I am privileged to drive exciting vehicles on a regular base, but the Defender 110 D300 is one of the best cars I have experienced in years. You can easily do long, fast highway sections, but thanks to the enormous torque overtaking on windy coastal roads is done swiftly, with almost no body roll and lot of fun. In the Namib desert the Landy showed its legendary off-road abilities, cruising through sand or rock-crawling with the air suspension on high over boulders.

In attractiveness and ability-wise I can only compare it to the Mercedes-Benz G400d, with an almost identical engine and riding comfort. But the G is sold out until 2024 and, if you get one, you pay at least R1.5mil. more than you fork out for the Defender already.

And yes, there is another contender in the mix. I haven’t had a chance to drive the Ineos Grenadier yet, but I don’t like what I see. It tries too hard to look like an Old Defender, albeit one, which overloaded it’s roof rack, got squashed wide and the eyes popped out. Apparently it is quite capable off-road.

One of the most memorable sections of our trip was the stretch from Terrace Bay to Möwe Bay, along the harsh Skeleton Coast. Only guests checked into the unique Shipwreck Lodge are allowed to proceed beyond Terrace Bay. Amazing landscapes and the Defender looked absolutely stunning there, especially with the desert make-up applied. No artificial spray dirt here at all.

Our lodge guide Bodo took us in his 4x4 a couple of kilometres up the dry river bed of the Hoarusib, while telling us, that individuals can apply for a permit to drive their 4x4 there on their own. He stopped frequently and showed us tracks and dung from desert lions, desert elephants and desert rhinos. We looked at each other and decided then and there ‘We’ll be back. In the Defender Explorer, equipped with a roof tent, fridge and gas cooker.