It’s about the journey
“It’s not just about pitching a tent, but the journey getting there and what can we do when we are there. Whether its sleeping under a waterfall, outdoor adventure, cycle trails, kayaking, mountain climbing, fishing, diving and even glamping, it's quite unique, extreme and extravagant, all the while appreciating our stunning country,” he says.
To get the most of out of his extreme thrills, he completed his first 4x4 lesson earlier this year and has gone from being a novice 4x4 driver to tackling some of the country’s most unforgiving terrain in his Jimny kitted out with Dunlop tyres.
When it came to tyre selection for the series, Visser says, “We wanted a more rugged look. We wanted beauty as well as practicality. Feedback from a number of online forums I visited was that they go for the Grandtrek AT5. It’s a fantastic tyre that I trusted 100%.
“Throughout the journey, we had no problems like flats or sidewall cuts, no matter how rugged the terrain became. We lost only one tyre on the whole trip and it was on a really horrible, jagged road near Loeriesfontein?in the Northern Cape, that was being scraped and graded as we drove through.”
Visser said he thoroughly enjoyed taking on this expedition with Dunlop. “I loved the tyres! It was fantastic going through snow, mud, sand and mountains exploring routes like Raman’s Drift, the Namakwa?4x4?eco?trail and Shipwreck 4x4 Trail, and seeing nature raw and beautiful.”
Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA), which produces the iconic Dunlop tyre brand, has been a strong supporter of South Africans playing their part to boost the country’s badly beaten tourism sector during the pandemic in line with fluctuating lockdown restrictions.
CEO Lubin Ozoux says, “We are looking forward to watching this thrilling road trip to remote destinations unfold and hope it inspires many more South Africans to travel domestically and try to do it in a safe and responsible way. We’re proud to have the most extensive range of SUV and 4x4 tyres in the country, which are perfect for a safe and comfortable ride, whether you’re taking on offroad or urban adventures.”
To follow Dewald Visser’s journey, watch Mal Kamper at 19h30 every Saturday from 8 January on kykNET (DStv channel 144). You can also catch repeats on Sundays at 14h00, Mondays at 13h00, Tuesdays at 10h00, Wednesdays at 16h00 and Fridays at 21h30.
For more information on how Dunlop Grandtrek tyres can take you to places uncharted, visit www.dunloptyres.co.za/grandtrek-uncharted.