New digital platform Campfly to connect camping enthusiasts with private outdoor spaces

Whether you prefer roughing it in seclusion, glamping in style or somewhere in between, Campfly will cater to every care, opening a new world of private outdoor spaces to stay and explore.

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No generic camping grounds or sardine-like caravanning sites, Campfly redefines the camping experience as we know it. Through Campfly's peer-to-peer platform, landowners can now welcome guests to their farmstead, winery, forest hamlet, mountain retreat or beachfront setting, to pitch their tent or park their campervan in privacy. The Campfly platform also allows for instant bookings or to message the landowner directly.

The concept of Campfly was born in early 2020 after two separate camping experiences by South African-born Craig Nixon. Says Nixon: "The first experience was one of disappointment, arriving at a campsite only to find it overcrowded, dirty, loud and lacking a personal touch. I lasted around 12 hours before packing up and vowing to never go camping again."

Many years later, Nixon experienced one of his best holidays ever when staying at a friend's farm in Krugersdorp over a Christmas break. "We spent days quad biking, hiking, making bonfires and just being guys. This was the lightbulb moment I needed to create Campfly, where I could tailor the experience to exactly what I wanted. The share economy is booming and this is just another form of it that has not been tapped into in Southern Africa."

The launch of Campfly is well-timed for South Africans who are desperate to escape into nature and reconnect with loved ones in affordable, spacious yet self-contained surroundings, without the need for masks or sanitation around every corner. Furthermore, as much as campers benefit from these unique frontiers, landlords are afforded some much-needed income after a period of economic drought.

In addition, landowners can add one-off unique experiences and simultaneously establish new micro-tourism businesses for themselves through Campfly X, where campers are offered a range of experiences and facilities to further turbo-charge a stay. These include the provision of facilities and amenities (firewood or farm-fresh produce delivered to your flap), and unique local experiences (truffle hunting, fossicking, horse-riding, guided tours and so forth).

Hosts and travellers alike create a free Campfly account to list their space and share their experiences. For campers, creating an account is easy by simply using an email address, Facebook or Google account. Camping sites can be searched for by location or preference, for example, dog-friendly options, wine country glamping or animal experiences, to name but a few. All hosts are expected to meet Campfly's quality standards, whether hosting a place to stay or a local activity through Campfly X. Public liability insurance offers additional peace of mind.

Plans include expansion across Southern Africa with landowners discovering the value of earning a passive income and travellers maximising on this tailormade, flexible, cost-effective travel option.