The iconic Rust de Winter 4x4 Jamboree, which last took place in 2019, will make its return this weekend for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered a national lockdown in March 2020, as well as the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Jamboree. The event, which has been run with Toyota as its key partner for 28 successive years, celebrated its 40th anniversary back in 2019.

With as many as 150 participants, the Rust de Winter 4x4 Jamboree is arguably the biggest event of its nature in South Africa, and it is organised by the 4x4 ATV Club of South Africa. As such, participants are not limited to driving Toyota products, though the field has historically consisted of more Toyotas than any other brand.

For 2022, the event will return to its traditional dates in August, which tends to make for a cold weekend in the area to the North of Pretoria. Even so, the action is sure to heat up when participants take on a ten-event gymkhana, as well as the fearsome ‘mountain route’, which sees the multitude of participating vehicles traverse a challenging and scenic route through the nearby mountains.

The emphasis at the Rust de Winter 4x4 Jamboree is firmly on family fun, and as such most activities during the weekend will offer the passengers in each car just as much to do as the driver. There is, however, also a competitive element to the weekend, with many spectacular prizes on offer, as well as bragging rights and a trophy for the overall winners.

This year’s event gets under way with a scrutineering session on Friday, 5 August; followed by the gymkhana and mountain trail over the weekend, and a prize giving on Monday, 8 August. A select group of South African motoring journalists and their families will also be taking part, in a mix of standard Hilux and Fortuner models. The event will also be televised on Ignition TV, with broadcast times to be advised on social media in due course