The Convoy is Rolling Trip Report

Forward to 2017 and I am one of those Defender enthusiasts, that despite my own perceptions and best intent, admittedly lacks the physical rigour and probably mental capacity to compete or partake in such events, thanks to years behind a desk. Notwithstanding, the fact that I own, drive (daily) and love my Defender.

Imagine then, my surprise when I meet a man named Johan Kriek, now affectionately now known as “Kriekskie” - slender and towering with a rugged albeit sparse facial hair situation with a shared admiration of the iconic brand, whom let’s me know about the return of the Defender Trophy. With a reassuring, yet confident tone he mutters after several inspired questions from my direction: “Ja-nee man, kom saam”

Me, do a Defender Trophy! But… I have no knowledge of bamboo bridge construction, nor could I carry vehicle parts on my back across raging rivers. Then, there’s the mental endurance issue, and honestly it’s better to button up my designer outdoor gear, trust me. But I do like the idea. A lot!

Cut then, to very little further convincing and the lead-up, of what is “sold” to me as a family event. Leaving Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon to make the 10am next-day start would require some night driving – nothing an intrepid and fearless explorer such as myself can’t handle.

Seven hours of gruelling wind, a gushing rain-storm and remarkably poor B-roads (read: national road to Polokwane, yes the N1, average to light rain and a mild easterly) to a Copa-Copa bush-lodge near the Punda Maria gate of the Kruger National Park where the activities would commence… I am on the trophy and suddenly reality sets in at 01:37am. I find fragments of sleep in between the anticipation and consider for brief seconds those legends that built this fanciful notion.

We awake to a rather dreary Limpopo sky, amid excitement, we (I convinced my wife and daughter to join me as I conquer Limpopo - the last frontier for exploring man) see the distinctive box shaped vehicles spotted in a field and find some soaked tents…A chap named Tom, with a peculiar and may I add rather colourful hat, peers from the shutters and he rings out a hearty “Howdy mate!” – In good spirits for someone that made the journey from Zimbabwe the day before.

A quick walk to the gate, reveals a mass of BF Goodrich flags, banners, inflated arches and branding as far as you can see, with off-course more of these beautiful vehicles adorned in stickers from willing sponsors.

Great fanfare! Drums and dancers, many people and off course palpable enthusiasm as we are set off in interval to follow a set of pre-determined co-ordinates and make our way into the Thamavudzi mountains to follow the infamous Levuvhu 4x4 eco-trail and then into the wild Makuya Park. This section proves challenging, as literally minutes in, a rather sobering call comes over the radio while navigating the wet and clay-rutted path, drenched from the previous evening “I’m off, I’m off”.

Not too long after, I’m in the mud armed with recovery straps desperately trying to remember all that information from the off-road course I did 4 years ago and having delusions of grandeur about my importance in all of this as a formidable participant in the Trophy. Albeit for about two minutes until we get “Fourie” out of the ditch and he could help himself again.

The rest of the day we carved through brush, followed two-spoor paths and made our way to the Luvuvhu river through incredible topography and awe-inspiring sights, to where we’d hunker down for the night on the banks, against a back-drop of moonlit rock-face and some nearby hippo. A suitable explorers bonfire with new friends, equally inspired and obviously as thirsty as me after the adrenaline filled exploration of the day.

Day two started somewhat slower, few scuttling to get their gear packed as the horn sounded for a briefing. A couple of pointed words, new co-ordinates for the day and a circle-like gesture in the air from Kriekskie, then the convoy was rolling again. Making our way to Awelani Lodge, 12 Km’s from the Kruger National Park Pafuri gate for another evening of exchanging stories about our now ever-growing and increasingly confident conquest of the North.

The last day, we followed the Madimbo corridor along the Limpopo river, which forms the boundary between South Africa and Zimbabwe. We teasingly enquired if Tom felt the need to go home (which was on the other side of this river), but that crazy Englishman was adamant he’s continuing.. odd-hat and all.

So, we did. Cutting through Poppalin game ranch to access the wide Limpopo for some fun in the sun, Defender style! 50 contenders and 25 vehicles from South Africa, Zimbabwe, U.K and Australia competed for the biggest splash and most impressive desktop picture, followed by a quick stop at the white lion breeding programme on-route to prize-giving that evening at Awelani lodge. Ready with a warm meal and refreshments for what can only be equalled to a youthful new-years celebration.

First prize went to a very deserving father-and-son team, Brendan & Evann Lowe whom diligently found every tree name, navigated the mysterious co-ordinates and figured out that “apparently” a cow has two teets on an udder (Really?) – Gaining them a brand new set of BF Goodrich KO2’s. Second, went to Nic Smart & Mike Miller – and from what I could tell, they deserved the drinking trophy as well. Third was rounded up by Alan & Kayle Faul, Barry Fourie & Johan van Wyk, David Wafer & Joe de Bruin. This, now that I think about it was made up of about five vehicles, which would explain why I only got 7th. Then again, If you visit the Facebook page there’s about 25 “winners”, which means no one really technically lost either.

All I can conclude is, that, if like me you are a middle-aged, mild-mannered family man and you happen to find a Defender in your garage. Get on the Trophy! It’s an experience that will put some much needed excitement back in your life, provide a couple of days of escape for the family and just maybe, you find yourself undoing one more button of that khaki-shirt as you drive home with that sticker on the back and a smirk that will remain for long after.

- Written by JJ Opperman