Your exceptional clip brought back vivid memories of my tagging along down the Van Zyl's Pass about 30 years ago - I dare say - we had more rocks to fill holes of the "road" ..... (🙂), thanks, Heinz Schultz
That was my green cruiser around the 14th minute, sadly left on the pass after rolling. That trip was my 7th decent of Van Zyl's (one of them in a VW Syncro nog al). I had stupidly engaged the front diff lock so when I had to make that critical turn to the left the steering was so tight I could not make the turn. The right front wheel stayed way too high and she rolled gently, blocking the road. There was no good anchor point on the right to winch the cruiser upright again, so we left it there and went back up the pass in my son's Hilux to notify authorities and get assistance. We were back again early the next day, but by then the Himbas had completely stripped it and carried everything away - engine, front axle, gear box, s/s water tanks and fuel tanks, roof top tent, fridge, solar panels, seats and all the camping kit. Gone! Somebody unblocked the pass by rolling the carcass over the edge. Bye bye cruiser and a big lesson learned about using front diff lock on a steep decent.
@rogerjorgensen2287 thank you so much for the message. I loved the story. I was really terrified of the pass and opted to work the drone and walk down. Our whole group drove safely down. One other question: Why have you done the pass 7 times? Thanks for watching
@rogerjorgensen2287 thank you so much for the message. I loved the story. I was really terrified of the pass and opted to work the drone and walk down. Our whole group drove safely down. One other question: Why have you done the pass 7 times? Thanks for watching
Our group in 2011 did the pass with a Mazda and Colt 2 x 4 later we also did the doods akker in Angola with the same two cars. Back in the sewenties someone did the Van Zyls pass in a VW Beetle apparently. Plenty fun I suppose.
Jean, thank you for watching. It's incredible that you did it in a Mazda and Colt. I was so scared doing it in a 4x4. The Doods akker is still on our bucket list. Maybe one day
Thanks for a great video. Van Zyls has been on my wish list for a long time. What is the camp on the Cunene (I’m guessing) at the end of the video? Now on my 2026 overlanding Radar!
Morning Larrie. Thanks for watching. We normally travel with BlueRhino 4x4 Safaris, and Chris does all the bookings. I have no idea what the camp was called. Apoplgies that I can't help. Keep this one on your bucket list it's well worth doing.
Huh.... I never knew those Fortuners have such a small ground clearance to the rear differential... My Duster has 30cm clearance and I would still be afraid... That's a weak spot right there. One solid bump and your vacation is 'more toe'... 😥
Doen julle maar, maar dis nie elke 4x4 ou se droom nie. Julle dames is OK daarmee, ander nie. Mense het al geskei oor minder as Van Zylzpas. Ek het lankal besluit om my Meesgeliefde in ag te neem, en sy hou nie hervan nie.
Baie dankie vir die kyk en vir die terugvoer. Van Zyl''s pas was nooit regtig op my droomlys nie maar die Marienfluss was. Saam met Bluerhino sal ek baie dinge aanpak, Chris weet wat hy doen en gelukkig is Albert baie versigtig met sy bakkie. Die Marienfluss is ongelooflik. Jou vrou is baie gelukkig dat jy haar in aanmerking neem. Dis magic. Pas haar op. Mooi bly
Good team work
Your exceptional clip brought back vivid memories of my tagging along down the Van Zyl's Pass about 30 years ago - I dare say - we had more rocks to fill holes of the "road" ..... (🙂), thanks, Heinz Schultz
That is awesome. Thank you for the video
Beautiful video, thanks
Thank you and thanks for watching
Baie dankie, Estelle!
Baie goeie beeldmateriaal van Van Zylspas. 🐾
That was my green cruiser around the 14th minute, sadly left on the pass after rolling. That trip was my 7th decent of Van Zyl's (one of them in a VW Syncro nog al). I had stupidly engaged the front diff lock so when I had to make that critical turn to the left the steering was so tight I could not make the turn. The right front wheel stayed way too high and she rolled gently, blocking the road. There was no good anchor point on the right to winch the cruiser upright again, so we left it there and went back up the pass in my son's Hilux to notify authorities and get assistance. We were back again early the next day, but by then the Himbas had completely stripped it and carried everything away - engine, front axle, gear box, s/s water tanks and fuel tanks, roof top tent, fridge, solar panels, seats and all the camping kit. Gone! Somebody unblocked the pass by rolling the carcass over the edge. Bye bye cruiser and a big lesson learned about using front diff lock on a steep decent.
@rogerjorgensen2287 thank you so much for the message. I loved the story. I was really terrified of the pass and opted to work the drone and walk down. Our whole group drove safely down. One other question: Why have you done the pass 7 times? Thanks for watching
@rogerjorgensen2287 thank you so much for the message. I loved the story. I was really terrified of the pass and opted to work the drone and walk down. Our whole group drove safely down. One other question: Why have you done the pass 7 times? Thanks for watching
Respect!
Our group in 2011 did the pass with a Mazda and Colt 2 x 4 later we also did the doods akker in Angola with the same two cars. Back in the sewenties someone did the Van Zyls pass in a VW Beetle apparently. Plenty fun I suppose.
Jean, thank you for watching. It's incredible that you did it in a Mazda and Colt. I was so scared doing it in a 4x4. The Doods akker is still on our bucket list. Maybe one day
Thanks for a great video. Van Zyls has been on my wish list for a long time.
What is the camp on the Cunene (I’m guessing) at the end of the video?
Now on my 2026 overlanding Radar!
Morning Larrie. Thanks for watching. We normally travel with BlueRhino 4x4 Safaris, and Chris does all the bookings. I have no idea what the camp was called. Apoplgies that I can't help. Keep this one on your bucket list it's well worth doing.
I wanna try this road.
It is worth the effort. Thanks for watching
Compliments to the marshaller. In most other videos of this location the marshallers are terrible, waving their fingers in all directions.
where does the road lead to
Van Zyl's pass is a short cut into the Marienfluss, as far as I know
Huh.... I never knew those Fortuners have such a small ground clearance to the rear differential... My Duster has 30cm clearance and I would still be afraid... That's a weak spot right there. One solid bump and your vacation is 'more toe'... 😥
We did previously owned a Fortuner as well, and you are correct, the ground clearance is a bit of a problem.
Doen julle maar, maar dis nie elke 4x4 ou se droom nie. Julle dames is OK daarmee, ander nie. Mense het al geskei oor minder as Van Zylzpas. Ek het lankal besluit om my Meesgeliefde in ag te neem, en sy hou nie hervan nie.
Baie dankie vir die kyk en vir die terugvoer. Van Zyl''s pas was nooit regtig op my droomlys nie maar die Marienfluss was. Saam met Bluerhino sal ek baie dinge aanpak, Chris weet wat hy doen en gelukkig is Albert baie versigtig met sy bakkie. Die Marienfluss is ongelooflik. Jou vrou is baie gelukkig dat jy haar in aanmerking neem. Dis magic. Pas haar op. Mooi bly
Hi. what is your facebook page adress?
Stefanus - Apologies for the late reply. FB : Dust Clouds - Stofstrepe.