Off-road Archives - Page 2 of 3

Feb 14

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Black & White, Nature, Off-Road 2 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Exploring, Gwahumbe Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, nature, Off-road, Rhino, Rugged Terrain, South Africa, Wildlife

Gwahumbe Game Lodge & Spa

Resistance is definitely futile when it comes to spending the day at Gwahumbe. Just over an hour’s drive from Durban, Gwahumbe Game Lodge & Spa is a favourite of mine to enjoy 4x4ing, game viewing and lunch all in a day. As I’ve previously published a couple of blogs on the reserve, the last fourteen months ago, I’ll limit my words this time and allow the images to speak louder. We only managed a distant sighting of the young male rhino, now grown in to an expert vehicle mock-charger. Bring it on! I secretly wished to experience such, but he didn’t even notice us with his head buried in the veld about twenty meters away from the vehicle, munching away on the lush grass. Never in my entire life have I tasted a more succulent and perfectly cooked piece of kingklip fish. This is no exaggeration. Compliments to the chef!

Oct 11

Return to Namibia

Finally I get to visually return to Namibia… I thought I’d lost all my photographs from the first time I arrived in the UK, September 2000, until around 2012, just after I returned to South Africa. My external hard drive had crashed, devouring all my photos from every trip I’d been on while living in Europe: Thailand, Turkey, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany and the list goes on. Devastated was not the word… The other day my friend mentioned he had a copy of every photo I’d taken while we travelled together. Of course! I’d sent him a copy of our memories after every trip, and he’d done the same for me. Right now I couldn’t be more delighted. I’ve started going through our Namibia trip and the only problem is I want to return with my more professional camera kit – I, after all, upgraded from a Canon to a Nikon – and experience every moment again. Somebody twist my arm! The first time I visited Namibia was for a friend’s wedding in 2006 and I promised myself I had to return. Two years later, (I can’t believe it’s seven years ago) I […]

Jun 16

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Dubai, Nature, Off-Road, Safari, Sunset 4 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, bbq, BeanOn Photography, camel riding, Desert Safari, Dubai Desert, Dubai Diary, dune bashing, Exploring, Marsh Fun Travel & Tours, nature, Off-road, quad-biking, Sunset

Dubai Diary: Dubai-Desert-Safari

My Dubai Diary, a total of 4 days experiencing Dubai, a thrill-seeking 4×4 dune bashing during a Dubai-Desert-Safari. Just after 3:30pm a driver from Marsh Fun Travel & Tours picked us up and drove us, just over an hour to the desert. As they offer tailor-made itineraries, we opted to hire a 4×4 vehicle and driver for just the two of us (ooh there’s a song in that somewhere…) to avoid sharing with other tourists. Just before the 4-wheel-drive safari started, we were able to freshen up, drink tea or water while the tyres on the vehicle were deflated. A hot wind didn’t provide any relief from the 40 degree Celsius heat and 69% humidity. Durban’s mild, cool even, in comparison to Dubai. Almost 20 minutes of already dune bashing, the driver asked if we wanted to experience speed. “Yes,” I shouted excitedly. Oh how I wished I had my Suzuki Jimny – it made me ache with nostalgia, and especially crave off-roading in KwaZulu-Natal. The driver sped up to a high ridge of a dune and the vehicle had to be counter steered so as not to flip and roll down the other side. Oh so […]

Feb 10

Umdloti sunset and moonrise

While briskly walking along beach late afternoon, the cloud formations shouted out, get in to the sugar cane fields, up that hill and capture what’s about to be a stunning Umdloti sunset and moonrise. With my camera equipment already in my car, we tackled the tracks amidst the fields; changing to low range 4×4, we ploughed through the soft red earth and climbed to reach the peak, the ideal viewpoint. Seized by a dramatic vista – composed of Boeings flying alongside the setting sun, heading towards King Shaka Airport, Sibaya Casino to the left and the moon rising over the Indian Ocean. A basket filled with picnic food was the only thing missing…

Dec 24

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Cycling, Nature, Off-Road, Safari, Wildlife 0 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Challenge, cycling, Early morning, Gwahumbe Game Reserve, Jimny, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Rhino, Rugged Terrain, South Africa, Suzuki, Suzuki Jimny, Wildlife

Fancy mountain biking with a rhino?

Can you even imagine mountain biking with a rhino…? Well, unfortunately – of course I did it hoping for the ultimate experience, a beastly encounter that would make the heart drop to the foot and adrenalin force the blood to violently pump – it didn’t happen while on two wheels. After exhausting ourselves by bicycle through the spectacular Gwahumbe (Saturday morning, 13 December) a favourite private game reserve for a day visit (because of the rugged landscape, and amazingly it’s just over an hour’s dive from Durban), we jumped in to my Jimny. The climb down to the hippo pool brought us head-on with the rhino. We ensured we kept our distance, and that he was aware of our presence. A non existent exist strategy caused the brain to deal with many jumbled thoughts – in other words, we were trapped. He appeared to be relaxed, and while munching the grass on the edge of the track he glanced in our direction and moved closer and towards us. I felt my body stiffen, my heart do somersaults, goose flesh ripple all over my body the moment his nose touched, albeit it a gentle touch, the Jimny’s nudge […]

Nov 21

Phinda Vlei Lodge

A second visit to stunning Phinda, this time two nights and three days at Vlei Lodge exceeds all expectations once again. After all, each of the six private suites has its own swimming pool overlooking the vlei (wetland) on the edge of a forest. Despite all being booked, the lodge feels as peaceful as the surrounding bushveld. Upon arrival, about a three-hour drive from King Shaka Airport, Friday lunchtime, a two-course meal awaits to fill the gap until high tea is served just before the evening game drive. Of course it is not compulsory to eat everything; however, when the five-star quality food tastes as good as it looks #ResistanceIsFutile. I probably ate a month’s worth of calories in three days – who keeps score when one’s on holiday anyway? Not to forget the three course dinner, snacks served in the middle of the bush during the game drives, morning and evening and then the hearty breakfast which consisted of your own personal continental buffet tray brought to rest alongside the table, for nibbling on while a hot plate of whatever your taste buds crave is being prepared. All meals are served out on the open deck, weather permitting, […]

Sep 23

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road 4 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Challenge, Exploring, Highest Pub in Africa, Jimny, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Rugged Terrain, Sani Pass, South Africa, Suzuki Jimny

Sani Pass adventure

A first I’d never driven a vehicle up Sani Pass – experienced it a few times as a passenger and even walked it a couple of years ago in just over 2.5 hours – and couldn’t wait to experience the thrill in my Jimny. Well, it turned in to more than a Sani Pass adventure anyone could have bargained for. Road trip With the day off from work on Friday, we departed mid-morning for Mkomazana Mountain Cottages where we spent two nights enjoying a log fire and freshly baked scones (best scones ever tasted) brought to us first thing on both mornings – the closest accommodation before San Pass, about 3kms on dirt road after the Sani Pass Hotel. Replenish At Himeville Arms we relished a late lunch and took pleasure in stretching our legs after almost a 2.5 hours drive. If only we’d driven 500m past Himeville Arms where we discovered a quaint café with outdoor seating – it appeared new and fresh and worth a visit, which we did the following day for lunch. Definitely worth it and even offered traditional home-style cooking such as bobotie. Rustic yet comfortable Upon dumping our […]

Aug 05

by Nicola in 4x4, Off-Road, Sugarcane, Sunset, Umdloti beach 0 comments tags: 4x4, BeanOn Photography, Indian Ocean, Off-road, Sugarcane fields, Suzuki Jimny, Umdloti beach

Chasing the sunset

I started through the sugar cane fields and then ended up on the beach, desiring to capture the red ball sink down behind the Mdloti River and I just missed it; too much delirious joy while ‘skiing’ through sand.

Jul 28

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road 2 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Exploring, Jimny, Off-road, Rugged Terrain, Suzuki

#ResistanceIsFutile

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 […]

Jul 12

by Nicola in Nature, Off-Road, Sugarcane, Sunset, Uncategorized 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Indian Ocean, Jimny, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Sugarcane fields, Sunset, Suzuki Jimny

Panoramic Umdloti

A stunning way to end the working week with an off-road spin through the sugarcane fields to the top, to the panoramic top. Top of Umdloti; 360 degrees of beauty – beauty truly is in the heart of the beholder. Is not beauty magnanimous for those who desire it? When nature calls, I must go; allow the beauty of nature to transform…

Jul 02

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Off-Road 0 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Challenge, Early morning, Father's Day, Jimny, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Rugged Terrain, Suzuki Jimny, Toyota Fortuner

Jimny VS Fortuner Challenge

Right back in the saddle – or in my case, off-road, grinning, behind the wheel of my new Jimny – I thought the best thing to do is a challenge. I put my Jimny up against my dad’s Fortuner (3.0 D-4D 4×4) at Killarney 4×4 track this past Father’s Day. Well, let me just say that my camera captured the scenery as expertly as ever. The End. Okay! Confession time. Pops’ Fortuner beat my Jimny. Impossible, I know. Dumbfounding, absolutely. That’s it – do points really matter? No, a win is a win, as the die-hard Sharks’ rugby fans always mutter. No, it has nothing to do with the driver. I tried every line possible and the wheels in the air caused the wheels in the dirt to churn out the sand – evil dust devils from every direction. Eventually, with my head hanging slightly lower than before, I congratulated Pops! After days of going through the motions and wondering what I could have done differently, we decided that due to not deflating my tyres caused my distress. Challenge back ON! Watch this space – it will be taking place towards […]

Jun 08

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Off-Road 2 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, Gwahumbe Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, road accident, Rugged Terrain, Suzuki Jimny, Warwick Triangle

Suzuki Jimny: life saver!

I wouldn’t normally post a blog such as this; however, I want people to be aware of the danger associated with careless driving and speed, and of course I have to say thank you… On Friday, 9th May, 2014, we left Gwahumbe after exploring the reserve in my Suzuki Jimny – taking it to its limits through the rivers and down the 4×4 only tracks. I didn’t think my Jimny could have impressed me more until an hour later when we reached the new bridge over the Warwick Triangle. As I was slowing down in the middle lane to join the stationary cars stopped at the red traffic light, I looked into my rear-view mirror and spotted a truck hurtling towards us at top speed from the left lane. I tried to get out the way by moving in to the right lane where the truck hit the back of us and rammed the left side of my Jimny before it jumped in to the air twice before smashing into the barrier. The truck skidded into 10 other vehicles. If I was in my Kia Picanto only a month earlier I don’t think Peter, siting […]

May 30

by Nicola in Nature, Wildlife 0 comments tags: African bush, BeanOn Photography, Big 5, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern KZN, Off-road, Wildlife, Zululand

Africa’s Prize

…to be kept secret. Recently I read an article, a plea, to not reveal the name of game reserves that still have rhinos. “Please be careful when sharing photos on social media. They can lead poachers to our rhino. Turn off geotag function and do not disclose where the photo was taken.” This reserve, in the heart of Zululand, visited at the beginning of the month, is still fortunate enough to have many and all with their horns attached. A couple of weeks go another private game reserve was a target; the target hit. Before the second game drive ended we spotted the Big 5 – Africa’s prize; the elusive one only just visible, resting in the tall, dry grass less than 10 meters from the topless vehicle. I’ve experimented with black and white and feel they work, better than expected – I couldn’t have asked for better lighting especially for the landscapes.

Apr 28

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road, Wildlife 0 comments tags: 4x4, BeanOn Photography, Gwahumbe Game Reserve, hippo pool, lookout, Off-road, panoramas, rough-terrain, vistas, Wildlife

Gwahumbe Game Reserve

Less than an hour’s drive from Pinetown and you’ll find yourself amidst spectacular surroundings in KwaZulu-Natal. Every turn, every bump on the 4×4 track at Gwahumbe Game Reserve is presented with a breath-taking vista; 2×4 wheel drive vehicles would also thrive, however, there is the option of being driven around by a ranger on a partly covered all-terrain vehicle/s belonging to the reserve. After exploring – the cave, river crossings, views of the pea-green hippo pool from Thirsty’s Deck, water falling into a weir and an almost head-on collision with a male rhino standing guard to a herd of wildebeest and zebra – we could not resist dining at the main lodge’s restaurant overlooking gardens brimming with indigenous vegetation where we were showered with uncompromising hospitality and sensational and hearty food. At the end, when paying our way at reception we almost insisted that they’d made a mistake when they’d taken off the entrance to the reserve from the total due to us enjoying a meal at the lodge. A 4-star lodge that should boast 5-star for the scenery alone. One of the activities includes mountain biking; imagine coming face to face with a rhino – oh the adrenaline. Guess […]

Apr 13

by Nicola in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road, Wildlife 0 comments tags: 4x4, Adventure, BeanOn Photography, Early morning, Exploring, KwaZulu-Natal, Off-road, Rugged Terrain, Tala Private Game Reserve, Wildlife

Tala Private Game Reserve

Tala Private Game Reserve, a stunning wildlife sanctuary, amidst green sugarcane fields, is only a 30 minute drive from the Mariannhill Toll Plaza, Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal. Stuart Hicove purchased the cattle ranch in 1988 and then turned it into a game ranch that stretches 3200ha and is home to white rhino, giraffe, blue wildebeest, kudu, eland, nyala, sable, waterbuck, reedbuck, common duiker, warthog and a large variety of bird species. The serenity, quietness – wildlife sounds – is an instant dose of calmness; a temporary reprieve from everyday turbulence. Day visitors are welcome, and a nominal entrance fee is payable at the gate. Office hours: 7:00am to 5:00pm Gate times: 7:00am to 7:00pm (Summer) 7:00am to 5:00pm (Winter) Guides are available for game drives and bush walks. There are picnic sites overlooking the rock pool and a restaurant at the main lodge.