For Rodrigo and Melissa da Silva camping consisted of pitching their tent because caravanning in Brazil is uncommon. Up to 2010 they lived in São Paulo, the largest city in the country. Thereafter Rodrigo pursued a job opportunity in South Africa and the Da Silva family arrived just before the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Their first local camping experience was obviously with their tent, and they visited the Forever Resort in Bela-Bela. Rodrigo was intrigued by all the caravans around them and decided to investigate caravanning a bit more.
Rodrigo’s Brazilian drivers’ licence was converted to a local one although he had to complete the practical side to prove his skill. This left him with a code B licence, a licence that allows you to only tow small trailers, as you well know. The EB licence was next, and Rodrigo completed his theory and practical test.
Towing became a reality and the Da Silva’s decided to first hire a caravan and see if this is really what they wanted. Before you could say “first-time caravan camping”, they were geared up with a proper towing combination of their own.
Today the Da Silva family – including their kids Sofia (9) and Marcelo (3) – have already done a couple of thousand kilometres in their Everest on their way to the next campsite.
Bu hikaye Go! Camp & Drive dergisinin April/May 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Go! Camp & Drive dergisinin April/May 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
The pinch of the pump
In a time where every penny counts, you should be cautious about where to spend it, says Neels van Heerden.
Is the Jimny suitable for overlanding?
He has a theory on whether the Suzuki Jimny is suitable for overlanding, but he is also about to find out for himself, says Mic van Zyl.
Klein-Kariba chronicles
His family has camped so often at ATKV Klein-Kariba that they now consider this popular resort their holiday home, says Roelof van Eeden of Witbank.
So ugly it's cute
Longing for the good old days when vehicles took inspiration from aircraft? Citroën has the compact mobile home just for you.
WHO'S THE BAKKIE KING?
Eight brands, seven categories... and one overall winner. We find out which double-cab bakkie performs best when towing a caravan and off-roading.
Viva, Amarokoroko!
We take a spin through the Western Cape's Cederberg to See if the Ford-built Volkswagen Amarok retains its poshness.
Hook, line and tune
That exhilarating rush you feel when something tugs at your hook and races away with your line is what perpetually draws him back to the angler's paradise, says singer Bok van Blerk.
Discover Dinokeng: beyond the Big Five
The Dinokeng Big Five Reserve is a favourite for weekend getaways, but just past its borders lies an untapped haven waiting to be explored.
Life's a farm in Bonnievale!
Bonnievale presents a unique setting where kids, camping and church come together for a unique family holiday.
Into the heart of the Cederberg
From Duiwelsgat to Heuningvlei, from Wupperthal to the Biedouw Valley. Drive through a world where poet Boerneef's mountain goose sheds a feather and author Jan Rabie's dreamland begins.