Superhost

·

Berkeley, CA

Balou - 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

5

Excellent

21

Pet friendly

25+

Sleeps 2

20 ft. long

Want More Than Just the Bare Necessities? Balou IS Your VAN!Balou is a custom Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper van (built out by the stellar VanCraft team) ready to spring into action for a road trip to remember! Balou has everything you’ll need for an awesome #vanlife experience, whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a more epic adventure. Balou seats and sleeps up to two people (plus a couple more with the optional add-on of an overflow tent). Balou’s kitchen is complete with an induction stove, a stainless steel sink, a refrigerator, and all the cookware you’ll need for delicious culinary creations on the go. With six cabinets for storage and more space in the “garage”, you’ll have plenty of room for all of your gear. If you’re craving some luxury after a long day of adventuring, you can make good use of the outdoor shower and snuggle up for a snooze on the 6” memory foam mattress. This van feels so much like home, you might need to remind yourself that you’re camping on wheels.Forget about your worries and your strife with Balou!HOP IN AND GO: Balou is “road trip ready.” Whether you are flying in from out of town or looking to explore your own backyard, all you really need to do is stop for groceries before hitting the road. All cookware and tableware is included, as is bedding and a wide array of camping gear. What's includedRoad Trip Ready: Balou comes with cookware, tableware, fresh linens, extra Rumpl blanket for crisp nights, plenty towels, camping chairs, camping table, privacy curtains for outdoor shower, hammock, and sun sails. If you need to stay in touch, Balou has a cell signal booster.RecommendationsWe are fairly new to Outdoorsy but not new to letting others enjoy our van. Please check out our excellent reviews on GoCamp, our primary rental platform.Other things to noteo. Please note that Balou isn't meant for winter-weather adventures on snow and ice, but it's ready to explore with you the other wonders that California and the neighboring states have to offer!
o. Pets welcome! (Please select pet add-on; $125 additional cleaning fee).
2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Length

20 ft

Transmission

Automatic

Fuel Type

Diesel

Tank Size

24 gal

Gross Weight

9,000 lbs

Sleeps

2

Seatbelts

2

Sleeping Arrangements

Queen bed

1

Host add-ons

Half-day

CA$138.00 each

See details

One-way request

CA$690.00 each

See details

Overflow-tent

CA$55.20 each

See details

Pet fee

CA$172.50 each

See details

Portable toilet

CA$69.00 each

See details
Balou - 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Dates

Guest reviews
5

Excellent

21 reviews

Overall rating

5

4

3

2

1

Communication

5

Cleanliness

5

Maintenance

5

Value

5

Listing accuracy

5

Pablo O.

September 2025

5

Balou was a great part of our National Park experience and trip, Niko does a great job preserving the van as if it was new, he has every detailed ticked so everything works perfectly. Just great! Every detail in Balou is well thought out so you can enjoy the trip and have easy work around the everyday van life. The outdoor shower was a great great amenity! We had a minor incident with a scratch on the vans rear bumper, Niko was very understanding and we worked it out together for it to be the least painful for both of us. The trip was so wonderful that this unfortunate event seems like just a small stone on the shoe that we could easily shake off, all thanks to Niko’s outstanding communication and comprehensive approach. We will must definitely be back on the road in Balou, maybe next time going north.

Ethan L.

August 2025

5

This was an amazing trip in large part due to a great van and amazing hosts. Our trip planning hit a snag when our previous reservation was canceled as the van was in the shop due to damage from the prior booking. With 7 days to go we had to pivot quickly. Annette and Niko were amazing. They responded to my request within 30 minutes and were very responsive until we finalized the booking. They even have a very clean website walking you through who they are and everything you need to know about the van. I was very impressed with the professionalism and felt comforted we landed with the right hosts after all. The van is very thoughtfully laid out and stocked. It is truly meant to be able to pick up and go. We had all equipment needed for cooking. We used the portable 2 burner stove and kitchen equipment every night for some outdoor cooking. Beyond that they had very thoughtful items throughout the van, such as, reading lights in the bed area, laundry money, bug spray, portable lights, sails for shade, and much more. The van handled very well. It was easy to drive given its size and parked fairly easily in normal sized parking spots. We would definitely book this van again.

M
Mandi M.

July 2025

5

We had a fantastic trip with Balou! Super easy to drive, provides a quiet cozy ride with all the necessities. The van is so thoughtfully designed and outfitted, it had everything we needed - we only brought food, toiletries, and clothes and were good to go for four nights at campgrounds. The bed and shower are both fantastic. Nikolaus clearly explained the van operation and features so we felt fully prepared and ready for the road. Would definitely rent again and recommend to friends - thank you Nikolaus!

Waring W.

June 2025

5

Just finished another trip in the van - it is super clean, organized and comfortable and has everything you need. Nikolaus is a great host - we love him! Looking forward to our next trip in the van in October!

Waring W.

June 2025

5

This was our third time renting the van and we are renting it again next month. It really has everything you need and the is so well laid out and stocked. We love it & love Nikolaus too :)

S
Stephanie R.

May 2025

5

Everything was absolutely INCREDIBLE! This was our first camper van trip and everything was impeccable from start to finish. Communication with Niko was phenomenal and the van was very user friendly. 1,000/10 would recommend to anyone!!!!! We will absolutely be renting again in the future. Thank you!

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Features
2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 seatbelts
  • Fresh water: 23 gal
  • Fuel type: Diesel
  • Fuel capacity: 24 gal
  • Automatic transmission
Amenities
  • Outside Shower
  • Bath towels
  • Hot water
  • Solart
  • Audio Inputs
  • Radio
  • Bluetooth
  • Stove
Nearby places to stay
Rules and policies
  • Pet friendly
  • No music festivals
  • No tailgating
  • No smoking
  • Mileage: 100 free miles / day
Meet your host, Nikolaus

Superhost • Member since 2017

Nikolaus is a Superhost

Superhosts are highly-rated and experienced, ensuring you have a fantastic outdoor experience.

Thanks for your interest in our campervan Balou! We are Niko & Annette, the owners of Balou. Over the years, we have rented campervans in many countries and continents for wonderful vacations, including a couple times here to explore the natural beauty of California. In early 2022, on a trip to Joshua Tree NP, we were -aside from the incredible landscape and vegetation- so intrigued by the VanCraft conversion of the Sprinter van we had rented, that we pretty much on the spot decided to purchase our own van from the company. By then we had moved to San Francisco and were (and are) eager to get to know the West Coast better. We have made so many great trips and experiences renting vans that it also was clear from the get-go that we wanted other people to enjoy our van and the incredibly diversity of this region! Hope you decide to take your trip in Balou, but it any case, have a great adventure! Niko & Annette

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