Founder of LR Classic André Verster, owns a fleet of classic Land Rover Defenders and authentic Series Land Rovers. His vision for LR Classic is to become the preferred specialist tour operator and distinctive 4x4 events host in Southern Africa. The core focus is offering international and local tourists and guests exclusive events, as well as guided self-drive classic safaris with his fleet of Land Rovers or guests own 4x4.
André qualified as a tour guide back in 2009 and has been guiding off-road safaris, 4x4 overlanding expeditions and events since then. He recently updated his tour guide qualification with new regulations including first-aid level 3.
It’s time again for the Outdoor and Adventure Expo in Grabouw
The annual Outdoor and Adventure Expo Grabouw, which had its debut in November 2023, is back on November 8, 9 and 10 at the spectacular Elgin-Grabouw Sports Club on the outskirts of Grabouw.
According to expo director André Verster of www.lrclassic.com, this successful exhibition focusing on the outdoor and adventure lifestyle – of which hosts of Western Cape residents regularly participate in and many dream about – was such a great success that earlier this year it led to the first Gauteng / NWP version. The Outdoor and Adventure Expo Broederstroom was held from 16 to 18 August at B’Sorah close to Harbeespoort Dam and was an equally big success.
“Our second gathering here in Grabouw means that the expo concept now has gained momentum and for this year at this early stage it is already more than twice as big as last year,” André said recently.
“The arrangements have now been finalised and the three-day programme lasts from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 November,” André said.
This will include all kinds of outdoor and adventure lifestyle equipment, regular and off-road caravans, 4x4 off-road vehicles, utility vehicles and especially SUVs as well as camping and other equipment for a holiday or lifestyle living in nature.
Numerous other types of exhibitors will also be involved, including food, coffee and wine exhibitors, a beer garden and many more.
“It’s not just another caravan show or a flea market – it’s a full-blooded outdoor lifestyle and adventure expo for the whole family,” emphasised André.
The Elgin-Grabouw Sports Club is home to the Outdoor and Adventure Expo. This beautiful site is centrally located and easily accessible. The drive from Cape Town or Worcester takes approximately 60 minutes, while the drive from Somerset West, Gordons Bay and Hermanus will take approximately 35 minutes.
• 4x4 owners can book a ride on the famous Grabouw 4x4 route right next to the expo terrain and visit the expo before or after the shakedown. The Grabouw 4x4 route owners sell tickets at the starting point of the route. • The complete program is available on www.lrclassic.com.
Tickets are available online at TicketPro from Wednesday 2 October 2024 and can also be purchased at the main gate. Limited campsites are available and can only be booked online.
LR Classic proudly holds the annual LandyFest event at Rust de Winter ATV4x4 club grounds. The LandyFest is an event filled with exciting activities, products exhibition arena, food stalls, beer garden and entertainment aimed at Land Rover enthusiasts, the 4x4 and overlanding fraternity, and outdoor fanatics.
Xplore! is series of YouTube videos – an epic adventure discovering bush camp gems. André and his beloved Series 3 SWB called Buksie ventures on unbridled routes taking you to places where you can rejuvenate your soul.
The first Series Rally took place during August 2020 when lockdown regulations were eased to allow cross-provincial and leisure travel. Itineraries often include meals at restaurants in the identified area, 4x4 activities, visits to interesting places such as museums, camping and lodging, and often lesser known / visited tourism facilities such as the Tswaing Crater near Soshanguve, giving valued support and exposure to places visited.
The Series Trophy is a typical 4x4 overlanding event based on the original “Camel Trophy” where Series Land Rover owners embrace the Landy spirit driving their beloved authentic vehicles where it belongs – deep in the African Bushveld. The entrants enjoy fun dirt road routes through scenic valleys and hills, challenging off-road and 4x4 tracks through picturesque riverbeds, forests and plantations, conquering mountain passes and historic tracks and routes, game viewing & birding, visit quaint places of interest and antiquated towns, experience the diversity of wildlife and fauna & flora, all whilst accumulating points in honors of being declared winners of the Series Trophy.
LR Classic offers a unique experience: authentic, classic but luxurious, old-style African Safaris in classic Land Rover Defenders, vintage Series Land Rovers, or guests own 4x4. LR Classic Safaris offers clients luxury adventures on a guided, self-drive basis mainly with our own fleet of the Land Rovers throughout Southern Africa, or guests own 4x4. The Safaris or 4x4 adventures are often a mix of wild camping, bush camping, formal camping to luxurious accommodation option.
Join us on these epic adventures to discover the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves of South Africa to explore its immaculate natural beauty, to discover its heritage, locate its hidden jewels and find unknown places of interest, uncovering its lesser traversed areas, experiencing its wilderness and visit biodiverse protected areas.
