Ask ten people at a fuel stop what they’re doing and you’ll get ten answers. “Just a road trip.” “We’re touring the Garden Route.” “Overlanding, ja.” And then, from the guy with the roof tent, the snorkel and the spotless recovery tracks: “We’re going on safari.” They might all be…
Continue Reading....Author: Rudy Maritz
Go (Away) Canvas? The 5-Star Craft and 1-Star Service Divide
Go Canvas on Jones Street in Parow East holds a 3.7-star rating on Google from 25 reviews. That average hides how divided those reviews are. There are no 2, 3 or 4-star ratings at all, only the top mark and the bottom one. Customers don’t describe an average experience at…
Continue Reading....South Africa’s longest 4×4 Route
Some journeys are measured in kilometres. This one is measured in landscapes. The Namakwa-Richtersveld 4×4 Eco Trail is South Africa’s longest official 4×4 route. It runs for roughly 600 km, from the dusty N14 town of Pofadder in the east to Alexander Bay, where the Orange River empties into the…
Continue Reading....WTG to Launch TravelPod in 2027
Great news! We have now finalised the development of our Reciprocal Concierge Service in South Africa and will be recruiting and training a group of Remote Operators in South Africa. The first Training Course starts on 31 October 2026. This Personal Development Program consists of 8 modules and covers everything…
Continue Reading....The KT8900 Mobile Radio: A Practical Guide to a Compact Dual-Band Workhorse
If you’ve ever wanted a proper radio in your vehicle without giving up dash space, the KT8900 is worth a look. It’s a compact dual-band mobile transceiver, and the manual shows it packs in more than its size suggests. Here’s what it offers and how to get started. The headline…
Continue Reading....Winelands Light Railway: Lovely Idea, But Don’t Plan Your Trip Around It
What The Gravel advisory for travellers A miniature railway in the Cape Winelands sounds like an easy win for a road trip. The Winelands Light Railway, a small steam and electric park near Stellenbosch, opened in December 2019 and is promoted as a family destination. Its own listings describe a…
Continue Reading....Travelling with Pets in South Africa: What to Expect from Our New Series
For a lot of us, the road trip doesn’t feel right without the whole family in the vehicle, and that includes the ones with fur, feathers and whiskers. Over the coming weeks, What The Gravel is launching a series on travelling with pets, written for South Africans who would rather…
Continue Reading....Best Clubs to Start Your Off-Road Lifestyle
A starter guide to 4×4 clubs and associations in Southern Africa Buying a 4×4 is the easy part. Learning to drive it properly, recover it safely and find the good trails is where most people get stuck. The fastest shortcut is a club. Members bring decades of pooled experience, many…
Continue Reading....Roadtripping the Overberg: Wheat, Water and Wide Open Roads
Less than two hours from Cape Town, the Overberg trades traffic for rolling wheat fields, blue-grey mountains and roads that seem to have all the time in the world. There is a moment on the road between Villiersdorp and Caledon when the landscape simply opens up. The hills roll out…
Continue Reading....The Fine Print That Follows You Over the Border: Renting a 4×4 for Cross-Border Travel
You’ve found the perfect vehicle: a double-cab with a roof tent, a second spare, a fridge, and a recovery kit. The daily rate looks great, and you’re already picturing the Kalahari at sunrise. Then, at the rental desk, a few small lines get added to the contract. A letter fee.…
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