From Suburbia to Full-Time RV Living With Kids: The Story of Kufamba – The Traveling Tribe

What happens when a family of five trades in their traditional home in Illinois for a life of adventure, freedom, and full-time RV living with kids? For Chelsea and Malvin, it meant embracing the unknown, turning challenges into opportunities, and discovering unexpected beauty across the United States—while homeschooling three young children and building a new sense of community on the road.

In this candid and inspiring interview, they share how they transformed a toy hauler into a cozy home, the lessons they’ve learned from life on the move, and the moments that have stayed with them—like rescuing a Frenchie in Colorado or stumbling upon old friends in random campgrounds.

Whether you’ve ever dreamed of hitting the road or are simply curious about what it’s really like to live this kind of nomadic lifestyle with kids, this story will surprise, inspire, and maybe even spark your next big adventure.

Kufamba Family Interview: Life Lessons From Full-Time RV Living With Kids

Could you introduce yourselves and share what inspired you to transition from traditional home life in Illinois to full-time RV living with kids?

We always dreamed of going full-time, but it always felt a bit far-fetched. When things changed with Chelsea’s teaching job, it gave us the perfect opportunity to sell the house. We were planning to move anyway to look for new teaching jobs, but it felt like the right window to travel in the RV before settling into a new home and area. It was scary and overwhelming, but we’re so glad we took the leap.

Your journey has taken you to various cities and natural sites. How do you choose your destinations, and what have been some of your favorite spots so far?

We’ve spent winters in Florida because it’s the most cost-effective option. We didn’t follow a specific method when choosing where to go—sometimes we traveled to visit friends, other times it was the location itself, or even just a resort we wanted to stay at.

We always tell people that South Dakota and Texas Hill Country have been our favorites—probably because we didn’t have any expectations for either place and ended up loving them! We went to South Dakota to meet up with friends and were honestly blown away by how beautiful it was. We took some of our favorite family pictures in the Black Hills. Both destinations reminded us of the landscapes of Southern Africa, where we met and where Malvin is from.

Traveling with three young children presents unique challenges. How do you manage homeschooling on the road, and what strategies have you found effective for maintaining a routine?

We only travel on the weekends—that works best for us. We stick to a routine as much as possible, and we make an effort to meet new families or reconnect with friends we’ve met along the way. Community makes things easier. But don’t get me wrong—there are definitely lonely seasons too.

You’ve transformed the master bedroom of your toy hauler into a dedicated space for your children. Could you share insights into that renovation process and how it has impacted your family’s comfort?

We watched a lot of YouTube videos because choosing the right layout really mattered to us. The garage made the most sense to turn into a shared office and master bedroom. That meant we had to make the most of the space available for the kids. It actually gave us a lot of closet space for their clothes and toys too.

Budgeting is crucial for full-time travelers. What are some effective ways you’ve found to save money while on the road?

Book longer stays! Some families use Thousand Trails—we did for a year—but it didn’t really align with our travel style. We learned that you get better rates when you stay for a week, and even better if you stay for a month (sometimes half the cost!). You can’t treat every place like a vacation and eat out all the time. We always try to find free things to do—we love discovering new playgrounds.

Maintaining a sense of community can be challenging when constantly moving. How do you stay connected with family and friends, and have you built new communities during your travels?

This part can be tough. You have to be intentional about meeting people. We’ve met so many amazing individuals along the way—some have become lifelong friends, while others were just part of a specific season. For us, we always have to remind ourselves that we chose this lifestyle to spend more time as a family. It’s easy to scroll through Instagram and feel left out. But our goal was to make memories as a family, and as long as we’re doing that, we know we’re on the right path.

What advice would you give to families considering a similar lifestyle change to full-time RV living, especially with kids?

Do your research. Make sure you’re buying from a good RV company that will support you through all the bumps! Get good full-time RV insurance. Things will break. Make sure your job can be done remotely. Be handy—or at least willing to learn how to fix things. Ask a lot of questions! Most full-time families on Instagram are happy to help and answer.

How has this lifestyle impacted your family’s dynamics and personal growth?

We’ve truly loved it. We love being together and have created so many unforgettable memories. Of course, it can be hard at times, so it’s important to intentionally create space when needed!

Could you share a memorable or humorous experience from your travels that stands out to you?

Wow—this is a tough one! There are too many to count. One of our favorite things about RV life is how you start bumping into people. We’ve randomly pulled into campgrounds and discovered that friends were already there! Or like that time we rescued a Frenchie while riding bikes in Colorado!

What are your future plans for Kufamba: The Traveling Tribe, and are there any upcoming projects or destinations you’re particularly excited about?

We’re actually part-time travelers now. We were ready for a home base. We’ve been in a house for almost 12 months and still managed to travel for 9 months out of the year. Now, we travel differently—but way more than we did before going full-time. We even took our first trip abroad with the kids this March—to England!

We’ve continued homeschooling to keep the flexibility to travel whenever we want. Right now, we’re looking to downsize to a smaller rig—our big toy hauler is actually for sale!

Thank You, Kufamba Family!

A heartfelt thank you to Chelsea and Malvin for taking the time to share their story with us. Their journey is a beautiful reminder that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to the most rewarding experiences—especially when done together as a family.

If you’d like to follow their adventures, get inspired by their lifestyle, or ask them a question, be sure to connect with them here:
📸 Instagram: @kufamba_thetravelingtribe
🌍 Website: www.kufambathetravelingtribe.com
📩 Email: kufamba.thetravelingtribe@gmail.com