Another warmest thank-you to both Suzuki Pinetown (“the best dealership in town”) and Travis from Shift Group for a spectacular 4×4 adventure at Nkonka Lodge this past Sunday, 27 July, 2014.

10x Jimnys, 3x Grand Vitaras, 1x Sx4 and the 1 x unmentionable – at least the chaps at Suzuki see it as a challenge to convert the so called “traitor” – all met at the Pinetown dealership for coffee and muffins first thing, and in convoy made our way to the farm. Almost every 10 minutes, just after taking the Richmond turnoff, I longed to stop and capture the beauty in panoramic form; however, I also couldn’t wait to venture off road and explore the unknown. How many time do I need mention: #ResistanceIsFutile?

After about an hour’s drive, 20 minutes on gravel, beneath the perfect blue African sky, the sun heating up by the minute, we reached the extensive land surrounding Nkonka Lodge. Land that could not deliver more stunning vistas set in the virgin terrain of the Umkomaas Valley in KwaZulu-Natal, just outside Richmond, en route to Pietermaritzburg.

After a pit-stop to quench thirsts and absorb the stunning beauty near the river, we set off deeper in to the bushveld to, of course, put our vehicles to the test over rugged landscape – a sense of freedom that’s hard to beat. Yellow vegetation, so dry Travis advised to be careful when stopping with hot exhaust pipes acting like instant tinder. Can you imagine this place in the lush green of summer months?

Hours later, we reached the main lodge where we further enjoyed the scenery, while the boerewors was braaied, overlooking another section of the meandering river gushing over the black, glinting boulders.

All-day of 4x4ing through bushveld, surrounded by wildlife (and not so wild cattle), heat and inspiring vistas and brilliant company equates to a simple question, “What more could I want?”

#OnlyInAfrica!