The Naledi Teardrop Camper was born from founder André’s quest to balance the comforts of a hotel with the purity of tented camping. After years exploring Southern Africa—sometimes in a humble tent, other times in grand lodges — he wanted a self-contained, “hotel-level” refuge that would require zero fuss on setup.
Drawing on advanced materials (akin to modern car manufacturing) and a passion for handcrafted quality, Naledi has delivered a teardrop camper that’s both sophisticated and supremely easy to handle.
I first encountered the Naledi Teardrop Camper, manufactured by Rider Automotive Components, during its debut at the 2023 Caravan Show, where its sleek shape and modern finish instantly caught my eye.
The following year, at the 2024 show, the upgraded model impressed me all over again with notable enhancements and a refined look.
Yet it wasn’t until December 2024 that I finally had the chance to tow the Naledi on a proper holiday expedition.
As it turned out, the 2023 model was the only unit I could lay my hands on at the time — demand for these teardrops has soared, leaving no new units free for test-driving.
Even so, having seen the latest version at the show, I can confirm that the improvements don’t change the basic fundamentals of the camper; they focus on elements like a second door, thicker privacy safety glass windows, superior dust sealing, interior cupboards… okay, maybe the boosted ground clearance does add some functional improvement (not that I had any trouble with the older model).
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
Naledi’s exterior build immediately stands out thanks to its teardrop silhouette, carefully contoured for aerodynamic efficiency and striking aesthetics.
The body is formed from aluminium and composite materials with a protective coating, offering the kind of durability you’d expect from a serious off-road travel companion. This hybrid construction benefits from the same level of precision found in the automotive world, bringing rigidity and resilience that hold up remarkably well on uneven surfaces.
In both the 2023 and 2024 models, the chassis elements are laser-cut steel that has been sandblasted and powder-coated. This ensures longevity by keeping rust in check.
Much like serious off-road vehicles, the steel chassis and body are two separate components, which are bolted together to form an extremely rigid and strong structure.
During towing, particularly on corrugated or potholed roads, the structure maintains a reassuring solidity — no squeaks or rattles, just smooth stability behind the tow vehicle.
LAYOUT & INTERIOR COMFORT
Stepping inside, it’s clear that user comfort guided every design decision. The Naledi’s cabin is a snug but airy retreat, centered around a specially made high-density foam mattress that remains in place at all times.
This arrangement spares owners the nightly ritual of folding out beds or inflating mattresses; instead, one simply arrives at camp, opens the doors, and climbs in.
Ventilation comes from a roof-mounted fan with dual airflow and from wide side windows fitted with sturdy, tinted safety glass.
The interior also boasts LED lighting that illuminates the cabin in a soft glow for nighttime reading or conversation.
Small, strategically placed shelves and cupboards keep personal items within easy reach, and lockable doors secure the camper when left unattended.
Thanks to thoughtful dust-sealing around every hatch and panel, the interior remains remarkably clean even if your route includes long stretches of gravel and dust road.
KITCHEN & OFF-GRID CONVENIENCE
The Naledi’s kitchen area is at the rear, accessed by lifting the tailgate-style hatch.
Inside, an integrated system features a solid wood worktop with an inset sink and faucet, a portable induction plate, and a single-burner gas stove for when electrical hookups aren’t available.
The dual cooking setup is a real bonus if you camp in remote places—use the induction top where mains power is on hand, or switch to gas off the grid.
For the fridge/freezer, Naledi mounts a 50L unit on sliding rails in the nose cone, ensuring hassle-free access and efficient use of space.
A 100 Ah lithium-ion battery, replenished by a roof-mounted solar panel (plus a Victron charging suite), keeps the camper’s lighting and appliances running even if you spend several days away from a campsite.
On my travels, I only connected the camper to electricity once… and that was after over a week of travel. Actually, it was probably not even necessary to connect, it was just the first time we had power!
The 2024 model’s better insulation helps conserve interior temperatures, reducing the fridge’s workload on hot days.
PERFORMANCE
One of the first things owners notice is how little fuss it takes to tow the Naledi. With a relatively low tare weight and an unbraked GVM up to 750 kg, it suits a range of towing vehicles.
The sub-750kg Tare also means you only need a B licence to tow it!
The Rubex axle, coupled with shock absorbers and increased ground clearance in the 2024 edition, makes venturing off onto gravel or modest 4×4 tracks far more approachable than you’d guess from a stylish teardrop.
Even loaded with kitchen gear, clothes, food, and water, the Naledi tracks smoothly — something I experienced first-hand on winding passes and bumpy detours.
The improved dust sealing on the 2024 model (note: the 2023 model I used had zero dust ingress), along with stronger safety glass and the now standard second door, demonstrates Naledi’s commitment to refining details that elevate the owner’s day-to-day experience.
CONCLUSION
The Naledi Teardrop Camper brings together refined design, advanced manufacturing, and that intangible spark of adventure that makes you want to hitch up and hit the road.
Whether you find a 2023 model on the market, or get an updated model, the layout remains impressively convenient, the interior comfortable, and the towing performance remarkably sure-footed.
Enhancements in the new edition simply make a good product even better. For anyone seeking true ease of use without compromising on style or practicality, it’s well worth a look.
FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS – Naledi 2025 model
Bedroom / Cabin
- Mattress specially designed and manufactured for Naledi from 100mm hi density foam
- Roof mounted fan with dual directional air-flow
- Interior LED lighting system
- Interior Cup holders for easy reach during the night
- Storage shelf/cupboard with doors
- 2 x Lockable entrance doors, 1 per side with privacy blinds and mosquito nets
- 2 x Side mounted 220v 3-pin plug point (1 on each side of cabin)
- 2 x Side mounted 5v 2.1 Amp USB outlet powered from 12 v supply
Kitchen
- Microwave
- Full set of crockery for 4 travellers
- 2 pots
- Kitchen utensils
- Single plate induction top
- Single burner gas stove (disposable butane canisters)
- Solid wood worktop with kitchen sink and tap
- 50L Fridge/freezer – National Luna (mounted in nose cone on sliding rails)
- Electric (220v) kettle
- Set of storage containers (coffee, tea, rusks, etc)
- Soft storage bags for goods in transit
- 2 x drawers for kitchen equipment
- LED lighting system
- 2 x 220v 3-pin plug point
Electrical
- 100 Amp/h lithium-ion battery
- 100 W roof mounted solar panel
- Victron 220v 15amp charger
- Victron MPPT solar charge controller
- 12v and 220v db board with campsite 2p+e plug inlet
Body
- Aluminium + aluminium composite body with sub frame, insulated with high density insulation
- Fully aluminium nose cone with 2 lockable side doors
- Side windows from 4 mm toughened privacy safety glass
- Polyurethane paint
- Ultra light wheel arches
- Roof rail for easy mounting of awning
- 1 x 2m x 2m pull out awning
- 1 x 2m x 2m pull out awning with drop down sides for privacy
Chassis & Axle
- Steel construction cross members with laser cut sides, powder coated or polyurethane paint coated
- +/- 50L Water tank mounted above the axle for perfect weight distribution
- Rubex 750 Kg axle with shock absorbers
- 3 x 14” steel rims fitted with 185/14c commercial tyres
- 40mm jockey wheel with 150mm wheel
Other
- GVM: 750kg
- Payload: 250kg
- Tare: 500kg