Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2019 i Caravan and Outdoor Life

Nothing beats sitting around a campfire and telling caravanning and camping stories. But what if the entire country was your campfire, and you could share your adventures with thousands of other outdoor lovers? This is what Caravan & Outdoor Life is to our readers. Our magazine and website brings together the camping community, and is a fantastic place to tell others about your travels, ask for advice, let your voice be heard, or simply share some news. So pull up a chair, sit down and write to us! The easiest way to get in touch is via e-mail: editor@caravansa.co.za If your prefer to write in: ‘Editor’ C/o Caravan and Outdoor Life PO Box 31062, Tokia, 7966 @caravanoutdoorlife Or join the discussions and or get the latest news on our forum:…

REVEALED: MOBILE MATTERS’ FIRST PRODUCTION CAMPER After almost three decades in the caravan and motorhome industry, Frederich“Pottie” Potgieter is ready to take his first camper into large-scale production. Pottie is an electrical engineer that started his career in the industry 28 years ago when he did design work for WJ Motorhomes, as well as for Jurgens Ci. He is the man behind much-loved designs such as the Elite, Oryx, Xcape and Xplorer. More than two decades ago he was also the main designer for the division in Jurgens where unique campers were built on vehicles such as Unimogs. When Jurgens decided to close this division, Pottie headed out on his own, and today his company Mobile Matters is still building incredible vehicles. Pottie tells Caravan & Outdoor Life:“I have built…

“You’re a travel journalist, what is your favourite spot in South Africa?” I was recently asked this question at a braai. Usually, my favourite spot in SA is the place that I’ve just visited… until I get to explore a new destination. But if pressed, I guess that I would say the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in Kwazulu-Natal is in the top five of my list (if not right at the top) of the best travel destinations in South Africa. And yes, I have just returned from Kosi Bay on a trip with Jannie Rykaart of Protea 4x4 Adventures. Our mission was to hopefully see the leatherback and loggerhead turtles laying their eggs on the white beaches of Maputaland – an occurrence that dates back over 300 000 years. In 2001…

Prince Albert is close by, and is the gateway to some fantastic holiday visuals. The town itself is rather quaint, being home to many an artist and to equally creative shops, not to mention restaurants. There is even a bush pub. Best of all, it’s the start of the magnificent Swartberg Pass, which leaves one in awe, and trying to guess where on earth the road may be going as it winds through the buttresses of twisty rock that are bent and stacked in a multitude of shapes and designs by the forces of nature. They just don’t make mountain passes like this anymore. Stop alongside the crystal-clear stream and find out what water really tastes like, and listen to the birds. And, of course, to the sound of silence.…

Our Power Solution articles over the past two months covered Charge Controller Configuration and Battery Charging Basic. This month we look at how you monitor the state of charge of a battery. In vehicle applications, the use of a second battery is very common. Most users choose one of the widely available lead-acid battery technologies, including starter-type wet batteries (with removable cell caps), sealed-valve regulated, Gel and AGM types. Each type has different characteristics, but they are all essentially energy storage devices. There are three main ways to monitor the state of charge: MEASURING THE SPECIFIC GRAVITY (SG) This method is confined to wet batteries, requires a specialised tool and cannot easily be carried out when in the field. A Hydrometer can be used to measure the Specific Gravity –…

Make the outdoor life more enjoyable by sharing your camping problems, questions and opinions, and raising topics that can improve things for everyone. Our print and digital community is a great place to swop tips, get advice, and find answers to your caravan and camping questions. We have genuine experts and very experienced readers who can offer advice… and like all campers, we really like to help each other! The quickest way to get in touch with us is via e-mail: clinic@caravansa.co.za your prefer : C/o Caravan and Outdoor Life PO Box 31062, Tokia, 7966 @caravanoutdoorlife Or join or get latest news on our forum: www.caravansa.co.za Congratulations to Johan Venter, whose letter wins him a set of three Fiamma Omni-Stops. These multipurpose steadfast holders are ideal for motorhomes and caravans…

Ingredients: • 200g steak, braaied, spiced and sliced to your liking • 10 small tacos – the soft kind, not the hard shells Green salsa: • 1 medium cucumber, finely chopped • ¼ celery stalk, finely chopped • 1 clove garlic, grated • A handful of coriander (dhania) • 1 avocado, diced • A splash of lemon/lime juice Method: 1. Mix the cucumber, celery, garlic, coriander, avo and lime together in a bowl, and season with salt to your taste 2. Toast the soft tacos on the still-warm braai, being careful not to let them get too crisp 3. Fill the tacos with a layer of steak, and then a layer of the green salsa 4. Splash with some Tabasco Jalapeno sauce, and enjoy! Chef’s tip The lime juice should…

2005 ECHO 4 TRAILER Emma Poupard I am looking at buying a 2005 Echo trailer…. what kind of things should I be checking in a trailer this old? Any suggestions? Robert Anderson We bought a 2005 Echo 4 in 2016 and have so far had great trips with it through Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia. Over December we toured the Northern Cape, including the Richtersveld, and the trailer behaved as well as ever. The bed is comfortable, there’s adequate space for your camping equipment and it tows well for its size. What to look for if you are considering buying one: • Wheel bearings (always have a spare set and tools to replace it) • Check the bolts on the coupler regularly We were fortunate as we bought it with a…

The name iSimangaliso means “place of miracles and wonders” in isiZulu. The park is a unique global treasure, so much so that in 1999 it was listed as a World Heritage Site (in fact the very first in South Africa). The park covers 332 000 hectares and has 220 km of coastal shoreline stretching from Maphelane in the south to Kosi Bay in the north. The coral reefs are considered to be second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia in terms of their marine diversity. Within those thousands of hectares are three major lake systems, eight different interlinking ecosystems and the largest remaining swamp forest found in South Africa. Added to this is iSimangaliso harbours Africa’s largest estuarine system, 25 000-year-old coastal dunes and some 526 bird species.…

First seen way back in 1982, the Mitsubishi Pajero has, almost like the turtles, been around for a fair bit of time. Also like the turtles it might not be the glitziest car on the road, but who else can boast 12 consecutive Dakar wins? When Mitsubishi does make changes to what is already a winner, it’s to make this beast better in both safety and the rough and tumble of the great outdoors. The turbodiesel 3.2 DiD motor delivers 140 kW and 441 Nm of torque. The superb Super Select II autobox allows one to put a 60/40 split to the drive train. This vehicle is great on the tar and off the road. In my opinion this is still one of the toughest, most robustly built vehicles on…

• We travelled a total 11 304 kilometres in 76 days • Consumed 1 670 litres of fuel; • Average overall fuel consumption was 6.77 km/l (14.78 l/100); • Fuel consumption ranged from 5.53 km/l to 10.32 km/l' • We towed 7 933 km at average of 6.29 km/l (the rest was made up of solo trips and towing/solo combination where they could not be separated); • Towing fuel consumption ranged from 5.53 km/l to 7.20 km/l; • Fuel price in Namibia at that time was R2 cheaper overall to SA’s price and Botswana, after exchange conversion, R3 cheaper. Goes to show what the levies and taxes do to our fuel price.…

Number of stands 50 Electricity 30 – yes, 20 – no Water Yes Ablutions Yes (6 showers and toilets for women; same for men) Braai Yes (portable, and 2 braai lapas) Laundry facilities Yes (washing machine and clothesline) Pets Yes (dogs under 10 kg) Tariffs R100 per camping site, plus R100 per person Contact Rule Mans: 072 660 0840 / 058 110 0043 JL Mans: 079 525 0401 E: info@uithoek.com W: www.uithoek.com F: www.facebook.com/Uithoek GPS: S 28° 32’ 32.17” E 28° 12’ 49.05”…

GOOSE NECK/SWAN NECK TOW BAR AND TOWING I had been out of the caravan, camping and towing situation for almost nine years. Prior to that I had been towing caravans for approximately 22 years. I used to tow with stabilisers and later with the Trapezium on a traditional/ conventional tow bar. I aim to get back into the caravaning fraternity now that the children have completed their university studies. My tow vehicle will be a 2007 BMW X5 3.0D with a gooseneck tow bar. I have absolutely no knowledge or experience with the gooseneck. Do I just hook up and go or what is recommended? The caravan will be a 1991 Gypsey 4B model. Advice please. Johan Venter Godfrey: With a big vehicle such as the BMW X5…

PHOTO COMPETITION Want to show off your caravan and camping adventures? Are you a lensman who captures the beauty of nature? Do you have a terrific towing combination? Then show us! Caravan & Outdoor Life want to see your awesome outdoor images and share it with our audience. Whether you are towing a caravan or trailer, heading out in a motorhome, or camping in a tent, take a picture of your travels and share it with us. Each month we’ll publish the best pictures in our magazine, and share your winning snap on our website and social media. @caravanoutdoorlife #caravanoutdoorlife…

Cheesy ostrich patties Ostrich is a fantastic alternative to beef and other red meats. It’s also locally produced, and surprisingly delicious! This stuffed patty will go down well on any burger. Ingredients: • 600g ostrich mince • 1 tsp salt • 3 slices white bread, crumbed • 1 red onion, finely chopped • 100g cheddar • 2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped Method: 1. Fry the onion in a pan with a splash of olive oil. 2. After allowing the onion to cool, add it to all the other ingredients except the cheese. Use your hands to make sure that everything is evenly distributed. 3. Season with your favourite braai spices. 4. Shape into four large patties, making a well in the middle of each. Leave about a fifth of the…

At Kosi Bay Lodge there was a total of 20 of us on the Protea 4x4 Adventure. The group consisted of Danie and Crista Franzen from Potchefstroom. Danie, a former gold squad police detective, now works in Surinam... I’d heard the name but had no cooking clue where on the globe it is. Adding another four to the group was Peter and Linda Scaife, her daughter and son Luan and Nicole Zwarts. I had met Chris and Barbara Holden from Johannesburg on Jannie’s trip to Sani Pass in 2018. This was like a gathering of the Protea 4x4 Adventure club. Also joining us was Ian Kempe and his wife Sandy from Johannesburg – I had spent three weeks with Ian and his daughter Laura on Jannie’s trip to Moremi. Another…

Utshwayelo Kosi Mouth Lodge & Camp Contact Camp Manager: Enock T: 082 909 3113 / 084 644 2104 E: info@kosimouth.co.za W: www.kosibay.infoGPS: S 26° 53’ 34.09” E 32° 51’ 29.78” Palm Tree Lodge Contact Cathy Pedlar: 081 769 8488 W: www.palmtreelodge.co.zaGPS: S 26° 56’ 37.82” E 32° 49’ 03.32” Kosi Bay Campsite - iSimangaliso Wetland Park Contact Office: 035 574 8019 24-hour emergency hotline: 082 797 7944 E: info@isimangaliso.com W: www.isimangaliso.com/accommodators/kosi-bay-camp-site/GPS: S 26° 57’ 22.78” E 32° 49’ 28.78” Lake View Bush Camp Contact Len Claase: 082 807 3508 Jenny Claase: 082 806 9116 E: lakeview.kosibay@vodamail.co.za W: www.lakeviewbushcamp.co.zaGPS: S 26° 57’ 30.34” E 32° 48’ 52.15” Kosi Bay Lodge Contact Karin: 083 262 4865 E: reservations@kosibaylodgepc.co.za W: www.kosibaylodge.co.zaGPS: S 26° 57’ 42.39” E 32° 48’ 36.74”…

The Ranch Overnight Chalets: www.theranchchalets.co.za Oranjerus: www.oranjerus.com Molopo Lodge: www.ncfamouslodges.co.za Maritz Country Lodge: www.maritzcountrylodge.com.na Grunau Chalets: www.grunauchalets.com Gondwana Collection: (Canyon Roadhouse + Desert Horse Campsite at Klein Aus Vista + Etosha Safari Camp and others): www.gondwana-collection.com Bastion Farmyard B&B: www.bastionfarmyard.com Little Sossus Campsite: www.littlesossus.com Daan Viljoen National Park: www.sunkarros.com Erindi Private Game Reserve: www.erindi.com Alte Brucke: www.altebrucke.com iGowati Lodge: www.igowatilodge.com Opuwo Country Hotel/Lodge: www.opuwolodge.com Epupa Falls Lodge: www.epupafallslodge.com Kunene River Lodge: www.kuneneriverlodge.com Onguma Tamboti Campsite: www.onguma.com Bush Baby Safaris: www.bush-babycamping.com Kaisosi River Lodge: www.kaisosiriverlodge.com Nunda River Lodge: www.nundaonline.com Camp Kwando: www.campkwando.cc.na Namwi Island: www.namwiisland.com Senyati Safari Camp: www.senyatisafaricampbotswana.com Nata Lodge: www.underonebotswanasky.com Kwa Nokeng: www.kwanokeng.com…

If you want to speed up the process of making ice cubes, fill your tray with HOT water! That’s right, even though it sounds strange, there is a phenomenon called the Mpemba effect, which is that hot water freezes faster than cold water. ICE TAKES TOO LONG We have a new caravan with an electric fridge which seems to be all the rage right now. Problem is it takes much, much longer to make ice cubes than our previous gas fridge. Those cubes were so cold they would provide a satisfying “crack, crack” sound when dropped into a glass full of sundowner liquid! Any suggestions, this waiting four or five hours for water to freeze is frustrating. Godfrey : Freeze the ice cubes in your freezer at home and…