We rented a motorhome through Chepa Campa operated by Apollo, we traveled for 22 days and we had a small accident resulting in a scratch and 2 small cracks on the side of the fibreglass of the motorhome

. It didn’t affect any mechanical part since it was on the body of the vehicle. When we returned the motohome one of the Apollo staff told us it wasn’t a very deep scratch and crack and it should cost between $300 and $1000, which for us was fair enough.

For our surprise, after chasing them for 1 week, they reply back charging an outrageous $5500 for the damage (pretty much the exact amount we pay for the bond, funny, no?)

We got another quote of $780 for the exact same job, also we sent the pictures to several repair companies and they were all chocked with this quote.

Apollo simply ignored us, since we had paid the $5000 bond in a debit card, and they already had our money.

Again, we were happy to pay for the damage, but for a fair price.

They also input some engine check and a bunch of things just to get our money.

We really thought they were a genuine company but they are totally untrustworthy.

We sent the $780 quote, which they obviously didn’t reply as well.

Thanks Apollo/Chepa Campa to make our holidays become a nightmare, and a very expensive one.

Reviewed 6 months ago

Upon arrival I received a van that had dirty sheats, empty gas tank and a tea cooker that was incomplete so was not able to make tea.

I was told to buy a new tea pot somewhere and get the gastank filled at any gas station. I could not find any gas stations around auckland that was able to fill my gas tank. Further it took me a full day to find a shop with tea cookers. I of course dont know where to go as it is my first time in NZ. Additionally it was also not nice to have to clean the sheets of the van on the first day after a 28 hour flight. 2 weeks into the trip our van started leaking water, still after two weeks the van is leaking and this company has not called me back to get it repaired after multiple promises of getting called back. Don't book with this company. If something goes wrong it is nearly impossible to get anything fixed, they leave you in the dark. Getting a hold of a living person on the phone when calling them is also nearly impossible.

Reviewed over 1 year ago

I did have contact with RANKERS for some time but only got very expensive offers and always the hint that prices go up every week.

Well, in our case this was not true. We managed to book via cheapa campa - apparently a low cost sales channel of Apollo, and this almost last minute.

The camper was great, a Mercedes Sprinter campervan with very reasonable consumption. Of course it was not a luxurious version; but in such way you cannot damage expensive equipment...

We had great fun with 4 kids and made 2000 km in 2 weeks - and always managed to stay in a camper friendly town. Great Place and very good service by Apollo. Thanks!

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2020

Great service and great vehicles.

Was a lot of fun and family friendly. NZ is a magic place to explore and to get out of the main cities and having a campervan was a great way to do it.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2018

I and my partner arrived to Auckland airport at 3:40pm.

We needed to call Cheapa Campa to pick us up but we were stucked on calling to Cheapa Campa using the free call number and ended up airport staff direct us to obtain assistance from i-SIte. We managed to contact them before the specified pick up time however the first thing I was asked by one of the staff was that I need to pay for late pick up fee but we refused to pay it because we follow their instruction to call before the specific time and wait in the specific area. As they were rush to finish their day, I was doing the paperwork and my partner went to check the vehicle with the other staff. However, that lady did not properly teach my partner how to use the facilities and check the gauges reading which make me encountering the grey water flew back to the toilet while I was having my first shower in the motorhome. This was a disgusting experience as the weather was cold at night and I was stucked half way of my shower. Because of this we did not use the shower facilities for 3 days until we stayed in a holiday park in Rotorua.

However, the after-sales support team members were very helpful in answering my inquiries and organised a repairer to investigated the problem. After talking to the repairer, I was properly explained on how to deal with the water tanks and gauges.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2017

Absolutely appalled and disgusted with everything to do with Cheapa Campa from the very start when we picked up the 6 berth camper we hired for 2 weeks on a recent trip to NZ.

We were hit with lots of hidden charges additional to the amount we had already prepaid so it wasn't so cheap after all. We have hired campervans many times before from other companies and have never had this and also the insurance charge was ridiculous and hard to understand by the lady that served us. If we hadn't prepaid we would have walked out then and there. The camper itself was filthy dirty had engine fault lights on, blocked sink, blood running out of the fridge and a stench that was disgusting. Upholstery was stained and the bed above the cab wasn't fit to be slept on. Sand was throughout the van and didn't look look it had been cleaned in a long time. After spending over $30 on cleaning products and 2 hours trying to clean this filthy van the first night it rained and the van leaked and our pillows and bedding were wet. We had to drive back to Auckland and waste a whole day of our holiday arguing and demanding a new van that was roadworthy and liveable. We will never use Cheapa/Apollo again and won't recommend them to anyone. Very very bad experience and I just wished I had read other reviews when I booked.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2017

It is necessary to distinguish DOC of the North and the South...

There is more in the South and are better situated... In the North the price is exaggerated in camps more expensively than certain better equipped private campsites. In a general way it was a good experience on 18 days in NZ 14 days crossed in DOC campsite

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in July 2016

ok so the good bits.

We rented two vans and couldn't be happier with the price - the rates really were very good (we booked a winter special which meant a great discount on top of some very inexpensive rates to begin with). Both vehicles have run like clock work. The hi-top van has been great, very economical and very easy to drive. The 6 berth van has absolutely purred, and had no trouble starting even during some very cold mornings. Also the range and fuel economy is great (hokitika to Wanaka plus side trips on one tank - pretty much the entire west coast)!

The not so good bits. The sinks in both vehicles were blocked from day one (cleaned out the trap in the 6 berth and it was full of rice). Haven't bothered with the hi-top as you can see its blocked from the sink hole. Looks like both vehicle only got a quick clean before being sent out again. Went to use the snow chains on the larger vehicle - wrong size and they were broken (missing a hook). Luckily we weren't anywhere that required chains to carry on (we simply turned back). The 6 berth has 4 vents under the seats so you might be thinking - "great - four heating vents". Nah - 3 of them are fake - there's only one gas heating vent for the whole 6 berth van. During winter - you really need to take the extra electrical heating fan and stay at powered sites.

Added to the above - the "no liability" insurance option is actually not so. As it was explained to us you're still liable for damage to the roof and the underside which isn't covered by any of the insurance options listed on the website. In addition, none of the insurance options cover damage to tyres or windscreen (that's extra at the time of collection for $7 per day). The exclusion is in the terms and conditions - but its not up front on the web site. So - there's a reason why the rates are so good. Overall good vehicles, decent enough service, somethings not checked before vehicles are released, and a healthy does of buyer beware!

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in July 2016