One of the most anticipated luxury off-road caravan launches recently took place at two major events: the 2025 National Caravan Show in Gauteng and the kykNET Buite Ekspo in Malmesbury, Cape Town. ELXV took centre stage, unveiling their new and improved range of Ng’ombe double-axle off-road luxury caravans. Luxury, you ask? Absolutely!
Keep reading to find out!
Now, for anyone who has trouble interpreting Ng’ombe, don’t worry—I speak a little Swahili, and it literally means “Ox.” As you read further, you’ll soon notice many similarities between the traditional farming ox and this tough, ready-for-anything luxury off-road caravan.
Firstly, many experienced farmers prefer to use an ox or oxen for their ploughing needs, which is an absolute farming necessity for them to get their jobs done. Oxen usually work at a much slower and more manageable pace than horses, in the context of farming. However, most oxen are usually a lot more powerful and respond much better to human commands than horses.
Now, in the context of off-roading or overlanding, whatever you’re towing needs to be extremely responsive to the tow vehicle to avoid getting stuck or needing third-party recovery services. Just like the ox, the Ng’ombe luxury off-road caravan is big, powerful, and rides on four independent wheels that act like legs—thanks to its independent Enduro X suspension, heavily modified and mounted to an aluminium chassis for improved off-road (and on-road) handling, flexibility, and GVM classification.
Like the ox, this luxury double-axle off-road caravan can venture anywhere, across any terrain, to any desired destination on the continent. It’s just like the ox wagons of old, but without all the added blood, sweat, and tears our pioneering ancestors had to endure.
The ELXV of N’gome off-road caravan is available in three different configuration settings and is a 7m long caravan that is 2m wide – perfectly designed for off-road adventure and comfort.
The configuration options for the Ng’ombe boasts three unique setups suitable for small families of up to four people, retired pensioners, or adventure-thirsty explorers who prefer a nomadic lifestyle over conventional housing or city-living habitats.
A 5.2 Ng’ombe double-axle off-road caravan with two single bed configuration option.
Now, the starting price for this caravan begins at around R1,015,000 incl. VAT, which is very similar to the recent selling price of Cyril Ramaphosa’s prized female Ankole cattle sold at his Phala Phala game farm. However, in our opinion, a Ng’ombe off-road caravan would have been a much better investment—and here’s why…
As we endeavour to inform all our readers to the best of our ability, there are fifty shades of off-road. A gravel-road caravan, which technically is still off-road, would not be able to compete at nearly the same level of off-road competency as this new Ng’ombe range. So, please know your limitations by recognising these distinctions.
For instance, a gravel-road caravan will not get you through Kenya, Tanzania, or Botswana—no matter which tyres you decide to use. You need an expert off-road caravan suspension that can handle rocks, riverbeds, mountain passes, and roads in dire need of repair, like Hunters Road or those in Gauteng.
When it comes to off-road capability, we in South Africa typically use a grading system from one to five to determine which vehicles and caravans are suitable for different terrains or 4×4 trail classifications. Sadly, these categories are neither enforced nor explained sufficiently, leaving many holiday enthusiasts stranded on roadside shoulders, which can be highly unsafe, especially in the dark.
To keep things short and sweet, a Grade 1 4×4 trail is equivalent to a not-yet-tarred, corrugated gravel road, which any person without off-roading experience or skill can handle using a basic soft-roader vehicle with 4×2 capabilities or above. A Grade 1 listed 4×4 trail could also accommodate a gravel-road caravan—if you tow it slowly and cautiously.
A Grade 5 listed 4×4 trail requires expert driver training and experience, a heavily modified vehicle with high ground clearance, 4WD transmission, excellent suspension articulation, above-average approach and departure angles, low range, diff locks, and engine protection such as skid plates and rock sliders. Your tyre choice, like your caravan selection, is also extremely important because the wrong tyre on the wrong terrain will leave you stranded without a shadow of a doubt.
Much in the same way that 4WD recovery gear is required for all vehicles before attempting any Grade 5 listed 4×4 trails, caravans towed on these same trails will require independent suspension or heavy-duty aftermarket suspension upgrades, such as coils, shocks, springs, and/or air suspension modifications. The air suspension upgrade for the Ng’ombe is certainly worth choosing for an off-road caravan of this nature. You’ll thank us later!
With the new Ng’ombe double-axle off-road caravan by ELXV, all the fundamental principles of off-roading and overlanding have been considered, applied, and implemented to better cater to the wide range of experienced overlanders. Remember, the price of your caravan is indirectly proportional to the amount of hassle you’re going to experience. Simply stated, the more you spend on your caravan, the less hassle you’ll likely endure—with the extra benefit of seeing more of Africa’s wildest and most remote destinations, which only a few will ever get to experience in their lifetime.
In Afrikaans, we say, “Goedkoop is altyd duurkoop.” Reg so!
The aluminium chassis of the Ng’ombe is more costly, but it offers three main advantages.
- It handles robust flexibility from difficult terrain far more easily than steel, which is susceptible to cracking or breaking under severe or constant strain.
- Aluminium is lighter than steel, allowing more packing weight in the caravan, with the added benefit of a wider selection of tow vehicles.
- Aluminium is less likely to corrode over time, as it naturally forms a protective oxide layer. Speaking of weight, below are the weight classifications for the N’gombe 5.2 model.
Ng’ombe 5.2 (Solid or Pop-Up Roof)
GVM: 2800 kg
Tare: 2200 kg
Payload: 600 kg
Water tank: 180 L
The three model variants are shown below in an overview schematic for ease of understanding.
The first overview illustrates a queen-sized island bed fitted in the front section of the caravan, with two single-bed options mounted on the adjacent slide-out portion, as shown below.
The second overview illustrates the queen-sized bed mounted on the slide-out portion, with two single-bed options fitted in the nose area, as shown below.
Lastly, the third combination allows the queen-sized bed to remain on the slide-out portion, with the option of a compact internal dinette and ample additional storage and packing space. This layout is ideal for couples and families who enjoy spending prolonged vacations in the bush or off-grid hideaways.
In addition, before you ask whether the slide-out can handle the weight, we asked one of the ELXV sales agents, Severino—who is over six feet tall and weighs more than 125 kg—to test its robustness by hanging from the external slide-out. The caravan slide-out passed the test with flying colours and remained airtight!
We feel that this airtight feature is certainly worth boasting about, as flies, mosquitoes, snakes, and other creepy-crawlies will fall short long before gaining entry into this luxurious bush hotel on wheels.
Interior
Apart from the different combinations of sleeping arrangements inside the Ng’ombe, all other standard features and fittings remain the same. For example, the internal bathroom is always positioned opposite your entry and exit door at the rear of the caravan.
Moreover, if that isn’t luxurious enough, you could also opt for their external shower cubicle as an optional extra. It’s perfect for explorers who want the full African outdoor experience or simply need to rinse off after a beach swim.
The internal shower facility has a lockable front door with a fold-down basin and a vanity area for your washroom requirements. There is also a shower with a lever to adjust hot and cold water as well as set the desired water pressure. The showerhead is mounted but can also be handheld for any hard-to-reach places, such as cleaning your feet or washing your hair.
There is also a high-end, fixed cassette Porta Potti mounted inside the shower stall for all your ablution needs. Internally, there is an abundance of storage options and drawers to cater for every person on board. Customers choosing the queen bed with the dinette option will have even more packing space available. However, there is still sufficient packing space if you opt for the queen bed with two single beds option.
Click on the gallery below to see storage options and the interior seating and bed arrangements:
There is also enough space inside to accommodate a high-end Vitrifigo fridge/freezer and a rear-mounted 10,000 BTU air conditioner to keep you and your consumables cool during those 40-degree African heatwaves. Please note that both of these luxury appliances are optional extras and certainly worth requesting if your budget allows for them. You can see the Vitrifigo fridge/freezer in the images above.
The ELXV Ng’ombe 5.2 offers customisable fridge/freezer options to suit individual preferences. These options range from a compact 90-litre Vitrifrigo DW100 12V fridge/freezer to a more spacious 230-litre unit, depending on your specific needs. This flexibility ensures that your culinary requirements are met, whether you’re embarking on a weekend getaway or an extended overlanding expedition.
Also internally, there is a dedicated cupboard for you to house and power your very own coffee machine, ensuring freshly brewed coffee is always at hand. If you think about it honestly, that has to be a luxury. Coffee in a rooftop tent is nowhere near the same experience as coffee enjoyed on a queen-sized caravan mattress with a cushioned headboard. Waking up in such comfort places you on a list shorter than Richard Hammond from Top Gear. Trust us—the two experiences are chalk and cheese!
Wow, we seem to be going off track and dreaming about our bucket-list adventures. We digress. Externally, there’s even more packing space available, as Hugo Botha has fitted an ice machine in the front nose-cone storage box.
In the nose-cone storage box, there is enough space for up to four jerry cans, allowing you to carry up to 160 L of fuel. Just be aware that packing additional fuel will reduce your payload capacity. You can view the nose-cone storage facility below.
Adjacent to the nose-cone storage box, you’ll find a five-star, stainless steel, pull-out kitchen with so much space—let us tell you, it would be almost impossible to fill it all.
There are plenty of secure storage options, with a stainless-steel pull-out kitchen situated externally, featuring dedicated spaces for plates, bowls, cups, glasses, knives, and forks on two stainless-steel slide-outs. Five-star might even be an understatement—this kitchen could easily be better designed and simpler to use than your kitchen at home! Trust us; Gordon Ramsay would be severely jealous! A bold statement, yes—but very accurate.
The first hatch near the entry door houses all your master controls, including those for the electric pop-up roof, air suspension pressure, and other key electrical functions—all in one convenient place.
The sound system is an optional extra—perfect for those who love to entertain or set the mood. Heck, you could even power a bushveld disco if the celebration calls for it. Trust us—Johnny Clegg has never sounded so crisp!
But wait… there’s still more! Externally (on the far side) is the hatch access for the Victron energy system that powers this impressive Ng’ombe camp-anywhere caravan. The standard electrical equipment includes two 400-amp-hour lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO₄), an inverter, and a DC-to-DC charger that allows you to charge the caravan from your vehicle while towing. There’s also a 16-amp, 220 V input socket to power your caravan from mains or run all your 12 V lighting and fridges.
Although this is the basic electrical package offered, you can opt to upgrade your system with a Victron MultiPlus-II, which monitors and manages the onboard grid alternating current (AC) output and matches its form. This is how you can power your kettle, air conditioner, multiple fridges, roof system (fixed roof or popup), water purifier, and even a washing machine—since it’s a massive 3 kVA complete off-grid system. If you chat with the team at ELXV and specify exactly what you have like fitted and powered, they will gladly accommodate you.
There are also additional options available, such as solar upgrades and further Victron Energy components. These include extra solar panels and additional charging capabilities to suit your needs. There are plenty of aftermarket extras to choose from too, including unique internal storage solutions, external camping gear holders, security features, upgraded towing equipment, and even custom graphic decals for your caravan. Just speak with the ELXV team to customise your Ng’ombe exactly how you want it.
Yes, you read that correctly—this caravan can even be fitted with a water purifier and washing machine! These ELXV guys are living in the future!
If you’d like to receive a brochure containing all the specifications and pricing details for the standard features and optional extras, please use the enquiry form below to contact their manufacturing and sales team. Alternatively, customers can contact Hugo Botha directly at 082 444 2850 or 084 550 2820.
Hugo Botha is one of the smartest explorers I have ever met. His vision, experience, and dedication to the caravanning and overlanding industry will leave you in absolute awe. With his latest Ng’ombe development, it’s no secret why campers who want to explore Africa in absolute style and prestige usually come to see him first.
In our opinion, ELXV doesn’t just sell bespoke off-road caravans—they sell luxury, adventure-ready leisure vehicles that bring your wildest African dreams and holiday fantasies to life. Anyone who suggests otherwise is simply green with envy, as this ox will haul all your luxuries and comforts to any destination—and back again. We had the pleasure of catching up with a few of their customers at both recent shows, and I asked them: “Why did you choose ELXV?”
Many of the replies seemed to come from the same song sheet, but one customer summarised it best: “Our time on earth is finite, and for the places I want to go, this is the only way my spouse will agree to come camping with me.” As he finished with a wink and a smile bigger than that of a crocodile, I instantly understood exactly what he meant. And, boy, was I envious.
If you get the chance, or if you want to see this marvel up close and in person, you can request a viewing or demonstration. Visit the ELXV website at www.elxv.co.za or simply leave your details in the enquiry form below, and they will get back to you with demonstration dates and locations, more product information, a sales press pack, or a quotation with standard features and optional extras.
