Camping is a great way to get the most out of a destination, but the simple truth is that not everyone is a camper. Some just prefer the comforts of hotels and lodges to the basic earthiness of the outdoors. Still, whether you are a seasoned camper or are weathering Mother Nature for the sake of your family or partner, there are some things you can do to make your camping trip much more fun and comfortable.
Some hints on How to Enjoy Camping in South Africa
Don’t forego your everyday necessities
if you are used to having a cup of coffee every morning, don’t sacrifice this because you don’t feel like going through the process of boiling water. Doing this will only make you feel miserable and resent the entire experience. Rather, make sure that you can still enjoy your daily treats and you will definitely feel a little more human for it.
Sleep comfortably
there are few things as frustrating as not getting a good night’s sleep. This is especially true when on holiday and wanting to feel relaxed and revitalised. So, make sure that your bed or mattress is comfortable and supportive and that your blankets or duvets will keep you warm enough.
Blow-up mattresses often make strange noises through the night and deflate slowly but steadily, leaving you to wake up with the cold, hard ground under your back. Comfortable beds are worth the investment. There is no reason that you shouldn’t sleep under your warm, cosy duvets and on the pillows to which you’ve grown accustomed.
Keep your eating tools separate
back a cooler box, box or bag with your crockery, cutlery, mugs and cups. This will make them easily accessible, but will also keep them cleaner and more organised. Losing a can opener (or, even worse, the bottle opener!) will be frustrating and rob you of having fun on your camping trip.
Decorate and accessorise
a table and comfy chairs are musts when camping. Not having suitable chairs will leave you sitting on the grass or sand outside the tent, or cramped up on your mattress inside. Sitting on the floor or ground will leave you stiff and tense.
A table will revolutionise your cooking experience, as you are able to chop ingredients, prepare food and serve it without having to balance things on your knees or battle with hot pots and plates.
Protect yourself
despite continual warnings, we neglect ourselves and end up painfully sunburnt after a day of enjoying the outdoors. However, when camping, we are usually further away from our usual medical resources than usual, and have fewer of the everyday luxuries and comforts of home.
This seems to make sunburn all the more painful. So, be prepared and always slather yourself and your children in a high-factor sunscreen.
Treat yourself
part of the reason some travellers don’t feel a penchant for camping is because it has the connotation of having to give up everything we love and revert back to the very basics of survival. But it really doesn’t have to be quite so basic.
Include a picnic basket of salmon pâté, smoked mussels, preserved figs, your favourite wine and whatever else makes you feel more civilised. This will give you something to look forward to and savour at a time at which you may be feeling a little less than elegant.
The experiences made possible by a successful camping trip are really unbeatable. Preparation and a slight shift in your expectations can make all the difference in making your camping trip fabulously special.
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