The Big Easy
SA4x4|January 2018

A 17-day Africa tour with complete strangers? Mana Pools and Zambia’s South Luangwa Park work their magic…

Brenda Ilbury
The Big Easy

Driving through the dusty fields of Botswana under a washed-out sky, I had plenty of time to question my wisdom in agreeing to a self-drive trip that would take me thousands of kilometres from Durban, through Botswana and Zambia to Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, then back into Zambia to South Luangwa before returning home. Despite the reassurances of my husband, Mark, I am not convinced that I’m cut out for this kind of adventure – seventeen days on roads unknown, in countries I have never explored, sleeping in a ground tent in unfenced camps, and all in the company of strangers.

I’m not averse to camping; after all, when growing up in a big family in the Seventies, camping is what we did, and my father ran a tight ship. Mark has always hated camping, vowing that self-catering cottages were as basic as he would go, especially with three lively sons. Recently, with the children all grown-up, he has developed a yen to explore Africa in a more adventurous way; and I’m struggling with this mind shift.

We are joining “Ultimate Adventures” in Nata, and, to my secret relief they will be responsible for guiding us on this trip. I love new places and people, but I’m no thrill-seeker. I see no attraction in the conquering of impassable rocky passes, or being mired in the mud. I’m not too concerned about living with strangers, but two-and-a-half weeks is a long time, and we are a small group; we could end up loathing one another.

My fears are unfounded. Simon and Des Steadman of “Ultimate Adventures” are a dynamic duo. Simon is organised and unflappable, with a steadfast, reassuring nature. Des is warm, enthusiastic and gregarious, and gathers you in with comforting ease. Our fellow guest is an affable, opera-loving lone ranger with a longing for open spaces, and a good sense of humour. We all breathe a sigh of relief: this could work.

Bu hikaye SA4x4 dergisinin January 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye SA4x4 dergisinin January 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

SA4X4 DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
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+ dak  |
March 2020
Chewy, But Edible
SA4x4

Chewy, But Edible

Take another look at those garden pests

time-read
4 dak  |
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 dak  |
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 dak  |
March 2020
SA4x4

Rad Rig The Dream Catcher

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

time-read
4 dak  |
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 dak  |
March 2020
Steelmate TP-S9
SA4x4

Steelmate TP-S9

Solar powered TPMS (External sensor)

time-read
3 dak  |
March 2020
SA4x4

Light on the dark side

VW AMAROK DARK LABEL

time-read
4 dak  |
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 dak  |
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 dak  |
March 2020