9. Oops. On our
return to South Africa, the map led us straight to a diamond mine. It is
possible to pass through the property, but only with written permission that
must be obtained weeks prior to your trip. We did not perform that sort of
planning so we had to backtrack to another border crossing.
10. We were
cutting it close on time at the border, but fortunately the ferry across the
Orange River was still running and we made it back to South Africa without
having to spend the night at the border. This is the longest river in South
Africa and forms the border with not only Namibia, but Lesotho as well.
This
is the longest river in South Africa and forms the border with not only
Namibia, but Lesotho as well.
Rent-A-Cruiser
Few vehicles conjure up images of the
African savannah like the 70 Series Toyota Land Cruiser. Toyota fans in the
States drool over these things, not just because they were never available
here, but for their rugged styling, reliable diesel engines, and factory
selectable lockers in axles that would leave Wrangler Rubicons with feelings of
inadequacy. The ‘11 79 Series Land Cruiser pickup we obtained from KEA Rentals
was definitely no-nonsense, with crank window rollers and rubber floor mats
inside. The naturally aspirated 1HZ diesel is as reliable as the sun coming up
every morning, but you might experience a few sunrises and sunsets before the
129 hp coaxes the heavy Cruiser up to speed. The engine was fed by dual
80-liter fuel tanks (42-gallon total capacity), which gave us an operating
range over 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) between fueling. The 1HZ engine was
backed by a five-speed manual transmission, part-time transfer case, and the
locked solid axles we mentioned above.
The
1HZ engine was backed by a five-speed manual transmission, part-time transfer
case, and the locked solid axles we mentioned above
To be honest, I was more excited about this
truck before the trip than after. While it never left us stranded (the highest
priority), the underpowered engine and mining truck suspension combination left
something to be desired. In the end, we would have happily traded it for an 80
Series Land Cruiser that is readily available stateside. The FZJ80 is no rocket
ship, but it is faster than the truck we rented and features a supple coil
suspension with the same beefy axles. KEA also offers Defenders, Toyota and
Nissan double cabs, and other 70 Series configured as recreation vehicles.
The
FZJ80 is no rocket ship, but it is faster than the truck we rented and features
a supple coil suspension with the same beefy axles. KEA also offers Defenders,
Toyota and Nissan double cabs, and other 70 Series configured as recreation
vehicles.
It is not the only business to offer
outfitted vehicles in southern Africa, nor is it the cheapest. When shopping
for a rental, be certain to ask plenty of questions to ensure you are getting
the best value, not just the cheapest price. Some questions to ask would
include:
·
What is covered by your insurance policy? (Tires
and windshields are regular casualties)
·
Do you have other locations I could return the
vehicle to if I wanted to do a one-way trip?
·
How many miles are on the vehicle I would be
renting?
·
What gear is included with the rental?
·
Do you offer discounts for certain times of the
year?
·
Do you offer discounts if I rent the vehicle for
an extended period of time?
1. The African Outback camper shell on our Land Cruiser featured an
integrated rooftop tent. This made it very easy to set up and take down, but
the process was easier with two people. The shell had no windows to deter
sticky hands and locked access doors in the back and both sides.
2. Rubber floor mats, crank windows, and a manual transmission. When
was the last time you saw these in the United States? We appreciated the
simplicity and reliability of these features when we were in the middle of
nowhere.
3. The bed of the 70 Series was fit with drawers and a well-secured
Engel freezer/fridge, along with two spare tires. We had packed light so there
was room to spare, but with this arrangement you could take everything you
would ever need and it would all be easily accessible.
