The type of setup you need depends on a variety of things, such as the number of people, how long you like to stay in one pace and, of course, how much you can afford. We'd always used ground tents in the UK so started with one of those but changed to a roof-top tent after a year. We then decided that for the length of some of our trips that a trailer and, later, an offroad caravan would suit us better as we often stay 3 to 5 nights at sites. Below are the different setups that we've had and our thoughts on them.
1. Oz Tent
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
2. Howling Moon Stargazer Roof-Top Tent
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
These are the most common tents used by hire companies in Southern Africa and usually have 2 roof-top tents to accomodae 4 people.
3. Jurgens 140 Trailer with the Roof-Top Tent
Advantages:
Disadvantages.
4.Jurgens Xcape Caravan
In October 2012 we exchanged our trailer for a caravan as we wanted to be more comfortable when it's cold or raining.
Advantages:
Disadvantages.
5. Bush Lapa Vlooi Caravan
We saw one of these at at campsite in the Western Cape and went to their factory which was then in Worcester. We ordered one, sold the Jurgens after only 4 months and have had the Bush Lapa since 2013 - we love it! It's one of their smallest vans but suits us. Ours is number 114. Since then the company has grown and been very sucessful.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
A few more images of our Bush Lapa below:
We hardly notice that we're towing it.
For a one night stop we often don't use the awing which means we're set up within 10 minutes.
We can get 4 people inside the awning when it's cold or wet.