9 October 2025
Want to embark on an adventurous camping trip but not sure where to go? Our recommendation is stunning South Africa. Read on to hear Alan and Lynne’s plan for next year.
Exciting news! We are partnering with VanAfrica, a one stop destination supplier for unforgettable journeys in the beautiful South Africa.
As autumn establishes itself in the UK, for some of us, thoughts turn towards the winter sun and adventure. So, why not South Africa? Well, it’s only a night flight from London to Cape Town or Johannesburg. It’s in the same time zone as the UK so no jet lag, our winter is their summer, they have the best views, they have great food and even better wine and with the current exchange rate it’s incredibly good value.
VanAfrica is owned and run by Riaan Jooste. Riaan has over 30 years’ experience with small group tours on wild trails with remote camping and over landing along some of South Africa’s most famous routes. All the VanAfrica routes are carefully designed adventures that have been tried and tested by Riaan himself.
Imagine sipping a cold Gin and Tonic as a deep red sun sets behind 800 year old Baobab trees with a herd of Elephants just metres away. No interruptions. No fences. Just the sounds, views, smells and tastes of pure Africa.
There are two fully organised options available to you –
1. Fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town to be greeted at the airport by VanAfrica where you will be supplied with an iconic VW Synchro fully equipped 4wd 4 berth camper van. A 7/10/14 day itinerary will be included that you can follow. This will show the stunning scenery, roads, wineries, towns and camping areas that South Africa has to offer. Obviously, the famous Garden Route will make up a part of your tour. The Garden Route is a 300km coastal road trip that is known for its diverse landscapes including forests, lagoons, mountains and beaches alongside plenty of wildlife.
2. This is for the more adventurous. Fly to Johannesburg and be greeted at the airport by VanAfrica where you will collect your fully camperized Land Rover Defender equipped for 2 people. Riaan and his team will then take you with a small group on a guided self-drive bespoke adventure. Choose throughout the year from Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. You will be taken to places and see wildlife that you only ever have dreamt of.
Just imagine driving an iconic Land Rover Defender TD5 across the utterly beautiful remote Makgadikgadi Pans. The pans in northern Botswana are the largest salt flats in the world covering some 16,000 sq.kms. Kubu Island is the destination and is only accessible by 4wd. Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson described it as “just about the most astonishing place I’ve ever been”. It was so important to Clarkson that he chose to end his final episode of The Grand Tour at Kubu Island.
Riaan is an excellent qualified Bush Camp Chef.
Both breakfast and dinner are included so you will only be responsible for your drinks and daytime snacks. Your evenings can be spent sitting and relaxing around a campfire chatting through the day’s events with your fellow travelling companions, eating great food and washed down with a cold beer!
In Riaan Jooste’s words “VanAfrica endeavours to make your Africa experience truly stress free taking out all the worries and difficult planning. Our local knowledge will ensure a seamless adventure on African shores planned to the finest detail in partnership with Waveney Campers Ltd. UK”.
Seasoned traveller’s Alan and Lynne are very excited to be returning to South Africa for the third time, early next year to join Riaan and VanAfrica and embark on a 2-week tour of Botswana in the Land Rover Defender.
