Cape Town Motorhome Rental, South Africa

Compare RV Rental and Campervan Hire in Cape Town

Motorhome rental in Cape Town, South Africa offers visitors a great way to see the countryside in a more relaxing way! Discover everything there is to know about hiring a campervan, motorhome or 4X4 in Cape Town, arguably South Africa’s best-loved city, in a few short pages.

We’ll start by recommending the top Cape Town hire companies, so the most important part of your self-drive holiday is taken care of. We know from experience it’s also the part of a rental vacation that puts off potential customers, what with all that stuff about insurance and so on. No worries, firstly check your own insurance policy as you may already be covered to drive a hire vehicle and remember, the following are tried and tested companies that have your interests at heart, simply because it makes for good business.

After we’ve got you the perfect rental vehicle, we’ll look at some of the best places to visit near Cape Town, we’ve kept it quite broad so there is something to appeal to everything, couples, families, mates and so on, but if nothing else, you’ll find some cracking suggestions for scenic drives lurking in between.

Finally, we’ll nail down some top campgrounds and campsites for you to stay on your South African road trip. In addition to being safe zones, they’re great for top tips and advice!

No more worrying about flight schedules and how to get your luggage from  A to B;  your Cape Town campervan hire puts you in charge of the holiday and is a great option for anyone who loves the great outdoors, especially if you are travelling with younger children, who will love the novelty of a motorhome, campervan or RV (recreational vehicle) holiday using a Britz campervan, Caprivi 4WD camper, or Maui motorhome rental.

Cape Town motorhome rental could not be easier; you can even pick up your home-on-wheels at the airport and be on your way in no time at all.

The roads in the Western Province are excellent; and there are good motorhome or camping sites wherever you want to go.

Top Cape Town Campervan Hire Companies

Driving around Cape Town is like driving around any major city -asphalt, kerbs, signage and road markings- so if you’re planning on a self-drive vacation that’s going to keep you primarily on the hard stuff, you’re fine to check out the usual campervan and motorhome suspects. However, Cape Town is an oasis in the corner of a massive country that’s all about vast open plains, wild animals, isolated mountains and miles of untouched coastline. If you want to visit South Africa proper, you’ll need a 4X4.

Fortunately, our following top Cape Town campervan hire companies are also fountains of knowledge when it comes to hiring the right campervan, motorhome or 4X4 for your self-drive vacation in South Africa. There are two practical reasons why the advice of these companies needs to be heeded. Firstly, they are experts when it comes to the local region and secondly, they want their hire vehicle to return in one piece!

Avis Safari South Africa

Avis Safari South Africa uses Ford Ranger and Toyota Landcruiser vehicles in their range of overland vehicles. If actions speak louder than words then these two vehicles should tell you, in no uncertain terms, what sort of terrain you will be encountering if you venture off-road on your self-drive holiday in South Africa.

Both options are no-nonsense 4X4 battle cruisers, designed to get you in and out of the most hostile terrain in virtually all-weather conditions.

For experienced off-roaders, Avis’ choice of brand/model will be warmly received, if you’re unconvinced, you might be better off with a motorhome rental!

Avis Safari Cape Town City Depot: 46 Strand Street, Cape Town, South Africa.

Cape Town Airport (CPT) Depot: 15 Tower Road, Airport Industria, Cape Town, South Africa.

Avis Safari Cape Town office hours:

• Monday to Friday: 8am to 4:30pm
• Surcharges apply Saturday & Sunday

Included with Standard Rate:

• Unlimited kms/mileage
• Free transfer
• Bedding
• Kitchen/cutlery
• 24 hour assistance

Avis Safari Rental Vehicles:

Safari 4WD

Arguably the highlight of Avis’ overland range is the pair of Luxury Safari models. Both Ford Rangers, the Group L model will sleep two of you in style, whereas the Group O double cab sleeps as many as 5. Both are bristling with safety features, perfect for a limitless scenic drive.

Bobo Campers

Most of Bobo Campers’ motorhome chassis are built by Iveco, from Turin in Italy. This might be a mere aside to many self-drive holidaymakers, but petrolheads will understand that this move isn’t just shrewd, it makes sense to hire a self-drive rental with a solid structure in South Africa.

Iveco has been around since 1975 -they are the combination of a merger between five companies from three countries- and their success is demonstrable in their fantastic range of vehicles.

The following examples courtesy of Bobo Campers should be a cause for reassurance, whether you’re into your machines or not.

Bobo Campers Cape Town RV Rental Depot: Unit A Bouwers Industrial Park, Christopher Starke St, Atlantis Industrial, Cape Town, 7349, South Africa

Location: About 34 miles/55 km from Cape Town International Airport (CPT), or 32 miles/52 km from downtown Cape Town

Bobo Campers office hours:

• 27 April to 31 October: Monday to Friday
  • Pick Up: 7:30am to 12 noon
• 1 November to 26 April: Monday to Friday
  • Pick Up: 7:30am to 3pm
• Drop Off: 7:30am to 4pm
• Pick up on request for Weekends and Public Holidays

Included with Standard Rate:

• 220 kms per day
• Bedding/linen
• Kitchen/cutlery
• 24 hour assistance
• Tourist information/maps
• 0-4 years old

Bobo Campers Rental Vehicles include:

4×4 Camper (DC 4×4)

A Toyota Hillux is the base for Bobo Campers’ DC 4X4, a double cab pick-up with an automatic gearbox to ensure that 4 of you will be as safe as you’re comfortable. The roof-top sleeping accommodation is ingenious, not to mention a clever way to avoid encountering curious nocturnal animals!

4×4 Motorhome (FunX)

Bobo Campers’ 4×4 FunX motorhome isn’t just fun, it’s safe too. Based on a Nissan NP300 (this is a good thing, folks) the FunX proves you can have your cake and eat it, and speaking of which, it comes with a full kitchen and that toilet’s a nice touch too.

Motorhome Rental

We mentioned Iveco earlier, now let’s check out what Bobo Campers have created with that rocksteady chassis. But first, a quick explanation as to what constitutes a Low Profile/semi-integrated Motorhome or a Coachbuilt/Cab Over. Bluntly, the latter has a protrusion over the cab for additional sleeping space, the former doesn’t.

• Low Profile Motorhome (Discoverer 4): While that streamlined space above the cab doesn’t accommodate people, it’s still used to make more room for you and your crew. The Bobo Campers Discoverer 4 easily sleeps 4 and it was The Great Outdoors Guide motorhome of the year in 2019. For tarmac lovers, does it get any better than this?
• Coachbuilt/Cab Over Motorhome (Discoverer 6): Having said that, for 6 of you you’ll have to go some way to beating Bobo Campers’ Discoverer 6. For self-drive holidaymakers that want all the creature comforts of home on four wheels and the whole family to jump on board for the ride, this could be right up your street.

Britz Campervan Rentals

Britz Campervan Rentals are also in the market for a bit of rough, Toyota (including the 4WD Landcruiser) and Nissan head up the range of 4X4 gear you’re going to need if you fancy getting your axels into the landscape. And by ‘range’ we mean a total of 14 options to peruse, each tweaked to your exacting requirements.

That should underline the changing landscape you’re entering into and the fact that Britz gets this, to the extent that even experienced off-road self-drive renters should be heeding any advice they offer. Figure out how many are going and take it from there.

Britz Campervan Hire Cape Town Depot: 13 Michigan Street, Airport Industrial, Cape Town, South Africa

Location: About 1 miles/1.8 km from Cape Town International Airport (CPT), or 12 miles/19 km from downtown Cape Town

Britz Campervans Cape Town Depot Hours:

• Monday to Friday:
  • Pick Up: 8am to 3pm
  • Drop Off: 8am to 4pm
• Saturday:
  • Pick Up: 8am to 11am
  • Drop Off: 8am to 12 noon
• Collection and Return Surcharges apply Sundays & Public Holidays)

Included with Standard Rate:

• Unlimited kms/mileage
• Bedding/linen
• Kitchen/cutlery
• Tourist information/maps
• 0-4 years old

Britz Campervan Rental Vehicles include:

4×4 Camper

There are about 13 varieties of 4X4 Camper on Britz Campervan Rental’s books, by far the largest on the page. Catering for a little as 1/2 and as many as 4 they come as single or double cabs with slightly varying specs and features. Choose carefully and discover the perfect one.

4×4 Campervan

Only the Britz 4WD Navi, and to a lesser extent the TX, is what could be considered a ‘campervan’ on account of its closed accommodation unit attached to the rear of this muscly little pick-up. It comes complete with a toilet and kitchen and those solid exterior walls offer protective reassurance.

Caprivi Camper Hire

Based in Namibia, a region in Africa that’s well known for its quality, tarmacked road. But that hasn’t prevented Caprivi Camper Hire from stocking mainly Toyota’s Hilux, a sort of domesticated Landcruiser that can still show its teeth when push comes to shove. Comforting, that.

Caprivi Camper Rentals Cape Town Depot: Serviced non-depot location. On arrival, you will be met at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and shuttled to our depot.

Included with Standard Rate:

• Unlimited kms/mileage
• Free transfer
• 24 hour assistance
• One way fee
• Tourist information/maps
• 0-4 years old

Caprivi Camper Hire Vehicles include:

4×4 Rental (non-Camping)

Just because you’re on a self-drive vacation in Cape Town you’re not obliged to camp outdoors -there are hundreds of fantastic places to stay across multiple price points. Still, you’re going to want to be able to safely reach your destination, so get a 4X4 to do the heavy lifting.

4×4 Camper with Rooftop Tent(s)

This 4X4 Toyota Hilux Camper has a rooftop tent, which is ideal if as many as 4 of you want to try the camping thing out, but on your terms. Stay in a few lodges, get the feel of the environment then when you’re ready, go for it, pitch that roof tent!

Happy Camper South Africa

Quite different to the rest of the 4X4/motorhome/campervan rentals on this page, in so far as Happy Camper in South Africa are quite distinctive with their no-holds-barred aesthetic. Put it another way, you could spot a Happy Camper from miles away, and in the case of a typical South African scenic drive, quite literally.

Taste aside, Happy Camper have three (soon to be 4) cheery options for the self-drive holidaymaker, all of them campers. And by that, we mean vans that have had their load space converted for the likes of you and your crew.

Happy Camper Rentals Cape Town Depot: M05/3 Baker Square Block, Cape Town, South Africa.

Pick Up & Drop Off Times:

• Monday to Sunday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
• Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day (25 & 26 December)

Included with Standard Rate:

• Unlimited kms/mileage
• Free transfer airport from/to depot
• Bedding/linen
• Kitchen/cutlery
• 24 hour assistance
• 0-2 years old

Happy Camper Hire Vehicles include:

Camping Car/Van

Happy 1 provides plenty of space for 2, Happy 3 as many as 5 -a campervan that sleeps 5 is a rare beast indeed.

But do be aware, these are not 4X4 machines and you’ll be needing a place to freshen up, so check out our camping recommendations further down the page.

4×4 Camper

The 2 berth Happy 4 is a 4X4, so 2 of you get the convenience of a campervan plus all-wheel-drive power.

Sure, it doesn’t have a bathroom (read on) and you’ll need to be in the right frame of mind graphics-wise, but this could be Happy Camper happy days.

Maui Motorhomes South Africa

Of all the motorhome rental companies in South Africa, as far as this page is concerned, Maui motorhomes in South Africa offer the most eclectic range, simply by offering a sort-of perfect one of everything.

Put it another way, if you don’t know a thing or two about hiring the perfect campervan, motorhome or 4X4, you’d be wise to begin here.

And like many of the companies featured here, Maui has a depot in/close to the airport, so you don’t have to spend hours of your self-drive vacation traipsing about town. Land, pick up your hire vehicle and start road tripping.

Maui Motorhome Rentals Cape Town Depot: 13 Michigan Street, Airport Industrial, Cape Town, South Africa

Location: About 1 miles/1.8 km from Cape Town International Airport (CPT), or 12 miles/19 km from downtown Cape Town

Maui Motohomes Cape Town Depot Hours:

• Monday to Friday:
  • Pick Up: 8am to 3pm
  • Drop Off: 8am to 4pm
• Saturday:
  • Pick Up: 8am to 11am
  • Drop Off: 8am to 12 noon
• Collection and Return Surcharges apply Sundays & Public Holidays)

Included with Standard Rate:

• Unlimited kms/mileage
• Bedding/linen
• Kitchen/cutlery
• 0-4 years old

Maui Motorhome Rental Vehicles include:

Campervan with Shower/Toilet

Okay, the Maui M2B is a Mercedes, is arguably the perfect campervan for 2, it even has a kitchen, WC and shower and there’s enough room inside to swing one of the Big 5. It’s not a 4X4 but if this campervan appeals to you, you’re probably already booking it.

Motorhome Rental

The Iveco chassis makes a welcome return to the pair of motorhomes from Maui Motorhome Rentals. These don’t have 4X4 either, but they do have a WC and bathroom, so already they have a market that isn’t really up for the bumpy stuff in the middle of nowhere. Still tough, though.

• Low Profile Motorhome: If 4 of you want all the space and none of the compromises that come with hiring a motorhome, then say hello to the Maui M4B1. It’s got it all. All you have to do is plan a scenic drive or two, avoid the dirt tracks, and head off.
• Coachbuilt/Cab Over Motorhome: On a budget and still want the comfort? Here you go. The Maui M6B sleeps 6, but it’s about the same length as the M4B1. Two of you will be sleeping in the cabover, but that’s just fine. Spread the cost among all of you and you’ve just saved yourself some coin.

Where to go in your Cape Town Motorhome rental:

Cape Town is your gateway to the Western Cape, and indeed the whole of Southern Africa.

Visit Cape Point to see where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet – a great day out. Watch out for baboons who will try to get into your vehicle and steal your supplies!  Then visit the famous Penguin colony at Boulders beach.

The West Coast is a lovely area to explore and your Cape Town motorhome hire or 4WD rental will give you the freedom to move from one little bay to the next and linger as long as you like.  Sunsets on the West Coast can be spectacular!

One of the best trips to consider in your RV hire in Cape Town is to drive along the lovely Garden Route all the way to Port Elizabeth, (where you could drop off your Cape Town motorhome rental if you do not have time to retrace your steps).

There is plenty to see and do along the way and many really delightful campsites almost right on the beach, where you can do some dolphin and whale watching.

Top 12 Places to Visit near Cape Town

Note the word ‘near’, it’s subjective, and it may involve changing terrain, weather conditions and animals with big sharp teeth! So, in all of the following, be practical. Ensure the rest of the family are happy with you driving through the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park at dusk, and maybe that luxury campervan isn’t ideal for the Klein Karoo in the rainy season. For that matter, do you really need a 4X4 if you’re planning on visiting Boulders Beach every day?

Plan each trip before you set off and, as we’ll remind you in the following, book campsites and campgrounds in advance.

Table Mountain

The good news is that are places to park up the campervan or motorhome in the 221 square kilometres (85.3 square miles) of unspoiled, protected parkland that lie in the shadow of Table Mountain. However, there are only around half a dozen, so make sure you research options prior to your arrival. Once there, you could do a lot worse than set up base camp, especially if you’re here to explore the Mountain’s extraordinary array of fauna and flora. More on that later…

Stellenbosch & Cape Winelands

On the scenic drive to Grabouw, it’s only 30 miles from Cape Town to reach 8000 square miles of the Stellenbosch and Cape Winelands district. Obviously, if you’re intending on sampling the fruits of the region, finding a place to camp for the night should be top of the list. Once you’ve found the one you like, book it now and plot a scenic drive to connect them up. Of course, you don’t have to actually like wine to enjoy the beautiful landscapes that define the region. But it helps.

Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay

If you’re into natural, outdoor pursuits -angling, wild swimming, hiking, bird or whale/dolphin watching etc- then Robberg Nature Reserve at Plettenberg Bay is going to straight to the top of your list.

This is a place to leave the bustle of the city and town behind, where you can come and go and your own pace and explore the Garden Route with impunity.

Coastline or inland, it’s all there waiting for you and at Keurbooms Lagoon Caravan Park the perfect camping sites to explore the region.

Boulders Beach Penguin Colony

As the title suggests, this one is all about penguins, albeit hanging out on a beautiful sandy beach. Boulders Beach Penguin Colony is located on the east of the Cape Peninsula, which means you’ve absolutely no excuse for a South African scenic drive!

In fact, a great day out would be to start from Cape Town, head south to Boulders Beach, then continue down to New Cape Point lighthouse -or loop back to Cape Town via the M65 if you’re short on time.

Cape Point Nature Reserve

We’ve already touched on the rich biodiversity in and around Table Mountain, if you’re looking to delve deeper, Cape Point Nature Reserve is a great option. Located in the southern section of Table Mountain National Park, the nature reserve is a fantastic spot for a good-old-fashioned hike and fantastic views of the ocean. Motorhome camping is available in Cape Point Nature Reserve too, so why not attached this section with the former and make a long weekend out of it?
https://capepoint.co.za/

Karoo National Park

There are places to park your motorhome or campervan rental at Karoo National Park, but we recommend you do this in advance. The award winning campsite has communal ablution blocks, as well as kitchen facilities and pwered camping sites. The laundry is fully equiiped with a washing machine and tumble drier.

It’s a four-hour drive to the northeast of Cape Town on the popular N1 but scenic drives are available on other routes. Not that you’ll necessarily need them, Karoo National Park is a scenic drive in its own right. The landscape is vast, tranquil, almost other-worldly as it catches the light in different parts of the day…

West Coast National Park

This could be our top recommendation for families that just want to go somewhere in their campervan, motorhome and 4X4, set up a base, and gently gravitate from one spot. The West Coast National Park is large enough to offer unspoilt sandy beaches and crystal clear water on a grand scale, yet there’s ample opportunity for kitesurfing, water-skiing, kayaking, snorkelling, SUPing and boating, maybe even a spot of fishing for dad. Head inland for rocky walks, wildflowers, and countless species of birds and reptiles.

Camping next to the Berg River at Kuifkopvisanger, you can watch the sunset besside th braai, whilst cooking a fish or steak on the fire. The campground also has hot and cold showers.

Knysna Heads

For self-drive holidaymakers that like their coasts to be on the wild, rugged side, you’ve got to check out Knysna Heads. But first, plot that scenic drive!

It’s five hours East of Cape Town but take the coastal route, plan places to stay along the way so when you hit the numerous spots in which to eat, drink, relax you’re already a local. As for the (beautiful) craggy landscape, you could spend months here and not see the same thing twice.

Buffalo Bay has electric powered sites where you can hook up your RV. Located at Knysna Heads, the beach is perfect for relaxing, as well as an ideal spot for surfing, snorkeling, fishing, canoeing and swimming.

Cederberg Wilderness Area

Family fun alert! And by that we don’t mean some faceless theme park, we’re talking cycling, hiking, climbing, even a trip on a donkey cart: activities to suit the young and old alike.

There’s quiet shady camping at Algeria, beside the peaceful Rondegat River for your motorhome or 4X4, so you don’t have to venture too far, and if you’re in the market for some rock art, Cederberg Wilderness Area has more than 2500 sites with paintings (between 300 and 6000 years old) to give a real sense of magic to the area.

Klein Karoo and Oudtshoorn

Brilliant South African scenic drive alert! And this could be the best on the page, so pay close attention. This one is all about Route 62 and the Swartberg loop to and from Cape Town to Klein Karoo and Oudtshoorn.

The Klein Karoo (Little Karoo) is a 350-kilometre-long valley and is almost completely surrounded by mountains, Oudtshoorn is typified by ostrich farms, wildflowers, vineyards and the spectacular Cango Caves. Make sure you camp along the way, there’s a lot to take in here.

Addo Elephant National Park

For plenty of people reading this, seeing an African elephant in its natural habitat will be a life-affirming experience. If there is a single reason to visit South Africa, this could well be it. The Addo Elephant National Park provides self-drive holidaymakers with the opportunity to glimpse these magnificent creatures first-hand.

Addo Rest Camp and similar will provide a safe place to camp while allowing you to enjoy the region’s celebrated flora and fauna at your leisure, but this one is really all about the guys with trunks.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

If you want to spot the Big 5: lions, water buffalo, rhinos, leopards and, of course, elephants, then the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is the place to visit. Needless to say, the dynamic changes when it comes to visiting dangerous creatures so, if you’re travelling with the kids, seek advice.

The park has a range of Traditional Rest Camps and Wilderness Camps in which to park the motorhome/4X4, providing you with the best opportunity of seeing one or all of these elusive animals in this breath-taking environment.

Best Campgrounds & Campsites near Cape Town

We’ve mentioned the need for campgrounds and campsites on your South African self-drive vacation, but how about if you’ve landed at Cape Town and are happy to set up base in/near the city and take it from there?

There’s no harm in that at all, Cape Town is one of the best cities in South Africa, right on the doorstep of adventure, so why not choose one of our recommended (and eclectic) top campgrounds and campsites in the vicinity. Quick note, not all appreciate your four-legged friend so always check first.

Imhoff Caravan Park

54 Wireless Rd, Kommetjie, Cape Town, 7975, South Africa

Located 35 miles from Kommetjie on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula, Imhoff Caravan Park is a remote spot boasting spectacular views of Chapman’s Peak. A great place for campervans without a WC -facilities include a shower/toilet block, playground and games room- but it’s not one for dogs.

Hardekraaltjie Holiday Resort

4 Voortrekker Rd, Boston, Cape Town, 7530, South Africa

Need to be close to some of the biggest hospitals in Cape Town, namely, Louis Leipoldt, Tygerberg and Panorama? Hardekraaltjie Holiday Resort is centrally located.

For self-drive holidaymakers that want a quiet, grassy spot to park up and relax it’s just as ideal, but you’ll need to provide your own entertainment.

Ou Skip Caravan Park

Otto du Plessis Dr, Melkbosstrand, 7441, South Africa

Spacious, grassy, verdant, Ou Skip Caravan Park is a stone’s throw from the beach and has a bunch of facilities designed to appeal to kids and adults, whether you’re in a bog-standard campervan or a 6-berth motorhome with slide-outs and mood lighting. Definitely worth checking out this one.

Zonnekus Holiday Resort

13/141 Zonnekus Road, Morningstar, Cape Farms, Philadelphia, 7304, South Africa

Zonnekus Holiday Resort is a great place for the family to park up the Cape Town rental and kick back. It has a pool, playground, bar/restaurant and coffee shack, a great area to begin or end a scenic drive. And, so long as you’re staying over, your dog is welcome too!