I recently discovered that AirBnB offers caravan hire. Not your usual, tired old caravans with Sound of Music upholstery and frilly lace curtains, but the latest state-of-the-art modern caravans which are truly home away from home (including a full size fridge and brand new microwave).
Not only is this one of the most brilliant marketing ideas that I have encountered for a while – for R600 per night it truly is a great way for a family of four to spend an affordable weekend away.
The decision to offer caravanning within the Airbnb context was made with the belief that a well-organised, strategically placed, quality caravanning experience is a great way to convert those holidaymakers who had never been exposed to a vacation in the great outdoors.
Everything is ready when you arrive and there is even tea, coffee and milk in the fridge.
Campworld are the brains behind this idea and they have identified two flagship caravanning sites in South Africa.
We visited Montagu Caravan Park in the Western Cape. The caravan is able to accommodate two adults and two children inside, and an additional two people can sleep in the full tent attached to the caravan. The campsite is immaculate and the mountain views are breath-taking. We had our three-year old twin daughters with us and they loved every moment.
There are three swimming pools – two indoor heated (one for adults only) and an outdoor salt water pool with a slide. The play area and Shetland ponies kept the kids busy when they were not in the pool. My husband took his mountain bike along and enjoyed a 50km ride in the surrounding mountains.
The second caravanning site selected is situated in the Drakensberg Mountains, with activities that include horse riding, a children’s animal farm, hiking trails and tubing.
The Campworld Airbnb caravanning experience will be on offer until April 2017.