SA4x4 March 2020

There are quite a few people out there who would question the wisdom of most 4x4 adventures. They are sure to ask what motivates the desire to travel for days on bumpy gravel roads and, after hours of inhaling dust, to set up a flimsy tent on a windswept open area rampant with wild animals – then scrabble around in the back of the vehicle for food and sleeping goods, while making a fire to cook on. What’s wrong, they tend to say, with manicured tarred roads, hotels with comfortable beds, and kitchens staffed by competent chefs? We head out, I reckon, to reclaim a sense of adventure, to check out new places, and find some calm in the bush that you can’t in town traffic. A 4x4 journey is a way…

There are quite a few people out there who would question the wisdom of most 4x4 adventures. They are sure to ask what motivates the desire to travel for days on bumpy gravel roads and, after hours of inhaling dust, to set up a flimsy tent on a windswept open area rampant with wild animals – then scrabble around in the back of the vehicle for food and sleeping goods, while making a fire to cook on. What’s wrong, they tend to say, with manicured tarred roads, hotels with comfortable beds, and kitchens staffed by competent chefs? We head out, I reckon, to reclaim a sense of adventure, to check out new places, and find some calm in the bush that you can’t in town traffic. A 4x4 journey is…

LIVE WITH THE FUNNIES As an avid reader of SA4x4, I sometimes wonder at how nit-picky some people can be. I refer to the article in the Forum of the February edition, titled “Bakkie Oversights” on page 6. One sometimes has mishaps that you cannot avoid. For argument’s sake, someone will have endless problems with a specific vehicle and the next owner will drive it till the wheels literally fall off and never have an issue. Anthony Stokes complains about vehicle wiring. I’ve had my share of funnies in vehicles as well. My wife drives a 2009 Audi A3 Cabriolet, which had a fault come up that indicated a globe was not working. Checking all the fuses showed nothing amiss. I found a reverse light was not working, but even swapping globes between…

LIVE WITH THE FUNNIES As an avid reader of SA4x4, I sometimes wonder at how nit-picky some people can be. I refer to the article in the Forum of the February edition, titled “Bakkie Oversights” on page 6. One sometimes has mishaps that you cannot avoid. For argument’s sake, someone will have endless problems with a specific vehicle and the next owner will drive it till the wheels literally fall off and never have an issue. Anthony Stokes complains about vehicle wiring. I’ve had my share of funnies in vehicles as well. My wife drives a 2009 Audi A3 Cabriolet, which had a fault come up that indicated a globe was not working. Checking all the fuses showed nothing amiss. I found a reverse light was not working, but even…

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…

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…