VEHICLE DETAILS: 2003 Land Rover Defender 110 TD5
OWNERS: Coenraad & Anaschka Oberholster
Most people don’t understand us overlanding types. We prefer dusty campsites over five-star hotels, hard gravel roads over tar and long driving hours over a short flight. We name our cars and love and treasure them. The Oberholster family from Jeffrey’s Bay is no different.
Known on social media as @tracksntravel, Coenraad, Anaschka and Ru-Wayne Oberholster are the proud owners of a 2003 Land Rover Defender 110 TD5 called Mufasa. They have modified the Landy to fit their needs which have changed and evolved as son Ru-Wayne (now 7 years old) grew up. “He basically grew up in Mufasa’s back seat, and as a result is quite a passionate overlander who loves nature and photography,” says Anaschka.
Coenraad says their Defender is all about adventure, and modifying the vehicle has become a favourite pastime. “It’s a bit like a Meccano set. You customise it, put a lot of yourself into it, you give it a soul – truly making it our Mufasa!”
“Not one Defender is the same and this community is something else. Wherever we travel, we get the Defender wave when we pass. Us Landy aficionados are like one big family.”
The Oberholster’s Defender boasts a custom-built drawer and packing system designed to make the most of the available space. Included in the back is a 40-litre drinking water tank, a 60-litre SnoMaster fridge/freezer and a gas geyser with an additional 45-litre water tank for showering. There is also a 12V Road Chef oven as nothing beats a warm pie when you arrive at camp, claims Anaschka. This neat set-up is coupled with a modified BunduTec roof top tent with a 360-degree awning and shower cubicle, making Mufasa a true home away from home. On top of the tent is a 330W solar panel that powers all the accessories through a National Luna DC-DC system and keeps the secondary battery charged.
“The BunduTec equipment makes the transformation from vehicle to campsite quick and easy. It takes only about 10 minutes from arrival at camp to sitting back and relaxing with a frostie while we enjoy our surroundings,” says Anaschka.
“The first thing that comes to mind when I think about Mufasa is all the family time we have spent in it. The places we have seen and the memories we made together are special – nothing can beat the stories we share around the campfire!”