THE LEBOMBO ECO-TRAIL

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1 AUGUST 2013 NEW RELEASE Discoverer Xtreme Iveco Daily 4x4 motorhome THE LEBOMBO ECO-TRAIL It's a cruise in a Jurgens Xplorer ARE YOU LEGAL? Why you need an EB licence and what happens if you tow without one INSTALL A DOORSTEP 5 LEKKER RESORTS The Erasmus family: on the road again AUGUST 2013 BUYER'S GUIDE TO TRAILER TENTS

2 64980 ADMAKERS.COM YOU KNOW YOU CAN THE BAKKIE SPECIALISTS It s set to make a lasting impression. With its aggressive form, passenger car-like interior, all-new chassis and suspension, refined and upgraded engines, and best in class towing, payload and fuel efficiency, anything is possible.

3 Cover photo Simon Lewis GROUP PUBLISHER Godfrey Castle PUBLISHER Neil Harrison EDITOR Simon Lewis SUB-EDITOR Paul Wise FEATURES WRITER Kobus Botha EDITORIAL INTERN Alexandra Dunsford-White DESIGNER Kyle Collison WEBMASTER Michael Slater SOCIAL MEDIA Louise Bronn CONTRIBUTORS Johan Lourens Neels van Heerden Dr Ricky Montalbano Hailey Griffiths Linda Roets ADVERTISING SALES SUPPORT Denise Reid-Daly GAUTENG SALES Toni de Lange W CAPE & N CAPE SALES Malcolm Cassisa malcolm@caravansa.co.za KZN SALES, AND NORTHERN RESORTS & CAMPSITES Brian Jefferies Tel/fax brian@caravansa.co.za EASTERN & SOUTH-WEST CAPE SALES Pat Farmer Fax patricia@caravansa.co.za WEBSITE ADVERTISING QUERIES Paul Castle paul.castle@caravansa.co.za ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Lyn Castle CIRCULATION Denise Reid-Daly circulation@caravansa.co.za (For circulation queries, promotions, and for details on how to stock Caravan & Outdoor Life magazine) SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK ISSUES Linda-Rose Hanekom subs@caravansa.co.za DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS Digital: R for 12 issues CAPE TOWN HEAD OFFICE Fax PO Box 31062, Tokai Bell Crescent, Westlake Business Park, Westlake, 7945 editor@caravansa.co.za B-BBEE Recognition Level 6 Circulation: Guaranteed and verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulation. Distribution: National distribution through RNA for sale at CNA, airports, cafés and supermarkets. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Permission to re-publish any article or part thereof, or reproduce any illustration must be obtained in writing from the publisher. While precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of the information printed in this magazine, the publisher, editor, staff and contributors cannot be held liable or accept responsibility for any damages or inconvenience that may arise from incorrect information. CARAVAN & OUTDOOR LIFE EDITORIAL TEAM Rhino He ain't heavy, he's my symbiotic partner and we're in a mutualistic, ecologically sound relationship. PHOTO BY BEN BARBER Spending a week in the wilds of the Kruger National Park with a great bunch of guys is a life-changing experience. When our travelling party met up with the rhino anti-poaching unit on the Lebombo Eco-Trail (see page 18) we took the opportunity to pose for a photo with them. That s Larry Kreuiter and I (above) with two of the guys who patrol Kruger s border on foot (a very, very brave thing to do). For us as tourists, a rhino is a beautiful creature that we hope to see and photograph. For the anti-poaching squad, saving the rhino is top priority, a passion and a dangerous occupation. For the greedy poachers and selfish horn purchasers, it s a lucrative crime. But think further what do rhino mean to other animals? Some animals fear rhino for their sheer size. Some try to hunt and eat baby rhino. Oxpecker birds often catch a ride on a rhino (below right) and then offer their services of warning their short-sighted friend about any approaching danger, as well as pecking off unwanted insects and ticks (although this becomes a parasitic relationship but that s another story). Closer to home, a rhino features on the front of our R10 note and on the reserve side is the smiling face of Madiba. A trip as enjoyable as our expedition along the Lebombo trail definitely changes a person for the better, and it can put you in touch with the reality of life and your own mortality and hopefully also helps you to reach out and touch the lives of people younger and older than you. Nelson Mandela is one person who has excelled at that. One of the great icons of world history, not only did he endure decades of incarceration and help bring about the birth of the new South Africa, but he continues to inspire us all from his hospital bed with his never-ending spirit and fight. Hey buds! Are there any pretty ladies at the waterhole!? Bird 1 Hey, can you see where that 'pecker s hiding now? Bird 2 Agh, stop being such an oxymoron! How you look at it Madiba has always made kids a huge priority, which is why we ve decided not to ignore kids in Caravan & Outdoor Life magazine, so we ve now included some pages of info and fun for kids of all ages (see page 74). Mandela knows that kids are the future of our nation, and so too are they the future of caravaning. Caravaning and camping is for people of all ages to enjoy, so how could we ignore the little ones? We hope you and your family enjoy these new pages. As we enter the second half of the year, we send our wishes and strength to Madiba and his family, to the anti-rhino poaching units and to the rhino themselves. Simon Lewis editor@caravansa.co.za PHOTO BY DEREK MAY Bird 2 Youuuu aaaare fee-e-e-l-l-ling veeeee-rrrrrry sleeeepy?????? On page 75 we ask readers to submit their caption for this pic of a rhino, an oxpecker and two glossy starlings. But we couldn't help having a crack at it ourselves (see below). Bird 1 What you going to do if the rhino charges? Bird 2 Pay him! PAUL ALEX KOBUS KYLE MICHAEL LOUISE SIMON NEIL GODFREY Bird 1 Is that a unicorn? Bird 2 Yeah, he must have really let himself go! Bird 1 Hey, whino that's the two that stole my lunch! Birds to rhino Reporting back. No poachers spotted yet, sir. Bird 1 No sir, the law is quite clear on this point. If you re carrying paying passengers, you must have a Public Driving Permit.

4 CONTENTS CONTENTS VOL. 53 NO. 07 (ISSUE 617) FEATURES 18 Bitten by the Lebombo Follow Simon and Godfrey on their five-day trek through the tough terrain of the Lebombo Eco-trail 28 To EB or not to EB Learn more about a challenge that faces everyone in the caravan industry: the EB licence. 38 Portable toilets Last month s feature just wasn t enough we ve got more for you! 44 Pick a trailer tent Want to learn the ins and outs of buying a trailer tent? Our buyer s guide will leave you spoilt for choice. 60 The snowmen Read about this adventurous trio as they take on the treacherous, snowy conditions of the Matroosberg TESTS, REVIEWS & PREVIEWS 32 New motorhome Take it to the limit with the new Discoverer Xtreme motorhome. 40 New caravan Wouter Erasmus and his family put the new Fendt Saphir 560 SKM All-road caravan to the test in the snow-covered mountains of Lesotho. 50 Tent trailer review Our team takes Camp Cover s new Serengeti TR7 Xtr Trailer out on the road to unravel its new design and quick set-up features. 54 Motorhome review Take a sneak peak inside Motorhome-World s new Discoverer 4 Version Got you covered! This month we profile Canvas and Tent the only place to turn to for all your canvas needs. 64 DIY: Step up Step-by-step instructions on how to install a Thule doorstep in your motorhome. MAGNIFICENT RESORTS 31 Rocky Bay 52 Elandskloof 57 Riverside Resort 60 Matroosberg 63 Prairie Park DON'T MISS THESE GREAT RESORTS! 83 KwaZulu-Natal Prestige Resorts 89 Gauteng, Mpumalanga Resorts 92 Limpopo, Free State, North West Resorts 93 Cape Prime, Swaziland, Mozambique Resorts 40 REGULARS 1 Editor s note 4 Around the campfire 10 Camping chat with Linda Roets 12 Camping must-haves 14 Woonwa 66 Cookout with Cadac 70 Are we there yet? Puzzle pages and answers from July Kids corner 78 Caravan clinic 82 Subscribe 97 Dealers 105 Caravans Countrywide 108 Gear and services 114 Reader classifieds 115 Caravan towcar guide 118 Data Subscription Rates South Africa: R290 for 12 issues (including VAT). Please call for foreign rates. DIRECT DEPOSIT: Pay Caravan Publications, Standard Bank Account , Thibault Square (020909), then fax/ proof of payment to or subs@caravansa.co.za plus name and address of intended recipient. SUBSCRIPTIONS: subs@caravansa.co.za / Subscription Department, PO Box 31062, Tokai 7966

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6 AROUND THE CAMPFIRE Around the campfire this month are (left to right): Godfrey Castle (Caravan & Outdoor Life publisher), braai master Nico Pretorius (Jurgens Ci Sales and Marketing Manager), Allan Vos (Kennis Caravans & Motorhomes) and Gordon Hammond (GC Caravans) take it easy around the braai on the Lebombo Eco-Trail (see page 18). PHOTO BY BEN BARBER TELL US WHAT YOU'RE THINKING Write to us at or Around the Campfire, PO Box 31062, Tokai, 7966, or fax us on Please note that we reserve the right to edit letters and that these letters reflect the opinions of readers, not those of the publisher. Please don t send us letters you have sent to other publications. No anonymous letters will be published. Winning Letter THIS ROW Aasvoëlkrans resort. THE VALUE OF THE VAN Friends have often questioned my decision to buy a caravan. FACT: they aren t inexpensive and, what s worse, when you add up the cost of financing one with the cost of using one (i.e. the resort and consumption costs), the expenses may initially not differ too much from those applicable to chalets. Bottom line, though, is that when my van is paid off, it will be worth almost what I paid for it. It s mine, and only approved persons enter as opposed to a chalet, where I don t know who did what in the bed prior to my arrival. I can use my van at almost any time of the year, and not just for the annual coastal cruise and this is the point of my writing. There are so many resorts within an hour s travel of Joburg that it s almost unreal and the number that cater for caravaning outside the traditional season is amazing. As far as bang for my buck is concerned, though, I have to mention Aasvoëlkrans near Rustenburg. A resort with two heated indoor pools, an outdoor pool and a slide, exceptional ablutions and all the standard bits and bobs deserves a mention. And when that resort is almost insanely inexpensive, then a double mention is warranted. Example for the nonbelievers: it is cheaper to eat at their restaurant than it is to self-cater for the weekend! I refuse to allow my van to stand idle. I bought it to use it at least once a month all year round and, thanks to resorts like Aasvoëlkrans, I can. On a completely different note, I need to bring up a topic that affects almost all resorts I frequent: smoking! I would never deny anyone their right to smoke, but when their rights intrude on mine then I believe I have reason to feel aggrieved. No campsite that I am aware of separates smokers and non-smokers, this despite the fact that their smoke can intrude on my airspace. Furthermore, no campsite that I am aware of bans smoking at the poolside. Bottom line: if I want to lie next to the pool, I must risk being smoked out or, at the very least, having to pick up the inevitable butts to make my spot of grass usable. Thank you for a superb publication. Sean Letley Thanks for the feedback on Aasvoëlkrans readers always appreciate first-hand reports. As for smokers, things are getting tougher for them to catch a puff, but as smoking is currently only banned in covered or enclosed areas they are free to puff in the great outdoors. Perhaps resorts need to create designated smoking / non-smoking outdoors areas, especially for areas where kids spend most of their time? Winning letter Congratulations to Sean Letley for this month's winning letter. Sean wins the handy Lumeno Battery Buddy (valued at R270), a portable battery (R280) and carry bag (R60), compliments of Fox and Sons EVER SEEN A CARAVAN GO UP A HILL ON ONE WHEEL? TURN TO PAGE 25

7 LEFT TO RIGHT Paul Castle, Annabel Biggar-Davids (with her new Olympus TG-2 digital camera) and Simon Lewis. Annabel's winning entry. VAKANSIESKEMAS VERSUS KAMPERING Ek het die mening van Chris gelees (Woonwa-praatjies, Junie 2013). Baie interessant, maar ek vermoed dat hy nog nie sy punteskema baie lank besit nie. Ek was die eienaar van n klompie punte vanaf 1993 en het dit uiteindelik net teruggegee, as gevolg van die volgende probleme: n hele paar weke se verblyf betaal in woonwastaanplekke, chalets of gastehuise. skema groei, is daar te veel lede vir die hoeveelheid akkommodasie. Na n paar jaar raak die akkommodasie ook baie beperk waar jy dalk wil vakansie hou. verkoop, want dan, sê hulle, kan jy meer oorde gebruik. Hulle sal ook vir jou vertel dat as jy nie opgradeer nie, jy nog meer sal sukkel om akkommodasie te bekom. aanhou betaal. Ek het my punte bloot teruggegee en dit sodoende verloor. Ek kampeer of bly in n gastehuis of chalet van my keuse: nooit weer punte vir my nie! Anderdag in die Kaap op die strand keer hulle my voor en laat my n kruisie trek en vertel my ek het n vakansie gewen. Maar ek moet die aanbieding oor punte bywoon. Nie gekoop nie, en die vakansieakkommodasie wat ek gewen het, is altyd vol op die tyd wat ek wil gaan. So ek skryf dit ook af, want dit is alles foefies. Ek kamp eerder. Dit is steeds baie goedkoper as n chalet, en jy het jou eie bed en is naby aan die natuur. Ek sal dalk daarvoor net soveel betaal as vir n chalet! Dit is lekker om te sleep met die regte voertuig, en vandat jy begin pak, is jy op vakansie! (Merk ek bietjie jaloesie op by Chris?) Ek het vir 15 jaar nie gekamp nie weens werksdruk en tydskedules, maar nou het ek die tyd, en kampering is van die hemel af. Groete. Ben Visagie Annabel our Olympus champ! My husband and I would like to extend our gratitude for the Olympus camera we recently won through Caravan & Outdoor Life. This beautiful machine is a welcome addition to our holiday arsenal. We travel quite a bit and love adventure-filled activities next on our list is magical Mozambique, where I intend to swim with the dolphins and try my hand at snorkelling. I'm so grateful that now I will be able to capture the adventure of it all. Thank you once again and happy shooting to me :-) Kind regards and have a great day! Annabel Biggar-Davids I DREAM OF MISKRUIER I love your magazine, even though I don t have a caravan now. My family did when I was a child growing, up and I am now waiting for the necessary funds to purchase a Bush Lapa Miskruier they are amazing. I see in the June issue that you tried the Rooimier. Jannie Oeschger is well thought of, and everyone on the 4x4 Community Forum raves about his products and service: check it out, Bush Lapa has the most threads! I just received your letter sent to subscribers who have not renewed a very good idea. I still get the magazine every month, but purchase it at my local supermarket or service station. I never miss a copy. I will re-subscribe tomorrow morning and take up the offer of a free gift. Gary Bogner Thanks for your feedback, Gary. Rooimier is a great little unit, but I m sure you ll enjoy the extra accommodation offered by Miskruier. Please let us know about your adventures with Miskruier. WANT TO BUY A CARAVAN OR TOW A CARAVAN? ARE YOU LEGAL? TURN TO PAGE 28

8 COOKOUT 449 RHINO HAVE BEEN POACHED IN SA THIS YEAR, 55 FROM 13 JUNE TO 11 JULY STOPRHINOPOACHING.COM THE TIMESHARE (VAKANSIESKEMA) DEBATE RAGES ON AND ON Many years ago being caravaners we bought into timeshare on the points system, thinking it was a good alternative to always camping. This was the biggest mistake we ever made. We were never able to get into any of the places in KZN. We eventually managed to get a week in Langebaan in the Cape. The downfall is you have to remember to pack all your spices, sauces and washing up liquids etc, all of which we keep in our caravan. Once we arrived at our timeshare and the car park was a long way from our unit, so we had to carry all our stuff up to the unit once you arrive at a caravan park all this is in your van with you. At the time of purchasing the timeshare I asked the question that if we found that we did not really enjoy this kind of holiday would they buy back our points and the answer was 'yes', they would. This was a lie. We had paid a large amount out already and we tried to advertise our points for sale but had no offers. After speaking to my manager at the bank he suggested I stop payment on the debit order and write a letter to the company telling them what I had done. We ended up losing all that we had paid and have since continued with our camping holidays, which we enjoy. Once a caravaner, always a caravaner! There is no better life than sitting in the outdoors enjoying your braai and the company of other campers. Thanks for the great magazine. Les Prinsloo Ek en my vrou kamp so ongeveer agt maal per jaar, wat veral lang naweke is en een tot tweemaal per jaar in die Kruger Nasionale Park vir 'n week elke keer. Ek het ook vakansieskema punte waarmee ek uiters teleurgesteld is omrede ons elke keer een van die swakste staanplekke kry en nooit die plekke kry waarvoor ons vra nie of die koudste huisie tussen die bome! Wanneer die spesiale afslag naweek pryse aanbied, kan ek met my vakansieskema punte natuurlik nie die afslag kry nie en moet ek die volle prys se punte afstaan. Elke jaar styg die heffing dan ook met ongeveer 10%. Dan wonder ek of dit die moeite werd is hierdie punte stelsel. Aangesien ek ouer as 60 jaar is, kry ek 40% afslag met my kampering in die KN Park en ook by sekere karavaan parke bied hulle vir ouer persone afslag aan. Ek wou my punte verniet weggee, maar niemand wil dit hê nie. Die vakansieskema mense wil self dit nie hê nie en as ek nie meer die jaarlikse fooi betaal, sal my naam op n swartlys geplaas word. Ek vind verder dat ek al minder met my punte uitgerig kry en dat oorsese vakansies maar net n mooi verhaal is. My punte beteken niks. As iemand my punte gratis wil hê, kan hulle dit kry. Hulle hoef my nie eers die R500 wat ek vir die oordrag kontrak betaal het, te betaal nie. Elke mens het natuurlik sy eie voorkeure en ek skryf hierdie maar net om te sê dat mense moet nie so maklik kritiseer nie, want elkeen kan maar 'n vakansie geniet soos hy dit verkies. Vir ons en blykbaar duisende ander kampeerders is kampering bobaas! Louis Wannenburg Ek wil net aansluit by die artikel oor vakansieskemas. Ons het n skema vir amper vyf jaar al, en as ek toe geweet het wat ek vandag weet, het ons nooit in die skema belê nie. In al die jare kon ons nog nie die skema gebruik vir vakansie nie. Daar is selde of nooit plek beskikbaar, of ons punte is nie genoeg nie en ons moet ekstra betaal, of ons moes al ses maande gelede die bespreking gedoen het, ensovoorts. Ons het al jaar na jaar se punte gebank om dit so te gebruik, maar dan verloor ons dit. Dit terwyl ons n fortuin maandeliks betaal. Ons het al opgegee om te probeer om dit te verkoop. So nou betaal ons (nie goedkoop nie) vir iets wat nutteloos is. Maak seker as iemand jou nader met vakansieskemas dat jy alles met n vergrootglas sommer saam met jou prokureur lees, en baie mooi daaroor besin. Ek weet wel van mense wat op ander vakansieskemas is en baie gelukkig is. Ongelukkig was ons n gat in die kop gepraat en het net die wortel voor ons neus gesien. En nou betaal ons. Belinda Veldman NEED A PORTABLE TOILET FOR YOUR NEXT SAFARI? WANNA WIN ONE? TURN TO PAGE 39

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10 FANCY EGGS AND BACON WITH A TWIST? SEE THIS MONTH'S WINNING RECIPE TURN TO PAGE 69 SORRY, PUP! In response to Lynn van Rensburg s letter (April 2013) about camping with dogs, we have belonged to the SA Camping Club (Durban section) for many years and have camped in numerous caravan parks all over southern Africa. At one stage the camping club allowed people to bring little dogs along with them. We had four children camping with us, so our dogs were left at home and our neighbour fed and looked after them. We were lucky, as their children used to come over and play with the dogs, so we didn t have to worry about them being lonely. Some of the club members did bring their little dogs along with them, but the trouble started when children in the camp wanted to pat or play with the dogs: some were friendly, while others were not and weren t used to children, so the owners had to keep chasing the children away for fear of their dog snapping or biting them. In time a child did get nipped, and at the next AGM it was put to the vote: dogs or no dogs in the camping club. All of us with children voted against it. As pensioners now, we still camp a lot, and quite a few of the parks we have visited have allowed dogs, and most are kept under control. Others, sadly, are not: some bark every time you walk past their caravan or tent. Our main objection is to a male dog lifting its leg on a tent. Yes, this has happened, and it isn t pleasant. The last park we stayed at over the long weekend before Easter was quite full and very busy, and there were also quite a few dogs but the big problem there was owners who didn t pick up the dog poo. We were playing cricket with our son and grandson in the main play area, and had to be careful not to stand in dog mess. Not only was this unacceptable to me, but it also attracted flies. As you can see, it s not that we don t like dogs, as some dog owners like Lynn van Rensburg do keep their dogs under control. However, others aren t as considerate, and some dogs are friendly and some not. Our seven-year-old grandson, whom we take camping with us, loves dogs and will always go up to pat and cuddle them, but we re always a bit afraid that he ll get bitten, because we can t be sure whether the dog is used to children or not. So, from my point of view, I m not overly keen to camp where there are dogs around. If a caravan park allows dogs to camp with their owners, who is responsible for picking up after them: the owners or the park staff? Yours in camping Jenny Stanley Well said, Jenny! Cleanliness at a park and the safety of children are of the utmost importance to most campers. The easy solution is for dogs not to be allowed at parks it s simple. However, the many dog owners who do look after their pets and take responsibility for them and their mess often have a really strong parent-child relationship with their dogs. To be barred from sharing your holiday with your child must seem really unfair to these campers. The debate rolls on, and we ll have to wait for the perfect solution. DOG-FRIENDLY CAMPSITES In reply to Lynn van Rensburg s query about dog-friendly camps near Gauteng, good news: there are quite a few. We often camped at these places with our daschund, Yalla, who helped me through my cancer. Next to the main highway from Johannesburg to Nelspruit via Middelburg, Mpumalanga is a place called Pienaardam Leisure Resort, with a caravan park and farm. On the far side of the dam there is a huge, open area where dogs can roam totally free, not worrying anybody or being interfered with. Just take a long electric lead for power if you re going to camp there. There s lots to do if you want, from canoeing and fishing to horse riding and quad-biking (under supervision, not noisy). They also have a swimming pool and some wild animals, including eland, ostrich, blesbok and springbok. Other dog-friendly places are Mimosa at Parys and the Ruby River Resort near Loskop Dam, to name just two. We no longer have a dog camping with us as our four dogs are not good travellers, so now we enjoy different holidays, for instance with our touring bike, by train and in the parks. Happy caravaning. Jasper Ward FIRE HASN T CLOSED DOLPHIN! We d like to let your readers know that the Dolphin Holiday Resort in Ballito is still up and running, even though we lost the Waterberry Coffee Shoppe when a fire destroyed the building. Fortunately the forest was not affected. Thank you to everyone who phoned or ed us offering their love and concern: we appreciate your thoughts for us. We will be rebuilding the Waterberry! Many thanks. Peter, Margie, Francois, Bronwyn and the Dolphin team Dolphin Holiday Resort ww.dolphinholidayresort.co.za FANCY A HIKE IN THE SNOW? ARE YOU SURE? TURN TO PAGE 60