Mta Campervans: All-wheel Drive Campervan Hire in Kutaisi

Two summers ago, I took the plunge and started driving in Georgia. And I haven’t looked back since. Having your own wheels and the freedom to operate on your own timeline can completely change your experience of this country for the better.

Plenty of travellers take it a step further and hire a campervan. From zero offerings a few short years ago, there are now half a dozen campervan rental companies operating around Georgia.

Mta Campervans is one of them. Based out of Kutaisi, it is a small family start-up run by Giga Paghava, founder of tour company Budget Georgia.

Giga must have seen me gazing longingly at the van, which is always parked in the centre of the city when it’s not in use. He kindly invited me to join him for a short day trip out to Shaori Lake. Since I don’t drive a manual, he very generously did all the driving too!

In this post, I’ll introduce you to Kutaisi’s first self-built campervan and show you some of the options for exploring Western Georgian in a camper.

This blog is part of a paid campaign with Mta Campervans.

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About Mta Campervans

Mta Campervans launched in 2020 as Georgia’s ‘first self-built campervan rental’.

Before the pandemic, Giga and his brother, Irakli, flew to the Netherlands to buy the van then drove it back to Kutaisi. With the help of their father, they spent the next few months converting it into a camper.

Mta’s philosophy is all about getting off the tourist trail and exploring wild places and hidden corners where there are no hotels. Giga has a passion for driving and exploring backroads, so naturally he wanted a vehicle that could handle the most challenging conditions.

Especially in the mountains.

The name Mta means ‘mountain’ in Georgian, and this van is specially designed for remote mountain regions. It’s an all wheel drive and can handle even the gnarliest unsealed roads. Giga has put it to the test many times and has even driven the van to Tusheti!

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Van specs & features

The first Mta Campervan is a converted Ford Transit. It has a 7-gear manual transmission, and is equipped to handle off-roading and driving in the snow.

It’s designed to be used all year round, so one of the first adjustments Giga made was to add thermal insulation to the entire interior. Thanks to the addition of wood panelling, it feels like a cosy cabin on wheels. There is also a 5 kW diesel heater you can use to keep warm overnight.

The van has a simple but practical layout, with a queen size bed, several storage cupboards, and a bench that runs the length of the cabin.

The kitchen has a fridge, storage drawers, a small sink (fed by a 100-litre water tank), and a fold-out table for food prep. Cooking is done outside the van using a propane gas tank.

The van has its own lighting system and three power sockets for charging devices.

Up to three people can fit up front, while the cabin is the perfect size for two. There’s not a huge amount of room to spread out, but there is plenty of space under the bed for storing bags etc. It does feel surprisingly roomy inside when the back doors are open.

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A big advantage of the van’s smaller size is that it’s compact enough to negotiate narrow streets and very easy to park, even in the city.

Mta Campervans video tour

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Where you can go with Mta Campervans

Mta is based at the Budget Georgia office in Kutaisi, but the van can be delivered to any location in Georgia based on your needs.

Kutaisi is the perfect starting point for exploring the mountains and coastal regions of Western Georgia, so I highly recommend picking it up here then heading west.

The options are unlimited – mountains, waterfalls, hot springs and beaches are all within a few hours’ drive from Kutaisi.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Road trip through Racha region – Departing from Kutaisi, visiting Tskhrajvari viewpoint, Shaori Lake and Ambrolauri before heading into the high mountains of Racha for Oni, Shovi, the Udziro Lake hike, Ghebi and Gona.
• Road trip to Svaneti – Experienced drivers can take the van to Mestia and Ushguli, visiting smaller villages such as Nakra and Mazeri along the way.
• Road trip through Samegrelo and Guria – Visiting the waterfalls around Martvili, hot springs, and the tea fields of Anaseuli before driving up to Bakhmaro to chase the clouds.
• Road trip on the Black Sea Coast – Including Kolkheti National Park and Kintrishi Nature Reserve, passing through Batumi to finish in the highlands of Adjara region.
• Road trip to Samtskhe-Javakheti region – Departing Kutaisi and crossing the Zekari Pass to Abastumani, then continuing through Vardzia and Saro before exploring the lakes on the Javakheti Plateau.

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Details & bookings

Bookings can be made direct or through Booking.com. Book direct through the Mta Campervans website and mention Wander-Lush to get 10% off your reservation. Click here to submit a booking request.

For more information, visit the Mta Campervans website.

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