The Berg 4x4 Odyssey #1

[Zondagh]

Hi all. I hope all is well.

I was wondering if any of you have heard about the Berg Odessey happening 21-23 Feb 2025 in the Drakensberg?

Also curious to know if anyone on here is planning on going? I'll attach the photo's I found on Facebook as well.

[Mad Manny]

First I hear of it.
But Facebook has killed Communication.
Ant and Marten were at legends event this past weekend & I'd never heard of that either.
Or maybe, these days we have become cliquey...

[Erin]

I hadn't heard of either event until I saw Ant's post.on FB about the Legends event.

[Paul#25]

No idea that it's happening. I obviously subscribe to the wrong groups or forums.

[PsyPhin]

Never heard of it. I am on a few groups and chats.

[Jadranko]

https://seekoutdoor.my.canva.site/#about-us

why foreign photos?
Jimny with euro number plates.
American jeeps..

[Asjas]

https://seekoutdoor.my.canva.site/#about-us

why foreign photos?
Jimny with euro number plates.
American jeeps..

Well its an add, yes slightly miss leading. But gets the idea out. Probably needs a few guys to join first so he can take actaul pics of the event with local rigs for next times add?

[Mad Manny]

PRICE PER VEHICLE R45OO WITH 2 PEOPLE
EXTRA PASSENGERS ADDITIONAL R1200 EACH
WHAT'S INCLUDED
* GUIDE VEHICLES
* EPIC OFF ROAD SECTIONS
* 2 NIGHTS CAMPING
* AFTERNOON SUNSET WALKS / RIVER SWIM
* FRIDAY / SATURDAY NIGHT BRAAI
* SUNDOWNERS

Is it just me, or is that a bit pricey?
That means, with fuel, other food, drinks etc. you are in for an R8k weekend.
I spent a week in Moz in December for less than that.

[NINJA]

I have not heard of it before

[HenriSteyn]

I am in the DEEP SOUTH now.
We don't know of anything that happens up North....

[PsyPhin]

Is it just me, or is that a bit pricey?
That means, with fuel, other food, drinks etc. you are in for an R8k weekend.
I spent a week in Moz in December for less than that.
[/quote]

I was going to mention that, but I have never been on a guided trip before so cant really compare and I dont know the costs involved for guides camping and things. But on a basic level, not sure what an extra passenger gets fo R1200 though. Food for 2x nights and sundowners?

That pic of the jeep going down that step immediately makes me assume the trip is not suitable for my bakkie too so wouldnt read further.

Just being honest.

[Paul#25]

Is it just me, or is that a bit pricey?
That means, with fuel, other food, drinks etc. you are in for an R8k weekend.
I spent a week in Moz in December for less than that.

The mountain passes trip the club organized a few tears ago wasn't nearly as much as this trip and it was for a longer period. Inflation and rising costs can't be that much that the costs have gone from about R2700 to R4500 since 2018.

[Mad Manny]

So the bottom line is its a bit pricey and not well marketed.
I wish them well...

[Bugjuic]

As most of us, I am on quite a few social platforms and forums, this is the first time seeing this. No idea of it.

Much like Kevin said, the photo would seem very intimidating, and the mention of having to bring 20l of fuel is misleading. If I'm travelling with my Tuna and Manny drives with his (almost identical) Tuna, his range is almost 30% more than mine by default, Petrol vs Diesel. Hence, rather state the offroad km's and tarred distance. Then you can decide for yourself...

[Mad Manny]

Not to Hijack Megan's post but...
What we are touching on here is a few issues:
1. Fragmentation
The 4x4 Fraternity is fragmented.
Some only inform their clique.
Some only 'market' on FB - usually after the fact.
There are too many Social Media avenues;
Forums
FB
WhatsApp Groups.
Other things like Instagram.

2. Marketing:
This refers specifically to those with a COMMERCIAL interest in 4x4'ing.
People in the 4x4 space don't know how to market.
I approached CCIC, a specialist Outdoor activity Insurer, to advertise on this Forum.
The cost would be a few grand a year.
They declined & decided to cover a prominent (Chubby) Youtuber instead.
That costs them more per month than I quoted them for a year.
Yet, other than a 90second bit on ONE of his YouTube videos, a few minutes in - he has given them ZERO exposure.

That's just one example, there are many,
I spoke to HALT Lock too.
They didn't seem interested.
I have never seen their product advertised other than once, on FB.
I do not know anyone who knows about their product,

I can give dozens of Examples.

3. Events Awareness
I'm on a WhatsApp group where they post upcoming events.
I have frequently made the offer to the various Event organisers to post their event here.
Particularly while we had that Events Calendar.
In fact, I tried my level best to make our Events Calendar (designed & set up by Ian) as the 'Go To' place for 4x4 events.
I think organisers missed a trick there.
Not one of them bothered.
Yet the complain about poor turnout.
Or say turnout was great, but they had few vehicles.

4. Islands & Empires:
Each guy does his own thing & many only want what they can get out & have no interest of giving back.
There is no Cohesion. No collaboration. No Unity amongst the big players.
The YouTubers punt their channel, but never the others. They seldom collaborate (Other than Ed, Ryan & Christoff).

The Commercial guys just see the 4x4'ers as a customer base. Some have even tried to alienate this base - deliberately.
Many product sellers & Events organisers have an arrogance about them.
Others believe FaceBoek is the be all & end all of marketing.

There is some arrogance (I don't need to Market - I;ll be beating the crowds back I'm so awesome).

There should be an event where the Tyre sellers, the Insurance providers, the Fitment Centres, the decent Youtubers, the product sellers (Bash Plates, Indeflates, Trailers, Etc) & other role players,
all get together for an annual 4x4/Outdoor/Camping/Overlanding Mega event.

They do it in the States - Big Time! But Saffas lack unity..

5. Decline in 4x4'ing:
The biggest issue is the decline in people doing 4x4'ing.
Ten years ago hundreds of people went 4x4'ing every few weeks.
Now there are only a few active guys.
Guys like Ant, Muller, MartenDJ, etc, who 4x4 at least once a month.
Ant actually goes out almost every weekend.

There are many reasons for this; Cost, the youth not being interested in Motor sport etc.

Conclusion:
To get back to the event on this Thread (De-Hijack! ) - these guys are certainly not marketing it.
It seems over priced at R4500 - Armandt has a longer trip on offer for half the price.
They, in MY opinion, need to change tack if they are to last...