Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2020 i Caravan and Outdoor Life

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT Having spent a couple of happy hours reading through past editions of Caravan and Outdoor Life, an article reminded me of an experience my wife and I had. We were staying at The Willows, in Port Alfred, when late one afternoon a family of five arrived with the latest and greatest camping trailer, you know the one. It seems to have 100-square metres of canvas and everything either pulls out, pushes in, lifts up, or slides out. The family chose a site near to where we were set up, said good afternoon, unhitched the trailer and, because it was raining lightly, decided to drive into town for something to eat. They were gone for quite a long time before we went inside our caravan and settled…

Clean step The Clean Step doormat is suitable to be used on electric or manual steps and is designed to keep your motorhome or caravan clean, leaving the sand and mud outside. It is supplied with springs and is made from durable and robust plastic material. The fitting is carried out with springs which are included. Step sizes are a minimum of 38 x 40cm and a maximum of 45 x 40cm. Price: R326.99 incl. VAT For more information, contact Fiamma on 011 395 1020 / 021 577 3683, email admin@fiamma.co.za, or visit their website www.fiamma.co.za for this and other great products. Pack perfectly The Pack Organiser Box from Fiamma is a convenient and spacious storage box that is versatile and compact when not in use, as it can be…

I’d like to use the word ‘phew‘ for it is with some relief that it appears that this company is back on a solid footing to recovery with dealers reverting back to having the full Jurgens, Sprite, Gypsey and Tourers franchise on their floors. Not only have Natal Caravans and Marine taken back the franchise this year but so too Kennis Caravans in Gauteng. And apart from the recently launched new Jurgens Penta, they are planning to have both the new Penta and Exclusive at the show. We are also told that, if time permits, a new Classique will also be there. Looks like the whole industry is really hotting up with competition reaching its highest proportions ever. It's a great time to be a buyer!…

Sometimes one discovers a campsite so beautiful it can bring out the,‘I don’t want to share it’ syndrome. I found a place like this and it’s called Coral Tree Camp. This campsite lies high up on the edge of the, oftentimes morning mist-shrouded, indigenous forest of Magoebaskloof. Fortunately, or perhaps, unfortunately, Coral Tree Camp is only accessible by 4x4 vehicles with off-road trailers. Adding to its exclusivity, the campsite is a private camp, accommodating a minimum of two people and a maximum of six. It is a private camp, where only one party is able to book it at a time. It is only accessible with a 4×4, but once you are there you won’t want to leave! Owners, Elsbeth and Ralph Humphreys, have created one of the most tranquil,‘far…

What is a warranty? A warranty is a written guarantee, issued to the purchaser of a caravan, motorhome or trailer tent by the manufacturer, promising to repair or replace certain items within the stipulated warranty period. Some warranties will have exclusions such as wear and tear items like brake pads and there can also be exclusions if user abuse is detected. Taking an on-road caravan into extreme off-road conditions can result in the repudiation of warranty claims if the damage is deemed to be caused by those conditions. It is always important to read the warranty document (as boring as these documents can be) to know exactly where you stand in terms of claims that are made with the dealer or manufacturer. Claims are usually undertaken at dealer level and…

Putting the sparkle back into your caravan that is looking a bit dated – with its sagging foam cushions, drab appointments, mustard-coloured curtains, and dreary decals – is not as difficult as it seems. With a little spit and polish, some DIY, and a bit of outside help, you’ll have your caravan looking like the belle of the ball in no time at all. New materials An excellent way to create a light, airy, and modern-looking interior in your caravan is to recover the tired and dated-looking cushions. It’s amazing what a difference this can make. When you remove the old covers from the cushions, be sure to check if the foam is still intact and offers good support. If it has lost its support or is sagging where Aunty…

FROM OUR FORUM Every month we publish the most interesting Forum posts in the magazine. If you want your question, destination review, or letter to be published, make sure to post it on the Forum on our website. DESTINATIONS & ROUTES I can recommend Aan De Vliet for camping near Hazyview. Wonderfully quiet, you'll fall asleep to the music of the river. – Anton Engelbrecht DIY PROJECTS 1979 BEDFORD OVERHAUL My partner and I are renovating a motorhome gifted to us by my grandparents. We need advice on where to source new metal framing and sheeting for the exterior. We also need help deciding between aluminium and wood. Please help! – Sarah Mills DESTINATIONS & ROUTES I am looking for recommendations for nice and affordable campsites close to the Oribi…

If you met anyone over December they were sure to launch into a long diatribe about Eskom and their latest round of load-shedding shenanigans. A good mate calls our illustrious energy supplier Ekisdom. I couldn’t keep the grin off my face. “So why are you looking so smug?” enquired my mate. It was pretty simple really. There was a spanking new red Toyota Hilux double cab standing ready and packed in our driveway. The kids and I were heading up north to a wonderful place called Mapesu Private Game Reserve. It is right at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, the two rivers that define our South African border with our neighbours Botswana and Zimbabwe. We were staying at the Mopane Bush Lodge in the 7 000 hectare…

If you want to get away and leave your busy city life behind for a few days, then Rivierplaas will suit you, your whole family and your dogs. Yes, Rivierplaas might be free of electricity but they allow dogs and other non-aggressive animals. The campsite is situated on a working farm on the banks of the Bree River, a mere hour and a half drive from Cape Town, nestled in the area of Scherpenheuwel, south of Worcester. The camping stands are large, grassed and privacy is accentuated by purpose-built hedges of loquat. Large trees offer good shade in the hot summer months. Each stand has its own half drum braai, just bring along your own grid. Rivierplaas is set on the river which offers a relatively deep swimming area, a…

There are many wonderful campsites, guest farms, and lodges that are pet-friendly, so it is no longer necessary to leave your furry friends at home while you go off and have all the fun. A quick online search offers up hundreds of venues around the country that will pamper you and your pets. What better way to spend a holiday than with your furry friends? Taking your pets on holiday with you, to a pet-friendly venue, requires that your pets are well behaved and don’t disrupt other campers with bad behaviour or incessant barking. Training tips Generally, pets love the outdoors but to get your pet accustomed to the outdoors, go on frequent walks and hikes – even if it is to the local school sports field where your dog…

Some people go to great lengths when cooking on a camping trip, others may prefer to keep it simple and basic. One thing is for sure when camping, you will find yourself around a campfire – it’s an integral part of the romance of the bush. Some campers call a campfire ‘the Bushmen’s TV’ as they appear to stare into it for hours at a time, mesmerised by the flames as it devours the wood, turning it to red-hot coals, then ash, and repeating the process by placing more wood on the fire. Apart from braaiing, potjiekos is a great way of cooking over an open fire, something a lot of campers enjoy. It also gives them time to socialise, relax, and spend quality time with friends and family We…

WINNIG IMAGE This picture was taken during the December holidays, in Kruger National Park, just north of Satara Rest Camp. The Blue wildebeest, also called the common wildebeest, started her calving process when leopards started hunting her. Some days there were more than three calves killed, and at one stage we saw more than four carcasses in the one tree. We stayed in the area for five days and, between the leopards and lions, we witnessed a feast of the wildebeests’ calves and impalas – giving us dream photo opportunities. Johan Janse van Vuuren This photo was taken in November, in the Kruger National Park, while staying at Malelane Bush Camp. A moment captured after a lovely thunderstorm, that provided much-needed rain. Sue Killerby We were fortunate to visit the…

Jamming in Nam: on adventure in Namibia I last graced wonderful Namibia during my military service in the early 80’s and that stay was confined to the northern towns of Oshakati and Ondangwa. Besides firing numerous Browning 12.7 anti-aircraft rounds at nothing in particular from the elevated vantage point of a water tower, there was little opportunity to take in the beautiful landscape that is the beating heart of this incredible country. That all changed on a recent trip that took us from Windhoek to Spitzkoppe, the Omaruru River, the Omdel Dam and then on to St. Nowhere for some camping at the coast. Klipkrans Private Game Reserve & Campsite If you want to be caressed with riverside rest, then Klipkrans, with its lush green campsites set next to an…

BORDERX EXTREME BorderX launched their new, smaller Extreme model early January – just in time for the Caravan Show at Gallagher Estate this February. The BorderX Extreme sleeps two on a double bed upfront in the nose section and has a rear doorway, with the focus being on outside living. It has a licence mass of 920kg compared to the bigger Expedition model that comes in at 1 540kg. But who is BorderX? In the August 2019 issue, we featured a story on the then latest double-axle off-roader, the BorderX Expedition, an off-road caravan built by husband and wife team Werner and Desna Pretorius for their personal use. This decision was spurred on after losing their caravan in an accident in Namibia. They decided to build a caravan to overcome…

Situated along the exquisite Garden Route is a place filled with breathtaking scenery and endless adventures. It teems with abundant birdlife, flora, and fauna and is the perfect destination for holiday memories to be made. This is the Tsitsikamma, a Khoi word meaning ‘a place of abundant or sparkling water’, or ‘place of much water’. This lush region, which sits on a 200m high plateau, stretches from the Bloukrans River in the west to the Tsitsikamma River in the east. It is bordered on the north by the striking Tsitsikamma Mountains and the south by the Indian Ocean. Tsitsikamma is a hub of adventure and offers many unique experiences. The wonderland of Tsitsikamma offers something for everyone. It’s about 585km from Cape Town but the scenic drive, with amazing farm…

With more and more off-road trailers, motorhomes, and caravans relying on 12-volt battery power to run fridges, lights, USB charger, and the like, having enough battery capacity to cope with this demand is becoming a problem. There are various solutions such as fossil-fuelled generators, although these tend to be noisy and banned in certain parks, and of course clean solar power. But now there is another option, the so-called fuel cell. The benefits here are that it is virtually noiseless, creates no pollution, and it’s not affected by the number of hours of sunshine in a day. What is a fuel cell? I like to take things apart to see how they work so that I can better understand a product’s internal workings. In this case I refrained simply because…

When it comes to overland exploration there are several ways to go about it. Options include packing up an off-road caravan, taking a lightweight vehicle like a bakkie and roof tent, or simply bringing along your entire home on wheels – the Dreamcatcher is the latter. Built to endure -40°C for extended periods, in Siberian and Russian winters, the Dreamcatcher is the ultimate ‘money is no object’ expression of luxury overlanding. Based on the massive Iveco Eurocargo 4x4 chassis, this 10-ton behemoth has a features list longer than most luxury homes. Climb aboard, via the electric step, and you’ll find all the comforts of home, including a dishwashing machine, clothes washer/dryer, oven, full-sized fridge, and stand up shower. The interior is swooping with attention to detail, evident from every angle.…

WAS IT LEGAL? I am interested in buying a Destination caravan as tested by your magazine in the October 2019 edition, however, I see you used an Isuzu Mu-X to tow this caravan. My question is, were you legally towing this van? The caravan has a GVM of around 2 500kg, and the Isuzu has a tare of around 2 000kg. I have a Pajero short wheelbase, and its tare is 2 000kg, and now I am not sure whether I can buy this awesome caravan. Awaiting your response. Steven Da Costa Pereira I think we have egg on our face.The law is that the GVM of a braked caravan (or trailer) may not exceed the tare of the towing vehicle – unless the combination is fitted with additional vacuum-operated…

Lycaon pictus, better known as the painted wolf or African wild dog, is without a doubt Africa’s most enigmatic predator. They are incredibly social animals and live their lives caring for each other and their pups. They mostly compete with submission rather than by dominance and aggression as opposed to, for example, lions. The pack is led by an alpha female. She is the only one to breed and plays the role of pack leader, hunt commander, and gentle mother. As hunters, they are Africa’s most efficient predator with up to 80% of their hunts successful. But what is most endearing about them is that they are incredibly playful. They sleep all day then wake to perform a greeting ceremony, in which pack mates exuberantly play, run, chase, and spar…