I've tried camping. It's not for me. I need comfort, running water, gas for cooking, a TV, and most importantly, I need some electricity and Wi-Fi. However, I enjoy the outdoors, and I'm keen to try sleeping under the stars one more time, but I would instead not go adventuring in a tent. I'd take one of these luxurious campers, or rather a glampers.

Unfortunately, none of these fantastic conversions are sold in South Africa, but nothing stops you from drawing inspiration from these designs to create your own bespoke camping/glamping vehicle. 

Do you have a camper or glamper? Please email us here to share or your story or images pm our Wheels24 Reader's Ride section.

1 . Bürstner Copa 4x4 - Ford Transit

Bürstner is a leading German producer of custom camping vehicles. Its latest creation is the Copa 4x4 based on the mid-size Ford Transit (it's less than 5 metres in length). The car is fitted with a bespoke permanent 50:50 split all-wheel-drive system, and it sports custom suspension mods to give it added off-road capability. They've raised the ride height a little compared to a standard Ford Transit, and they've slapped on a Ranger Raptor-inspired front grille. If you don't see it with its roof-top tent extended, you might mistake it for a regular Transit.

Inside, you can go to town with a custom appointment of beds and kitchen apparatus or pick from pre-defined configurations. You can have it fitted with an interior bed and a roof-top bed as a two-seater. Or, you can have a modular kitchen installed, complete with gas burners. You can even add additional lithium-ion battery packs to power small appliances when out in the wilderness (or, more importantly for me, to keep the LTE router powered up and connected to the internet). You can also have it as a four-seater or six-seater, but you'll have to add external, pull-out tents. These Copa campers can cost from R980 000 and extend to around R2 million for the fully-loaded models. Nice, but ouch.

READ: REVIEW | 'Star Trek' Hyundai Staria Multicab is the ideal alternative to a double-cab bakkie

2 . Lounge Camper - Hyundai Staria

We've already rated the Hyundai Staria as a worthy alternative to a double cab - particularly in Multicab configuration. But, we didn't even think of it as a base to build a unique, connected glamper van. Hyundai, however, is already planning to launch factory campers to take on things like the Volkswagen California, but there are aftermarket companies already exploring Staria's flexibility as a camper.

Vantech in South Korea has turned a Staria bus into one of the most advanced campers on earth, sparing no expense. Its Raccoon L configuration comprises a fold-out sleeper bench and a swivelling driver seat. It also offers a dual-seat rear recliner bench that adds extra comfort and luxury compared to an average camper van bench, reclining and dropping flat at the push of a button. Electrochromatic window tint also eliminates the need for curtains or blinds in the camper. Like the Copa, you can fit aftermarket power storage solutions, running water, a shower, and beds to create a wonderful retreat. Prices to convert a Staria into a glamper in South Korea start around R1.8 million.

READ: 3 cool cars you might not know about but would wish we had in SA

3. Krug Project Rhino - Mercedes Benz Atego

Could this be the ultimate glamping vehicle? It just might be if you can drive a truck. The Krug Project Rhino leaps beyond turning a light commercial vehicle into a boutique hotel on wheels, using a Mercedes-Benz medium truck as its base. The Atego is the donor vehicle of choice here, and they've turned it into a full-self-sustaining hotel on wheels. You can fit at least six beds in here or go for a two-sleeper set-up for romantic getaways as far and remote as your mind can imagine. It boasts solar regen, lithium-ion battery banks, running water, Wi-Fi, hardened suspension and tyres and a bespoke all-wheel-drive system derived from the Unimog.

Krug believes that Project Rhino is ideal for special project forces who operate remotely and for extended periods. With its low-energy, deep cycle refrigeration, gas cookers, shower facilities, and the ability to customise it further with large format screens and computing power, you might even be able to build an off-road gaming rig with a satellite uplink to play your favourite PC or PS5 titles from anywhere on the planet. Pricing for Project Rhino is around R4.5 million. We're sure you can build one in South Africa for much less than that. If you have, please share it with us here. 

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