Go! Drive & Camp

Drive Out is a monthly African overlanding magazine. The magazine takes readers to where the tar road ends and the real fun begins. It offers practical advice about motor vehicles (new and second-hand), 4x4 trails, accessories, DIY projects, gear and outdoor cooking.

Here’s to better days

Go Drive and Camp

FREEZE FRAME

Why stay home? • We love hearing what’s on your mind! Write to us at drivecamp@gomag.co.za and please remember to give your full address and contact details. Drive & Camp reserves the right to edit and shorten letters – and publish them in the magazine, on the website and elsewhere.

WINNING LETTER

South Africa, the beautiful... • From the Kgalagadi and Namaqualand to the Kruger National Park and the cherries of Ficksburg... Pieter Venter, a guide from Bryanston, takes his customers far and wide to experience all the beauty of the country, phone at the ready.

Bela-Bela gets a bush camp

Electrifying the Hummer

Cool roofs from McLaren

Trailer Cuff gets a padlock

Sprite turns 60

A new lapa at Steenbokkie

Patrol celebrates 70 years

New Indian ‘Jeep’

Datsun? No, Nissan

Contact Armadillo here

Meet the new Swift • You’d think imported caravans would be expensive, but if you look at the new Swift Alpine 2, the price is not only highly competitive, but you also get some lovely luxuries, says Leon Botha.

Three cheers for Dinokeng! • Whether you prefer a busy resort with plenty of spaces for play, a smaller, more peaceful resort, or a bush camp where the lions parade in front of your tent, there’s a campsite waiting just for you in the Dinokeng area.

They say • Pieter and Sulette de Bruin and their sons, Diederik (13) and Frederik (10), are from Pretoria and camp in a Crossroader off-road trailer they tow with a Fortuner D4-D.

Briefly | Uitvlugt

They say • Francois and Nicoleen Mienie and their two daughters, Nienke (11) and Nesia (6), are from Pretoria and camp in dome tents.

Briefly | Dinokeng Resort

They say • Jean and Vanessa Joubert from Rustenburg tow their Bush Lapa Flea with a Mitsubishi Pajero.

Briefly | Kyleu Bush Camp

The expanse of southern Namibia • Take a leisurely drive through Namibia’s lower half to see Africa’s largest canyon, wild horses and an abandoned town – and enjoy freshly baked apple tart in an arid desert.

WHERE TO CAMP • Prices are in Namibian dollars that are linked to the South African rand and therefore have the same value.

I ALSO WANT TO GO!

A jewel in the Baviaans • There’s an absolute jewel of a campsite near the eastern entrance to the Baviaanskloof one that’s hard to leave…

Briefly | Geelkrans

The littlest Cape kill zone • There’s a narrow strip between Gansbaai and Struisbaai in the Western Cape where you’re allowed to drive on the beach. But be wary of the tide, it can catch you out just like the notorious Doodsakker in Angola.

Good to know

A firm favourite • You’d be forgiven for thinking they’re shareholders of the Woodbourne Resort outside Knysna, that’s how often they camp there, says Magda Ferreira of Oudtshoorn.

The Transporter • After varied experiences with SUVs, Craig Pentz from Roodepoort went on vacation in a Volkswagen Kombi and hasn’t looked back since.

Camping to the Cape (for a last goodbye) • You don’t have to drive to the Cape from Gauteng in one go: camp your way to the ocean and add in a visit to some good old friends, says Kenny de Bie of Pretoria.

Fishing on the Vaal • There’s a lot more to Leeudoringstad than mielies – set up camp next to the Vaal River and sit back while casting a line.

Briefly | Klipspruit River...