The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park doesn’t care about your schedule. It’s a place of raw, elemental forces where biting winter cold gives way to searing sun and fine dust finds its way into everything. For wildlife photographer Jon Kerrin, these conditions are the obstacles between him and his next shot. His quest to document the wilderness requires total immersion, and that demands a solid setup.
For his latest expedition, Jon added the Alu-Cab Gen 3-R Rooftop Tent and 270 Shadow Awning to his Toyota Fortuner. Gear that was able to transform an expedition from a test of endurance into a much more comfortable time in the wild.
Blend In, Don’t Stand Out
Jon’s work is predicated on patience. “It’s about feeling part of the landscape rather than just passing through,” he says. This philosophy dictates everything, especially his kit. Logistical headaches and cumbersome setups are an annoyance and barriers between photographer and that decisive moment.
“In the Kgalagadi, you’re completely on your own,” says Jon. “Your setup isn’t just about comfort, it’s a safety issue. It has to be robust, self-contained and brutally efficient. You need to be able to stop anywhere, sleep soundly and know your gear can handle whatever the desert throws at it.”
His criteria were uncompromising: reliability, speed, and resilience. Everything had to be quick to deploy, utterly dust-proof, and tough enough handle hectic corrugations and sub-zero nights.
From Rig to Refuge
The Alu-Cab system transformed Jon’s Fortuner from a mode of transport into a mobile base. But the true value of any overlanding gear is revealed not in a showroom, but at the end of a long, dusty track as the light begins to fade.
The first thing that struck Kerrin was the solidity. “The tent opens and closes in seconds, and the awning creates instant shade. Something you immediately appreciate in the open spaces and the harsh sun of the desert.”
For a photographer, the tyranny of time is absolute. The magical light of dawn and dusk waits for no one. This is where the Alu-Cab product shifted from being capable to being indispensable.
“I could set up or break down in under a minute, which meant I never missed a sunrise or had to stress about racing back to camp at sunset,” says Jon. “This is honestly a dream as a photographer. Because I’m not worrying about missing those crucial hours of the day.”
Engineered for the Extremes
Winter in the Kgalagadi is a lesson in thermal dynamics. Days can be mild, but nights plunge into a deep freeze. Kerrin’s expedition saw temperatures drop to -7°C (19°F), coating the world in a layer of frost.
Inside the Gen 3-R, however, it was a different story. “The tent did a fantastic job of trapping body heat,” says Jon. “We woke to frost on the outside canvas, but that never seeped through the canvas of the tent, keeping us as warm as possible on those frigid nights.”
Beyond the engineering, it’s often the thoughtful design touches that leave a lasting impression. For Jon, the standout feature was unexpected: the mattress.
Let’s be honest, most expedition sleeping arrangements are a compromise. And half the battle on a trip like this is waking up rested and ready to go.
“As someone of the heavier side I have seldom had a comfortable sleep in the outdoors,” says Jon. “Throughout my trip I found the mattress inside the Gen 3-R to be extremely comfortable. I slept so peacefully on it. Undoubtably a standout moment.”
Jon also praised the intelligent storage solutions. “It’s really well thought out,” says Jon. “There are both canvas and transparent plastic pockets that make it useful for things like earphones, socks, gloves etc. The clear plastic pockets are great for when you’re half asleep in the morning and you can’t remember which pocket you put your keys in.”
Gear That Empowers Exploration
The ultimate goal of any piece of overlanding equipment is to remove the barriers between the adventurer and the experience. It’s about providing the confidence to go further and the comfort to stay longer.
That’s exactly what we set out to do when making our gear. Creating stuff that removes the anxiety so you can stop worrying about the ‘what ifs’ and can just be present. You’re free to sit and wait for that lone leopard, or simply listen to the silence of the desert, knowing your world is in order.
This peace of mind allowed Jon to fully embrace the slow rhythm of the Kgalagadi, culminating in powerful images, like his favourite frame of a male lion staring down his lens. A moment of raw connection, captured because he was able to be there, completely and without distraction.
Jon’s journey underscores a simple truth. The best gear doesn’t just get you to a place. It allows you to become a part of it.
Jon Kerrin is a professional nature and wildlife photographer based in Cape Town, South Africa. You can follow his work and workshops at @wherethelight_is