Landroving 121

EDITION 121 - SPRING 2016
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE LAND ROVER

OWNERS
CLUB OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

1

2

Visit: www.lroc.org.za or Telephone: 0861 LROCSA

The official magazine of the Land Rover Owners Club of Southern Africa

IN THIS ISSUE:

From the Editor Page 5

Chairman’s Desk Page 6

LROC Annual Tortoise Run Page 8

The 2016 Tembe Work Party and Fundraiser Page 10

Why do we need traction? Page 20

Bush Camp & Bread pudding weekend Page 24

Camp Waste Page 28

The Discovery SE 4 takes on all Angola had to offer with ease Page 30

Tour de Tuli - Behind the scenes Page 37

LROC Olympics Page 41

Namibia’s Caprivi and Botswana Page 44

Friendly Botswana Page 62

Things that happen when you marry a Land Rover guy Page 66

CODE OF CONDUCT 3
Abide by the rules, constitution, conservation code and code of conduct of the

LROC.
Be a considerate member.

Drive responsibly.
Assist fellow members.
Promote the safe and responsible use of Land Rovers.
Respect rules in all Parks, Conservation areas, Public and Private land.
Maintain your vehicle in a sound on and off-road condition.

Do not litter.

ADVERTISING IN LANDROVING - FULL COLOUR ADVERTS ONLY

Back Cover R 2700-00

Inside Cover R 2150-00

Inside Page - full R 1800-00

Inside Page - half R 1250-00

Inside Page - quarter R 700-00

Original artwork to be supplied in High resolution JPG format

DISTRIBUTION: Posted to LROC members, supplied free of charge to Land Rover dealerships,
Parts suppliers, Workshops and Accessory Outlets.

COVER: Hennie Steyn’s 1980 Range Rover 2-door Classic 3.5 V8, Photo taken at Sandwane, 30
April 2016

LEGAL SMALL PRINT:
The opinions expressed in LANDROVING do not necessarily reflect those of the Land Rover Own-
ers Club of Southern Africa, it’s Committee or members. No responsibility is accepted for any damages
or injuries which may arise therefrom or from Advertisers adverts

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE LROC
Visit: www.lroc.org.za or call 0861 LROCSA (576272)

Chairman: Ansie Blignaut([email protected])
Vice Chairman: Bruce Richards ([email protected])
Secretary: Malcolm Timberlake ([email protected])
Treasurer: Alex van der Horst ([email protected])
Editor: Alida Timberlake ([email protected])
Clerk of Events: Leon de Beer ([email protected])
Driver Trainer: Brendon Lowe ([email protected])
Trophy Secretary: Lizette Beard ([email protected])
Quartermaster: Jacqui Stroebel ([email protected])
Membership Secretary: Dirk Uys ([email protected])
PRO Jacques Beard ([email protected])
Radio Officer: Pieter Erasmus ([email protected])
Club Administrator: Madeleine Zwaneveld ([email protected])
4

FROM THE
EDITOR

Alida Timberlake

Joining the Land Rover Owners I experience equal joy and pride
Club in 1998 seemed the natural driving the Disco.
next step, having just acquired our Of course, as club members we were
fire-engine red second-hand short also exposed to new adventures in
wheel base Defender before leaving the way of weekend camping trips.
Pietermaritzburg to begin a new We had always enjoyed the outdoors,
chapter of our life in Gauteng. And more often on foot, hiking in the
what an adventure that has turned Drakensberg, but this was different
out to be! and we very soon started going on
The purchase of the red Landy had longer overland club trips. We have
been an impulse based on love at first met interesting people who have
sight. I don’t believe in coincidence: it become friends and soon started to
was meant to be. Another 4x4 (which feel like family – after all, some have
shall remain unnamed) was on order witnessed our most embarrassing
at the time, but when Malcolm drove moments which have also been
past the Pietermaritzburg Land captured on film for posterity! And
Rover Dealers and saw this little don’t we all know those wonderful
gem (currently still being driven evenings around the fire when these
by someone in our club!) he took stories are repeated ad infinitum to
me to get my reaction. As I said - it amuse and enthral ourselves and new
was love at first sight! Driving that members to our club. The primary
little ‘tank’ not only filled me with purpose of our Landroving magazine
a sense of pride but also provided is to highlight this aspect of LROC,
me with an overwhelming sense of bringing members interesting trip
power! I’ve always been a bit of a reports experienced and writtten by
tomboy and I thrived on the looks of members. Long live LROC!
admiration (or was it envy?) on men’s
faces as I pulled up next to them at Alida
the robot; not to mention the thrill
of acknowledging each Land Rover PS Anyone know of a red short-
owner I passed with a wave! Today wheel base Defender looking for a
good home?

5

CHAIRMAN’S DESK

This year I yet again realised why we Our next event was the Bushcamp
belong to the Land Rover Owners and Bread Pudding weekend. As it
Club. What a privilege to go on trips was in the middle of winter,
with like-minded people, to drive members were obviously afraid of the
through one of the most beautiful cold, and only a handful pitched up.
countries on earth, and to live close But did we have a ball! The weather
to nature, living the life that some was 5 degrees warmer than home,
people only dream about. the setting was to-die-for and we
had the most awesome sundowner
During the past few months we took spot. Being just an hour away, it was
part in various events, starting with the epitome of a bush break without
the Braai and Boot sale. We got up at breaking the bank.
the crack of dawn to host the event, Then we were lucky enough to go on
which had me seriously doubting the River run this year. It not only
my sanity, but when we arrived at proved to be a first for us, but the
the venue and some members had Club also had a first when the
already packed out a display of Parkers arrived with their trailer in
Landy gear no longer available any- tow.
where else, I knew why we had to be At first there were a lot of raised
there.

We were lucky enough to go home
with holders for Jerry cans, gas
bottles (at a fraction of the going
price) and the most beautiful Land
Rover picnic basket which I didn’t
even know existed. But, I can
promise you, it is built like a true
Land Rover - sturdy, boxy and ready
to go anywhere.

6

eyebrows, but Graeme silently put all proven that kids have much better
concerns to rest and I must say after imaginations than grown-ups!
the weekend I have new respect for A signifant number of our members
the Disco 4. want trips to new extraordinary
Talking of firsts, we ran a member destinations. We will definitely be
survey amongst the ordinary looking at places not easily accessible
members and were pleasantly to individuals.
surprised with the good response People also want more trips, both
rate (83 responses). Input received long and short ones to places near
will be put to work in planning 2017 and far. We will be trying our best to
including more trips and desirable undertake trips to some of the
destinations. A large number of suggested places in the next three
members have availed themselves of years - that’s where all the volunteers
the offer to organise and even lead will be playing their part.
trips. They will soon be approached The only thing we ask is that, when
to assist, ensuring that members get you get what you asked for, you
even more out of the Club. join in. And yes, as expected, work/
What we, as committee take note of, business commitments, costs and
is that members have various time were the main reasons given
expectations. Some of you want more for lower attendance. But, as my
family oriented trips - for you we will husband always says: “a good excuse
be looking at events where we will doesn’t warrant bad performance”.
involve the kids more - but we also Therefore:
need ideas from you, and especially
the youngsters. My experience has Be prepared, ensure your
Landies are ready to roll, and
start saving up, especially time,
so that you can be part of an

awesome 2017!
See you around the campfire...

7

LROC ANNUAL TORTOISE RUN

By Jacques Beard (PRO)

The rules are simple:
• Place your Landy in Low Range –

1st Gear
• Release all brakes (and clutch)
• Get out of your Landy and walk

next to your vehicle
• Steer down the drag strip to the

finishing line
• Last one across the line wins.

“In real life, it is the hare who wins. SO
Every time. Look around you. And
in any case it is my contention that
Aesop was writing for the tortoise
market. Hares have no time to read.
They are too busy winning the game.”
Anita Brookner

When one thinks Saturday afternoon,
… drag strip, … vehicles – the first
things that come to mind are Men,
Testosterone and Danger. Well not at So whether you have a Series,
LROC. It was time to have fun and Defender, Range Rover or Disco,
enjoy our vehicles as participants as petrol or diesel, young or old, it’s all
well as spectators. about having some fun and seeing
Welcome to the first annual LROC whose Landy is the slowest.
Tortoise Run. We crowned our first champion
recently at the “Sandwani” weekend
away, well done to Christo Blignaut
and his 1995 Defender V8, who took
the honors. His Defender was so
slow, marshals had to check to see if
his engine was actually running! His
trophy will be awarded soon and has
been sponsored by the Beard and
Blignaut families. This trophy will be

8

a revolving floating trophy and part The slow philosophy is not about
of the LROC arsenal of trophies. Well doing everything in tortoise mode.
done Christo. It’s less about the speed and more
Do you think you can be slower than about investing the right amount of
Chriso? The challenge is on - see you time and attention to the problem so
all at the next Tortoise Run. that you can solve it.” Carl Honore

OLIHULL A6 AD landscape 2014 11/24/14 10:14 AM Page 1

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

9

THE 2016 TEMBE WORK WEEK AND FUNDRAISER
By Dick de Bruin

Take a long, hard look at the Why did I go to Tembe in 2016 for
following picture and ask yourself the eighth time in a row?
once again how the creators and This is a question often asked when
manufacturers of these vehicles could a work week visit to Tembe is
ever have made the decision to stop discussed and I have given it some
production! special thought of late, especially
when the last trip was picking up all
Should any of Land Rover’s sorts of hiccups regarding dates and
management team (by the slimmest other factors that just did not fall into
of chances) read this article, I would place as one would have liked them
just like to say this: to!
No traction control, chips, air bags One typical questions often asked is:
or whatever electronic gimmicks you “How many pictures do you want to
have invented, or invent in future, take of an elephant?” This is a very
could replace the fun and memories relevant question, isn’t it?
that these vehicles have given many After pondering this question for
an overlander over the years! Plastics some time, the realization dawned
and electronics cannot replace on me that nature (and of course
pleasure, fun and camaraderie. the elephants) is in reality only a
However, the demise of the Defender small part of this park’s attraction for
is not really what this article is about, me, and I dare say for many other
but I just had to [clear my throat] get members of our club. The main
that off my mind! attraction is, however, as far as I am
  concerned, the people that attend
this event annually.
10 This has especially been so since
we started with the so-called “work
week” which is primarily aimed at
helping the hopelessly understaffed
(and underfinanced) park with some
much needed labour, however small
this effort might be.   

SMART LAND ROVER GEAR
FOR THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST ADVENTURES

GEAR FOR YOUR GEAR FOR YOUR
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 3 & 4 LAND ROVER DEFENDER

Shower Arm Water Tank 45L Water Tank 36L Water Tank 50L Slanted
RRAC028 WTAN030 WTLD002 WTAN008

Drawer Kit Drawer Kit
SSLD004 SSLD001

AFRICA PROVEN ADVENTURE GEAR FOR YOUR VEHICLE. 11
Learn more about our products at www.FrontRunnerOutfitters.com
or give us a call on 011 466 0155

In the very beginning the first work park manager, Richard Schutte.
week efforts were not always really
park-related and often concentrated After the briefing, which led to
on performing small tasks which various suggestions of how this job
were sometimes met with some should be tackled, a start was made
groans from members as they to load all the poles and transport
believed they were there to “make a them to the perimeter fence where
difference”! The tasks were focused we were asked to start. Just by way of
mostly on the Ponweni camping information for those who have not
site and the hides at the water holes been to Tembe (which is not one of
within the park. the bigger parks), the perimeter fence
This started changing last year as we is a total of 85 kilometres long. With
were allowed to do more work in the poles planted at roughly 5 meter
park itself which at one watering hole intervals, it means that roughly 17
led to the group being in very close 000 poles would have to be replaced.
contact with, yes you have guessed it, A start was made on the western side
a herd of elephants! of the park where the wild dogs had
This year was, however, a different apparently found a way out of the
kettle of fish altogether as a much- park in order to get some “Kentucky
needed task, namely the replacement Fried Chicken” to supplement their
of the perimeter fence poles, was local diet in the bush!
started. This fence is the original So with three augers, three labourers
fence that was erected in the late from the park’s permanent staff,
seventies/early eighties when the
park was proclaimed. Due to the
fact that the park is so close to
Kosi Bay, and the sea, steel poles
could not be used because of rust
and consequently treated wooden
poles were used, but these poles had
basically reached the end of their
lifespan.
It was thus with great eagerness
and anticipation that the group of
LROC members pitched for an early
morning briefing at the workshops of
the park. This project was run by the

12

two honorary ranger couples, a the bar (nogal!), we started replacing
stationery shop owner, a baker, a some of the required 17000 poles.
female pensioner, two young IT Some of our members really came
specialists, a mechanical engineer, WELL-prepared for the task at hand!
two land surveyors, a Telkom After the struggles and hurts of
technician and his son, two hotel the first day we,
owners from Hermanus, an as the “older”
environmentalist and an advocate of generation,
were told
unceremoniously
that we must
leave this task to
“real men”! Have
a good look at
this photograph
please!

13

At first nobody really knew how ones as they were, as removing them
to tackle this task, as the initial would have taken too long.
instructions had been rather vague. In the initial phase we also found
Working with an auger was new to all that the auger drills of two of the
of us and things like where to put the machines were way too short and
poles had to be sorted out, but luckily needed extension pieces enabling
we had some good instructors from us to drill the holes to a deeper level
the park who showed us the ropes as required for the correct height of
with these machines! the poles so as to ensure the correct
height of the fence. 
We soon It was during
found this nailing
out that exercise that
water was I realised
required to why the legal
both soften profession
the sand uses the
underneath terminology
and also lift of “nailing” a
the loose person.
sand out of Boy could this advocate nail a fence
the ground to a pole! During these first hours
whilst still on the auger drill. of finding our feet was where it
Once the poles were planted, and again took me by surprise to see
secured in the newly drilled hole, how all these different members, no
the existing fence had to be nailed matter what their background or
to these new poles leaving the old professions, just worked together and
experimented until we got the system
14 working. By late morning we had
really started working away at those
17 000 poles!

15

Instead of carrying the poles and the previous night. There was no
water by hand the Defenders were time, nor personnel available to fix
put to use by using a tow strap; in the fence and the ranger needed all
this way being able to transport more hands on deck to track this rogue
than one pole at a time, as well as elephant before it did further damage
using a water tanker on site with lots to the fence. What is interesting is
of water instead of relying on filling the fact that a rogue elephant can
bottles from our drinking canisters! have a very bad influence on the
After a day’s hard work, it was time local elephants, especially the ones
to relax and some people just knew that have been driven out of the
how! herd, hence the urgency to get this
elephant out of the park as soon as
possible.
So off we went to the eastern
boundary to fix the damage there as
this open fence posed a real danger
to other animals who could escape
from the park, and seeing that it
is a Big Five park, this could have
dire consequences for both the
animals and adjacent settlements.

After a great braai, shower and a
good night’s rest, the group were on
their way to the western boundary
early the following morning when
the fun really started, and we were
called on by the park’s chief ranger
to do urgent work. A rogue elephant
from Mozambique had broken about
200 to 300 metres of fence during

16

Fortunately, the experience of the basically they have devised two ways
first day came in very handy and to do this, namely by pushing the
both the poles and bonnox fencing fence support poles over or tripping
were quickly replaced. the wires by pushing the wires onto
Once again the team spirit was one another with their tusks which
upper class as there was always a apparently do not conduct the
pair of hands available for assistance current!
whenever required! Some ladies even Amazing animals these elephants!
put their feet to good use getting the And this answers my question posed
fence in the correct place! at the start as to why we keep coming
back. The close-up encounters with
these animals will never be felt nor
experienced driving around the park
in your vehicle which is normally the
case.
To me personally this is most
probably the stand out feature of the
work week, namely the fact that one
has the opportunity to really get close
to the elephants and experience this
vibe that you do not get otherwise.
Once the fence was completed the
better part of the day was gone,
but we had gained one new LROC
member!

The question that many members 17
asked was how the elephants manage
to by-pass the electric fencing around
the park, which funnily enough was
the same fence that had been beefed
up during the first work week! Well,

On day three we were once again and really trust that more members
set for a continuation on the will see their way clear to come and
western boundary fence, but the help us next year! Please note that we
rogue elephant which had not been may have as many as forty members
traced the previous day, had once in the park for the work week,
again broken the fence during the staying in two camps in the park.
night, but this time in four places! After all the excitement of starting
Fortunately, the damage was not as to replace the 17 000 or so poles,
extensive as previously, but even so and elephants crossing the borders
time and hands were required to fix “without passports”, we proceeded
all these places yet again. to the quieter atmosphere of the
The rogue elephant was eventually fundraiser which was actually what
found that same day and culled, as it initiated the Tembe trip in the past.
would have just kept causing damage
- being fully in-the-know on fencing Due to the prevailing drought,
matters! This was really sad, but for the water situation in Tembe was
the best for both the park and the worse than I have ever seen it, but
other animals. fortunately some late rains had a
Day four was spent working on the positive effect on the vegetation and
western boundary and by this stage a few boreholes are still supplying
we were really well-drilled in this drinking water to visitors and the
game and the poles were planted at animals at some of the hides.
a rate of knots, even though we lost Game viewing must have been
one of the augers due to mechanical influenced by the lack of water as
problems! the sightings were not as spectacular
At the end of it all there were some as on some trips in the past. The
sore hands, blisters and blue finger elephants, lion and a lot of kudu
nails, but one and all had a great time were, however, spotted regularly
doing something very different from which was not the case in the past.
our daily routine and in the process
helping the park personnel overcome
situations that could have had very
serious consequences for the park
and the adjacent community.
I would like to thank everyone for
their effort and willingness to make
this year’s event a very special one,

18

As usual the newbie’s all had their, Lastly, one never ceases to have
by now familiar, “slingersous” night an immense respect for the
and some members even went to the woodcrafting skills of some of the
Muzi camp on the border for some local artists in the Tembe area. There
Lala palm beer! One of the local is a little curio shop at the main gate
people showed exactly how this beer which is run by them and has some
is extracted from the palms. very interesting wooden sculptures
like the dung beetle box shown.

One of our members had the But then, as always, all good things
courage to really get stuck into a come to an end and we all had to
jar of this so-called beer, but I am trek back to our “mine pits” for the
unsure whether it was emptied, and continuation of our daily chores for
more importantly, whether he had another year! 
a headache the following morning! So once again the Tembe work week
You will have to ask him for this was a wonderful event which I hope
information! everybody enjoyed as much as I did,
and I trust that we will continue
nailing those poles next year!

19

Why do we need traction?

By Jacques Beard

Well, that question comes up every The challenge engineers were faced
once in a while. (It’s a good question, with from the start of building
by the way.) automobiles, was how to provide
sufficient traction not only for
forward movement, but also for
safe stopping and steering without
slipping sideways.
The interaction between the tyres
(surface size, rubber compound and
tread design) and friction of various
surfaces, provides a variable amount
of traction for safe vehicle operation.

To get an object, a human, a car Here are the main components of
moving - we need some “foothold” traction:
for the forces to be transformed into
movement. If our feet do not find a TRACTION results from a
surface with good grip (traction) our specific FRICTION coefficient
legs and feet would not be able to (ie. friction between rubber
move us forward. and the ground) combined
The same applies for a car: if the with the area of ground covered
ground does not provide enough by the tyre FOOTPRINT
resistance (traction) the force combined with vehicle WEIGHT
generated in the engine would not be pressing a tyre onto the ground.
able to move the car forward. TRACTION is the resistance
The scenario is quite simple. The between tyre and ground. If
more traction that can be made traction is less than the torque
available, the more torque can be
generated to move more weight.

20

21

applied, a tyre will start spinning. How does wheel travel influence
In this case we say, “The tyre lost traction?
traction” – however, traction
(resistance) did not vanish A. If one or more components
completely; there was just not of traction decreases (ie. less
enough traction to handle the friction (eg.mud), a smaller
torque. footprint, less weight),
traction will decrease!
How do you regain traction?
1. Decreasing torque (backing off B. If one or more components
of traction increases (ie.
the gas) will help regain traction. more friction (eg. concrete),
2. If you need a high amount of a bigger footprint, more
weight), traction will
torque to move your vehicle increase!
(uphill etc.) you can create more
traction by deflating your tyres
(creating a larger footprint).

3.4 bar 3.1 bar 2.8 bar 2.4 bar 2.0 bar 1.7 bar 1.3 bar 1.0 bar

Effect of adjusting tyre pressures on the size of a tyre’s ‘footprint’

22

23

Bush Camp & Bread pudding weekend

The Blignauts

For the June long weekend we Maroela bush camp offers a stunning
decided to look for a place close to view of the surrounding mountains
home – we wanted to chill as soon with a backdrop of various birdcalls
as possible and not drive for hours and the river running past the camp.
before being able to relax. Our The basic “back to nature” amenities
requirements were that we should offered at Maroela were a shower and
drive no longer than 2 hours, no a toilet each for the men and women,
further than 200km and that it and warm water from a donkey we
should be a place where the Club had to stoke ourselves.
has not recently camped. Our choice
fell on Afri-Sun Camping located
in Mooinooi, Barnardsvlei in the
North West Province. The camp is
surrounded by enormous trees and
riverine vegetation and offers various
accommodation options, including
safari tents, luxury caravan stands
and three bush camps. We decided
on Maroela, one of the bush camps.

We managed to convince our friend,
Hennie Steyn, to leave with us on
Wednesday afternoon, seeing that
Afri-Sun Camping is less than
24 100km from Pretoria. The beautiful

We drove there every afternoon to
enjoy the breath-taking view over the
Magaliesberg valley.

On Thursday we were joined by When you drive past Bobbejaan
another four vehicles, with the camp one gets to a place where you
final two arriving on Friday. The can descend to the meandering river
advantage of Afri-Sun camping below.
being so close to Pretoria and This spot will
Johannesburg is that people could definitely be
join as their work commitments a favourite in
allowed. summer and
We explored the off-road tracks, I can already
picture the kids
having a ball in
the rock pools.

and discovered that Bobbejaan camp
was the best place for sundowners.

25

On Saturday we did a challenging
drive up the mountain side.

A fitting end to the weekend was a
feast of bread pudding on Saturday
evening. On Sunday morning no one
had to get up at the crack of dawn as
home was just around the corner. We
will definitely go back in summer to
enjoy the rock pools.

Recipe for Breadpudding will be
handed out at Afri-sun Camping
to all campers at the Spring Trial
weekend of 30 September to 2 October
A steep uphill and loose rocks
provided great entertainment.

26

27

CAMP WASTE By Dirk Uys


There’s really no reason to leave particles in the ‘grey water’. Wash
any waste behind when one visits all food packaging and containers
the outdoors. All of the food and after the dishes. The washed
packaging that you take on the trip packaging and containers can be
should come back home with you stored separately from the waste to
where it can be disposed of properly be returned home for recycling. The
or recycled. ‘grey water’ should be spread over as
The principle is to leave nothing large an area as possible. Lightweight
in the wild when we return to our containers which can be sealed and
homes. Trash left behind builds up as stored inside or on top of the vehicle
more and more people visit an area. are commercially available. (Visit the
Littering is a great social problem LROC Regalia trailer.)
that ruins the experience for other
visitors. Burning of Waste
What are the problems of burning
Reduce Trash First waste?
Repack food into reusable containers Burning can cause disturbing smells
before leaving home; in this way and if you burn plastic, rubber
potential trash can be reduced. Take and other man-made materials, it
beverages in cans that can be crushed can cause very dangerous dioxin
rather than in glass bottles. Glass is and other toxins to be released.
heavy and can break becoming an The burning of waste reduces the
instant hazard. volume of waste but leaves the
problem of what to do with the ash.
Dispose of Food The ash contains pollutants that
Only open and prepare food that can have a detrimental effect on the
will be eaten. Eliminate left-overs environment. Food does not always
to prevent waste and to reduce the burn completely in a campfire and
garbage. attracts animals who dig up buried
food.
Dishes and Dishwater
Scrape uneaten food scraps off Dispose of Pee and Poop
dishes and store it before washing In most areas, peeing on the ground
the dishes. The scraping of food off is acceptable.
dishes reduces the number of food

28

Poop is more of a problem. The solid General
mass needs help from bacteria to • Pick up trash left by others
break down so using a cat hole is the as well as your own - LEAVE
most commonly accepted method of AS LITTLE TRACE AS
disposal. Dig a hole of POSSIBLE
150 to 200mm deep • Taking the extra effort to
by 150mm wide in the patrol the campsite just
soil, carefully saving before leaving often leads to
the top chunk of soil finding bits of foil, plastic,
to replace where it was. Do your and food left behind by your
business and bury the used toilet group or others.
paper deep in the cat hole. Then
finish up by filling in the hole and Disposing of Waste
replacing the top plug. Toilet paper is Disposing of waste properly is
often left exposed and is an eyesore. important because it:
Burning toilet paper is no longer an
accepted disposal method due to its • improves sanitation
blowing away and often not burning • protects water supplies
up completely. • encourages others to enjoy

established, clean campsites

29

The Discovery SE 4 takes on all Angola had to offer with ease

By Chris Watcham

On the 23rd June 2015, we left for our We took in the wonderful views and
adventure in Angola (run by the tour sightings of Roan and Sable antelope,
operators, Live the Journey) , and to which are being bred on the reserve
meet our group at Ruacana. by the Namibian Parks department.
However, we had planned for a night Then we spent 4 nights at Etosha
at Waterberg Plateau Resort on the Game Reserve, which is always
way. It was our first time there and worthwhile, and was again this time,
offered good value for money. On with sighting of a black rhino and
arrival, we climbed to the plateau lots of lion, and other game. It was
from the resort, and it was so a very relaxing break in the journey
worthwhile. from South Africa.

The view along the Escarpment Our adventure together starts here where
The next morning at 4 am we we see the Cunene River from the Namibia
embarked on a tour with a guide in
the freezing cold wind (self-drive is side. We travel along the River to the
no longer permitted up there). Calueque Border Post

We then met up with our group at
Ruacana. We stayed at Eta Lodge
where introductions were made and
we were briefed. Tthe next morning
we crossed into Angola, on really
badly corrugated roads.

30 Thanks for the Ponchos supplied

Stop for a break at one of the many the untapped diamond trade. Fruit,
Baobab Trees coffee and cotton are other resources
in Angola. Roads are really bad and
full of potholes. With the low profile
tyres of the Discovery, I took four
spare wheels, and fortunately did not
need them. But if I had only taken
one, I probably would have needed
four, and you will NOT find these
tyres in Angola.
Lubango City offered us Monumento
do Christo Rei, and the famous look-
out point, Fendas da Tundavala.

Sunset at this camp makes up for the delays The look-out point of Fendas da Tundavala
Driving on the right hand side often 1200 meters to the Valley below.The MPLA
gave us all a fright, after driving
for hours, when one starts losing executed Traitors here
concentration, until you see a car
heading straight at you, sometimes The Monumento do Christo Rei, 30 m
through dust, which was pretty high, keeps a watchful eye over Lubango. 31
bad on all the dirt roads forcing us
to keep a good distance between
vehicles. Diesel cost R7.50 a litre.
What a pleasant surprise for us. But
you need a translator to make sure
you get diesel and not petrol, and
then to help with payment, as only
local money or USA dollars can be
used. We did a total of 11,000 km.
Angola is a huge country - 30%
larger than South Africa. And rich
in terms of rivers and water supply,
let alone the potential for oil, and

A further 20km away at Humpata, we You do not want to be on that stretch
viewed the Dorsland trekker graves when the tide comes in. En route we
and monuments in the memory of were fortunate to visit Tigres Island
these people who settled there in (a peninsula originally)
1881.

The famous Leba Pass was impressive Approaching Tigres Island with its Church
with its 12 hairpin bends, rising from We were the first to do so by boat
1845 meters to sea level on our way which was organised for us by our
to Flamingo Bay. guide. The abundance of fishing
From here we took on the factories and admin buildings
challenging Doodsakker – a 90 km showed that the fishing in the Bay
run at low tide, where the steep sand had been exceptional, but these were
dunes meet the sea. eventually abandoned in 1960.
A long drive on badly potholed roads
brought us to Luanda, a booming
city, with many new buildings
(built by the Chinese): government
buildings, universities and schools.
There is an abundance of markets,
with locals doing business and riding
around on cheap motor bikes.

32

33

The Chinese appear to have a foot in We headed east into the Highlands,
the door in Angola, but Independent which have a high rainfall, feeding
administrators of the cities are rivers like the Kwanza, which starts
keeping business clean, and money is and ends in Angola north of Luanda,
obviously filtering down to the local and the Okovango which flows East
populations. Two major roads, one and ends up in Botswana forming the
built by a Brazillian company and Delta in the Kalahari. The Calundula
the other by Gary Teichmann, have Falls, the third highest falls in Africa,
been abandoned. But no doubt the near Malange, was our turning point,
Chinese will complete them. from where we headed south.

Getting a chance to bathe/wash ourselves Calundula Falls
in a River We spent a fascinating night bashing
through undergrowth, which did
In Huambo we saw the house of not improve the paintwork on my
UNITA leader, Jonas Savimbi, which Discovery, to get to Pedras Negras,
was bombed by South Africans the granite conglomerate comprising
during the war. massive rocks.

Unita Leader, Savimby’s home in Camping at the top - amazing atmosphere,
Huambo was bombed by South African’s, amongst the Giant Composite Rocks
but he was not in. The day he was killed,

the War ended

34

land rover genuine parTs

one millionTh
of a meTer.
one glaring difference

The Tiny difference beTween righT and wrong 35

Land Rover Genuine Parts deliver precision down to the smallest detail. We make adjustments as small
as one micron to ensure a perfect fit and performance. That’s one millionth of a meter, or as we see it –
the difference between perfection and everything else.

That’s why when you choose Genuine Parts for your Land Rover, you’re choosing parts that have been
expertly engineered using the same tools and equipment that built your Land Rover itself.
They offer uncompromising fit and quality, and we proudly put our name on each and every one.
Visit Land Rover Sandton for all your replacement parts.

LAND ROVER SANDTON
161 Rivonia Road, Sandton
Tel: 011 548 0500
sandton.landrover.co.za

Ancient foot prints of Early Man, in the rock The road home was being built by our
surface. The tribe of the area had a mythical Rugby Captain, Gary Teichman, when he
was told to get out of the Country and leave
story around these prints his machinery, worth hundreds of Rands,

The roads to the Rundu border post, behind.
from where we all made our way A bone shaker all the way for two days, on
home, were terrible, however, easy our way to Rundu, where we all parted, and
border crossings were facilitated by made our way home, most to the Cape and
our guide. We were late getting to
the Botswana Border, but they were Free State
gracious and friendly, helping us
through.

36

Tour de Tuli

Behind the By Jacques Beard
scenes

Tour de Tuli traverses three I would like to join the team for the
different countries, Botswana, 2016 event, and without hesitation,
Zimbabwe and South Africa and I accepted. LROC has been
4 wilderness areas, Northern Tuli volunteering for a number of years
Game Reserve, Nottingham Estate, and assisting in various functions
Sentinel Ranch and Mapungubwe ranging from the marking of the
National Park. The annual Tour cycling routes, driving the
de Tuli is the main fundraiser for medical team, manning strategic
Children in the Wilderness, and points, transporting masseuses and
runs over 4 days, where riders cycle assisting with river crossings. All in
between 60-80km a day through all, we are the 4x4 support crew.
rugged and remote areas, all on sand. My first job was to tow a trailer to
The event starts with the arrival at Botswana, where it would be used to
the Pont Drift border post between transport the masseuses’
Botswana and South Africa and ends equipment from camp to camp. The
at the Mapungubwe National Park in LROC team met early the first
South Africa. morning and travelled in convoy to
But what happens in the back- Alldays, where we re-fueled for the
ground? Each year approximately last time. After crossing into
150 volunteers offer their time to the Botswana at the Pont Drift border
Tour de Tuli (TDT) as support crew post, the Limpopo Valley Airfield
to make things happen. was to be our home for the first two
Being part of LROC, I was asked if nights.

37

Pont drift the event of an emergency a doctor
Each team member had a specific job could be onsite as soon as possible.
function, I was tasked to transport Once my objectives were met, and
and “look after” the masseuses and the massage team were in camp, I
their equipment, and was part of a was given other tasks to keep me
team consisting of 5 other Land busy, such as collecting late arrivals at
Rovers. The first night in the bush the border and transporting bicycles.
was great, but at 4h00 the next The day went smoothly, and a good
morning the work started. We, as night’s rest was well-deserved. What
well as our masseuses, had to be would the next day have in store?
loaded and on the road by 05h30 to With the route having changed this
be transported to our next camp. The year, we were staying in the same
support crew has to be out of camp camp for two nights, so we did not
and en route before the cyclists leave have to drive the masseuses around
camp. Our objective was to get the the next day, but joined the start
masseuses to camp 2 to set up point guys to set up a start point near
equipment before the first riders a local town, where donations would
arrived that afternoon. be given to the local children by the
Meanwhile, other LROC team cyclists. Our function for the
members had been dispatched to morning was to transport the gift
certain strategic points along the packs to the town and meet up with
day’s route, where cyclists could be the cyclists en route, handing over
monitored, and could stop for water the bags, so that they could ride into
and assistance. Other teams were town and present these to the
utilized as “sweepers”, trailing behind children. At first the road looked
the cyclists, assisting fallen riders and quiet and deserted, except for the
making sure all riders are accounted elephants breaking branches near us,
for. Then there were the medic but soon team after team arrived and
drivers, who had to make sure that in were handed the bags.
38

What an experience, watching walking by behind us… what more
cyclists coming over the horizon in could one ask?
groups, surrounded by dust.
However, the tour was not all hard The second last
work, we had a lot of fun. Start point morning would
6 saw a gathering of Land Rovers in bring the most
the wilderness, a braai and of course adventure -
cold refreshments. This is where crossing over the
team building brings people closer, dry river bed into
sharing the day’s experiences, and Zimbabwe where
much of Landy chat late into the the Shashe and
night around a fire with elephants Limpopo rivers
meet.

39

Once the border officials It was an awesome first tour and an
arrived at the unofficial border post, honor to be part of the LROC
the convoy moved on. support crew. A big thanks to all the
The day’s mission was to assist with LROC members who took part in the
setting up the tea point on the 2016 TDT for making it a memorable
Zimbabwian leg of the tour. The event. See you all next year.
morning went well and on the way
back to the river, the fun began: a
Ford Ranger got stuck “diff deep” in
the river bed, and was sinking slowly.

With kinetic strap and safety
equipment in place, the driver
training we received at LROC would
now be tested.
But what makes a recovery easy is
team work. In
the blink of an
eye, the Ranger
was out. A stuck
Ranger was no
match for my
recovery team
mate, Mike, and
me using our
Disco and
Defender.

40

LROC Olympics

By Jacqui Stroebel

Well as most of you know the day Then onto Gymnastics; everyone
we set off for the River Run was the seems to think that it is easy climbing
first day of the 2016 Olympic Games. up, down, over or under your Landy
Now some of you may have thought when you are camping, but we beg to
that all our LROC sporting buffs differ as you can see from our next
might be losing out, but you were competitors and the things they had
totally mistaken, because we had our to do to remain balanced!!!
own mini Olympics en route….
As you will see, our members are
very competitive and don’t just let
one of us have all the fun but they all
decided to dig in; so to speak.

Here we see one of our members, Here you see our own Attie and
Graeme Parker, enthusiastically Helen demonstrating how to balance
digging out his vehicle. After on your Defender - and this proved
having so much fun driving his car, very helpful throughout the run.
he thought he would enjoy the out-
doors too, by playing hide and seek 41
with his tyre in the soft sand. And
here we have another member, Dirk,
trying to find his Landy in the sand
too, but I think the Gold went to
Graeme for his extreme effort leaving
Dirk with the Silver for this event!

Another example is how to delicately very tricky descent over sand and
balance your little 90 on a high lift rocks -maintaining a perfect pose
jack as Alex’s vehicle demonstrates in
the next picture

…..and here you see Christo keeping
warmed up so as to get an advantage
in the competition.

And we also saw the majestic Range
Rover demonstrate that it can
balance on two wheels (or so it
would appear)

And finally, Johan, who seems to be
discussing his strategy with
himself - or maybe not?

Not to be left out, we show you how
elegant some of our LROC
members look during their turn: you
can see Jax (me) after negotiating a

42

The evenings were not without All in all, it was a very memorable
excitement either. We had the and eventful few days. I just want to
‘longest shovel’ competition which say thank you to all the Landy
was won hands down by Johan: his owners who took part in the River
shovel measured longer than his Run 2016 and especially to Attie and
Defender, and he took that title from Helen who arranged the trip, and
Winston who was last years Alex, as committee representative.
winner!! And, of course, a very special thank
you to the ladies and gentlemen
mentioned in this article because
without you there wouldn’t be a story.
Until next time…happy trails. Jax

43

NAMIBIA’S CAPRIVI AND BOTSWANA

By Brendon Lowe

In the footsteps of Dr David Livingstone

Missionary. Visionary. Explorer. Drift. Two heavily loaded vehicles
Liberator. These words, inscribed on with a Jurgens X-Cape caravan
the pedestal of the huge memorial and trailer in tow, left with much
near Victoria Falls describe the four excitement and expectation for
facets of Dr David Livingstone, the a 4000km overlanding trip - the
most famous 18th century missionary planning of which started 8 months
turned explorer that Africa had ever prior.
seen. Born in Blantyre, Scotland, The plan was to head for the Caprivi
Livingstone spent 33 years of his life strip via Eastern Botswana working
in Africa where he was responsible our way to Divundu on the western
for converting many native Africans side of the Caprivi and then turning
to Christianity. Building mission south moving along the Okavango
stations throughout his travels, Delta panhandle toward Maun
he took time to live with and where we were scheduled to take
understand the local inhabitants, a charter flight viewing the Delta/
befriending many tribal chiefs Moremi from the air, then on to
who supported him during his Nxai Pan National Park and finally
explorations. Besides making it his concluding our trip with a stay-over
sole mission to navigate the Zambezi on the most famous desert island in
River and find the source of the Nile, Southern Africa, Lekhubu island in
he also spent the last few years of the Makgadigadi pans.
his life fighting the scourge of
slavery in Africa and ultimately
ended up convincing Britain
to ban slavery just years before
his death in May 1873. An
interesting man who certainly
left his mark in Southern Africa.

On 26 June our party of two
families left Pretoria for
Kwa-Nokeng on the SA/
Botswana border near Martin’s

44

45

So where does our famous explorer the great Livingstone and he couldn’t
Livingstone fit into the picture? Quite wait to tell us about how this place
unexpectedly, to be honest, did we fitted into Livingstone’s life and
stumble upon a unique part of his travels.
story in the delta of the Caprivi strip, Joining us for dinner around a fire
somewhere between the Kwando that evening, he related the story of
and Linyati rivers at a place called how he had searched for the place
Livingstone’s Camp. where Livingstone had spent many
Heading south-west from Katima of his years as a base for exploring
Mulilo, an hour and a half later we present day Angola and Zambia to
were met on arrival by a friendly man find the source of the Zambezi and
boasting a thick white beard called later discovered Mosi-oa-Tunya, or
Adolf. In the heart of what is known Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River.
as Namibia’s only wetland, Adolf On one of his travels from Kuruman
had recently developed this camp (circa 1853), with the intention to
consisting of 5 exclusive camping find the mighty Zambezi, he found
spots, well secluded from each other himself suffering severely from
with immaculate private ablution and malaria and would have succumbed
kitchen facilities. Proudly showing to his illness had it not been for
us around his eco-camp with 12V Chief Sebituane of the Mokololo
solar power at each site, it not only tribe who nursed him back to
became obvious that the facilities health. Livingstone became close
were created with an eye for detail friends with Chief Sebituane who
and with true German precision, but was later converted to Christianity
also that this man had a passion for along with his tribe who welcomed
Livingstone and his family into
46 their community. The Mokololo
originated as the Bafokeng/Sotho
clans and had travelled from as far
as Biddulphsberg in the Free State to
settle in this area many years before,
in an attempt to flee from Shaka, the
greatly feared Zulu Chief who took
over many tribes to expand his own
territory and power.
It is said that Livingstone walked
over 20 000 miles as he explored

47

the African interior, documenting the Mayeyi tribe. The museum was
every river, recording landscapes built about 10 years ago in honour
in immense detail, staying with the of Livingstone and what he meant to
local people he met and sketching the Makololo and Mayeyi tribes in
maps as he travelled, using a the area. We knew we had to see this
sextant for navigation. During his unique place.
explorations of the Zambezi River, Adolf himself proudly gave us a tour
he was supported by 110 of Chief of the small museum, neatly thatched
Sekeletu’s best men, Sebituane’s and recently painted, no more than
son and successor. These great 6x5m in size, I would think probably
warriors, said to be about 2m or also the smallest museum in the
more in height, were instructed to world! Although the museum was
protect Livingstone and carry all built by Linus himself, the internal
the necessary goods and provisions murals and artefacts displayed were
required for his expeditions. It is mostly the work of the Free State
further recorded that Livingstone University and some of its history
spoke no less than 14 African students who had stumbled across
languages by the time he died in a this gem a few years after it was
small hut near Chitambo in Northern built and spent a month there on
Zambia, probably of malaria and invitation from Adolf and Linus to
dysentery. His faithful servants decorate the interior with four
and companions Chuma and Susi hand-painted murals depicting
removed his heart and buried it the history of the Makololo tribe,
under an African Teak (Mvula tree) Livingstone’s history and travels in
and then embalmed his body and the area as well as the interesting
carried it more than 1 000 miles to story about the missionaries who all
Zanzibar from where his remains
were sent by ship to England to be
finally laid to rest in Westminster
Abbey. They said his heart belonged
in Africa and hence that is where it is
buried to this day.
A rare find was the museum, not
far from Livingstone’s Camp. Adolf
described it as ‘the only museum
built by a black man in honour of a
white man’. The black man’s name
is Linus and he is a descendant of

48

perished in the area at the hands of officially communicated nor made
Chief Sekeletu. Had it not been for it into the history books until more
Adolf and Linus, the tragic story of than 140 years later. The intriguing
these two families of missionaries, story surfaced again thanks to
who were sent for by Livingstone to the late Stella Kilby and the little
establish a mission station amongst museum we found ourselves in. It is
the Makololo people, would be lost also not known if Livingstone was
in history. According to a book ever aware of the failed mission and
titled No cross marks the spot, one of to what extent he was indirectly to
the descendants of the missionary blame for the tragic event.
families, then living in the UK,
revisited the area in 1999 to retrace 49
the steps of the Helmore and Price
families relaying their struggle and
suffering in traveling to this area
from the Cape across the Kalahari
desert and Makgadigadi Pans, only
to find Livingstone had ‘disappeared’
into Africa on one of his explorations
of the Zambezi River. When they
arrived at the banks of the Linyati
River in February 1860, Chief
Sekeletu who was not in favour
of Christianity, left them to wait
there for several weeks before he
sent for them and brought them
to his village. Legend has it that
he had an ox slaughtered for them
to celebrate their arrival, however,
a mere two weeks later 11 of the
14 family members, including the
children, had died suddenly under
suspicious conditions, rumoured
to have been from the poisoning of
the meat. The remaining 3 family
members, miraculously made it back
to the Cape and left for England by
ship. Nothing of this event was ever

Despite his passion for the area’s them from travelling more than
history and his desire to expose this 130 km to Katimo Mulilo by taxi to
part of Livingstone’s story to the pay huge prices for vegetables, some
world, Adolf has an equal passion of which are imported from South
for the community in which he Africa!
now operates the camp. Some of Although only at the beginning
his projects have already taken off of our journey, by the time we left
and one which interested us the Livingstone’s Camp we felt like we
most was in the form of an ‘African were old friends and that somehow
style’ hydroponics (or tunnel) type this place’s tales and history would
enclosure which he designed to be engraved into our memories
enable the locals to grow their own forever. And we salute Adolf for the
vegetables. It consists of simple good work he is doing in keeping this
materials, mostly sourced locally great story alive and for the awesome
and protects the young seedlings support he is providing to his
and plants not only from the harsh community. Maybe we’ll meet again
African sun but also the hippos and someday!
elephants, which would normally
decimate the crops leaving little for “I am prepared to go anywhere,
the local farmer to utilise for his provided it be forward. If you have
family. A very simple gravity fed
irrigation system gives the plants men who will only come if they
the necessary moisture. Adolf says know there is a good road, I don’t
each enclosure, roughly 6x8m in size, want them. I want men who will
costs about R3000 in total to erect come if there is no road at all. I will
and will supply a small family with place no value on anything I have
sufficient vegetables to supplement or may possess except in relation
their mostly maize diets and save to the kingdom of Christ” David

Livingstone – circa 1863

50