Camping and caravanning are both popular South African holiday choices – they’re offer outdoor living, endless destination options and are budget friendly. When camping there’s ‘the best ways to do things,’ from how to pack a rucksack for a three-day hike to how to clean the chemical toilet, and more.
Even the most confident campers tend to be enticed by new ideas for getting the best out of the sacred little camping spot that is home for a while.
As your excitement grows in anticipation of another great Gauteng Getaway Show at TicketPro Dome in Randburg from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 October, here are some fun and useful tips to try on your next outdoor adventure.
· Zips are everywhere – tents, jackets, storage, backpacks – and they often get stuck at inopportune moments. Pre-empt or fix this by rubbing a lubricant such as a candle or lip-ice on the zipper.
· Too hot? Reduce the temperature in a tent in a sunny spot by covering it with an emergency blanket to reflect the sun rays away.
· In your camping kitchen, use a hanging shoe organiser to store your cutlery, implements, and other small sundry items.
· Eggs for breakfast? Break your eggs into a sealable container before you go and keep in the cooler for a delicious scrambled egg breakfast, without the broken egg problem.
· Yummy braai pud for kids of all ages. Pack sugar cones full of mini marshmallows, chopped banana, chocolate chunks and nuts, wrap in foil and place in the coals for five or so minutes.
· Always pack duct tape. For patching tents, shoes, air mattresses, mozzie nets, bags, and more.
· Pack earplugs. Between them, Mother Nature, neighbours, even camping companions can be louder than anticipated in the dead of night.
· Remember to ‘leave no trace’ – be wise with waste, minimise the amount you take with you, and dispose of it responsibly.
Batteries are a big deal. Brett Kable from Enertec Batteries (find him at the show for a lot more battery savvy) has three top tips for battery care.
· Always check the battery voltage before a camping trip, and if it is below 12.3 charge it up to 12.7 volts.
· While travelling make sure the battery is in a well ventilated space and secured in position. Spilled acid can cause severe damage.
· Check your battery voltage regularly when camping – draining below 12.2 volts will reduce the battery lifespan. After camping charge the battery immediately to avoid sulphur build-up.
Johann Carstens from SnoMaster has tips for camping fridges.
· Switch on a day before leaving to avoid unnecessary power usage when camping and travelling.
· Don’t take the baskets out – they help with the air flow around the food and bring the temperature down quicker.
The Gauteng Getaway Show is an inspiring one-stop-shop for adventure travel and a fun day out for the whole family, with lots of special offers and chances to win amazing travel prizes. Proudly sponsored by Bosch Car Service, the award-winning expo is the ultimate showcase of travel destinations, accommodation, outdoor gear, 4×4 products and accessories, motor homes, caravans and trailers, camping equipment and adventure operators.
Don’t miss it! Book now at Quicket (https://qkt.io/getaway-2019) at R80 for adults, R40 for scholars and pensioners, and free entry for kids 12 and under. By buying your ticket, you automatically have a chance to win a week in Mauritius for two people, valued at R40,000.
Go to here for more info, follow the Getaway Show on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @getawayshow.
