I hope you enjoyed Part 1 of Camping tips for Namibia. I also hope you are busy planning your camping trip? If you are, keep reading for more clever ideas to help you camp with ease.
When it comes to kitchen utensils and equipment, organization is important. It's vital to check your kit before leaving home. A very easy way to keep it organized is by using a shoe / tool organizer . Kitchen setup will be a blast coz you can hang it in the tree.
Make sure food supplies are sealed as to not let in unwanted eaters like ants, wild animals or the midnight sleep eater.
Struggling to get everything clean? An alternative to soap and scours for very greasy pots or pans is sand. It absorbs greasiness and gets the job done perfectly.
Throughout the year, there is an assortment of items at home you should not throw away. Old shower curtains are a perfect example of things to keep as this comes in handy to use as ground cloths.
Collect and clean empty vegetable cans. Take a bunch of them along when going camping. They are great for baking bread or to boil eggs over the fire. (Use the same recipe as the stick bread in Part 1 of Camping Tips for Namibia). Tuna cans serve as an excellent tea light candle holder.
It's not always the easiest task to keep things dry and clean. Disaster is just a spill or a cracked egg away.
Keep toilet paper dry and clean by placing it in an empty coffee can with a snap on lid or a large size ziplock bag
While were on the subject of eggs and keeping them safe, here is a very handy tip: crack open the amount of eggs you are planning to use on your trip into a container with aspill free lid.Each day you can merely pour out the amount of eggs you are planning to use - keep it cold!
Tent Dilemma
Raise your hand if you have never tripped over a tent peg in your life. Never? I am here to save you some pain. It hurts your toes and there is a slight possibility that your tent is the break to your fall. A disastrous situation, causing your wife to scream, and bam! The whole campsite is awake.
Prevent this by replacing the pegs with solar lights. Or peg the solar lights next to the tent pegs, ensuring you don’t trip over them. As a bonus you light up the campsite. Another problem with tents are the strings. Add a bit of romantic flair to your tent, by twirling battery operated fairy lights around the strings.
Now your tent looks like something from a 60's disco movie scene. Put on your Elvis costume and get ready to rock 'n roll.
Alternatively, if you are not a Elvis fan, paint the top of the tent pegs with phosphorescent paint to make them glow.
For a reliable and affordable camping experience in Namibia Gondwana Collection recommends:
Fire tips
Camping is not camping without a fire. Acquaint yourself with the rules and regulations of making fires at the camping spot. Make sure it is a safe distance from trees, grass and your tent.
Waterproof matches by dipping them in melted paraffin at home. Keep matches in prescription bottles and stick a piece of sandpaper at the top to light them.
Did you forget your fire starters or is the wood wet? Here are some alternatives: Oily chips such Fritos and Lays serve as great fire starters. The downside is you now have less snacks. Another handy item to keep in your camping trunk is wine corks soaked in rubbing alcohol. Peanut and other nut shells are a great substitute to wood chips.
Bugs like to hang out with you at a campfire. To keep them away, hang a light away from the chilling spot and they will immediately go to the light.
For extra flavour to your barbeque vegetables and meat, add rosemary branches to the coals.
Other tips and tricks
Keeping everything together can be a big head ache, particularly something simple like a beer bottle opener. Tie it to your camping chair with a piece of string. This way its close by and will not get lost.
Last tip :
Get up early. Camping trips are not for people sleeping until noon. Nooo. If you want to sleep, go home. It's for getting out and experiencing nature at its best. No hair gel, no high heels - no problems. It’s a care free time.
Please respect other campers and keep noise levels down.
Gondwana Collection Campsites. Click on the images to visit the website :
It was great sharing these tips with you. Did you miss Namibia Camping Tips Part 1 ? Click here
Go on. Go camp it out.
Compiled by:
Jessica Schoombee is a local freelance writer. She is an eccentric young lady who has a love affair with writing. Get on board her journey of discovery.
