Landy Legion
SA4x4|December 2018

When you get the opportunity to join a convoy of Defenders on a meticulously-planned trip through one of South Africa’s most stunning valleys, it’s one you simply can’t turn down.

Micky Baker
Landy Legion

Just inland of the Tsitsikamma lies a narrow, mystical valley, shielded from the elements by two monstrous mountain ranges. Where the Kouga Mountains clash with the Baviaanskloof, you’ll find an oasis of lush greenery along the otherwise arid outskirts of the Karoo, feeding off rainwater that fell far afraid of the fertile valley.

The Baviaanskloof is so peculiar, in fact, that it forms part of the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site. In all, the area is home to an incredible seven of South Africa’s eight major biomes, ranging from fynbos all the way to savanna. It’s no surprise, then, that organiser Johan Kriek saw it as the perfect setting for the 2018 running of the Cape Defender Trophy.

Armed with a solid Defender 110 hardtop from the kind fellows at Pon Steyn 4x4, also the Trophy’s main sponsor, I collected good ol’ Richard from his hamlet home and belted along the R62 and N9 towards the rendezvous point for the start of our epic trek. We’d be spending the night at Grootrivierpoort, on the east end of the valley, before making our way down to Patensie, the real starting line.

Meet & greet

Grootrivierpoort provided all participants with the opportunity to get acquainted with each other and with the nature of the challenge ahead. One by one, Defenders trickled into the picturesque campsite, until eventually we had all gathered around there, eager to down some chops and dops in anticipation of the long haul ahead.

Despite the name, the Defender Trophy isn’t a driving competition. Far from it, in fact! Anyone planning to pilot a rickety old Landy through the Baviaanskloof needs to be a competent off-roader, but the Trophy tests your mind far more than your donga-dodging.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2018-Ausgabe von SA4x4.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2018-Ausgabe von SA4x4.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS SA4X4Alle anzeigen
SA4x4

Uganda The Pearl Of Africa

This trip, the very last in the series of stories from Dan Grec’s two-year Africa round trip, details a scary mishap and some extraordinary wildlife encounters

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
March 2020
Chewy, But Edible
SA4x4

Chewy, But Edible

Take another look at those garden pests

time-read
4 Minuten  |
March 2020
Auto Perfection?
SA4x4

Auto Perfection?

Adding a six-speed auto to Mahindra’s workhorse ups the game for this value proposition

time-read
3 Minuten  |
March 2020
SA4x4

Defenders On Tour

The second 2019 Defender Trophy event kicked off in Limpopo and was unique in that participants camped in three different countries…

time-read
9 Minuten  |
March 2020
SA4x4

Rad Rig The Dream Catcher

Motorhome world’s one-of-a-kind luxury globetrotter

time-read
4 Minuten  |
March 2020
The Difference Between An Overlander And An Offroader
SA4x4

The Difference Between An Overlander And An Offroader

A very important distinction needs to be made between the offroader and the overland traveller; often the two are thought to be the same.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
March 2020
Steelmate TP-S9
SA4x4

Steelmate TP-S9

Solar powered TPMS (External sensor)

time-read
3 Minuten  |
March 2020
SA4x4

Light on the dark side

VW AMAROK DARK LABEL

time-read
4 Minuten  |
March 2020
Monkey business!
SA4x4

Monkey business!

Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) are the most widespread of the African monkeys; occurring from the Ethiopian Rift Valley, highlands east of the Rift, and southern Somalia, through the eastern lowlands of Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia (east of the Luangwa Valley), Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and all nine provinces in South Africa.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
March 2020
SA4x4

GREAT ZOOKS

There are a few mishaps as a bunch of Jimnys tackle one of Lesotho’s premier off-road challenges, Baboon’s Pass

time-read
10 Minuten  |
March 2020