Isuzu mu-x Adventure
By khulekani / on July 23rd, 2018 / in featured, Travel
Johannesburg – The day has finally arrived for our #isuzumuxadventure. Stay glued to our social media platforms or visit us here for daily updates from our trip.
A bit about the Isuzu mu-X
The Isuzu mu-X was launched in South Africa in May this year and is the first vehicle to be launched under the newly established Isuzu Motors South Africa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan. The mu-X is based on Isuzu’s tried and tested bakkie, the KB, and is powered by Isuzu’s 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel diesel engine that produces 130 kW of power and 380 Nm of torque. The mu-X is offered as a seven seater which makes it appeal to both families and adventure-oriented buyers.
Now that you know about the mu-X, another thing you must know is that Isuzu truly believes in the mu-X being a vehicle for adventure, in fact, the pay off line for the mu-X is adventure calls. We asked Isuzu to experience this and they obliged. To make it more fun, we took a couple of motoring enthusiasts, TV personalities and influential persons on an adventure. They did not know where they were going. We simply asked them to pack their bags and join us on an adventure of a lifetime.
Day 1
We spent the day travelling on the national highway and soaking in the beauty of our country. We had a brief stopover for lunch on a farm outside of Ermelo in Mpumalanga. They get high marks for their butternut soup. Fully nourished, we drove further south of the Mpumalanga and ended at a village that borders Swaziland. The great part was driving on a 20 km stretch of dirt road. The locals actually prefer this road to the tarred road which is ridden with potholes. We took it easy on this road which takes you through pine trees. Our sleepover spot was a rustic lodge with thatched roofs. One of the guys was lucky enough to score a room with a jacuzzi. The rest of us had to settle for a night under the African skies around a bonfire which burnt until 2 am the following morning.
Wherever we go is an adventure @isuzusa #IsuzuMUXadventure pic.twitter.com/XtKu8z7MoG
— Ntlhe Mahlatsi (@Ntlheezee) July 28, 2018
Day 2
Notwithstanding our late night, we were up early and on the road by 9:00 am. We had an easy ride into KZN and enjoyed a drive up the twisties around Lake Jozini. Bear in mind that out travel party still has no idea where they are headed to. We enjoyed a hearty lunch at Jozini Tiger Lodge Restaurant and afterwards, our guests were taken on an epic boat cruise around the lake which lasted for nearly two hours. What a way to watch the sunset. The lake seemed to offer everything imaginable, from a sight of endless water to rock formation that looked like something out of a postcard from exotic Bora Bora.
#SquadGoals! Epic Road Trip Car! The @isuzusa mu-X! #IsuzumuXAdventure!
📷: @khuleonwheels pic.twitter.com/lGP6l7ge37
— Dbn Spotter (@dbn_spotter) July 28, 2018
We spent the night in St Lucia. Our accommodation was on McKenzie Road and we asked our guests to walk to our dinner spot. This served two purposes, South Africans barely walk anywhere, we tend to drive a lot, and when we wish to walk somewhere, it is often unsafe. Not in St Lucia. Walking at night felt natural and safe. The only little fear was bumping into the local hippo residents.
Lunch today in Jozini 🌞♥️ #IsuzuMUXadventure pic.twitter.com/nmL3Tt09zj
— Ya Local Milk Man 🥛 (@benjaminthecre1) July 28, 2018
I’m having such a beautiful weekend, thanks to @isuzusa and @khuleonwheels and the rest of the team 🗺✨ #IsuzuMuxAdventure pic.twitter.com/DBXUNcAnko
— Judy Siwela (@JudySiwela) July 29, 2018
Day 3
Day 3 saw us moving further down the coast of KZN. We visited the Luthuli Museum in Groutville. The museum is actually on Chief Luthuli’s plot. Part of the visit includes seeing his house which still remains in its original state, with minor touch ups to preserve it. We experienced two moments which underscored how ahead of his time the Chief was. Firstly, it was a memorial dedicated to him and New York Senator Robert F Kennedy who had visited the Chief in Groutville in 1966. This was a few months before the Chief passed on and a mere two years before the Senator was assassinated. Secondly, it was a room dedicated to the moments when the Chief spoke in Oslo when he received his Noble Peace Prize and when he addressed the UN General Assembly.
A brief stopover at the original Luthuli House in Groutville. Blessed to have had such a leader in our country. @LuthuliMuseum #IsuzuMUXadventure pic.twitter.com/dWeaL5QyRE
— Citizen_Khulekani (@SirKhule) July 29, 2018
As part of our #isuzumuxadventure, I visited the @LuthuliMuseum just to get to know more about him! @isuzusa pic.twitter.com/iDDSOZ9ZR9
— Ntsako Mthethwa (@NtsakoMthethwa) July 29, 2018
To underscore the freedom that Chief Luthuli and his comrades had fought for, we went zip-lining in Ballito. It was exciting to go to an area we would not have been allowed to and partake in an activity would not have experienced had it not been for Chief Luthuli and many others. The highlight was the 500 metre zip line with a parachute. There is something about that activity. In the brief moments you are in the air, you go from being scared out of your mind to being completely at peace with being in the air and challenging the laws of gravity. It’s easy to go from this and want to defy the odds in your life, and go for what you want.
We totally took the adventurous side of the @isuzusa mu-X to heart and went zip-lining in Ballito. 📸@NtsakoMthethwa #isuzumuxadventure pic.twitter.com/dvh43CRWOZ
— Khulekani on Wheels (@khuleonwheels) July 29, 2018
The night ended in one of the most affordable but beautiful places we have ever been to, Meander Manor. The rooms are modern and beautifully furnished. The meals are also great. We had a delicious veggie bake there. The comments from everyone – we need to come back just to laze around the pool and enjoy the ocean views from there.
Special thanks to Isuzu South Africa and those who took part in our epic mu-X Adventure.
Catch us on the next one!