Electric vehicle technology is ideally suited to the safari industry
Quiet, no diesel fumes (perfect for hearing the sounds of the bush).
Twice daily drives of 3 – 4 hours equates to 60km per day and reduced battery load.
5-hour break between morning and afternoon drives supports solar charging in the heat of the day.
Servicing at the Lodge by travelling maintenance teams.
Running Cost of <50c/km versus R3.50 in a diesel game-viewer.
Animal habituation concerns have been completely redressed at lodges like Cheetah Plains where electric
game-viewers have been used for 4 years.
Competition to electric game vehicle technology
Competition is currently almost entirely petrol or diesel driven.
Toyota Landcruiser 79 D is the benchmark, but several other brands are also in use.
The only electric options currently available are VERY expensive – R1.6m upwards just for the conversion.
SILENT SAFARI electric game viewer initiatives
EV Conversions
Our Scharf engineers have optimized an AFFORDABLE electric drive train specifically for the rigours of the African bush.
Source & Renovate
We work hand in hand with refurbishment specialists to renovate your tired Land Cruiser and Landrover bodies, supplying both complete vehicles & electric conversions.
Support Centres
Silent Safari will establish sales outlets and maintenance support centres in all key game areas in southern Africa.
Lease Funding
We facilitate the best financing arrangements with our lease package partners.
CHARGING WITH SOLAR
Silent Safari has partnered with GoSolr, SA’s leading solar supplier, to provide the right charging infrastructure for every client.
Global Partners
We are working closely with global EV suppliers to add affordable, new, 4 x 4 single cab vehicles to the Silent Safari SGV range.
Key Design parameters of the SILENT SAFARI Game Viewer
- Rugged, (7 hours /day, every day with regular off-roading).
- Right hand drive. Maximum speed > 100kph.
- 2 hour charging time on three phase power.
- Enhanced safety due to immersion cooled battery cells.
- Full machine intelligence with on board diagnostics and data logging.
- Maximum gradeability 45 degrees.
- Invertor peak current – 400V; Continuous power – 60kW; Maximum power – 100kW; Torque 655Nm;
Peak torque – 1000Nm
- Transfer box 2-High, 4-High, 4-Low; Front and Rear diff lock.
- Range of over 200km on 42kWh battery.
- Wading depth of >500mm, (full immersion capability for drive train
and battery boxes)
- Road legal, built by licensed MIB manufacturer.
- All in operating cost close to that of a new diesel driven Land Cruiser.
SMT Scharf Africa is the African subsidiary of SMT Scharf Hamm – a global engineering giant headquartered in Germany that has been designing and manufacturing world leading transport solutions for personnel, equipment and materials in underground mining for 80 years.
The SMT Scharf Land Cruiser electric conversion has been operational in diverse underground mining applications for 4 years and the game viewer conversion uses the same, proven conversion technology, simplified for specific needs of the African bush.
SMT Scharf Africa is the African subsidiary of SMT Scharf Hamm – a global engineering giant headquartered in Germany that has been designing and manufacturing world leading transport solutions for personnel, equipment and materials in underground mining for 80 years.
The SMT Scharf Land Cruiser electric conversion has been operational in diverse underground mining applications for 4 years and the game viewer conversion uses the same, proven conversion technology, simplified for specific needs of the African bush.
The Team
James Whitehouse
CEO Silent Safari
James, 59, is a chemical engineer and owner of High Street Capital, a private equity firm. With a successful track record in managing large projects across various sectors, he also serves as Chairman of Ebor Automotive Systems, which he co-founded in 2014. Passionate about conservation, he’s spent the last four years seeking ways to support South African wildlife.
Wesley Strydom
Production Lead
Wesley, 45, has 25 years of experience in the automotive industry and is the CEO of Ebor Automotive Systems, a key supplier for VW Polo and Mercedes C-Class.
Specializing in Industrial Engineering and large-scale project management, he also leads the development of a new electric game viewing vehicle.
Andy Dealtry
Logistics and Support
Andy has over 40 years of experience in the global auto industry. After 20 years at Ford in senior roles, he founded Visteon SA in 2001. Following Visteon’s exit from plastic injection moulding in 2013, Andy became the first MD of Ebor Automotive Systems. He currently serves on the NAACAM Board, shaping policy in both traditional and EV sectors.
Silent Safari Partner Companies
SMT SCHARF AFRICA
SMT Scharf Africa is the African subsidiary of SMT Scharf Hamm – a global engineering giant head quartered in Germany that has been designing and manufacturing world leading transport solutions for personnel, equipment and materials in underground mining for 80 years. The SMT Scharf Land Cruiser electric conversion has been operational in diverse underground mining applications for 4 years and the game viewer conversion uses the same, proven conversion technology, simplified for specific needs of the African bush.
EBOR
One of South Africa’s leading Tier 1 suppliers of plastic injection mouldings to the auto industry. It employs 250 people in 2 factories and is a key supplier to VW and Mercedes Benz. As a shareholder of Silent Safari, the complete set of resources in Ebor will be available as required to Silent Safari.
SAFARI CONVERSIONS (Pty) Ltd
Safari Conversions, based in Rosslyn, Gauteng, was established in 2001 by Martin Kok. The company is a leader in the conversion and homologation of all models of gameviewer conversions and has completed thousands of conversions over the last 25 years.
GOSOLR
GoSolr is one of South Africa’s fastest growing providers of solar and green energy solutions. Focusing on full maintenance leases for their products, the company will work with Silent Safari to provide optimized arrangements for every electric game viewer sale.
THE LANDY SHOP
The Landy Shop outside Hoedspruit, was started by John Grobler in 2012. Since then, it has become one of the leading suppliers of renovations and game viewer conversions to all models of Land Rover.Â
Silent Safari Partner Companies
SMT SCHARF AFRICA
SMT Scharf Africa is the African subsidiary of SMT Scharf Hamm – a global engineering giant headquartered in Germany that has been designing and manufacturing world leading transport solutions for personnel, equipment and materials in underground mining for 80 years. The SMT Scharf Land Cruiser electric conversion has been operational in diverse underground mining applications for 4 years and the game viewer conversion uses the same, proven conversion technology, simplified for specific needs of the African bush.
EBOR
One of South Africa’s leading Tier 1 suppliers of plastic injection mouldings to the auto industry.
It employs 250 people in 2 factories and is a key supplier to VW and Mercedes Benz. As a shareholder of Silent Safari, the complete set of
resources in Ebor will be available as required to Silent Safari.
SAFARI CONVERSIONS (Pty) Ltd
Safari Conversions, based in Rosslyn, Gauteng, was established in 2001 by Martin Kok. The company is a leader in the conversion and homologation of all models of gameviewer conversions and has completed thousands of conversions over the last 25 years.
GOSOLR
GoSolr is one of South Africa’s fastest growing providers of solar and green energy solutions.
Focusing on full maintenance leases for their products, the company will work with Silent Safari to provide optimized arrangements for every
electric game viewer sale.
THE LANDY SHOP
The Landy Shop outside Hoedspruit, was started by John Grobler in 2012. Since then, it has become one of the leading suppliers of renovations and game viewer conversions to all models of Land Rover.
Selling & Lease Price Comparisons
(60 months, Prime – 1%, assumes 60km/day)
* The availability of a discounted lease product, with an offset from the carbon credits generated by the vehicles, may be available.
Selling & Lease Price Comparisons
(60 months, Prime – 1%, assumes 60km/day)
* The availability of a discounted lease product, with an offset from the carbon credits generated by the vehicles, may be available.
Unique features of our SGV conversions
Direct drive lowers weight, provides simplicity and supports regen under braking.
Full immersion capability for drive train and battery boxes.
Inclusion of best-of-breed proven components where ground up development doesn’t make commercial sense.
Local development of wiring harnesses and modified transfer cases where skill base is available and cost savings are material.
Retain homologation of existing
chassis and key parts.
A globally
proven electric conversion, specifically
designed for
the African bush at an affordable price.
Unique features of our SGV conversions
Timeline
October – November
3 prototype electric SGV’s available for test drives at Lodges and other local launch points.
PLEASE MAKE A BOOKING NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
January 2025
First Deliveries
Timeline
October – November
3 prototype electric SGV’s available for test drives at Lodges and other local launch points.
PLEASE MAKE A BOOKING NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
January 2025
First Deliveries