Fun and budget friendly – It’s time to get camping!

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Tired of the traffic, the deadlines and never having five minutes to yourself?

The fantastic thing about living in South Africa is that it’s unbelievably beautiful, and we have revitalising nature-filled destinations in every corner of our country.

From the Highveld’s Acacia trees silhouetted against a setting African sun, to the rugged and semiarid landscapes of the Eastern Cape, to the coastal paradises of the Garden Route and more, we’re always spoiled for choice.

Rands and cents

An added perk is that getting out of the hustle and bustle needn’t cost an arm and a leg. If you’re not a camper yet, you really should be.

Simply, camping is one of the best and cheapest ways to experience stunning South Africa. And you needn’t rough it (although it can be awesome to leave all manner of creaturely comfort behind).

Tents

SA is well-suited for camping, and our campsites are often designed for ordinary people looking to kick back for some rest and relaxation.

• Hiking tents need to be compact to fit into backpacks and durable enough to withstand conditions that will be found on mountains and other trails.

• Unlike light tents that can be carried in a backpack for days’ long hikes, however, recreational tents for getaways can be oversized.

• For example, you can purchase a 3 or 4 person tent even if you’re planning to sleep two in it. This means that there’ll be plenty room for other stuff like backpacks and cases, and you’ll have more room to move.

• A tent with a high apex could also add to your comfort.

• Many campsites around SA are well prepared for tents, but take along a groundsheet nonetheless.

• It offers some protection for the bottom of the tent and helps keeps creepy crawlies outside. If the tent floor has any perforations, however small, it’ll also guard against the ingress of damp.

• When luxury camping, consider adding a portable gazebo to your gear. It’s great for a variety of activities, most especially for cooking when it rains.

Electricity and batteries

• This next point is really important. Find out if your campsite has electricity.

• If it doesn’t, take along a powerbank for your cell phone and anything else that needs charging (a small lantern and/or torches).

• Of course, use new batteries for all your larger torches, and take along a few extra just in case.

• If your site does have electricity, your extension cords need to be protected from water and dust. And of course, be careful – the plug points may not be grounded.

Dishes

• Cooking equipment will be essential, and inevitably they’ll need to be cleaned.

• The campsite may have facilities for the washing of dishes; but if not, use an adequately sized and handleable tub.

• We know you wouldn’t skip washing dishes, but it’s important not to let used pots, pans, plates and utensils stand – they may attract flies and small animals.

Mattresses

• Mattresses provide both cushioning and insulation from a cold tent floor.

• If you’re looking to travel light, foam mattresses and low-depth inflatable mattresses are easy to store and carry.

• For those looking to sleep in more comfort, consider using a larger inflatable mattress. All you need is a small hand or foot pump to get it inflated.

• Many find the higher off the ground inflatable mattress the most desireable option if the tent has a high apex and extra room.

Sleeping bags

• Don’t, by any means, underestimate how crucial an adequate sleeping bag is. Depending where you are in SA, temperatures can fluctuate considerably between day and night.

• A rectangular bag with a zip along the bottom and one side should only be considered for summer conditions in areas with high night time temps.

• “Mummy” shaped bags offer much better protection against cold, and they’re rated to let you know what temperature they’re suitable for.

• But note the difference between their comfort rating and their extreme rating.

• A comfort rating is the outside temperature at which the bag will keep you comfortable; the extreme rating is the outside temperature below which you may suffer from hypothermia.

• When wet, a bag using a synthetic filling offers better insulation, but in drier conditions, a down filled bag has better heat retention.

Packing your car

• Lastly, and this isn’t always obvious until you’re packing your car boot, remember that although you’re not carrying your entire camping gear in a backpack, your car can only hold so much luggage (even if you have a nifty trailer or a sizeable SUV/4×4).

• Of course, kids – no matter their age – add to the load.

• Food, gazebos, your gas canister, folding chairs, your folding table, a braai grid, cooler boxes, the cutlery crate (if you use one) and extras take up more room than you may think at first.

• In other words, keep the principle of travelling light in mind – most notably if the trip is lengthy.

• Always pack the heavier items as close to your car’s back axel as possible, or over your trailer’s axel.

Find out more

Ok, so there’s a lot more to know about camping, but hopefully this article will whet your appetite and point you in the right direction.

A great source of more info is your local Trappers. Have a chat with our friendly store assistants and get the right equipment for your future camping career!