SA4x4

So here we all are again, kicking off a new year full of promise and expectation. Of course the wags have come out with plenty of then-and-now jokes, one of the better ones being, “may the worst experience of 2019 match the best of 2018”. Eina. That

My wife and I (Marietjie and Charl Theart) are Honorary Rangers from the Boland Region, which is affiliated to SANParks. We Boland region HRs have been allocated the unique opportunity, with six other HR regions, to be involved by hosting a monthly b

Whether you’re a weekend camper, holiday adventurer or hard-core overlander who stays out for months at a time, your sleeping solutions will vary widely. Ground tents, roof-top tents or interior sleeping accommodations all have their pros and cons. I

The BMW X5 is one of the cars of our time – a massive status symbol and an imposing presence on any road, in any country. Since its introduction in 1999, it has shaped and defined the SUV segment, and the fourth generation is no different. At the lau

In the manufacturing process, the tread compound is possibly the most variable, gets a lot of attention from the compound scientists, and is fine-tuned to the application of the product. Mud- and all-terrain tyres that deliver excellent traction, for

Hyundai has always had a very hard time shaking off the shackles of its humble, budget beginnings, but the time has come to recognise the undeniable quality that the Korean manufacture is producing year in, year out. The new Santa Fe is a prime examp

Okay, so you’re probably wondering why we’re featuring the X-Class yet again, and that’s fair, given that it’s dominated motor magazine pages of late. Part of the reason is the massive hype generated by ‘the first of a new kind’ – a truly premium bak

For the most part, when considering outright 4x4 ability, most double-cab bakkies are pretty similar. It stands to reason, as they have similar dimensions, overhangs and outputs. However, when it comes to reliability, one brand stands head and should

The Gelandewagen is undoubtedly one of the world’s most distinguishable vehicles, catching the eye both on and off the road. Merc has upped the ante with the new G 63, ushering in more changes than ever before while sticking to its guns with superb p

We woke up to a blissful campsite on the Nyika Plateau in northern Malawi, knowing that our schedule for the day was, as usual, a shambles. When we’ve driven for up to 12 hours the day before, charting a route will always come second best to meal-tim

In a survival situation, there are many plants which can be used for medicinal purposes. The key is not only being able to correctly identify the plant, but knowing exactly how to extract those components which give it its medicinal properties. Fortu

The dry season in Hwange National Park reached its height in late September. My partner Ashley and I huddled in our Pajero, trying to keep warm in the chilly midnight air on the bank of Mandavu Dam. The water shimmered silver under the full moon as n

I’m sitting in The Pudding Shop in Istanbul, with delicious roast chicken in front of me, and Kingsley Holgate beside me. It’s my fourth day in Istanbul, and we should have been hundreds of kilometres away by now, exploring the ancient history and ma

What a week that was! 4440km later, and after countless hours of driving, I was sitting comfortably in my home, having kissed my baby and realised that I was glad to be back in the comfort of my space, where everything was familiar. When friends aske

Turbochargers are components that are critical to the reliable operation of correct emission production and under-bonnet thermal management of an engine. The turbocharger, although situated outside the engine, is fed the same oil that the engine reli

In our second desert encounter with the Cooper Dust Series, competitors who’d come from all over the country, and in all sorts of vehicles, lined up on November 30 for the grand finale of 2018’s seven-region event to test their mettle against the ele

At a recent media event to showcase the new Haval H9, the PR team did a sterling job in comparing it to a Prado and other similar-sized SUVs. But what is Haval, and do they have any right to compare their Chinese trucks to our favourite brands? Well,

More and more 4x4 owners are opting to fit clever auxiliary battery charging systems, many of them able to handle inputs from solar panels. So, the wiring in the back of many vehicles is getting pretty complex. The new systems can do a lot more, but

Kennis Caravans & Motorhomes has been an industry favourite for more than half a century, and has ridden countless highs and lows throughout that time. Founded in 1967, the business has grown into one of the top three caravan dealerships in the count

GP • GRADE 1-4 • SELF • GuIDE • Bronkhorstspruit, 12 km • GPS: S 25°51.972’ E 28°42.033’ 40 km from Pta, Jhb Eastern tip of Magalies berg. Basic academy instructed obstacles. Excellent for training. More than 30 4WD obstacles. 21 km scenic eco & bir

Occupation: Retired Modifications: Suspension lift of 50mm done by myself. 30mm spacers added to the standard Toyota mags. Fitted 265/75 R16 BF Goodrich KO2 tyres for extra ground clearance. I installed the snorkel myself. I also installed a Chipbox