Adventurous Gareth Woodford describes southern Africa as a world on your doorstep.

The Ballito resident has been travelling the Rainbow Nation and beyond, chasing endless horizons for the past 24 years.

He has spent this time wisely, modifying standard cars into capable off-road vehicles as a hobby turned career.

He together with his friends, aims to travel at least three to four times a year.

Their next trip is scheduled for May, travelling to the Transkei where they will spend seven days off grid, 4x4ing and living entirely out of their vehicles.

“Mountains are my favourite destinations, and Lesotho is one of the places I love spending time in. The villages are beautiful and the people are friendly there. It’s just one of the best places to travel to,” said Woodford.

The 44-year-old recounted his longest adventure of 6 500km’s spread over 15 days from Ballito to the Richtersveld and everything in between.

Despite his enjoyment of off-road trips, Woodford admitted that he does not overplan them.

“The only plan is that I will be going to a certain place for a certain time, but we don’t plan where we will sleep or other places to visit on our way. I feel planning takes away the adventurous spirit and only opens up room for disappointment. We just check for the nearest campsite and we rock up there. We set up our tents, sleep, and continue with our journey,” he explained.

For the past 15 years, Woodford has been travelling with his wife, Lynn. They began their adventures in a VW Golf and have since upgraded to his 2013 Hilux (fondly nicknamed “Moose”).

Moose is trusted to carry them safely wherever the wind blows them, with their most recent trip in January taking them from Ballito to Addo Elephant Park, Baviaanskloof, the Valley of Desolation, Camdeboo National Park and back home through Lesotho.

Woodford advised people who want to travel the country to just start, noting that through doing so, they will discover what they need along the way.

Embodying the saying ‘do what you love and never work a day in your life’ his passion for the off-road lifestyle has led to a business enabling others to do the same.

Now two years after the idea was hatched, Woodford, along with his good friend Willie Fourie, spend their days customising their clients’ dream cars for their adventures at Real 4×4 in Shaka’s Head.

“You’ve got to live the life you sell” said Woodford.

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