…Camping is not the most glorious of accommodations, but it’s nothing short of exciting! What compares to sleeping under the starry sky in the middle of nature with nothing around to distract you? Here are some helpful camping tips that will make your escape into nature a lot more enjoyable:
View of the mountains, oceans, bushveld and thick forests – Who would not want to go camping in South Africa?
Whether it is in Kruger National Park, along the Garden Route or on the West Coast, you are guaranteed to have the ultimate camping experience!
When you’re knee deep in camping gear, it’s easy to forget some of the most important items like flashlights or band aids. Before your next trip, create a must-bring bag with all ten of these camping essentials so you’re never without that one thing you forgot to bring.
Check out our full Camping Essentials & Gear Checklist
- First Aid Kit
- Box of Matches & Lighter.
- Rope.
- Tarps
- Lanterns , Headlamps & Flashlights.
- Cooking ware & Gas Stove.
- Pocket Knife & Muti-Tool.
- Water Filter Straw.
- Sunscreen & Bug Repellent.
- Food.
1 – First Aid Kit – Burns, scratches, cuts or bumps—one of these is bound to happen on an active camping trip, making a first-aid kit one of the most important camping essentials you could bring. Don’t arrive at your campsite without it, and be sure to take it on your excursions, as well.
2 – Box of Matches & Lighter – Unless you’re a veteran boy scout, chances are you need some sort of flame to start a fire. Without a fire, you have limited food options and nights become a whole lot colder. Don’t risk it, and buy matches in bulk. You can leave them in your camping essentials bag for years at a time.
3 – Rope – Rope has so many uses at a campsite, especially if you can tie a variety of knots. Make a clothes line for wet garments, hang your coolers from a branch at night, create a shelter, or tow people out of a tight situation on a hike or swim. Bottom line: don’t go camping without one.
4 – Tarps – Whether you’re using it to protect the bottom of your tent or as an extra shelter at your campsite, tarps are essential. They’re easy to fold, and only take up a small amount of space in your camping bags.
5 – Lanterns , Headlamps & Flashlights – Whether you’re stumbling to the bathroom after dark or sneaking a midnight snack, you should always have a lantern and/or flashlight in your camping essentials box. Be sure your light source is easy to reach in the car, in the event that you arrive at your site after dark.
6 – Cooking ware & Gas Stove – A sure essential when it comes to camping is cooking ware and a portable gas stove. Be sure to pack yours in to not be stranded in some beautiful part of the country without any cooking gear to prepare a meal. Don’t forget to add a small packet of spices and salt into the casing of the portable gas stove.
7 – Pocket Knife & Multi-Tool – Most commonly known as a Swiss Army Knife, this tool is a camping essential that takes up almost no space in your bags. With a knife, corkscrew, saw, small scissors and more, you’ll have a variety of camping essentials in an easy to pack, compact size.
8 – Water Filter Straw – Water is life and in certain tucked and hidden away camping and tourist sites there is very limited amount of water. So either pack enough water or make sure to include your water filter straw , that turns any water source into drinkable water.
9 – Sunscreen & Bug Repellent – Sunscreen or Sunblock with a high SPF value and bug repellent spray. Camping should be about resting and relaxation , so might rather save yourself from sun burn and annoying little bugs at nights.
10 – Food& Water – Pack enough food and snacks. Take into consideration the amount of people, amount of meals per day and the duration of the trip.