I have always equated 4x4 with blond bimbos (cappuccino in one hand, cell phone in the other) who power past me on the tarmac highway – not a sand dune or rocky slope in sight. My knowledge about 4WD drive was limited to 'isn't it something you need for driving up mountains?’
I couldn't understand the attraction of off-road driving or the enthusiasm of so many people for 4x4. Until, that is, I experienced it for the first time, on a travel adventure in a camper through South Africa , Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. I discovered that Southern Africa is a 4x4 enthusiast's dream come true and that some of the most spectacular scenery is accessible only in a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
This is the story of my journey along many roads less traveled across Southern Africa.
Be safe, learn 4x4 driving
Before starting out on my travel adventure, I attended a one-day 4x4 driving course where we were taught all about traction and stability control, tyre pressures, cross-axling, wheel spin and rollover angles. We experienced driving up and down gradients, on sand, grass, mud, rocks and water. We crawled up side slopes and coped with stall starts. A whole new vocabulary opened up to me: differentials, hubs, break-over, drive shaft and transfer case. And I learnt that serious off-roading, 4x4s drivers look after their personal safety and treat the environment with respect.
I chose to hire a double cab 4x4 from Drive Africa because their price includes everything – full comprehensive insurance with no excess and no cross-border surcharges. The fully-equipped camper comes with roof tent and all the other accessories you need for a camping trip, from fridges to forks to first aid kit.
Source: Drive Africa
