Photographer Craig Kolesky has the perfect job: he's paid to capture the spirit of adventure for Red Bull. The downside is that he stays swamped shooting, editing, and traveling; often heading out in his fully equipped Toyota Hilux to stunning locations such as Namibia or Lesotho, covering thousands of miles and spending many nights in a tent. All in the name of work.
Craig is also a family man, and one of his favorite things to do at his home next to the cold Atlantic Ocean in Cape Town is pack the Hilux for one of his monthly micro-adventures with his son, Kobe. The mission rules are simple: stay within a two-hour radius of home, and the entire trip must last no more than 24 hours.
“Kobe usually picks the spots—he loves places with water or streams for swimming—and it’s been such a great way for us to bond. It’s incredible how many amazing campsites are hidden just outside of Cape Town; you could go every weekend for a year and still not see them all.”
Craig Kolesky
Craig’s life, whether at work or play, perfectly exemplifies Dometic’s This Way Out tagline. He is happiest when immersed in the peaceful silence of a remote wilderness. He values simple pleasures like photography, biking, family, organized adventures, and exploring open spaces.
TOYOTA COUNTRY
Immediately after the COVID lockdown, Craig travelled along the West Coast for a shoot on a private beach, where he became stuck multiple times. He refuses to divulge what he was driving at the time. The landowner told him that if he ever came back, it had to be in a Toyota Hilux. A week later, he was on another shoot in Namibia in a rental Hilux and was so impressed with its performance that when he returned home, he bought one. Toyota is undoubtedly king in Africa.
Craig’s Hilux is anything but standard now as it’s his home and office when on the road, and he has tastefully kitted it out to handle anything and everything Africa can throw at it. The most significant upgrade is the suspension, and he chose Old Man Emu BP-51s, which deliver an incredibly smooth ride, especially on the corrugated roads of South Africa and Namibia. This suspension setup has truly been a game-changer and a back-saver.
Since Craig needs 24/7 off-grid power, another vital upgrade is his Enerdrive Voyager power system. He relies heavily on it, as it allows him to charge camera batteries or run his powered Dometic Cooler, even when parked for a day or two or while on the move. Other notable additions include the two Front Runner Roof Racks and a canopy, which provide excellent extra storage space and safety.
Craig offers some professional advice for your dream vehicle build.
“Don’t go all in at once. Start slowly to determine your needs and avoid overloading the vehicle. I’m a believer in keeping things simple and modular; my Hilux setup changes based on the destination or the shoot. For me, success is all about being flexible and knowing exactly where your gear is.”
Craig Kolesky
BEST GETAWAYS
As a man who has traveled many miles through Southern Africa and enjoyed numerous monthly micro-adventures with his son, Kobe, we ask Craig to share his five favorite places within a couple of hours of Cape Town.
“There are so many incredible spots, but these five are the ones I find myself going back to again and again:
Sanddrif (Cederberg): This is a staple for me. You’ve got the stunning Wolfberg Arch and Maltese Cross hikes right there, plus fishing and biking. It’s just a classic Cederberg experience.
Klein Eike (Greyton): A beautiful, super-safe spot right on the water. Plus, the landowners are incredibly friendly. It’s the perfect place to reset.
Kromrivier (Cederberg): Another Cederberg favorite of ours. Each campsite has its own private ablutions, which is a big plus. There’s endless hiking and plenty to do right on the water.
Beaverlac (Porterville): This place is a natural heritage site for a reason. Cape Town residents love it, so be sure to book well in advance. It offers a bit of everything, from amazing swimming holes to hiking and biking.
Kraalskloof (Breedekloof). This place is special. They’ve built the campsite right next to an old reservoir for swimming, and they even have wood-fired hot tubs, great for relaxing in while looking at the stars.
Kromrivier (Cederberg)
Beaverlac (Porterville)
Klein Eike (Greyton)
BEST BITS OF GEAR
When it comes to gear, Craig has his essentials dialed in. His go-to is the Typhoon Bag because it’s thoroughly water- and dust-resistant—perfect for throwing valuables on the rack and heading out. For organization, he swears by Wolf Pack Pros; he uses a labeled, modular system so he can swap specific boxes in and out of his Hilux depending on the trip.
Craig applies his professional photography workflow to his Hilux, using a color-coded, labelling system that allows him to find any piece of gear in under 10 seconds. This organized method enables him to pack or unload the entire vehicle in under 10 minutes, freeing him to spend more time enjoying nature.
His Hilux is always stocked with the essentials—medical kit, Leatherman, headlamp, and enough clothes for a few nights—so he's prepared to leave on short notice. Thanks to his organizational system, a small adventure only needs two Wolf Pack Pros and two Typhoon bags. “Throw them in the car, and we’re off, ready for a great night in the wild without the stress of packing.”
For comfort and utility, he considers Expander Chairs an absolute must-have for their compact design, while the Dometic water faucet and 11L jug are the first items he packs, even for quick day trips. Rounding out his kit is a Dometic CFX5 75DZ powered cooler, which he describes as lightweight, energy-efficient game changers for life on the road.
Front Runner Pro Water Tank With Mounting System / 20L
Dometic GO Hydration Water Jug 11L with Faucet
Dometic CFX5 75DZ Powered Cooler
Cooler and jug packed up
Wolf Pack Pro Storage Boxes Mounted on Front Runner Roof Rack
STAY SAFE
Safety and security are essential considerations when planning a trip anywhere in Africa. However, Craig adds that most of his experiences have been positive and incident-free. As in any other part of the world, you need to do your research, be streetwise and vigilant, especially in cities and large towns. That way, you can stay safe and enjoy the continent's incredible beauty.
For those exploring beyond Cape Town, Craig suggests tapping into local Instagram communities for the best advice. He recommends hiring a reliable 4x4 and carrying a Garmin InReach or satellite phone, as many remote spots lack signal, leaving you truly off-grid in an emergency.
Craig is a firm believer that while everyone loves Cape Town, the real magic lies just a short drive from the city limits. He’s found that it’s all too easy to get stuck in a "city rut," but he loves blowing people's minds by taking them to swimming holes, off-grid campsites, and remote mountain trails less than two hours away. For Craig, these wide-open spaces in the Western Cape offer a sense of freedom that you can't find in the hustle and bustle of the urban centre.
THIS WAY OUT
For Craig, it’s about so, so much more than just taking pictures. It’s about searching for stories while dealing with nature’s elements, the weather, and always welcoming silence. It’s about driving to unknown destinations before sunrise or watching the fog lift from the ocean. Nature rewards patience, not speed. A sudden shift of light can change an ordinary scene into something meaningful. Each journey sharpens him, deepens his respect for the land, and reminds him why photography begins with curiosity. This is his way out.
ART OF AFRICAN TRAVEL
Mama Afrika has taught Craig a lesson or two during his adventures. “The biggest one is to take time to learn about the local area and people and be friendly towards them. That will take you a long way. It’s paid off for me, especially when we go back to certain areas or places, and the locals remember us for good reasons from our previous stays."
Whether he’s chasing Red Bull shots or teaching Kobe the ropes, Craig shows that adventure is about mindset, not mileage. By staying organized and keeping things simple, he spends less time on gear and more on the experience. Take a page from his book: pack your bags, find a trail, and discover your own “way out” there—where the signal fades.
Follow Craig: @craigkolesky
