Meet the warthog – Africa’s original off-road specialist. She’s not the prettiest animal in the bush… and she couldn’t care less.

One of her funniest features is that ridiculously upright tail. The moment things get exciting, up it pops like a little radio aerial. Scientists reckon the markings on the tail resemble a snake, which might make predators think twice. Others believe it’s simply Nature’s way of helping Mum keep track of her piglets as they race through the long grass. We prefer to believe it’s because every warthog secretly thinks he’s leading a safari convoy.

Vlakvark is simply the Afrikaans word for warthog. It’s also the nickname we’ve proudly given our two well-travelled, long-in-the-tooth adventure wagons:

Vlakvark Mama – our 22-year-old Mercedes Atego overland truck.

Vlakvark Piglet – our 22-year-old Land Rover Defender TD5.

Neither vehicle is the fastest. Neither is particularly glamorous, but both have plenty of character, a few battle scars, and an uncanny ability to find incredible places that Google hasn’t heard about yet. Just like a warthog, they may not win beauty contests, but they’ll get you home with a story worth telling.