A local online platform brings RV owners and campers together by connecting RV and trailer owners directly with renters. (Photo: Kampi/Facebook)
A South African online platform that started as a simple idea six years ago has since grown into a R28 million business and is redefining the local camping industry by connecting owners of caravans and trailers directly with renters.
Kampi was founded in June 2021 by JP Voogt (36) and Darrell Strydom (38), with Christiaan Voogt (30) later joining as general manager to handle operational management.
The family business operates as a person-to-person rental platform where owners can list their caravans, motorhomes and 4×4 trailers. Tenants can book it securely via the platform, with services such as insurance, deposits, identity verification and administration all included.
According to Voogt, the idea arose from a clear market gap: thousands of caravans are unused for most of the year, while many families cannot justify the purchase costs.
“Camping is an African thing, and we realized that there is a great demand from families who want to camp, but don’t necessarily have the equipment. At the same time, many trailers and caravans sit unused for three quarters of the year. Through the platform, we connect the landlord with the potential tenant,” he says.
The platform has already facilitated more than 4,600 trips and processed more than R28 million worth of transactions. Currently, around 365 caravans are available nationwide.
Owners can list their caravans in minutes with no monthly costs and according to Kampi earn between R300 and R600 per day, with some users generating as much as R64 000 per year from one caravan.
(Photo: Kampi/Facebook)
For renters, Kampi offers a more accessible alternative to ownership, with prices ranging from around R580 per day for smaller trailers to almost R2 500 per day for luxury 4×4 trailers.
Safety is a core component of the model. All users are pre-verified, while every booking includes insurance and roadside assistance. A breakage deposit covers smaller damages, with larger claims handled by insurance.
The platform also allows for crossing the border to popular destinations such as Botswana and Namibia.
According to Voogt, the typical user includes young families who want to “test out” camping, experienced campers who need specific equipment, and overseas tourists who want to explore Southern Africa.
The company aims to further expand its footprint, especially in provinces where supply is still limited, and is developing tools to help owners manage their vans as sustainable small businesses.
“We want to be the first place a South African family thinks of when they say: ‘Let’s go camping’,” says Voogt.
Watch an interview with Christiaan Voogt here.