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If you’ve ever told a South African you’re “having a BBQ,” you may have noticed a slight pause… followed by a look that says, “Bless your heart, but no.”  Because while the rest of the world may BBQ, we braai  — and the difference is not just semantic. It’s cultural. It’s emotional. It’s practically a national sport. Let’s unpack this sizzling debate. 🔥 The Fire Itself BBQ:  Gas. Maybe charcoal. Often started with the push of a button. Braai:  Wood. Always wood. Preferably f

Discover Africa’s most endangered coastal animals — from penguins and turtles to sharks and seahorses — and why their survival is critical to our oceans.

As the festive rush winds down and a new year begins, the KwaZulu-Natal coastline  remains a favourite destination for locals and holidaymakers alike. While the crowds may thin, the ocean stays as powerful and unpredictable as ever. The start of a new year is the perfect time to reset habits, reflect on safety, and enjoy the coast responsibly . Whether you’re planning early-morning swims, family beach days, or quiet coastal escapes, here’s a timely reminder of the key coastli

Whether you’re heading out on an overland adventure, a weekend camping trip, or a long day at the beach, keeping your cooler box cold can make or break the experience. Warm drinks and spoiled food are nobody’s idea of fun — especially when you’re deep in the bush. The good news? With the right prep and a few smart techniques, your cooler can stay icy cold for days. Here’s how to prep your cooler box properly — the Skitch Overland Gear way. ❄️ 1. Pre-Chill Your Cooler Box One

Vehicle recoveries are some of the most dangerous moments in off-road travel. A simple mistake can lead to serious injury, damaged vehicles, or worse. Whether you’re in the bush, on the beach, or deep in the mountains, safety must come first. Here are five critical things you should never  do during a recovery : 1️⃣ Never Use a Tow Ball for Recovery A tow ball is not  designed for recovery forces. Under load, it can shear off and become a deadly projectile. Always use a rated

The Loop That Teaches Patience The S56 isn’t just a road it’s a mood. One that changes by the hour. On a cool morning, I rolled out early with the INEOS Grenadier  idling low and the Three Lads & a Toucan  steaming strong. Within minutes, the bush began to wake ground hornbills booming, doves cooing, and a soft pink sky rolling open. The first lions were flat cats, sprawled across the opposite bank like spilled gold. Then came elephants dozens of them calves lying flat under

The Bag That Fights Back Every trip needs a bag that takes a beating. Mine was the Bal-Sak and it faced off with Kruger’s most persistent enemies, the squirrels. Twice they raided my camp, twice they failed. The Bal-Sak held firm, not a thread torn. I’m convinced you could run it over with the INEOS Grenadier  and it’d still look smug about it. It’s got this bold, animal-print camo wild dogs, vultures, the works that of course looks at home in the bush. And it’s big , bru. Y

Cold Drinks & Lazy Afternoons There’s something deeply satisfying about cracking a cold one at camp after a long, dusty drive. Especially when it’s been two days in 38-degree heat and there’s still ice. That’s what the Skitch Overlanding cooler  pulled off at Shingwedzi. Inspired by military ammo boxes, it took a full-blown baboon siege and still didn’t pop a latch. I’ve seen those guys break into cars, so that cooler earned my respect. The Skitch camp chair  was no less imp

Gear Built for the Grind Some clothes claim to be “made for adventure.” Tigerline proves it.After 3 000 km in the INEOS Grenadier , from Magobaskloof drizzle to Crooks Corner dust, the Tigerline shirt and vellies never missed a beat. The shirt stayed light, breathable, and quick-drying the kind you can sweat through and still wear to the braai. Those little magnetic chest pockets , originally for lures and hooks turned into multitool and beer-can holders. Genius.The vellies

Eyes Above the Grass In the bush, you don’t always find the big moments, sometimes, they find you. I was rolling along the S50 when I noticed a giraffe standing dead still, neck stretched, eyes locked on the thicket. That’s your cue! Giraffes don’t stare for fun; they’ve seen something worth staring at. I followed its gaze, and sure enough a male lion cutting through the bush like a moving shadow. Moments later, I found his brother and a lioness in the road, deep in their mat

Where Borders Blur At Kruger’s far north tip, the Limpopo  curves into a place once famous for smugglers and gun-runners. They called it Crooks Corner , and for good reason, a man could cross one river and escape three governments in a minute. Today, it’s quieter, just crocodiles sliding through muddy water and fish eagles calling from fever trees. Standing there, you can feel history humming underfoot. The INEOS Grenadier  stood idling nearby, dust-covered however unbothere

Morning Fuel, Bush-Style Out here, coffee isn’t just caffeine it’s ceremony. Before sunrise, I boil the kettle, breathe in the mopani air, and Three Lads & a Toucan  into the mug. Add a teaspoon of hot chocolate, a dash of Amarula, and you’ve got the ranger’s secret recipe. It’s strong enough to wake a giraffe and smooth enough to make you late for your own game drive. At Shingwedzi , I shared it with neighbours and strangers alike. No one ever said no. That’s the beauty of

A Workhorse With Manners From Joburg to Crooks Corner, the INEOS Grenadier Quartermaster  carried me through every kind of surface tar, sand, mud, and bone shaking gravel without flinching. The straight-six petrol engine purred smooth and strong; doors closed with that satisfying vault “thunk.” On long days it felt less like driving and more like captaining a ship through the bush steady, solid, and calm. After a couple of weeks, 3 000 km, and a few baboon proof tests, nothin

The Secret’s in the Silence They say you never find a leopard it finds you. But there are ways to help your luck along . That afternoon on the S56 , the bush was still and gold when I noticed fresh tracks in the sand, round and confident. The INEOS Grenadier  idled quietly while I scanned the riverbank through my SBK Sunglasses . The glare melted away and there he was. A young male, half-hidden in dappled light, rubbing against a leadwood trunk before vanishing like smoke. Th

There’s something about the South African landscape that makes it perfect for ghost stories: the old stone ruins under the big African sky and abandoned buildings covered in vines. And since it’s that spooky season again, we’re flipping the script here at KhakiBush. Usually, we’re all about hiking trails, heritage routes and conservation conversations… but this October, we’re going off-trail into the eerie corners of Mzansi that most don’t dare to explore. So, fire up the tor

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