I first met the Tembo Tusk team almost a decade ago at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona. Luisa and I were strolling away from the Overland Journal stand as the early morning sun peeked through the trees, a delicious smoke floating in the air. Our South African noses lifted to the breeze, and our instincts kicked in. Boerewors!! For the uninitiated, boerewors is a South African-style sausage that has a distinct smell, flavor, and texture, and there are only two ways to cook it: at night on the braai (BBQ) or in the morning in a skottle (the skottle’s origins trace back to South African farmers repurposing old harrow discs as outdoor cooking tools, providing a practical solution for preparing meals while working in the fields). We joined the khaki-clad throng of zombies in a dusty shuffle to the Tembo Tusk stand, where Jerry, the founder and owner of Tembo Tusk, chuckled and cooked up a storm, surrounded by his innovative creations, the center of the overlanding world. Salivating, we chatted to Jerry and his wife, Nohline, about the Tembo Tusk Skottle, a variation of the South African original, and a friendship was born that has lasted the distance, boerie roll in hand. Every time we attend an overland event, we know that, eventually, we will bump into Jerry, his smile, his family, his excellent overlanding solutions, and, of course, the skottle and her temptations. Ever curious, we asked Jerry a few questions about the origins of his family business and their vision for the future.
What is Tembo Tusk’s origin story?
Tembo Tusk was born out of a simple need: a reliable, durable dropdown slide for camping fridges. Frustrated by the lack of suitable options on the market, I took matters into my own hands, designing and building a prototype in my garage.
As we prepared to unveil our invention at the 2010 Overland Expo in Amado, Arizona, we needed a fitting name for our company. Inspired by how the slide lifted the fridge, reminiscent of elephant tusks, we initially considered ‘Elephant Tusk.’ However, it was a bit of a mouthful. My wife, Nohline, a native of South Africa, suggested a more authentic African name. We chose ‘Tembo,’ the Swahili word for elephant. The name not only captured the essence of our product but also paid homage to the continent’s rich wildlife and culture. We designed a logo inspired by the old steamer trunk stamps found on vintage travel cases to complement the name. We wanted our logo to be a symbol of exploration and wanderlust.
Tell me about your travels when you were younger, specifically your trip through Africa in 1984
My lifelong passion for travel began early in my career. I had the privilege of driving for travel companies like Aventours and Contiki Travel. These companies offered exciting camping [excursions] by bus, where I served as the driver while a skilled cook and guide accompanied us.
During the off-season, I would travel to explore the world on my own. One such adventure took me on an unforgettable overland truck journey from London to South Africa. We traversed the African continent, navigating dirt roads through breathtaking landscapes. Our route was a mix of diverse terrains and cultures. We crossed the Atlas Mountains, traversed the vast Sahara Desert, and ventured through the heart of Congo. The highlight of this epic expedition was hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro, a truly awe-inspiring experience.
What was the first product that Tembo Tusk designed and sold?
As an avid camper, I found myself constantly frustrated by the cumbersome process of lifting my heavy camping fridge in and out of my Land Cruiser. The lack of a convenient solution on the market inspired me to take matters into my own hands. I designed and built a custom dropdown slide that made accessing my fridge a breeze.
The skottle grill, a South African culinary camping and backyard tradition, was a natural for the American overland community. However, its availability and compatibility with the US market were difficult. Tembo Tusk addressed these challenges by designing a skottle grill specifically tailored to the US market. Our grill is not only durable enough to withstand the rigors of off-road and overland travel but also seamlessly connects to standard US propane sources. By combining the best of both worlds, Tembo Tusk offers a product that embodies our core philosophy: Buy once, keep it for a lifetime.
Take me through Tembo Tusk’s manufacturing process
We’re a proud American manufacturer dedicated to crafting high-quality outdoor gear. Our state-of-the-art workshop in Southern California is equipped to design, prototype, laser cut, bend, and powder coat our products in-house. This hands-on approach allows us to innovate and deliver products that meet the highest quality and durability standards. Tembo Tusk also manufactures ‘white label’ products for other outdoor companies. You might already be using our products but don’t know it.
The company has grown a lot in the past few years. What are some challenges you’ve had to overcome along the way?
As we’ve grown, we’ve evolved from a small family business into a more structured organization. What began as a seat-of-the-pants operation has matured into a capable company with a dedicated team. Since our humble beginnings in a garage, Tembo Tusk has outgrown multiple workshops, each time expanding to accommodate our growing operations.
Your business is family-run. Can you tell me the roles of each family member?
Initially, I wore many hats—chief cook, bottle washer, and everything in between. As the company grew, Nohline graciously took on the financial responsibilities, freeing me up to focus on other aspects of the business. A few years ago, my son, Bryan, joined the team and spearheaded the shop’s operations. This allowed me to step back and oversee the bigger picture, ensuring the future of Tembo Tusk remains bright.
Are there any exciting new products in the works you can tell me about?
Here at Tembo Tusk, if we need it for camping, you most likely do, too. Our latest product includes a custom-designed spatula and scraper set, perfectly contoured to fit our skottle grills. We’re also excited to introduce our new lightweight aluminum fridge slides, offering the same strength and durability as our steel models but with a significant weight reduction. As we continue to explore new possibilities with aluminum, we’re confident that this versatile material will inspire a wide range of innovative products in the future.
What is your favorite overland spot?
Choosing a favorite is tough, especially when you’re surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Western United States. While Oregon and Washington’s lush forests hold a unique charm, the arid beauty of California, Nevada, and Arizona’s deserts is equally captivating. However, if I had to pick a current favorite, it would be the otherworldly landscapes of Utah. Colorado also remains a top contender with its endless dirt roads winding through mountain ghost towns. The thrill of exploration and the promise of new discoveries keep us eager to explore more of this incredible region.
What is your favorite meal to cook on the skottle?
I’m a big fan of comfort food when I’m camping, and the skottle is perfect for whipping up hearty meals. A personal favorite is a classic three-bean stew with noodles. Yes, you can even cook pasta on the skottle. And for those in the know, Boerewors sausage is a must-try on the grill.
Read More: Gerber Overland Bundle :: Field Tested
Our No Compromise Clause: We do not accept advertorial content or allow advertising to influence our coverage, and our contributors are guaranteed editorial independence. Overland International may earn a small commission from affiliate links included in this article. We appreciate your support.
