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 afield 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