Pleased to meet you!

A handful of impressive new caravans were on display at the recent kykNET Outdoor Expo outside Malmesbury in the Western Cape.

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BUNDU LODGE

Bundu Lodge is a new caravan manufacturer based in Paarl, and they came to show off two offroad caravans: the Rhino 2 and the Elephant 4.

The team behind Bundu Lodge, Ebbie Lambrechts (design) and Jacques Calitz (manufacturing), say that in the competitive offroad caravan segment, campers are looking for ones without canvas panels that are quick to set up, with an indoor bathroom and dining space, and the ability to be self-reliant. That's why Bundu Lodge's models are solar-ready and equipped with a water system and geyser.

The bodies and chassis are made from stainless steel, while the doors and pop-up roofs are aluminium. At first glance, the two models look similar, but the Elephant has two beds while the Rhino has one. The second bed in the Elephant slides out on a rail from the front body at the nose cone. In that space, the Rhino instead offers extra packing space and an 85 l internal fridge (12 V) - a luxury, as the fridge-freezer is usually part of the external kitchen. You do have the option of adding an extra single bed in this area.

Inside, the two models are identical. The centre of the hull, side bed and rear bathroom are all the same. It's a semi-island bed, and the ceiling over the slide-out is high enough to sit upright in bed. The bed also converts into a dinette.

The bathroom stretches the full width of the body - the shower is on the right, and the toilet in its partition is on the left.

The external kitchen cupboards are recessed into the left panel, and dishwashing happens at the back of the van with its own counter and a double-basin rack. The design for the loose step that fits in front of the door is clever - it's almost like a half-step, supporting your first step until you reach the recessed platform inside for your second step. The door is a generous 685 mm wide.

Both caravans have a GVM of 2 200 kg, with a tare weight of 1 330 kg and a 2,5 t axle.