Camping in the 80s was hard work. My dad had pilfered some stock from his days in the SADF and we camped army style. We had tents which took ages to erect, weighed 100 kilograms and took up most of the space on the roof rack of our Passat station wagon. We had army stretchers, water bottles, cutlery, sleeping bags, back packs and uniforms. It was a musky affair. With the exception of the amazing water bottles (which you can still find at an army surplus store in Pretoria) most of the kit was terrible.
In the 90’s the camping market changed and today there seems to be an endless supply of outdoor products, and they almost all seem to make great sense. We have spent a small fortune on gadgets and gizmos which invariably end up gathering dust and getting in the way. No, you probably do not need the Bear Grylls survival knife, survival kit and machete. They do look awesome though.
There are a few basics, when camping from a vehicle, which can make or break either a weekend camping trip or a 6 month expedition.
Less is more
You will save a fortune by buying good quality, versatile products. You don’t want to spend an hour unpacking and setting up when you arrive and another hour repacking before you leave. Unlike most other activities, camping is not about keeping up with the Jones’. Within 10 minutes of arriving at a camp site we have the fire going and a cold beer in hand. Watching others struggle for hours to set up intricate camps is great entertainment. Smug – I know.
If it’s inflatable it’s debatable
Those giant inflatable mattresses you see on TV being driven over with battle tanks will squeal and deflate at the first sight of a thorn. That sinking feeling and a night spent with your hips on the cold stony ground is a camper’s nightmare. We use specialist inflatable mattresses for long term camping which cost as much as an Edblo but are thick and easy to repair. They also make great lilo’s for Lake Malawi. As a back up we also use self inflating mattresses.
Warm when it’s cool and cool when its warm
A good quality sleeping bag makes the world of difference but so does your clothing. Thermal undies and thick hiking socks are easy to pack and are a lifesaver when the mercury drops. We also like to vacuum pack warm weather clothing if we don’t plan to use it daily on the road. Towels, sleeping bags and pillows can also be made a fraction of their size by vacuum packing.
Stay dry
A good quality tent should be able to withstand a highveld thunderstorm. Just don’t touch the inner walls of the tent when it is raining or the moisture will come through. Easy erect tents are awesome. We use a very large roof top tent on our Landy and it sleeps 2 adults (including a 2m long 130kg specimen) and 2 kids snugly. It cost an arm and a leg but comes with a ‘add a room’ which is cavernous and is simply zipped on the underside of the roof top tent. Fold up camping chairs must be stored under cover at night so they don’t become wet with condensation, no one likes a wet butt in the morning.
Food
We always try and plan a daily menu before we leave and buy our groceries accordingly. Braais are awesome but after the first couple of nights the wife starts to grumble. Sometimes it is not possible to source fresh vegetables and storage is always an issue. Pasta is easy to store and prepare, as are potatoes, onions, pumpkin, butternut etc. We have 2 fridges in the Landy so we are spoilt for choice but our trips tend to last for a month or more. Cooler boxes must only be opened when absolutely necessary and closed immediately. Beers and cooldrinks should have a separate cooler box if possible and frozen meat acts as a good substitute ice block and, by the time the beers kicked in, the meat should be defrosted if you have done the mid morning beer prep routine. A neat trick for defrosting meat after a long day driving in the bush is to pop it in the engine bay and then close the hood.
Cans are always better than bottles.
Cutlery
There is a little company called Greensport who manufacture clever compact products. The 5 in 1 pot and pan set packs up beautifully and the cutlery set has all you need and folds almost flat. I have used both for years. Cups, plates and bowls can be bought and replaced cheaply from Plastics for Africa. A Hart aluminium kettle will last forever and boils quickly as long as you only boil as much water as you need. A family sized frying pan with a solid metal handle is always a good investment. Buy a thick medium size braai grill with a cover and a tri-pod. Potjie pots are versatile but a pain to pack.
Clothing
No-one wants to look like a German tourist (sorry Hans). Old T shirts and Khaki zip off shorts/trousers with practical pockets are a winner. I have a Hi-Tec pair which has lasted forever and which dry really quickly. For a month on the road I will pack 4 pairs of shorts and 10 pairs of undies. Dirty shorts are OK but dirty undies not so much. We always pack our K-Way jackets with removable inners which are extremely versatile and will last for 10 years. A few pairs of Flip Flops and good hiking boots will take care of the feet. Ugg boots are priceless for cold weather camping.
Odds and sods
A car chamois dries dishes like a charm. Ziploc bags, cable ties, elastic bands, Q20 and Duct Tape will fix almost anything. A ‘start up’ box containing everything you need to set up your camp should be readily available. Your mallet, pegs, matches, spare car keys, firelighters, dishwashing liquid, mozzie repellent, batteries and a small first aid and sewing kit in one convenient place will end all the scratching and digging. A small hammock is a great luxury in a long- term camp. Head torches are sufficient and camp lights are usually overkill- you want to see the stars right? A fluorescent torch will help to spot the scorpions at night as they become luminous under the light. A Leatherman will take care of your cutting and fixing needs, shovels and axes are usually not needed unless you are out in the Gamadoelas. Gas can last forever if you use it only for cooking.
My last bit of unsolicited advice – if possible borrow before you buy and don’t forget the frikkin can opener!
