Camping 101

People who camp and hike have another thing in common, besides their love for the outdoors; they have stories to tell. Whether it’s tales about the best spot to watch the sunrise or open heavens for star gazing, things that go bump in the night or creepy crawlies, strange neighbours or nosy managers, ‘klepto’ monkeys or the call of a fish eagle first thing in the morning, leaky tents or afternoon snoozes, there’s generally a story that links to each camping trip. Wilderness, fresh air and a night sky filled with bright stars… for many, camping creates lasting memories.
So once you have been bitten by the desire to explore the wide open spaces of the great outdoors and dine under open skies, the next step is setting yourself geared up with the right equipment. Fortunately, with camping there are some essential items and many items that you can do without and buy at a later stage. A tent is an essential item (unless you are daring enough to sleep under the stars) whilst a good camping table can be bought at a later stage (provided you can eat quicker than the time it takes for ants to invade your picnic blanket). Such is the joy of camping; you can make it as simple or elaborate as you like to suit your budget and sense of adventure. But if we’re talking about the basics then: tent, sleeping mattress and sleeping bag, cooking and eating utensils would make up the essentials of your camping gear.
Camp grounds fall into two basic categories: public or private. Public camp grounds are usually run by a government agency these are grounds run by the National Parks board. They are usually fairly large and should be well maintained and are set aside to protect some form of natural environment and so often offer things like hiking trails or bird watching. Private camp grounds are owned and run by private citizens or businesses and vary greatly in size and facilities.

A good camping trip starts with choosing the right camp ground. Here are a few useful questions to ask when booking your campsite:
• What time to the gates to the camp groups/ park or close?( check-in and check-out times)
• Does the site include electricity?
• How far are the ablutions from my site?
• Are the washing up facilities (sinks with hot water etc)?
• Are the sites shaded?
• Are the sites booked or is it first come first served?
• What amenities does each site have? (picnic table, braai, grill, tap, space for at least one car)What amenities does the camp ground have? (shop, play areas for kids, pool, lapa
• Do I need to bring my own firewood or is there some available on site?
• How many people can stay on one site?
• Can I bring pets?
Camping tip: Make your own insect repellent: mix one part Dettol, three parts water and a little bit of baby oil to rub on your skin. It really works.
Welcome to the great outdoors, enjoy the adventure!