Pioneering spirit

Mention the Hunter’s Road in the wet season and people immediately say that it shouldn’t be done, and anyone who attempts it is looking for trouble. Social media channels are rife with disaster stories. But we at SA4x4 don’t shy away from these challenges, and plan to prove the nay-sayers wrong – this time in a Nissan Navara Stealth. It’s a great base vehicle, for sure, but we do have concerns about its Toyo A25 Open Country highway-terrain tyres. A more aggressive set of all-terrains would have eased our concerns, but the timing has been very tight. Our guide on this tour, Riaan Jooste from Complete4x4, is keeping quiet, though it’s clear he would have preferred the Navara to also be protected by underbody plates, a proper bull bar, and a sturdy bumper.

After an early morning flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg, SA4x4’s Anton Willemse and I set off on the 322km drive to Lephalale to meet up with the rest of the like-minded adventurers joining our trip. In total, we have five cars, consisting of our Navara, Riaan’s heavily-modified 4.8-litre Patrol, a 2007 Fortuner D4-D diesel driven by brothers Richard and Frank Harpur, a Discovery 4 V8 owned by Rens Meyer driving with Danie Geldenhuys, and Tiaan Du Toit’s FJ Cruiser co-piloted by Albertus Basson. All of them are seriously kitted-out and fit for purpose.

Our pre-trip meeting point is at Machauka Lodge in Lephalale, formerly known as Ellisras. It offers luxury accommodation, giving us one last chance to enjoy creature comforts like a hot shower before embarking on our rough and tumble week of wild camping. With wildlife grazing on your doorstep, and a superb bar and restaurant, Machauka is a great getaway just three hours from Johannesburg. But this trip