. Banja Dreams lies just outside Vanderbijlpark and sits on the banks of the Vaal River. There are three groups of stands, two of which are by the water. One group on the bank has four stands and there are six in the other group. The third group of seven stands are about 25 m away from the water and closer to the bathrooms. There are facilities for men and women, plus the family bathroom has, among other things, a bath and a changing area…

DRIVING IMPRESSION While relatively unknown In South Africa, BAIC is China's fifth-largest vehicle manufacturer. The brand landed on South African soil in 2016 and set up an assembly plant in Gqeberha in 2018. BAIC South Africa currently offers only two vehicle models for sale: the Beijing X55 and the B40 Plus, which we discuss here. A third vehicle called the B80 is on the way, resembling a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, while the B40 Plus you see here may remind you of another off-road vehicle… What have we got here? The B40 is definitely inspired by Jeep's Wrangler, but not by cheating. BAIC legitimately purchased the Wrangler concept from General Motors in the previous decade, before the Jeep brand was acquired by the Stellantis Group. That's why the tailgate swings open in…

Whether you're a camper, fisherman, or sports fan next to a cricket pitch, this cooler bag has room for a lunch box and a 1,5 l cooldrink 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…

I am astonished by recent reports suggesting that the Tupperware empire may soon crumble. Tupperware’s website mentions significant financial troubles and an uncontrollable burden of debt. I wouldn’t be surprised if this manufacturer becomes a case study in business schools within the next decade or two. I also believe it won’t be long before Tupperware products become collector’s items. Just look at the prices of secondhand AMC pots at flea markets and pawnshops. So, hold on to yours. EARL TUPPER ESTABLISHED his business empire in the 1940s, and the product was introduced in South Africa in 1964. Currently, there are still around 270 000 consultants active in just our country alone. I first encountered Tupperware in my primary school days. There was even a compartment in my backpack where a…