Tackling Van Zyl’s Pass in a Suzuki Jimny Off-Road Adventure

When Grant McPherson first got his Suzuki Jimny 4x4  in 2021, he had no idea the adventures he would embark on. This small but mighty 4x4 vehicle was put to the ultimate test on his recent Namibia road trip - conquering the infamous Van Zyl’s Pass. 
Often called one of the toughest off-road challenges on the continent, this legendary trail in the Kaokoveld is rocky, rugged and remote. For Grant, it was more than just a bucket-list drive - it was a test of preparation, nerve, and trust in both his rig and his travel companions.

Key Takeaways

• Suzuki Jimny off-road performance shines even on one of the world’s toughest trails.
• Investing in the right Jimny accessories like a long range fuel tank and Jimny bumpers, is essential for remote overlanding.
• Van Zyl’s Pass is not for beginners, but it’s a must for serious adventurers on a Namibia road trip.
• For drivers asking, “Are Suzuki Jimny’s good off-road?”, the answer is a resounding yes.
  
  

Grant’s Suzuki Jimny Off-Road Story: Van Zyl’s Pass 

From the start their Namibia road trip was planned to incorporate Van Zyl’s pass - but there was hesitation and uncertainty up until the day before. “I thought it would be a cool experience, but I was always going to take it as it comes. I’d make a call depending on how my rig and I felt on the day.”

As Grant soon found, hours of YouTube Jimny Suzuki off-road research only prepares you so far. Relying on the intel of fellow travellers, the reports of track conditions were discouraging, considering the unusual rainfall in the area that season. At Epupa Falls campsite the day before, a last-minute decision based on a passing stranger’s advice meant repacking of cars to redistribute weight, and plans were cemented. They would meet the rest of the party at the next campsite, days later. 

About Van Zyl’s Pass

Running between the Kaokoveld plateaus and the vast, grassy expanses of Otjinjange Valley (otherwise known as ‘Marienflüss’) in the Kunene Region, Van Zyl’s pass offers up a dramatic landscape of natural beauty. Since this is not a traditional road by any means, the rocky track is described as rough, rugged and steep. As such, it is only suitable for 4x4 vehicles to drive. 

The pass is about 10-15km in length, about 1,000 m above sea level, with a maximum gradient of approximately 24%, in some areas reaching a 45-degree slope. Furthermore, it’s only permitted to drive one-way, in the downward direction, going east-west. 
There is no cellphone reception, no side tracks and no plan B. Due to this, it is considered one of the most challenging 4×4 trails in Southern Africa and one of the more dangerous in the world - and is certainly not for the faint of heart. 

Grant’s Experience driving the Jimny Off-Road

“We headed out just before dawn to give ourselves as much daylight as possible to navigate the route,” explains Grant. After four to five hours of technical driving on almost impossible terrain, they realised that they had only just reached the beginning of the official Van Zyl’s pass! 

Making an already tricky route all the more difficult, rain had washed out a lot of the tracks, so anything that had a bit of slope to it was now washed down almost to the bedrock. “From a technical point of view, this pass has got insane pitch and rollover angles, with a lot of technical rock crawling,” says Grant. “I would not recommend it with any weight on the roof of a Jimny, that’s for sure.”

Even with his experience as a 4x4 driver - including Grabouw, Tierkloof, Boegoeberg 4x4 Tracks, as well as having completed the level 1 and level 2 4x4 training courses - this was a major test of nerves.

Along the way, wrecked vehicles could be seen abandoned and rusting in the gullies. “Seeing those cars below you while lining up your wheels doesn’t exactly calm the nerves,” Grant laughs.

When it came to the most challenging sections of Van Zyl’s pass, Grant was amazed that his Jimny 4x4 seemed to “walk” through with ease. “Compared to the other bigger 4x4 vehicle that was with me, my rig handled the tight technical bits beautifully. Light, nimble, and surprisingly capable. I’m always so impressed by my Jimny’s off-road performance!”

 Preparing a Jimny for the Challenge 

It’s worth noting that Grant’s Jimny, ‘Baby Yoda’, is by no means a stock vehicle. In the lead up to this challenge, the upgrades to his setup included the following Jimny accessories a 75mm lift kit for extra articulation (EFS MRP 2.5 kit), and a long-range fuel tank from Ratel (vital when petrol stations are days apart in Kaokoland). Other modifications on his car are 235/75/15 Radar Renegades tyres, 8J wide rims, front and back Jimny bumpers for more clearance, as well as many other underbody protection plates. 

Even with the right gear, tackling a tricky pass like Van Zyl’s is still a game of patience and precision. “It’s amazing what you can do with proper spotting and choosing the correct line,” Grant advises. 

Beyond Van Zyl’s Pass: Jimny 4x4 Challenges in Namibia 

White-knuckle focus aside, Grant described the experience of completing this pass as unforgettable. At its end, the road opens into the Marienfluss Valley - a vast, golden 70km wilderness of red dunes and grass plains framed by jagged mountains.

But even here, challenges remain. Explains Grant: “The Twee Spoor dirt tracks - with their raised middelmannetjies (centre ridges) - are too wide for the Jimny. This meant that my tyres clipped the sides and my traction control kicked in, as I wobbled and had to focus to keep the car stable.”

After staying the night at the Marble Mine community campsite, the crew took the riverbed route to get back to the others - but this offered further challenges! “We got stuck in the water-logged river bed for hours, a mistake that could have been avoided. Just remember to always keep a safe following distance, and don’t let your guard down!” recalls Grant.

The Reward: Marienfluss Valley After Van Zyl’s Pass

Considering the risk, is Van Zyl’s pass really worth it? For Grant, the answer is simple: “Off-roading and nature is the best way to decompress from city life. Tackling something like this reminded me why I love overlanding so much - and you get to enjoy the absolute thrill of life with your buddies.”

And though his Jimny came through unscathed, it was the shared experiences and breathtaking landscapes that proved most fulfilling. Rolling into camp with stories worth telling - that’s what keeps him coming back.

“Van Zyl’s is more than a drive,” Grant says. “It’s a test of yourself, your vehicle, and your 4x4 competence. And the Jimny? It passed with flying colours.”

Are Suzuki Jimny’s Good Off-Road?

Absolutely!!

This trip proves that with the right preparation, the Jimny is more than capable of handling Africa’s toughest terrain. Owners often search for Suzuki Jimny off-road reviews or wonder, “Are Suzuki Jimny’s good off-road?”  -Grant’s story is a clear endorsement.

His Jimny didn’t just survive Van Zyl’s Pass; it thrived.

Lessons for Off-Road Adventurers

While a capable rig is crucial for any 4x4 challenge, a smart driver also knows to prepare well.
Preparation is key when planning a Namibia road trip that includes Van Zyl’s Pass:

• Careful load management - definitely no heavy roof gear.
• A reliable spotting system with VHF radio comms (in this case, they were supplied by MTech), for clear communication at every turn. Both in-car and handheld radios were used here.
• A trusted crew! Grant’s driving buddy on the pass was his cousin James, a fellow driver he’d gone overlanding with quite a bit in the past.
• Satellite phone for emergencies (since there is no cellphone reception).

• Recovery gear such as kinetic ropes, front winch, soft shackles and traction boards
  
  Watch the Jimny in action below: