Bongo A Go Go are a campervan hire company on the Sussex coast, but rather than the ubiquitous VW campervan, the vans on offer here are all Mazda Bongos. We had our van for a 3-night weekend in April.

And all very well organised it was too.

Shortly after the hire was confirmed, I received a welcome letter from Nicki, the owner of Bongo A Go Go. The tone was friendly and everything was very clearly laid out, with the letter covering what to expect when you arrive to pick up the vehicle, the required paperwork for proof of identification, what you'll need for your holiday and so on.

The inevitable terms and conditions were included too, though these seemed pretty fair and standard.

On Saturday morning we drove over and met with Nicki who introduced us to 'Davie', our Bongo for the weekend. Our camping experience is the legs-down, tin-tent type - a caravan - so this was going to be a completely new experience for us.

Nicky's enthusiasm (as a camper herself) is infectious and she showed us around the van and gave a thorough demonstration of how everything worked - something she does for any customer not familiar with the Bongo.

I must confess to not taking it all in at the time, but an accompanying manual was included anyway.

Of course, hiring a Bongo is all about the camping, but it's worth mentioning what it's like to drive to your destination too. Firstly, it's an automatic which in my view ultimately makes it easier to get used to, though you might wonder what to do with your left foot for a while if you've never driven one before.

It's slightly longer than an average saloon car, but a little narrower and the wing mirrors give a clear view down the sides of the vehicle. The mirrors and so on are all electric and the driving position is good though the cabin is not particularly spacious.

The 2.5 litre diesel engine's power is perfectly adequate and there's plenty of grunt there for any challenging hills you might encounter. The van handles as you would expect with a nice tight turning circle and the steering was very light. This is a van rather than a car though - and it's a little bit top heavy thanks to the expanding roof - so bear this in mind when cornering.

So far, so good then. Unfortunately at that point our luck ran out.

The idea was to pitch up on a campsite for the night, but having being away in our caravan, I had unfortunately neglected to book a pitch.

Normally, this wouldn't necessarily have been a problem, but the weekend we'd chosen was also the weekend of the Brighton Marathon. As a result, there wasn't a pitch to be had anywhere locally.

Determined not to be beaten, but too late to head elsewhere, we camped on the driveway.

Not as picturesque as a pretty campsite perhaps, but we could still evaluate the Bongo's features at least.

Setting up is easy - very. Park up and well, that's it. Almost.

There is an on-board leisure battery but mains hook-up is an option and a cable is provided. This will help charge up the battery and is essential if you want a heater in the cooler months, although you do have the option of running the engine and sending all the heat rearwards to the living quarters.

There is a small fridge for the essentials, and an ice box big enough for a tray of ice cubes at least.

A two burner gas hob next to the sink gives some cooking options, and all the expected utensils, pots and pans and plates are provided. A BBQ is available as an optional extra.

Nicky thoughtfully provides a few goodies to get you started - tea, coffee bread and milk. Handy if the the shops are are a bit of a distance and enough to keep you going until the pub opens! There's even washing up liquid too and some condiments. All very thoughtful touches.

An on-board water tank means there's no running to the campsite tap every time you want a cuppa and there's plenty of storage too for your clothes and stuff. You really won't need to bring much else though, as it's already provided.

Thanks to the expanding roof, the Bongo will accommodate four people. There were two of us, but we still put the roof up - again electric - as it gives you more headroom during the day. A driveway awning is an optional extra and probably essential if there are four of you.

The lower bed pulls out easily after releasing one catch and the cushions fall in to place to form a mattress. Curtains at the front and rear and electrically operated blinds at the sides ensure your privacy. It was all very cosy - and no doubt warmer than a tent.

The following day we set off for drive along the coast, and it was then that you could see the advantages the Bongo offers over tenting and caravanning.

It's a brilliant and fun way to get kids outdoors, away from the TV and computer. With minimal thought, you can just pitch up anywhere - within the law of course - and spend the night. Although you might want to add the optional portable loo if you going to go wild. Either that or bring a shovel!

Sadly, it was soon time to take the Bongo back. We'd certainly enjoyed our time with it though and, being caravanners, it gave us another perspective on camping.

A little less comfort and space obviously, but a lot more ease and convenience.

For shorter breaks in particular, I could certainly see us preferring a van to the caravan.

With Bongo A Go Go, full breakdown cover is included for the UK, or a comprehensive package is available for the EU (insurance, roadside equipment and so on).

Cost wise, the rental prices seem about average. Prices do vary from company to company depending on the time of year and length of hire, but of course it depends where you live and where you're going. It certainly makes sense to hire something close to home.

Above all, what made this work for us was the level of service we received. Complete novices can head off knowing everything they need, and it's the little things that can make the difference.

There's even a basket of toys in the van - Nicky's handy diversion for the little ones, while the adults are being shown around the Bongo!

A nice touch - from a business who've thought of everything.

Pros

Company a pleasure to deal with and Bongo easy to drive and manoeuvre. Just get up and go.

Cons

Bongo engines are a bit noisy and the cabin may be a little cramped if you are on the large side.

Recommended Use

Anything from music festivals to surfing and cycling breaks (bike rack an option). Try before you buy if you're in the market for a campervan?

Enjoyment:
Facilities:
Customer service:
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Value for money:
8.2