SOME TRACKS
OF THE LAST YEARS
We welcome you to our journey's tracks at Gravel & Salt, where we, Frederik and Tatjana, share the stories of our adventures. Together, we've driven through diverse places, steering our Defender through unique cultures and landscapes. These tracks aren't just roads; they're memories etched into our journey. Join us as we unfold the personal stories behind each trail, where our Defender isn't just a car – it's a witness to the moments that make us who we are.
SOUTH AFRICA // NAMIBIA // BOTSWANA
ZIMBABWE // EUROPE // NORTH AFRICA
some of our tracks ... take a look around
COUNTRY
SOUTH AFRICA
OCT 2024 / APR-JUN 2025
ZA.01
2024.OCT
CEDERBERG WILDERNESS AREA
The Cederberg, a rugged gem just outside Cape Town, captivated us with its diverse landscapes and towering mountains. This region offers endless opportunities for adventure, from hiking to rock climbing, each activity revealing a new side of its natural beauty. We journeyed through the Cederberg, camping at various sites along the way, and were mesmerized by the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets that painted the sky. While exploring, we found that distances between spots were long, so careful planning is essential for making the most of this unforgettable destination.
ZA.02
2024.OCT
RICHTERSVELD WHS
Once a conservancy, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Namakwa region stands as one of the only two deserts in the world with such rich biodiversity. We were captivated by the vast, sweeping views as we drove a portion of the Namakwa 4x4 Eco Trail. This week-long adventure winds through both the Richtersveld and Namakwa routes, offering the chance to camp at a new site each night. With no one else in sight, we enjoyed the solitude at our chosen campsite before continuing our journey towards Namibia.
ZA.03
2025.APR
MATLA NOKA
Crossing back into South Africa from Botswana, our first stop was the Matla Noka Private Reserve along the Limpopo River. Once farmland, it has been lovingly rewilded, offering a glimpse of untouched bushveld where game roam freely. We camped beneath mopane trees, listening to the sounds of the wild and watching the sun sink behind the river. Far from any crowds, Matla Noka felt peaceful and raw – a perfect welcome back to South Africa before we continued our journey south.
ZA.04
2025.APR
BOTSALANO
Our journey continued south to the Botsalano Game Reserve, a hidden gem near the Botswana border. Known for its rolling hills and open grasslands, it offered a change of scenery after the dry bush. Here, we met fellow travelers – Christof and Vanessa, Kenneth and his wife – and shared stories around the campfire as the stars appeared one by one. Botsalano is home to rhinos, antelope, and countless birds, yet it remains quiet and uncrowded. It was one of those places where time slows down, and good company makes the wild even more special.
ZA.05
2025.APR
MOKALA NP
Further south, we stopped at the Mokala National Park, another gem we could visit for free with our Wild Card. Known as South Africa’s “park of endangered species,” Mokala offers a peaceful mix of rolling hills, camel thorn trees, and wide-open savannah. We spent the evening watching the light fade over the koppies while herds of sable antelope and buffalo grazed nearby. The campsites are quiet and beautifully maintained – the kind of place that makes you want to stay longer than planned. Mokala felt like the perfect farewell to the wild north before heading deeper into the Karoo.
ZA.06
2025.APR
KAROO PLAINS
In the heart of the Karoo plains near Luckhoff, we found the perfect place to slow down and celebrate Tatjana’s birthday. The wide horizons, endless silence, and soft golden light made it feel almost otherworldly. We set up camp under the vast Karoo sky, cooked dinner over the fire, and watched the stars appear – one after another, until the sky was completely alive. It was a simple celebration, but one filled with laughter, gratitude, and the kind of peace only the open road can bring. A night to remember in the quiet beauty of the Karoo.
ZA.07
2025.APR
BAVIANSKLOOF
Tucked between rugged mountains in the Eastern Cape, the Baviaanskloof is one of South Africa’s most beautiful and remote routes. The gravel road winds through valleys, river crossings, and steep mountain passes – a real adventure for any overlander. Depending on the rainfall, the water crossings can range from shallow trickles to deep streams that demand both skill and patience. We took our time, enjoying the ever-changing scenery and the sense of true wilderness. By nightfall, we found a quiet spot to camp under the stars, surrounded by the wild heart of the Baviaanskloof.
ZA.08
2025.APR
SWARTBERG RESERVE
The Swartberg Nature Reserve welcomed us with dramatic mountain views, winding gravel passes, and a sense of untouched wilderness. Driving through this rugged landscape felt like stepping back in time – steep cliffs, deep valleys, and silence broken only by the wind. During the rainy season, some sections of the track include water crossings, adding an extra layer of adventure to the journey. Each turn revealed a new view – from rocky gorges to green slopes dotted with fynbos. We camped beneath the towering peaks, grateful for the quiet beauty and the raw charm of the Swartberg.
ZA.09
2025.APR
TANKWA KAROO
Our final stop brought us to the Tankwa Karoo National Park, where vast silence and endless horizons define the landscape. We stayed for several days on a remote campsite – just us, the wind, and the wide-open view that felt like it stretched into forever. The sunsets painted the desert in gold and orange, and at night the sky came alive with more stars than we could ever count. It was the perfect ending to our journey – peaceful, raw, and deeply grounding. The Tankwa reminded us why we fell in love with overlanding in the first place.
COUNTRY
NAMIBIA
OCT-NOV 2024
NAM.01
2024.OCT
AI / AIS
Ai-Ais Richtersveld is a place where the earth’s most extreme landscapes come to life. Straddling the border between Namibia and South Africa, this unique corner of the world feels like a land untouched by time. The Ai-Ais side of the Richtersveld is known for its rugged desert terrain, jagged mountains, and sweeping valleys that seem to stretch endlessly. As we drove through the area, the landscape felt like a series of ever-changing, dramatic scenes, from towering cliffs to vast stretches of barren land.
NAM.02
2024.OCT
FISHRIVER CANYON
A highlight of our visit of the Karas region was the awe-inspiring Fish River Canyon – standing at the edge of this massive natural wonder, it’s impossible not to feel the weight of the earth’s ancient history. The Karas region is a place for reflection, adventure, and discovery, where nature’s power is on full display in every sweeping vista.
NAM.03
2024.OCT
KARAS
The Karas Region in southern Namibia feels like a hidden treasure, a place where the desert meets dramatic mountain landscapes. As we journeyed through this remote part of the country, the wide-open spaces and quiet roads offered a sense of peaceful solitude. The region’s raw beauty is both humbling and inspiring, with towering cliffs and rolling plains that seem to stretch endlessly.
NAM.04
2024.OCT
NAMIB DESERT
The Namib Desert is a place where time moves differently. With its endless stretches of red dunes, rugged mountain ranges, and the vast, unbroken horizon, it’s a landscape that humbles you with its sheer size and silence. Driving through the heart of this ancient desert, we found ourselves surrounded by nothing but sand and sky, the stillness broken only by the occasional whisper of the wind. We spent our nights camped beneath a blanket of stars, the air cool and crisp, and the world around us feeling both vast and intimate at the same time.
NAM.05
2024.NOV
SOSSUSVLEI
There are places in the world that feel like they’ve been frozen in time, and Sossusvlei is one of them. Known for its iconic, towering red dunes, this surreal landscape is like no other. We woke up early to catch the first light of dawn as it painted the dunes in shades of orange and gold. The quiet was almost tangible as we made our way to Deadvlei, the eerie, otherworldly clay pan surrounded by giant dunes and ancient, bleached trees standing like silent sentinels. Walking through this desolate landscape, it felt like stepping into another world – one where time stands still. The beauty and isolation of Sossusvlei, and especially Deadvlei, left us speechless, a powerful reminder of the desert's timeless allure.
NAM.06
2024.NOV
NAMIB NAUKLUFT
Vast, silent, and endlessly shifting, Namib-Naukluft National Park felt like the heart of Namibia’s desert soul. Driving through this surreal landscape, we were surrounded by endless gravel plains, wind-sculpted mountains, and towering dunes that faded into the horizon. It's a place where time stretches out and the silence wraps around you like a blanket. We camped deep inside the park, far from any roads or lights, with the night sky spilling stars above our rooftop tent. The air was crisp, the stillness complete.
NAM.07
2024.NOV
SPITZKOPPE
Rising out of the desert like a giant island of stone, Spitzkoppe is one of those places that feels almost mythical. Its red granite peaks catch the light at sunrise and sunset, glowing in warm tones that shift with every hour. As we arrived, the landscape opened up into a dreamlike scene of towering boulders, rock arches, and ancient San rock art hidden in quiet corners. We found a campsite tucked right between the rocks – no fences, no noise, between the mountains. Climbing to a lookout point in the late afternoon, we watched the shadows stretch across the desert floor while the sky turned soft and pastel.
NAM.08
2024.NOV
DOROB NATIONAL PARK
Stretching between the Atlantic coast and the inland desert, Dorob National Park is where Namibia’s contrasts truly come to life. We drove for hours through wide, open gravel plains, with the ocean mist slowly giving way to rocky outcrops and ancient desert landscapes. The road led us deep into the park, all the way to the awe-inspiring Messum Crater – a vast, otherworldly basin that feels like stepping onto another planet. Along the way, we passed lichen fields, strange rock formations, and signs of life that somehow thrive in this harsh environment. We set up camp near a dry riverbed, with sand under our feet and the wind whispering through the silence. It was a quiet, humbling stop – a reminder of how vast and raw Namibia truly is.
NAM.09
2024.NOV
UGAB RIVER
Winding its way through Namibia’s rugged Damaraland, the Ugab River felt like a place of quiet drama. Dry for most of the year, this wide riverbed is flanked by towering cliffs, dusty plains, and the occasional oasis of green. We followed its course along gravel tracks, eyes scanning the horizon – this is desert-adapted elephant territory, after all. And to our surprise, we did spot one lone elephant, still roaming the area, unbothered and majestic in the afternoon light. It was a special encounter that added a layer of magic to our drive. Our wild campsite for the night was tucked against a sandstone bluff, with golden hour light painting the rocks around us. The Ugab felt raw and untouched – a place where nature writes its own rules.
NAM.10
2024.NOV
PALMWAG CONCESSION
Stretching across the rugged landscapes of northwestern Namibia, the Palmwag Concession felt like a wild, untamed frontier. Known as one of the last strongholds for desert-adapted elephants and black rhinos, this vast area is managed by the local community and blends conservation with sustainable tourism. Driving through the rocky valleys and dry riverbeds, we were struck by the silence – and the feeling that anything could appear around the next bend. We camped under a wide, starlit sky, with only the sounds of the night around us. It was a reminder of how nature and people can thrive together when given the space.
NAM.11
2024.NOV
JU'HOANSI SAN
Tucked away in the heart of Namibia, the Ju/'Hoansi Living Museum gave us one of the most meaningful experiences of our journey. More than just a visit, it felt like a step into another time – guided by the San community, we learned about their traditions, survival skills, and deep connection to the land. From making fire without matches to trying our hand at traditional hunting techniques, every moment was hands-on and full of insight. As the sun set over the red sand, we left with a deeper understanding of a culture that has lived in harmony with nature for thousands of years. A truly humbling stop before we continued north.
NAM.12
2024.DEC
MUDUMU NATIONAL PARK
A hidden gem in Namibia’s far northeast, Mudumu National Park offered us a completely different side of the country. Tucked away in the lush Zambezi Region, this remote park is home to elephants, hippos, and countless bird species, all thriving in the riverine forests and wetlands. It felt like a quiet, green contrast to the arid deserts we had seen before. We spent the night at a peaceful riverside campsite, undisturbed and surrounded by nature. It was the perfect final stop before we crossed the border and said goodbye – for now – to Namibia.
COUNTRY
BOTSWANA
NOV-DEC 2024 / MAR 2025
BWA.01
2024.NOV
CHOBE NP
Crossing into Botswana, the Chobe National Park was our first real taste of deep sand driving. Taking the cutline towards the main gate, the track quickly turned soft and challenging – the kind of sand that keeps you focused and your tyres aired down. But every bump was worth it. Along the way, we saw elephants, giraffes, and herds of antelope long before even reaching the park. Chobe’s wilderness feels raw and alive, with wildlife around every corner. It was a thrilling start to our Botswana adventure and a reminder of why we love travelling these wild, remote routes.
BWA.02
2024.DEC
KHWAI CONCESSION
Between Chobe and Moremi, the Khwai Concession Area turned out to be one of our absolute highlights. We camped at Maghoto, an unfenced site right on the river – wild, raw, and beautifully remote. One evening, lions passed just twenty metres behind our car, their low growls echoing through the night. Later, we heard a rhino grazing nearby, so close we could hear every breath. It’s the kind of place that makes your heart race and your soul feel alive. For anyone overlanding Botswana, Khwai is a must – pure wilderness at its best.
BWA.03
2024.DEC
MOREMI GAME RESERVE
At the heart of Botswana’s wilderness lies the Moremi Game Reserve, where the Okavango Delta unfolds in all its beauty. Floodplains, mopane forests, and winding waterways make this place feel truly alive. We camped close to the water, surrounded by hippos grunting in the distance and elephants crossing at sunset. Every drive offered something new – from leopards in the trees to herds of buffalo grazing by the marshes. But getting here isn’t easy: the tracks leading into and outside Moremi are some of the deepest sand sections we’ve driven so far. A true adventure, and absolutely worth it.
BWA.04
2024.DEC
NXAI PAN
Our journey through Botswana ended at the Nxai Pan National Park, a place of vast open spaces and endless skies. When we arrived, the first rains of the season had just begun, turning the white pan into a shimmering mirror. At night, heavy rain rolled in – by morning, our campsite was surrounded by water, and the once-dry tracks had become slippery clay. Leaving the park turned into an adventure of its own, with every meter demanding focus and patience. But even as we slipped and slid our way out, we knew one thing for sure – we’ll be back in Botswana.
BWA.05
2025.MAR
KHAMA RHINO SANCTURY
On our way back to South Africa, we stopped at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary – a perfect final stop in Botswana. The reserve is home to both black and white rhinos, along with giraffes, zebras, and plenty of antelope roaming freely across the open plains. We really enjoyed the game drives, which offered beautiful sightings and golden light in the late afternoon. The campsites were spacious, well-kept, and surrounded by nature – the ideal mix of comfort and wilderness. After weeks of remote travel, Khama Rhino felt like a peaceful pause before crossing the border south again.
COUNTRY
ZIMBABWE
DEC 2024-JAN 2025
ZWE.01
2024.DEC
VIC FALLS
We spent Christmas Eve in Victoria Falls, a place where the roar of the mighty Zambezi fills the air long before you see the falls themselves. The town has a special energy – lively, yet surrounded by nature’s power. Instead of visiting the viewpoints, we treated ourselves to High Tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel, a timeless experience with sweeping views of the gorge and the bridge beyond.
For anyone who finds the park entrance a bit pricey, this is the perfect alternative. Sitting there with tea and pastries, you still feel the magic of the falls – elegant, relaxed, and unforgettable.
ZWE.02
2024.DEC
HWANGE NP
The Hwange National Park is one of Africa’s oldest and most iconic wildlife reserves, established in the 1920s and still carrying that timeless wilderness feeling today. Vast plains, ancient teak forests, and countless waterholes shape the landscape – home to large elephant herds, lions, and wild dogs.
During the rainy season, however, Hwange can be challenging. Tracks become muddy and slippery, and some areas are only accessible with patience and good 4x4 skills. But that’s part of its charm – a park that rewards those who take their time and embrace the wild, unpredictable rhythm of Africa.
ZWE.03
2024.DEC
SIKUMBI CONCESSION
Just outside Hwange lies the Sikumbi Concession, a quiet and scenic area that feels like an extension of the park itself. The tracks wind through beautiful old woodlands – tall teak and acacia trees forming green tunnels of shade and light. It’s the kind of place where you slow down, windows open, listening to the rustle of branches and distant bird calls.
Wildlife moves freely between the concession and the park, so encounters with elephants or kudu are common. The sense of peace here is striking – wild, calm, and deeply connected to the rhythm of the land.
ZWE.04
2024.DEC
MATOBO CAVES
The Matobo National Park is unlike any other place we’ve visited in Zimbabwe. Massive granite boulders rise dramatically from the earth, stacked in impossible shapes that seem to balance against the sky. It’s a landscape filled with history and spirit – home to ancient rock art hidden in caves and overhangs that tell stories thousands of years old.
Driving through the park feels almost surreal, with every turn revealing new rock formations and breathtaking viewpoints. Matobo has a quiet magic – a place where nature, culture, and time blend together in a way that leaves you deeply humbled.
ZWE.05
2024.NEW YEAR`S EVE
HARARE
We welcomed the New Year 2025 in Harare, staying on a peaceful campground overlooking the city’s skyline. On New Year’s Eve, we went out for dinner at a lovely restaurant in town – great food, warm atmosphere, and friendly people everywhere.
Later that night, back at our campsite, we raised our glasses with a few other travellers, sharing stories and laughter as the city lights shimmered below us. It was a calm and beautiful way to end the year – a mix of good company, good food, and that quiet feeling of gratitude for the road ahead.
ZWE.06
2025.JAN
LAKE KARIBA
Travelling from Vuti towards Lake Kariba, the landscape slowly changed – from dense bushveld to rolling hills that opened up to sweeping views of the lake. The road passes through remote areas and the Charara Safari Area, where elephants, baboons, and impala roam freely across the dusty tracks.
During the rainy season, however, this route can become unpredictable. Rivers that seem harmless at first can quickly rise, cutting off crossings and forcing long, rough detours. Still, the journey offers some of the most striking scenery in northern Zimbabwe – wild, remote, and filled with that unmistakable African rhythm.
COUNTRY
EUROPE
2019-2023
04
2019/2020/2022
CORSICA
Corsica, a Mediterranean gem, stole our hearts with its unique blend of lifestyle, fashion, architecture, and food. The island's ambiance is one of a kind, shaping an experience like no other. Indulging in French cuisine with a Sardinian touch, we discovered flavors that danced on our palates, making each meal a journey of culinary delight. Corsica also unveiled breathtaking camping spots.
05
2020/2023
PORTUGAL
In Portugal, where the Atlantic waves kiss the shores, we found a haven for our seaside cravings. Our love for the ocean led Tatjana to dive into the world of surfing. The Portuguese cuisine, especially the captivating fish bread stew, became our gastronomic obsession, turning each meal into a delightful celebration. Beyond the coastal charm, Portugal unfolded fantastic off-road tracks, revealing hidden gems.
03
2021
SARDINIA
Sardinia, a haven of azure waters and hidden camping gems, captivated us with its untouched beauty. Venturing to the island shortly after lockdown, we embraced the tranquility and rediscovered the joys of exploration. Sardinia's rich culture and harmonious work-life balance left a lasting impression, providing a glimpse into a life well-lived. A culinary highlight of our travels, the flavors of Sardinia's cuisine linger as a delectable memory on our journey.
02
2021
CROATIA
Croatia, a canvas of wild nature, enchanted us with its diverse landscapes. Exploring mesmerizing lakes and weaving through Slovenia on our travels, we uncovered the beauty of the Balkans. While the culinary scene may be less captivating, the warmth of the open-hearted people and the stunning natural wonders make Croatia an unforgettable chapter in our journey.
COUNTRY
NORTH AFRICA
2018
01
2018
SAHARA DESERT
The Sahara Desert, a vast expanse of golden dunes, captured Fred's heart with its mystique. His solo journey into this arid wonderland unraveled the beauty of off-road tracks near Europe, offering a taste of adventure right at our doorstep. Beyond the shifting sands, the Sahara's rich cultural tapestry and the warmth of its people left an indelible mark on his soul. Travelling from Europe to the Sahara proved a thrilling challenge, a testament to the allure of this magnificent desert.
