Day two (Friday 9 September 2005) on the 2005 Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge took the convoy from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park northwest to near the Namibian border.

Starting at 08h00, the group tackled the spectacular red dunes of the Kalahari Desert, testing man and machine to the extreme. Despite only arriving at the overnight camp at Mata Mata well after 15h00, just 130 km was completed for the day, proving the rigorous nature of the route – an exclusive section that had been specially opened for the Eco Challenge.

Whistling rats and barking geckos … and the challenge of the Southern African Reptile Conservation Assessment (SARCA) continued.

The enthusiasm of the first day’s reptile search carried through to day two, resulting in more than a doubling of the reptile species total recorded thus far. Although snakes still remain on the wish-list, the competitors have bagged 12 different kinds of lizards. Some of the faster running critters provided for some humorous antics with several of the finalists making a dash at a tiny insignificant gecko. A few escaped, but one of the new contributions for SARCA was a spotted sand lizard.

The third day of the 2005 Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge led the convoy to the most north-westerly point of South Africa. Known as Union's End, or World's End, it's the point at which the borders of South Africa , Namibia and Botswana meet. As is the tradition with the Eco Challenge, a team photograph was set up in commemoration of this historic point, as one of the several 'pinnacles' of this 15-day expedition.

Within the confines of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park the group set up camp at Union 's End for a spectacular setting literally in the middle of nowhere - and with no amenities - for a true bush experience.

The SARCA research continued, and the undoubted highlight of the day was the Cape cobra (pictured) that was spotted in the vast, dry and exceedingly hot Kalahari savannah.

After a remarkable overnight camp sent up at Union's End - the combined borders of South Africa , Namibia and Botswana - the Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge got underway again with a pre-dawn start for day four, Sunday 11 September 2005 (pictured leaving Union 's End).

The group had the pleasure of seeing a lot of wildebeest, gemsbok and springbok on the route out of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - even witnessing a pride of lions gaining some respite from the incessant heat (some 48 deg C on the ground and an air temperature of around 38 deg C at times) by sleeping under a shady tree adjacent to the main park road.

Along with a wide array of lizards and geckos a second, but equally spectacular, Cape cobra was recorded for SARCA.

From an early start, the convoy eventually made its way to Vryburg, reaching the overnight lodge well after dark.

The fifth day of the 2005 Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge, on Sunday 12 September, involved crossing the eastern part of South Africa . After enjoying the comforts of the Kameeldoring Lodge near Vryburg, the convoy set off at 06h00, making its way through Klerksdorp and around the southern part of the urban jungle that is Johannesburg .

The drive through Witbank and on to Nelspruit introduced the participants to the Lowveld, with its dense bush in stark contrast to the vast open plains that characterise the Kalahari which played host to the Eco Challenge for the first few days of this 15-day adventure.

Crocodile Bridge Gate was the southern entry point into the Kruger National Park , with the overnight camp set up deep in the bush at a ranger's camp near Makhohlola Dam. This signalled the end of a long 12-hour driving stint which covered over 900 km for the day.

Day six on the Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge (Tuesday 13 September 2005) was rather laid-back, with the convoy moving out of the overnight camp near Makhohlola Dam at 09h30 and making its way to the fence line that separates South Africa from Mozambique.

Following the renowned Lebombo 4x4 Trail, the participants witnessed a diverse range of wildlife including elephants, buffalo, kudu, giraffe and hippos, making this leg of the 15-day expedition particularly enjoyable. Equally significant and memorable was a visit to a stunning viewpoint over the Sabie River gorge looking into neighbouring Mozambique .

Continuing the rustic camping routine, the camp site for the night was set up in a demarcated area in the bush near Lower Sabie, without amenities or anything separating the group from the surrounding wildlife - ensuring that everyone was as close to nature as possible.

In terms of the SARCA research, several important additions were made to the reptiles recorded thus far. Time was spent in the Mpanamana concession area where nine different species were added to make a total of 23, with the rough-scaled plated lizard being a significant new entry (pictured)

The amazing adventure that is the 2005 Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge continues . the programme for day seven, Wednesday 14 September 2005, involved moving from the overnight camp at Mtini and progressing north through the Kruger National Park.

While some of the route comprised the park's main H10 tarred road, our experienced Kruger rangers ensured that the Eco Challenge group enjoyed the pleasure of other exclusive routes too. The vastness of the park and its surrounding terrain was seen from the Nkumbe lookout with an amazing view across the eastern plains.

Despite the intensely dry conditions, game was found in abundance with the day's sightings including four lions, numerous zebra, vultures, wildebeest, giraffe and elephant - the latter two also being spotted, rather unusually, on a rocky mountain top.

Without having the benefit of general amenities for much of this leg of the 15-day trip, the group had the opportunity for a welcome, yet rapid, 'wash-and-go' at the Satara Rest Camp.

As with the previous night, the accommodation for day seven involved setting up the tents at a ranger's camp deep in the open bush at Pumbe, with the magnificent African sunset providing a truly memorable backdrop.

This year is the Big Five birthday of the Eco Challenge, and to celebrate this occasion, the event is travelling to the outskirts of South Africa to touch on the borders of Namibia , Botswana , Mozambique and Zimbabwe . Currently in Big Five country - the Kruger National Park - it is in fact the Small Five Hundred that is proving to be the most interesting. This is a species of flat gecko (pictured) that was previously only known from one locality in the north of part of the Kruger National Park, and now it was discovered much further south along the Lebombo 4x4 Trail.

The 15-day 2005 Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge has passed its mid-way point, with day eight (Thursday 15 September 2005) taking the convoy of 15 vehicles, 20 competitors, the organisers, rangers and media from the overnight camp at Pumbe in the Kruger National Park and resuming its northerly run along the Lebombo 4x4 Trail.

A brief stop at the beautiful Olifants Camp, overlooking the Olifants River, not only provided a great view, but also a well received shower stop for the group - kindly organised by head ranger and Kruger Park convoy leader Johan Oelofse.

From the dense bushlands during the early part of the Kruger National Park leg, the terrain transformed into a rocky and rough landscape as the route followed a mountainous section adjacent to the Mozambique border with the path leading to a stunning outlook with a 360-degree view of the surrounding plains. The overnight stop was set up at the Shilowa camp site.

The Goodyear Wrangler AT/R and HP 4x4 tyres fitted to the crew and competitor vehicles, respectively, have coped admirably with the challenges thus far, encompassing everything from thick desert sand to high-speed tar and rough rocky sections.

As for the SARCA project, all of the enthusiastic competitors are making a useful contribution to this organisation's research. Of the 13 specimens found today, four were new to the Eco Challenge efforts, with the list now standing at 33 reptiles recorded during this cross-country expedition.

Day nine of the 2005 Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge, on Friday 16 September, continued with the convoy driving north and crossing the Tropic of Capricorn just north of the Mopani Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park .

The group also deviated out of the park for a scheduled visit to the nearby Fumani Primary School at Malamulele. In the interests of social responsibility and upliftment, sponsored Goodyear caps, soccer balls and netballs were handed to the children and to the school by the Eco Challenge staff and this year's contestants. The response was overwhelming and was clearly the highlight of the day - both for the children and for the participants.

In the spirit of the occasion a friendly soccer match was held between the school team and the Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge team, producing plenty of action and amusement for the gathered masses. Despite out-numbering the children approximately two-to-one, the best the Eco Challenge team could do was produce a draw. A penalty shoot-out eventually went in the favour of the young chargers, with the somewhat older and less agile 'Eco Challengers' rather worse for wear after the match - although a date and time has apparently already been set for the rematch .

Following the excitement and satisfaction of the earlier activities, the day was eventually wrapped up with the camp being set up in the Kruger Park at Twanana near Mopani - a stunning location on an island in Pioneer Dam made all the more special with the sun setting in the background.

The tenth day of the 2005 Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge (on Saturday 17 September) got off to an early start for the contestants as they were roped in at 06h00 to count Roan antelope in a 500-hectare breeding enclosure at the Kruger National Park near Mopani Rest Camp.

The Roan Antelope numbers have dropped drastically in the Kruger National Park in recent years, and this breeding project is a concentrated effort to restore the population. This enclosure was erected in 2003 with just 19 antelope, while today's count indicated that the number has grown to 34 - a significant development from a conservation perspective. Both man and vehicle power were used for the count, and the exercise was eventually wrapped up at around 10h00.

One species that isn't under threat is the African elephant, and they are a regular sight in the park, with four large elephants spotted making the most of a mud bath just outside Mopani.

Despite the busy start to the day, the competitors enjoyed a bit of free time in the afternoon before being subjected to a standard game ranger evaluation where traps, weapons and numerous other conspicuous items had to be found in the bush surrounding Twanana Camp - the results of this test will decide the winner of the Eco Trophy (one of four awards) at the end of the 15-day event.

Day 11 on the 2005 Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge (on Sunday 18 September) began with a reality check for the contestants and crew - the Twanana camp site on Pioneer Dam near Mopani in the Kruger National Park was not only the two-night stop for the convoy, but it is also the hunting ground of numerous predators including crocodile, lion and leopard.

Indeed, when the group woke up in the morning, there were fresh spoor of a large male lion right next to the camp, proving that everyone has to have their wits about them at all times while in the wild - as spectacular as the location may be.

During the day the convoy of 15 vehicles followed several public and exclusive roads as it progressed north, with several stops along the way to expand the SARCA project - as always under the supervision and the watchful eyes of numerous armed rangers. The tally of reptiles recorded during this expedition has grown to 37, with the latest addition being the skin of a snouted cobra that was found at a rocky outcrop in the north-eastern section of the park - a useful specimen that has true value in terms of the reptile conservation assessment in this area.

A particular highlight was a stop at the Malahlapanga Fountains - a natural hot spring which derives its name from the ancient Shangaan story of a tribal warrior that is said to have lost his panga, or spear, in the area.

The Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge then made its way through to Crooks Corner, which is infamous as the hiding point for trans-border transgressors at the combined borders of South Africa , Mozambique and Zimbabwe on the Limpopo River - which was dry at this particular point. This is one of numerous pinnacles on this trip and builds on the 2005 event which encompasses the Big Five and the five borders of the southern African countries.

A stunning drive adjacent to the Luvuvhu River led the group to the Pafuri Picnic Spot where the night's camp was erected amongst the sounds of lions roaring and elephants trumpeting their way through the surrounding forests. During the night one elephant was feeding within sight of the camp, which certainly grabbed the attention of the Eco Challenge participants.

After a stunning night in the forest near Pafuri, accompanied by abundant lion and elephant activity in the area, the 2005 Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge set off on day 12 (Monday 19 September) heading west out of Kruger National Park's Pafuri Gate and towards Musina.

The route took the convoy of 15 vehicles through the Makuleke Contract Park which is the northern-most section of the Kruger Park that was returned to the local communities to manage, under the guidance of the National Parks Board.

After a quick stop-over in Musina, the Eco Challenge continued westwards and entered the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site. Formerly a military testing area, this game reserve is renowned as an archaeological goldmine, with numerous significant finds located around this area.

It also led the group to another important milestone for the 2005 Goodyear 4x4 Eco Challenge, taking this year's participants to the northern-most point of South Africa, where the combined borders of SA, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet at the confluence of the Shasha River (which separates Botswana and Zimbabwe) and the Limpopo River which forms the borderline for South Africa and its neighbouring countries.

In recognition of this important location, the usual Eco Challenge team photograph was set up at the base of one of the many ancient baobabs that are defining features of the Limpopo region - the baobab pictured is estimated at around 1 000 years old.

The group also had the opportunity to visit the 'Tree Tops' section of this reserve, which is a raised boardwalk that leads to the Limpopo River through the indigenous forest - with the characteristic fever tree being a common sight in this area.

Musina provided the setting for an overnight stop before the long trek resumes to the Western Cape over the ensuing two days.