In Namibia, our vehicle carried both our beds and our kitchen. It took us through the desert, along the coast and into Etosha with Niko and Kai. Between the drives came meals beside the camper, naps and afternoons at camp. There was also a flat tyre and, towards the end, a fridge that stopped working.
We travelled in October and November 2023. Niko was four, and Kai was one year and ten months old. When we look back, we remember the landscapes, but also everything that happened around the vehicle. That everyday life was a huge part of the experience.
A home for all four of us
Our camper had two beds, a kitchen that opened out from the side and a pop-up roof. Iraitz and Niko slept downstairs; Laura and Kai slept upstairs. Setting up and packing away became part of each day.
We loved having our home with us, although it wasn't the same as arriving at a room that was ready and waiting. There were bags to organise and clothes to find in a space we all shared. Living outdoors came with those little jobs.
A longer first day than we'd planned
The vehicle handover, getting everything ready and shopping for supplies took longer than we'd expected. We set off late and ended up driving after dark. The final stretch to our accommodation wasn't easy either.
That's something we'd change. We'd thought more about starting the route than about everything we needed to do before we could set off. Next time, we'd leave ourselves more time to arrive in daylight.
Waking up among the dunes
After that arrival, we woke up almost entirely alone among the dunes of NamibRand. Cooking beside the camper, going for a walk and leaving time to play became some of our favourite ways to spend a day.
The campsite was part of the trip, too. We didn't always need to go looking for another activity: simply being there was enough for an afternoon we wanted to enjoy.
Taking our kitchen on the road
The outdoor kitchen meant we could cook while the kids stayed in the area where we'd settled in. It helped us fit meals around their appetites and naps.
These moments rarely get as much attention as the big landscapes when we show people our photos, but they filled many hours of the trip. Namibia was also about eating, tidying up and carrying on with family life between one visit and the next.
We still needed downtime
Niko and Kai still needed naps and time to play, even though we had our beds with us. Staying several nights in some places, with days when we didn't have to move camp, worked well for us.
There was swimming, wandering among the rocks and meals at the kids' pace. We also spent part of the trip in a house rather than the camper. That mix suited us; we didn't need to sleep in the vehicle every night to enjoy travelling this way.
The flat tyre we remember, too
We had a flat tyre near Walvis Bay. It wouldn't be the first photo we'd choose to tell the story of Namibia, but it was part of the trip all the same.
We came away with a simple lesson: understand your equipment before setting off, and know who to call if something goes wrong. Follow the rental company's instructions for that particular vehicle and its load, rather than advice intended for someone else's setup.
When the fridge stopped working
The fridge failed in the final days. After getting used to travelling with our kitchen, it was another part of the trip that didn't go quite as planned.
The company compensated us, but that was the outcome of our rental, not something we can promise another family. We wanted to include this less photogenic side of the trip as well.
What living out of the camper gave us
We loved having a home that travelled with us and being able to spend an afternoon at camp without finding something else to do. At the same time, sharing that space for weeks meant organising, tidying and adapting.
With fewer days, we'd visit fewer places rather than squeeze the whole route into less time. Having our beds on board didn't make the roads shorter or take away the tiredness.
Would we travel around Namibia this way again?
Yes—for mornings among the dunes, meals beside the camper and unhurried time at camp. We'd allow more breathing room at the start and keep the days when we didn't have to leave for somewhere new.
If a trip like this appeals to you, our Namibia travel guide sets out the route and practical arrangements behind these memories. You can also get a first look at our experience in the free guide.