Toyotas equipped for the Kalahari, the Orange River and Namibia
Compare the 4 campervan and motorhome rental companies in Upington to find the best price, and book at the price shown, mandatory fees included.
Hiring a campervan in Upington in practice means getting behind the wheel of a Toyota 4x4 equipped for camping, in the heart of the Northern Cape, the largest and least populated province of South Africa. The town stretches along the Orange River, a ribbon of vineyards and palm trees in the middle of the semi-desert. To the north lie the Kalahari and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park; to the west, Augrabies Falls, Namaqualand and the Namibian border. 4 partner companies offer their vehicles here: Asco, Caprivi and Bushlore Africa, with two catalogues.
It is also the last big town before the desert: supermarkets, water in jerrycans and firewood for the braai are loaded here before hitting the dirt roads.
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
| Vehicle | Winter July | Spring October | Summer January | Autumn April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €222/day median €273/day | from €209/day median €251/day | from €179/day median €205/day | from €187/day median €214/day |
| Car and SUV | from €210/day median €254/day | from €201/day median €234/day | from €174/day median €196/day | from €180/day median €208/day |
Daily prices observed on October 21, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 1 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage.
The R360 runs north between red dunes to Twee Rivieren, the South African gate of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, shared with Botswana. The tracks follow the dry beds of the Auob and Nossob rivers, where gemsbok, springbok, black-maned lions and raptors gather around the waterholes. You sleep at the Mata-Mata and Nossob camps before heading back down the same road.
Heading west, the N14 follows the vineyards and sultana orchards of the Orange River, via Keimoes and the water wheels of Kakamas, to Augrabies Falls and their granite gorge. The road then crosses Bushmanland to Springbok, capital of Namaqualand, whose hills are covered with flowers in the southern spring, before reaching Namaqua National Park.
With the rental company's written consent, the N10 crosses the Namibian border at Nakop and Ariamsvlei. After the Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop, gravel roads lead to the Hobas viewpoint on the edge of the Fish River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world, then to the hot springs of Ai-Ais. You return to South Africa via Noordoewer and Vioolsdrif, on the Orange River.
The shoulder seasons offer the best balance when leaving from Upington: warm but bearable days, almost no rain and mild nights in the tent. In May, the low light on the Kalahari dunes is superb; in October, highs already exceed 30 °C and it is better to drive early in the morning.
Sunny and very dry days, ideal for watching the wildlife that gathers around the Kgalagadi waterholes. The nights, however, are cold: in the Kalahari, frost is possible at dawn. Bring warm sleeping bags and several layers of clothing. In August, the first flowers appear on the road to Springbok.
The season of intense heat: afternoons exceed 35 °C in December and January, and a few isolated thunderstorms turn the Kalahari green again. Drive at dawn, stop in the shade during the hottest hours, carry plenty of water and prefer campsites along the Orange River, cooler than the desert camps.
Most pleasant months: April to October.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36 °C | 21 °C | 37 mm | 13 h/day |
| Feb | 35 °C | 21 °C | 25 mm | 12 h/day |
| Mar | 33 °C | 19 °C | 20 mm | 11 h/day |
| Apr | 28 °C | 15 °C | 26 mm | 11 h/day |
| May | 25 °C | 11 °C | 6 mm | 10 h/day |
| Jun | 21 °C | 7 °C | 11 mm | 10 h/day |
| Jul | 21 °C | 6 °C | 3 mm | 10 h/day |
| Aug | 23 °C | 7 °C | 2 mm | 11 h/day |
| Sep | 28 °C | 11 °C | 6 mm | 11 h/day |
| Oct | 31 °C | 15 °C | 9 mm | 12 h/day |
| Nov | 34 °C | 18 °C | 9 mm | 13 h/day |
| Dec | 35 °C | 20 °C | 26 mm | 13 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Handing over a 4x4 camper takes time: ask to be shown how to unfold the tent or the camper unit, the fridge, the second battery, the compressor and how to change a wheel. Pick up the vehicle in the morning and aim for a first night on the banks of the Orange River, near Upington, rather than at a Kalahari camp.
In the park, camp gates open and close with the sun: you must be back before closing time or risk a fine. You may only get out of the vehicle in fenced or signposted places, as lions roam freely, and speed is limited on every track. Keep food and drink within reach inside the cab.
Around Upington, tarmac quickly gives way to gravel, often corrugated, then to red sand in the Kgalagadi. On sand, lower your tyre pressure following the rental company's instructions; on gravel, slow down in bends. Northern Cape roads are rarely fenced: livestock and antelopes cross, especially at dawn and dusk.
On the N10, N14 and R360, filling stations can be very far apart: top up in Askham, Kakamas or Pofadder whenever you can, and keep a reserve. In South Africa, an attendant fills the tank and a small tip is customary; some rural stations prefer cash to cards.
Four partner companies operate in Upington, from three depots: Asco, Caprivi and Bushlore Africa, which offers two catalogues, Bushlore Africa and Bushlore Africa Cars, from the same depot. The exact address and meeting time are in your confirmation; let the company know if your domestic flight arrives late in the day.
The price depends on the season, the length of hire and the model, from the two-berth Bushcamper to the four-berth Land Cruiser. South African school holidays are the most popular periods. Run a search with your dates: the prices shown include mandatory fees and can be booked straight away.
Yes, if the rental company authorises it in writing: it provides a letter of authority and the vehicle papers to show at the border, often for an extra fee. Cross-border charges are collected when entering Namibia, and entry formalities for travellers depend on their nationality. Leaving the Kgalagadi via Mata-Mata also requires spending at least two nights in the park.
The models found are all Toyota 4x4s, almost all with automatic gearboxes. For two, the Bushcamper or the Land Cruiser SC Camping offer two berths; for families, the Hilux Camping, the Safari Camping or the Land Cruiser 2.8 TD offer four, with five seats. The FJ Cruiser and the unequipped Hilux suit travellers sleeping in chalets.
Allow at least five days for the Kgalagadi alone, including three nights in the park, and a week to combine Augrabies and Namaqualand. Going on to the Fish River Canyon in Namibia takes eight to ten days. Distances are long and tracks are slow: short stages are better than an overloaded schedule.
Booking for the first time was canceled by the site as the provider had no more availability, and the second proposal is double the price!
The motorhome is rented out simply, quickly, and professionally.
We were given a Maui Camper Van with a lot of defects, Maui Cape Town was kind enough to replace the van but the new van's geyser did not work and the water tank had a leak. We were out in the middle of nowhere in a campsite without electricity and we were far away from a bathroom (no hot water) and a tap. Also, it was inconvenient to not be able to shower in freezing cold weather. They did send someone out to try and fix it but he could not do so. It was also inconvenient to re-pack all our belongings (6 pax) from one truck to the other. It felt as if all our little break away was revolving around a camper van. My experience was not great, especially since we had guests from Durban and I would have thought Maui Cape Town would at least contact me today and release my holding deposit. We left a message for the manager to contact us on Saturday when we dropped off the van. This did have an impact on our trip and experience.
A national licence with a photo, written in English, is generally accepted; otherwise, an international driving permit is required. It is advisable in any case, especially for entering Namibia. Traffic drives on the left, with the steering wheel on the right. Each company also sets a minimum age and a minimum number of years of driving, shown in the offer conditions.
Campsites along the Orange River, between Upington and Kakamas, and the national park camps of Augrabies and the Kgalagadi welcome vehicles with rooftop tents. Many guest farms in the Northern Cape also have pitches. Almost all land is private and fenced: wild camping is not an option.
The flowering usually takes place from mid-August to mid-September, after the winter rains, and varies greatly from year to year. The flowers only open in sunny weather, from mid-morning to the afternoon, and turn towards the sun: drive with the sun behind you. Namaqua National Park, near Kamieskroon, is the best-known site.
Upington airport receives domestic flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town. By road, both cities are about 800 to 900 km away, a long day's drive: a stop on the way is wiser. From Johannesburg, the N14 crosses North West province and the edge of the Kalahari; from Cape Town, the N7 runs up the west coast to Springbok.
One-way trips are possible to other departure cities of our partners, such as Cape Town, Johannesburg or Pretoria, depending on the companies and dates. Upington is a natural stopover between the Atlantic coast and Gauteng. Enter the return city in your search: any one-way fees are then included in the displayed price.
As early as possible for South African school holidays, at Easter, in July and from December to January, as 4x4 campers are few. The Kgalagadi camps are also booked very far ahead: secure the vehicle and the nights in the park at the same time, before buying your plane tickets.
Upington is the gateway to the South African Kalahari. From its green banks of the Orange River, a few hours' drive is enough to reach the red dunes of the Kgalagadi, the gorge of Augrabies Falls or the flowering hills of Namaqualand, and Namibia is not much further. Few towns give access to such varied landscapes within such a short radius, far from the country's busiest routes.
Four partner companies offer Toyota Hilux, Land Cruiser and Bushcamper vehicles equipped for sleeping in the wild, with two to four berths. The dry, sunny climate makes travel possible all year round, with ideal conditions from April to October. With Cape Town and Johannesburg, other departure cities of our partners, Upington also becomes the central stage of a great journey across the country.
