SA4x4 October 2019

In the 4x4 world, when a car as potentially game-changing as the Defender is re-launched, there is a lot of hype and excitement. To be offered an early chance to showcase the talents of the latest from Land Rover is an honour, and here it is! Testing has shown its breadth of ability in all sorts of places, from harsh desert to rocky trails and serious mud baths. There’s an all-new chassis, not the Discovery chassis we all thought would underpin the new vehicle. The images show not a huge amount of suspension articulation, certainly not on the level of previous-gen Ranger Rovers and their ilk. But that all matters much less these days, as modern traction control systems compensate. We don’t have all the details yet, but our prediction…

In the 4x4 world, when a car as potentially game-changing as the Defender is re-launched, there is a lot of hype and excitement. To be offered an early chance to showcase the talents of the latest from Land Rover is an honour, and here it is! Testing has shown its breadth of ability in all sorts of places, from harsh desert to rocky trails and serious mud baths. There’s an all-new chassis, not the Discovery chassis we all thought would underpin the new vehicle. The images show not a huge amount of suspension articulation, certainly not on the level of previous-gen Ranger Rovers and their ilk. But that all matters much less these days, as modern traction control systems compensate. We don’t have all the details yet, but our prediction is…

HUMANITARIAN TRIP IN BOTS No matter the country, rural areas are a great challenge to work in and even in a well-equipped country like Botswana, certain regions do not receive the government attention and resources they need. Which means that when you go overlanding you need to be prepared for everything from hard sun, to heavy rains, to corrugations that will remove your kidneys. So in June/July one Defender and one Patrol undertook a task to drive from Cape Town to Maun, then around the Okavango Delta and through a private concession, which is something we’ll never forget. It was a great task and the expensive toys did well. Of course, challenges like these don’t come without surprises, but this is why we do what we do, right? The aim…

HUMANITARIAN TRIP IN BOTS No matter the country, rural areas are a great challenge to work in and even in a well-equipped country like Botswana, certain regions do not receive the government attention and resources they need. Which means that when you go overlanding you need to be prepared for everything from hard sun, to heavy rains, to corrugations that will remove your kidneys. So in June/July one Defender and one Patrol undertook a task to drive from Cape Town to Maun, then around the Okavango Delta and through a private concession, which is something we’ll never forget. It was a great task and the expensive toys did well. Of course, challenges like these don’t come without surprises, but this is why we do what we do, right? The aim of our two-week…

In response to a growing number of complaints about how we conduct ourselves in the wilderness, we decided to draw up and promote a code of conduct for overlanders. We’d like to include your input, comments and debate, so please send your suggestions to editor@sa4x4.co.za. FIREWOOD Take your firewood in with you; don’t chop down trees or gather dead wood within parks or wilderness areas. KEEP QUIET We go to the bush to appreciate the sights and sounds of the bush. No music, and nothing louder than a spoken conversation. RESPECT LOCALS – LAWS AND PEOPLE Obey the rules of the place you’re travelling through. Respect locals and their traditions; if they don’t like having their photos taken, don’t take photos. SUPPORT LOCAL TRADE Your spending money at the local…

In response to a growing number of complaints about how we conduct ourselves in the wilderness, we decided to draw up and promote a code of conduct for overlanders. We’d like to include your input, comments and debate, so please send your suggestions to editor@sa4x4.co.za. FIREWOOD Take your firewood in with you; don’t chop down trees or gather dead wood within parks or wilderness areas. KEEP QUIET We go to the bush to appreciate the sights and sounds of the bush. No music, and nothing louder than a spoken conversation. RESPECT LOCALS – LAWS AND PEOPLE Obey the rules of the place you’re travelling through. Respect locals and their traditions; if they don’t like having their photos taken, don’t take photos. SUPPORT LOCAL TRADE Your spending money at the local shops and lodges will make them see…