Mahindra camper cuts overlanding costs

According to CamperDays, a motorhome rental platform, road trips in motorhomes for safaris in Southern Africa increased by 33% in 2026. The growth is driven by demand for flexible, self-drive nature travel, particularly in Namibia and Botswana. Namibia, where 47.5% of tourists visit for leisure, has stabilized international arrivals at over 1.21 million per year. Botswana received over 1.18 million tourists, and its parks, such as the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, require 4x4 vehicles, making self-drive safaris popular.

Traveler Sandra Awodele shared her experience organizing a 10-day mid-luxury trip to Namibia. She used Go2 shuttle service instead of renting a car, stayed at Gondwana lodges, and received an upgrade to the Diplomatic Suite at Hilton Windhoek thanks to Hilton Gold status. Mobile signal was absent for three to four days in the desert, requiring offline maps and flexible arrival planning.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the Classe V Marco Polo camper van, focusing on comfort and functionality. The model features a compact kitchen with two burners, a dishwasher, and a fridge, along with two sleeping areas with ergonomic mattresses. It includes AIRMATIC air suspension, an MBUX system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a suite of safety assistants. The starting price is €30,260.

Namibia's Ministry of Environment reversed its decision to limit self-drive access to Deadvlei, allowing 4x4 visitors to enter from May 2, but the shuttle concessionaire disputes the move, claiming contractual rights remain