Nature & Sustainability

Don’t go overboard when buying camping gear

Camping gear can be wonderfully tempting, especially when every new gadget promises to make life outdoors easier.

There is a peculiar moment before a camping trip when a perfectly sensible traveller suddenly becomes convinced they need enough equipment to outfit a small expedition.

A new tent appears. Then comes the gazebo, folding kitchen, camp shower, portable fridge, rechargeable lantern, Dutch oven and chair with enough pockets to organise a small household.

Camping can become expensive remarkably quickly.

The trick is knowing where comfort genuinely matters and where clever marketing has convinced you that wilderness survival requires a catalogue.

Start with shelter. A reliable tent suited to the number of people travelling is worth spending money on. In Southern Africa, consider heat, wind, rain and the conditions you expect at destinations such as the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park or Kruger National Park.

Sleeping comfortably is another sensible investment. A decent mattress and suitable sleeping bag or duvet can make the difference between waking refreshed and feeling as though you have spent the night on a concrete floor.

Cooking equipment does not need to resemble a restaurant kitchen. A basic stove, pot, frying pan, kettle and a few utensils can produce perfectly good camp meals. Your home kitchen's entire contents do not need to travel with you.

Lighting is useful, particularly at campsites where darkness arrives quickly. One dependable headlamp and a lantern can be more practical than several decorative solar gadgets.

The same principle applies to furniture. A sturdy chair is wonderful after a long day. You probably do not need a reclining camp sofa, footrest and matching side table.

Think about what your vehicle can realistically carry, too. Packing the entire camping shop into a small SUV can leave little room for food, luggage or passengers.

Experienced campers often discover that the best kit is the equipment they actually use. The rest spends most of the trip occupying valuable space.

Buy gradually. Borrow before buying. Rent specialist equipment for occasional adventures. Choose gear that can perform several jobs. Camping is supposed to take you closer to the outdoors, not turn your vehicle into a mobile warehouse.