Sprite Scout - 4x4 Offroad Adventure Club

Sprite Scout 

Conversion 

to challenge the offroad 

leisure market? 

Words and photos by Alan Goodway 

The Scout knocked up in its full glory at Mata Mata Restcamp. Note the enormous double bed – fit 

for a king! The material normally used for the Scout’s extrusion bed and roof surrounds has been 

replaced by D250 waterproof Ripstop fabric, which is monkey-proof. 

With an exciting off-road adventure 

planned to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier 

Park, Alan Goodway was approached 

by Kempton Caravans to test a new 

conversion that they were prototyping 

in some serious off-road 

conditions (read corrugations). 

Are we to see a new trend in the 

industry? Read on to see how this 

gravel-roader fared! 

The owners of Kempton 

Caravans had already tested 

a first version of their caravan 

conversion in Swaziland and made 

some modifications. Now they wanted 

a serious test done by people who 

understand what punishment such 

a unit can take, without necessarily 

trying to break it. With a trip to the 

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - along 

with the 4x4 Off-road Adventure 

Club of Gauteng - on the cards, I 

was approached to do a test. Was I 

apprehensive? Not after a serious talk 

to Kempton Caravans about what they 

had done to the unit. 

So it was that, after final plans, the 

caravan was collected, hooked behind 

a Mitsubishi Pajero 3.5, and away we 

went. The power unit of the Pajero far 

overspecs the minimum tow vehicle 

for this caravan, but the stability and 

power beneath the bonnet would assist 

in keeping an optimum speed during 

the test to measure potential resultant 

damage that could occur. 

So what, then, is this caravan 

that has been converted? Kempton 

Caravans has taken a standard Sprite 

Scout off the floor and made some 

deliberate changes to step up the 

status of the caravan to that of an offroad-capable 

caravan. I have coined 

14 Caravan & Outdoor Life • March 2008 March 2008 • Caravan & Outdoor Life 15

The convoy stops to purchase San curios just before the Molop Lodge, outside Askham. 

Setting up the first night’s stopover at Uizip Resort. The last grass seen for days! 

the term ‘gravel-roader’ at this stage, 

but I believe that in 90% of the 

activities performed by existing offroad 

caravan owners in South Africa, 

this caravan will hold its 

own proudly. 

“The roads are in a bad 

state and it is unthinkable 

how some people 

challenge these roads by 

normal motor vehicle.” 

The caravan was towed 

comfortably all the way from 

Pretoria to the stunning camping 

facilities of the Uizip Resort about 25 

kilometres outside Upington, where 

the convoy broke camp for the night 

en route to the Twee Rivieren Camp 

Site in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier 

Park. It is quite evident that normal 

caravans are wider than their bigger 

brothers in the off-road categories and 

the convoy used a lot of inter-vehicle 

communication to ensure safety 

during the drive. We off-roaders have 

forgotten about extension mirrors, I 

am afraid. 

Day of reckoning 

On day two the excitement mounted 

as the other off-road trailer families 

in the convoy wanted to see how this 

conversion would handle what are 

no doubt well known as some of the 

worst gravel roads in Southern Africa. 

I’m referring to the infamous 40-60 

kilometre section after the end of the 

road works to the park, where the 

old road continues. I was saddened 

by the fact that tourists have created 

a multi-lane road next to the existing 

(yet horrendous) road – and must 

admit that at times I used it as well 

– but guess what? Those new lanes 

have become just as bad and flare up 

that incessant powder dust that blanks 

vision immediately and makes for 

dangerous driving conditions. This 

saw us hit the normal road again and 

drive most of the way to the gate with 

an average speed of between 40 and 

50 kilometres an hour. Trust me, at 

times I wondered what we would 

experience on arrival at the other 

side. Finally, the gate loomed 

ahead; we did the necessary 

booking-in protocol, and 

headed for the campsite 

and the big question. 

The members of the club 

in the convoy gathered 

around, ready to see a 

damaged and dust-clad 

interior. That we opened 

the door with apprehension 

is a severe understatement. There 

was silence. Nothing. The caravan 

upheld the severe punishment of 

the corrugations, showed no 

signs of dust in the interior and 

had no damage evident. We later 

found six eggs in the fridge to be 

cracked, but not shattered, due 

to forgetful packing. At least 

there was no fridge door 

open and a mess in the 

interior, as more than 

The Scout at full moon at Mata Mata, overlooking the waterhole. Which is more stunning? 


The Schoeman family enjoying their picnic under a large tree at Nossob Camp, having a break from 

the day’s game drive. 

Strategically placed clean ablutions are available for travellers in the park en route between the 

larger camps and at strategic intersections. 

“Hey Dad, any 

lions around?” 

Sean Owen 

scans the 

surrounding 

area. 

Love is… a new, converted Scout ‘gravel-roader’. 

one caravaner has experienced in the 

past after driving on even mild gravel 

roads to local resorts. What a relief! 

After many a visit from interested 

campers, the convoy left for Mata 

Mata in the north western corner of 

the park: another severe tow test for 

the caravan. Keeping within the speed 

limit of the park, all the vehicles and 

their trailers - including the Pajero 

and Scout - took a hammering, and 

once we reached our destination, every 

driver and passenger was relieved it 

was over. The roads are in a bad state 

and it is unthinkable how some people 

challenge these roads by normal 

motor vehicle. 

Once again, while setting up camp 

looking across the waterhole, the 

caravan was inspected for any damage. 

No visual damage was found externally 

and, yet again, no dust internally, 

proving that the high spec rubber seals 

really did their job. As the prototype 

still had the standard exterior walls 

with the fridge breather panels, a roll 

of duct tape had been used to seal this 

quite successfully. These panels will 

not be in the production versions from 

2008, we believe. 

Internally, although our bags 

and so on were not in their original 

places, we found one door panel 

to be damaged (although not off). 

It must be said, though, that the 

standard cupboard fittings found in 

the Scout were still in place, as there 

had been no time to replace them 

before the trip. All cupboard locks 

will be replaced with the standard 

off-road caravan cupboard locks in the 

production version. 

We were soon enjoying the 

wonderful activities of the wildlife 

on offer at the waterhole, as the lions 

roared in the distance. Then it was 

off to bed after a long, hot, dusty 

day. To bed! Before I forget, the 

best conversion on the Scout Safari 

is the bed! Kempton Caravans has 

taken the standard fold-out bed and 

extended it, facilitating the creation 

of a queen-sized bed in the bush. 

Absolutely stunning! 

We returned to Twee Rivieren after 

four lovely days at Mata Mata, via 

a brief visit and reroute to Nossob, 

extending the caravan’s testing 

distances. Another night’s stopover 


at Twee Rivieren and then we faced the 

long trek back to Pretoria. 

Our findings 

The caravan took everything it was 

dealt, with a final failure - based on 

insufficient locks - on two of the many 

doors (as explained, these are now 

replaced with off-road locks). It proved 

light on the towball, easy to manoeuvre 

and, given the fold-out bed and three 

awnings, completing the setup was 

still quick and easy. (We off-road 

caravaners stick with the minimum, so 

this was quite an experience!) It was 

without doubt an enjoyable home in 

the rough. 

“the best conversion 

on the Scout Safari 

is the bed!” 

Finally, while the caravan is indeed 

luxurious in the bush, it will have 

its limits and must not be seen in 

the same league as the purposebuilt 

caravans in the all terrain and 

off-road market. However, with the 

right approach, care and experience, 

I will go so far as to state that this 

caravan will go where most of its offroad 

competitors go, barring areas 

where departure angles, width and 

serious twist are major considerations. 

Wonderfully, it gives the man in the 

street and the existing caravaner a 

whole new world to explore, and the 

price ticket is indeed favourable. At the 

time of going to press, the converted 

unit was aimed at a two figure market. 

Kempton Caravans has created a gem 

here and soon the Scout Safari will be 

the envy of most normal caravaners. 

The Scout Safari conversion should 

be on offer from early 2008, once the 

standard stock ships from the Sprite 

factory. (At the time of going to print, 

Jurgens Ci expected the first Scout Safaris 

to be available in late April.) I am told 

that modifications are not cast in 

stone and that Kempton Caravans 

will be quite happy to build to 

customer requirements, wherever 

possible. If you are interested in the 

Scout Safari, please contact Isobelle, 

Larry or Brian at Kempton Caravans on 

(011) 974 5595, or send any questions 

you may have on this test experience to 

4x4offroad@mweb.co.za. 

An aluminium table has been fitted to the 

rearside of the caravan, incorporating holders 

for a dishwashing basin and drying rack. 

Evidence that the Scout went all the way and back, ably towed by Alan’s 3.5-litre Pajero. 

Kempton Caravans has taken the standard 

fold-out bed and extended it - wonderful! 


Tow test 

A second fitted side table on the doorside 

of the caravan – easily wiped clean. 

When I asked Larry and Brian 

from Kempton Caravans what their 

objectives were with the Scout 

conversion, they proudly stated that 

they wanted to create an affordable 

unit with off-road capability (for use 

in Botswana, Namibia and so on) that 

would cater for those with a smaller 

vehicle, and that would have the 

comfort of a standard caravan. The 

resultant conversion must have all the 

facilities to sleep four people inside, it 

must have a permanent double bed, 

and yet still have the comfort of interior 

seating and a dining area. 

What was changed? 

Thus Kempton Caravans took the 

standard Scout, now re-branded as the 

Scout Safari, into their well equipped 

workshop where they gave it an axle 

raise and uprated it to 1 500 kg, with 

15 inch wheels a standard now on the 

caravan (and spare wheel), and they 

solidly reinforced the chassis. 

Around the exterior, aluminium 

chequered plate has been fixed for 

extra protection. As with the big 

brother Xplorer, a protective bull-bar 

has been fitted. Finally, the fibreglass 

A-frame fairing has been replaced with 

aluminium chequered plate. 

Then, to enhance the caravan’s 

offerings as a ‘gravel-roader’, a lot 

Scout floorplan 

A. Kitchen 

B. Wardrobe 

C. Fridge 

D. Dinette seat 

E. Couch/double bed 

F. Fold out double bed 

G. Wardrobe 

H. Rear Locker 

I. Front locker 

Thanks to the zip, you can access items in the nose 

cone without having to remove the travel blanket. 

Details on thisjuicy caravan! 

of attention has been given to other 

aspects of the caravan. These include 

supplying and fitting two 4.5 kg gas 

bottles in the nose cone, fitting an 

under-chassis 50 litre water tank, and a 

handy vanity basin with running water 

inside the caravan. 

To cater for off-road conditions and 

the lack of electricity, the standard 

220 V system has been replaced with 

a dual 12/220 V system with a 20 

amp/hour charger. As a standard, a 

105 amp/hour battery is supplied. To 

add to the versatility of this system a 

lengthy 220 V cable is supplied, and a 

220 V multi plug has been fitted to the 

outside. The caravan also boasts two 

permanently mounted exterior 12 V 

lights. For the bush experience, three 

12 V Hella plugs have been fitted. And 

finally in the electrical department, 

an optional National Luna 12/220 

V fridge/freezer has replaced the 

standard fridge and installed on a slide 

rail for ease of use. 

But, as the advert says, that’s not 

all. Being off-road campers, nature 

lovers and serious outdoor enthusiasts 

and with many years in this business, 

Kempton Caravans further enhanced 

the Scout Safari by adding two 20-litre 

metal jerrycans on the rear of caravan 

above the taillights, with the necessary 

support to carry a load. To the exterior 

An optional National Luna 12/220 V fridge/freezer 

on a slide rail has replaced the standard fridge. 

have been added two aluminium side 

tables. These are permanently fitted to 

doorside and rearside of the caravan 

and are easy to put up after the initial 

stop. Being of aluminium construction, 

they’re also very easy to keep clean 

and a simple wipe got rid of the 

Kalahari dust instantly. The rear table 

incorporates holders for a dishwashing 

basin and a drying rack. 

There is also a rally canopy, supplied 

for the door-side of the caravan, and a 

stunning, newly-invented cover over 

the kitchen area at the caravan rear, 

both of which we put to good use in 

countering the blazing Kalahari sun. 

Kempton Caravans has thought about 

almost everything in this conversion. 

In addition to all of the above, they 

have also supplied free-standing 

tables that slot onto the exterior of 

the caravan and are easily accessible 

for that cup of tea roadside while 

travelling. There is crockery and cutlery 

for five people and an easily reachable 

fire extinguisher is fitted inside the 

door entry point. 

To finish off the Scout Safari, the 

usual material used for the extrusion 

bed and roof surrounds has neatly been 

replaced by D250 waterproof Ripstop 

fabric, which is monkey-proof, giving 

class and appeal to the finish of this 

conversion. To prevent any damage 

to the nose of the caravan or stones 

smashing the rear window of the tow 

vehicles, the caravan has been finished 

off with a well fitting travel blanket 

that has a zip, allowing for access to the 

front storage hatch without removing 

the blanket. Finally, the door and bed 

extension has been fitted with heavyduty 

door locks. 

The resultant Scout Safari is a 

caravan with minimum nose weight, 

excellent towing ability and, based 

on the minimum weight increase the 

conversion has introduced, outdoor 

enthusiasts will be able to tow it with 

small to medium vehicles. Another 

bonus is that, unlike many of the ‘big 

bangers’, there is lots of packing space. 

Foldout Camping Trailers, 111 Capricorn Drive, Capricorn Park, Cape Town 

Scott Calder 083 693 8621 Email: info@foldout.co.za Web: www.foldout.co.za 


Kgalagadi 

Travel Planner 

Nossob campsites. If camping along the 

fence, campers overlook a waterhole 

that attracts a variety of animals during 

the day. There is a petrol station and 

a small shop on site and electricity is 

available. 

Uizip Resort 

The Uizip Resort is a stopover option 

en route to Namibia/Kgalagadi, 

situated about 30 km before Upington 

if you’re coming from the Pretoria 

side. Uizip, a San name for a place of 

many waters, offers the weary traveller 

lovely grassed, shaded sites (some with 

electricity, some without) and large, 

clean ablutions. Set behind the barren 

koppies and shrubs, a green camping 

haven on the banks of the Orange 

River allows one to just chill while you 

plan your next move. 

As it was previously a school/church 

camping and dormitory site, it has great 

facilities and is run by a superb young 

couple. 

Tel: (054) 338 0283 

Cell 082 492 8307 

Fax: (054) 338 0283 

We liked: 

• The last bit of grass before the desert 

sand and dust. 

• The serenity of the venue and the 

cool waters of the Orange River. 

• The excellent hospitality of the 

management couple. 

We didn’t like: 

• The pool was under repair, which, 

given the daytime temperature, 

saddened the smaller kids! The 

Orange River was flowing too 

strongly for them to swim in safely. 

Twee Rivieren Camp 

One of the most popular campsites 

in Kgalagadi, Twee Rivieren is a very 

busy place. The campsite offers the 

opportunity to cool off in a great 

swimming pool, the shop has all the 

goodies you need, and the ablutions are 

well serviced, clean and adequate for 

the number of campers. Unfortunately 

the campsite is next to the fence 

alongside the main gate to the Park, 

so it is very busy and noisy. Electricity 

is also available, yet although you may 

have paid for a site with power, as the 

number of leads running across the 

sites doesn’t necessarily correspond to 

the number of bookings, you are not 

always guaranteed a plug. 

We liked: 

• The superb facilities available. 

• The proximity of the campsite to 

Photo: Derek Lawley 

regular sighting spots (we saw lions 

and a leopard a mere 10 km from the 

camp). 


• The road conditions in reaching the 

Park – although it did help us test the 

caravan. 

• The lack of shade, but hey, this is the 

desert! 

• The location of the campsite next to 

the entrance road. This is a very busy 

campsite. 

"campers overlook a 

waterhole that attracts 

a variety of animals" 

Mata Mata Camp 

This camp is set on the most western 

border of the Kgalagadi National Park, 

and with the opening of the border 

post, recently became a new gateway 

in and out of Namibia. Because of 

its remoteness (until this gate was 

opened), it is less busy and therefore 

more serene than the Twee Rivieren or 

We liked: 

• The remoteness of this camp and the 

resultant fewer campers. 

• The new swimming pool – it was 

a hit with all during the high 

temperatures experienced on the trip. 

• The shade – there’s quite a bit of it in 

this campsite. 

• The waterhole location. This was 

the springboard for our daily game 

drives and we saw plenty of lion, 

giraffe and the usual plains game in 

this area. It is well worth a few days’ 

stopover. 


• The shop running out of muchneeded 

ice! 

• The bareness of the pool area. Shade 

is needed here, and perhaps also 

some ground cover to reduce sand 

around pool. 

Nossob Camp 

Nossob Camp Site is well laid out, yet 

also lacks shade – but again, this is 

the desert. Basic facilities, as per the 

other camps, are available and are 

clean, well-kept, and there is a good 

supply of hot water. This campsite can 

also get busy with day drives from the 

other two camps, as well as it being 

the main starting point for travellers to 

and from the Botswanan section of the 

Transfrontier Park. 

We liked: 

• The basic amenities and facilities. 

• The waterhole hide constructed at the 

main gate. 

• The display at the good educational 

centre. 

The kids absolutely loved the crisp pool in the blazing sun at Mata Mata. 

An impressive entrance to Nossob Camp. 

Ready to roll: leaving Uizip for the Kgalagadi National Park. 

A well rigged family off-road set-up, from vehicle to accommodation. 

But no Scout luxury! 


• Nothing really. We couldn’t find 

anything to complain about here. 

Lots of people complain about the 

roads in the park, but as 4x4ers, these 

weren’t an issue for us! 

For Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata 

and Nossob, contact SANParks 

Reservations. 

Tel: (012) 428 9111. 

Club members enjoy the shade available at Mata Mata Camp. 

Top tips for YOUR trip 

Ensure you prepare your vehicle for the 

rugged and corrugated roads. If you are 

towing, secure the items inside the towed 

caravan or trailer. Take good binoculars, 

animal-, snake- and bird books and a 

camera. Sunblock and a hat are essential, 

even in winter. Obey all the park rules and 

ensure you spend as much time as possible 

in the park to enjoy the sightings and 

beautiful scenery on offer.

Sprite Scout - 4x4 Offroad Adventure Club

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