So you’re on a self-drive Safari in one of Africa’s amazing wildlife parks or national game reserves in Namibia, Botswana, or South Africa. Or maybe you’re still sitting on your couch with your feet up and just toying with the idea of going on a self-drive safari in Africa. One day. But heck, it seems like, well, a kind of risky thing to do: camping in tents in the African wilderness, in the bush, surrounded by all manner of… wild animals! Is it safe? Is it even… doable? Don’t people get eaten by lions and crocodiles, chewed up and spat out by hippos, and stomped on by elephants? Doesn’t that happen all the time? No, it doesn’t. Camping in the African wild is quite safe in national parks and game reserves, provided that you take the proper precautions, have the right gear – and the right attitude. Here are 8 great tips to make your African camping safari not only an exciting adventure but a relatively comfortable and stress-free experience. |
1. Let’s Start With The Gear
For most of us living in cities, camping in the African wild is as foreign as walking on the moon. But fear not, dear reader, in the African bush you don’t need a spacesuit and you can breathe the air. Beautiful, clean, unpolluted air. Camping in the wild is not difficult, it’s easy. As long as you have the right equipment and the right mindset. And the mindset? Enjoy yourself, you’re in for a fantastic adventure.
2. Check out the Campsites beforehand
Before you pack up the 4x4 with all that shiny new camping gear you just bought (whilst donning your crisp new safari khakis) first read up on the campsites you’ll be staying at. Why? Because some campsites in the bush can be rather - how shall I put it? – basic?
Some campsites don’t have fresh drinking water or ablution facilities - or even toilets. Other campsites (in Botswana, for example) may have had ablution blocks once upon a time, but the elephants have put paid to them (eles love destroying stuff, especially manmade stuff). Which, in this instance, means no showers and… no toilets.
What? Not toilets?!!!!
Don’t panic, you can always take a bog roll (toilet roll for those not in the know) and take a stroll around camp until you find some suitable bushes for privacy. But don’t stray too far or you’ll be eaten by a lion. Just kidding! Many campsites are properly fenced (well, some of them and almost properly) and the most dangerous animal that may cross your path could be a bushpig or a few harmless grazing antelopes (yes, they are cute and pretty, especially the small ones). The big ones not so much, they can be dangerous. Especially wildebeest. Top tip: avoid tangling with wildebeest. Ever.
However, most campsites have good amenities, such as running water (find out first if it’s safe for human consumption), ablution facilities, a tuck shop where you can buy food and other goodies, a fuel bowser to fill up that thirsty 4x4, and yes, toilets (either flushable or the long-drop variety).
So, before you head for the bush, make sure you have everything you need in case the campsite doesn’t. And don’t forget the bog roll. A few bog rolls, in fact. They can be very useful not only for wiping your bottom but also for wiping your nose, mopping up spillages, double as serviettes… you get the picture.
3. Before you go, test your camping gear
You’ve just bought (or borrowed) a tent – or two. Do you know how to set it up? Do you know where all the pole thingies and guy ropes go? Do you have a mallet to hammer the pegs into the ground? Or is it one of those new-fangled fold-up jobs that need a rocket scientist to figure out how the thing works? Mmm... Better practice setting it up in the backyard first then, either alone or with the help of a mate or the missus.
If you’ve got one of those fancy 4x4s equipped with a foldable roof tent, trust me, you’re going to need even more time to figure out how the thing works.
However, if you’re hiring a 4x4 with a roof tent from a safari company, you’re in luck. Those guys will go through everything with you beforehand – from how to set up the tent, and how to operate the winch (a winch? Who said anything about a winch?), to how to change the wheel in case of a flat tire.
For most of us living in cities, camping in the African wild is as foreign as walking on the moon. But fear not, dear reader, in the African bush you don’t need a spacesuit and you can breathe the air. Beautiful, clean, unpolluted air. Camping in the wild is not difficult, it’s easy. As long as you have the right equipment and the right mindset. And the mindset? Enjoy yourself, you’re in for a fantastic adventure.
2. Check out the Campsites beforehand
Before you pack up the 4x4 with all that shiny new camping gear you just bought (whilst donning your crisp new safari khakis) first read up on the campsites you’ll be staying at. Why? Because some campsites in the bush can be rather - how shall I put it? – basic?
Some campsites don’t have fresh drinking water or ablution facilities - or even toilets. Other campsites (in Botswana, for example) may have had ablution blocks once upon a time, but the elephants have put paid to them (eles love destroying stuff, especially manmade stuff). Which, in this instance, means no showers and… no toilets.
What? Not toilets?!!!!
Don’t panic, you can always take a bog roll (toilet roll for those not in the know) and take a stroll around camp until you find some suitable bushes for privacy. But don’t stray too far or you’ll be eaten by a lion. Just kidding! Many campsites are properly fenced (well, some of them and almost properly) and the most dangerous animal that may cross your path could be a bushpig or a few harmless grazing antelopes (yes, they are cute and pretty, especially the small ones). The big ones not so much, they can be dangerous. Especially wildebeest. Top tip: avoid tangling with wildebeest. Ever.
However, most campsites have good amenities, such as running water (find out first if it’s safe for human consumption), ablution facilities, a tuck shop where you can buy food and other goodies, a fuel bowser to fill up that thirsty 4x4, and yes, toilets (either flushable or the long-drop variety).
So, before you head for the bush, make sure you have everything you need in case the campsite doesn’t. And don’t forget the bog roll. A few bog rolls, in fact. They can be very useful not only for wiping your bottom but also for wiping your nose, mopping up spillages, double as serviettes… you get the picture.
3. Before you go, test your camping gear
You’ve just bought (or borrowed) a tent – or two. Do you know how to set it up? Do you know where all the pole thingies and guy ropes go? Do you have a mallet to hammer the pegs into the ground? Or is it one of those new-fangled fold-up jobs that need a rocket scientist to figure out how the thing works? Mmm... Better practice setting it up in the backyard first then, either alone or with the help of a mate or the missus.
If you’ve got one of those fancy 4x4s equipped with a foldable roof tent, trust me, you’re going to need even more time to figure out how the thing works.
However, if you’re hiring a 4x4 with a roof tent from a safari company, you’re in luck. Those guys will go through everything with you beforehand – from how to set up the tent, and how to operate the winch (a winch? Who said anything about a winch?), to how to change the wheel in case of a flat tire.
Image: Africa Camping Safaris
4. Okay, now for the danger part
Yes, camping in the wild can be dangerous. For obvious reasons. Predators like meat and we humans are sort of, well, made of meat. Which is attractive to predators. Let’s face it, they aren't exactly picky when it comes to their dinner – two-legged or four-legged.
In the African wilderness, animals roam free. They’re allowed to. That’s the whole point of the safari: to see them in their natural habitat. No, they don’t normally treat tourists as their food, no matter how pesky we are, but… precautions must be taken.
Here are some basic rules:
Note: Harassing wild animals means getting too close to them (elephants really don’t like that), making loud noises, or playing the 4x4’s stereo too loud. In fact, don’t play any music at all when looking for game. Wild animals do not appreciate pop music (oddly enough, rescue elephants have been known to be partial to music. But that’s another story).
“What about insects?” you might ask. Yes, there are quite a few creepy crawlies out there. Many, actually. Especially mosquitoes. Be sure to arm yourself with mosquito repellent. Lots of it. Believe me, you’re going to need it. If you don’t like the idea of applying chemicals to your skin (who does?) you might use citronella oil instead (made from citronella grass). It works like a charm.
Also, while I’m thinking about it, remember to pack a first aid kit: Band-aids, antiseptic cream, headache tablets, anti-diarrhea pills, anti-nausea pills, that sort of thing. And what about your anti-malaria pills? Have you taken those? Anti-malaria pills are non-negotiable (usually to be taken a week or couple of days before you depart on your African safari).
Fun fact: South Africa is the only country in Africa that is officially malaria-free. In all other African countries, you're going to need those malaria pills.
5. Important Camping Info (yes, very important)
Never camp near a river or on a riverbank – for good reasons. Firstly, it could rain during the night and you could find yourself and your tents washed down the river in a flash flood - and find yourself swimming with the crocodiles. And speaking of crocodiles, another reason you should never camp near a river - or any water source in the African bush for that matter - is because water attracts animals. They drink it. So, while you may think that camping near a river is a picturesque spot, so do wild animals. Like lions. And yes, lions can swim – and climb trees.
Stay away from water!
There are exceptions, of course. Take the Okavango Delta in Botswana, for example, which is a wetland with a labyrinth of water channels. There are dedicated campsites which, while positioned near waterways, are generally located away from nasty predators. But even in these camps, you should stay vigilant. Remember, every wild animal is potentially dangerous. Yes, even some species of antelope. Golden rule? Avoid direct contact.
Pitching your tent
Don’t pitch your tent(s) up against bushes or thick undergrowth. Pick a nice clearing with a 360-degree view so that you can spot wild animals approaching your camp.
Don’t wait until it’s getting dark to pitch your tent. By the time the sun goes down, you want your tents set up and your camp ready and well organized. Another tip: pitch your tent with the door facing away from the wind/breeze. That way there’s less chance of animals catching a whiff of you.
Wild animals in the camp
What to do if an animal approaches your camp? If it’s a small antelope or a bushpig, ignore them. If it’s a bunch of hyenas, ignore them. They’re known to scavenge for food around campsites and are generally harmless. If it’s a lion, leopard, or hippo, get into your vehicle and stay there until they’re gone. Even if you have to sleep in your vehicle all night. Diving headlong into your tent could be an option, but it’s not as safe as you might think. Lions have been known to claw their way into tents, but that rarely happens. If you have a rooftop tent on your vehicle, well then, you’re okay, aren’t you.
Food
Don’t leave foodstuffs or anything lying around in the open in your camp when you’re not there. More often than not, the moment your back is turned, a couple of baboons or monkeys will get in there and eat your food and wreak havoc with your gear. They’re wily creatures and make the most of it when the coast is clear.
Another thing. Never leave food or unwashed dishes out at night. Store your food in closed containers. Remember those hyenas? They love prowling campsites at night, looking for food, and boy, can they make a mess if they find anything edible. I’ve had a 5 liter (gallon) tin of cooking oil chomped in half by a hyena. As well as an expensive pair of Italian sandals. One sandal missing, the other chewed in half. Hyenas have no respect for human property, so don’t leave anything edible (to hyenas) out at night, including your shoes.
Also, don’t keep fruit in your tent or even your vehicle without sealing it in a Ziplock bag or plastic container to mask the smell. Believe it or not, certain animals are attracted by the smell of fruit – and not only monkeys and baboons. Apparently, elephants love oranges and can smell them from a long way off. You don’t want your tent, your vehicle - or you - stomped on by an elephant orange-junky!
Yes, camping in the wild can be dangerous. For obvious reasons. Predators like meat and we humans are sort of, well, made of meat. Which is attractive to predators. Let’s face it, they aren't exactly picky when it comes to their dinner – two-legged or four-legged.
In the African wilderness, animals roam free. They’re allowed to. That’s the whole point of the safari: to see them in their natural habitat. No, they don’t normally treat tourists as their food, no matter how pesky we are, but… precautions must be taken.
Here are some basic rules:
- NEVER leave your vehicle while on a game drive
- NEVER stick your hand or any part of your body out the window (If you’re fond of your arms, don’t do it. You might think it’s safe, not realizing there’s a lion crouched in the bushes next to the vehicle, licking his lips for a snack and ready to pounce in a flash)
- NEVER approach any animal on foot
- NEVER walk around after dark
- NEVER go near rivers or waterholes on foot (They have crocodiles and hippos in them)
- NEVER stray too far from the campsite (In fact, don’t stray from it at all)
- NEVER feed the animals
- NEVER harass the animals
Note: Harassing wild animals means getting too close to them (elephants really don’t like that), making loud noises, or playing the 4x4’s stereo too loud. In fact, don’t play any music at all when looking for game. Wild animals do not appreciate pop music (oddly enough, rescue elephants have been known to be partial to music. But that’s another story).
“What about insects?” you might ask. Yes, there are quite a few creepy crawlies out there. Many, actually. Especially mosquitoes. Be sure to arm yourself with mosquito repellent. Lots of it. Believe me, you’re going to need it. If you don’t like the idea of applying chemicals to your skin (who does?) you might use citronella oil instead (made from citronella grass). It works like a charm.
Also, while I’m thinking about it, remember to pack a first aid kit: Band-aids, antiseptic cream, headache tablets, anti-diarrhea pills, anti-nausea pills, that sort of thing. And what about your anti-malaria pills? Have you taken those? Anti-malaria pills are non-negotiable (usually to be taken a week or couple of days before you depart on your African safari).
Fun fact: South Africa is the only country in Africa that is officially malaria-free. In all other African countries, you're going to need those malaria pills.
5. Important Camping Info (yes, very important)
Never camp near a river or on a riverbank – for good reasons. Firstly, it could rain during the night and you could find yourself and your tents washed down the river in a flash flood - and find yourself swimming with the crocodiles. And speaking of crocodiles, another reason you should never camp near a river - or any water source in the African bush for that matter - is because water attracts animals. They drink it. So, while you may think that camping near a river is a picturesque spot, so do wild animals. Like lions. And yes, lions can swim – and climb trees.
Stay away from water!
There are exceptions, of course. Take the Okavango Delta in Botswana, for example, which is a wetland with a labyrinth of water channels. There are dedicated campsites which, while positioned near waterways, are generally located away from nasty predators. But even in these camps, you should stay vigilant. Remember, every wild animal is potentially dangerous. Yes, even some species of antelope. Golden rule? Avoid direct contact.
Pitching your tent
Don’t pitch your tent(s) up against bushes or thick undergrowth. Pick a nice clearing with a 360-degree view so that you can spot wild animals approaching your camp.
Don’t wait until it’s getting dark to pitch your tent. By the time the sun goes down, you want your tents set up and your camp ready and well organized. Another tip: pitch your tent with the door facing away from the wind/breeze. That way there’s less chance of animals catching a whiff of you.
Wild animals in the camp
What to do if an animal approaches your camp? If it’s a small antelope or a bushpig, ignore them. If it’s a bunch of hyenas, ignore them. They’re known to scavenge for food around campsites and are generally harmless. If it’s a lion, leopard, or hippo, get into your vehicle and stay there until they’re gone. Even if you have to sleep in your vehicle all night. Diving headlong into your tent could be an option, but it’s not as safe as you might think. Lions have been known to claw their way into tents, but that rarely happens. If you have a rooftop tent on your vehicle, well then, you’re okay, aren’t you.
Food
Don’t leave foodstuffs or anything lying around in the open in your camp when you’re not there. More often than not, the moment your back is turned, a couple of baboons or monkeys will get in there and eat your food and wreak havoc with your gear. They’re wily creatures and make the most of it when the coast is clear.
Another thing. Never leave food or unwashed dishes out at night. Store your food in closed containers. Remember those hyenas? They love prowling campsites at night, looking for food, and boy, can they make a mess if they find anything edible. I’ve had a 5 liter (gallon) tin of cooking oil chomped in half by a hyena. As well as an expensive pair of Italian sandals. One sandal missing, the other chewed in half. Hyenas have no respect for human property, so don’t leave anything edible (to hyenas) out at night, including your shoes.
Also, don’t keep fruit in your tent or even your vehicle without sealing it in a Ziplock bag or plastic container to mask the smell. Believe it or not, certain animals are attracted by the smell of fruit – and not only monkeys and baboons. Apparently, elephants love oranges and can smell them from a long way off. You don’t want your tent, your vehicle - or you - stomped on by an elephant orange-junky!
6. Making A Campfire
Don’t be ridiculous! I hear you say. Everyone knows how to make a fire! Yes, but what if you don’t have anything to start the fire with? As in matches, or a lighter? Are you going to rub two sticks together? Good luck with that.
Unless you’re a smoker (smokers always have a light) remind yourself to take one (preferably two) of those Bic gas lighters. The ones with the long stems. If you prefer matches, take lots of them. And keep them dry. Damp matches are no good to anyone.
The first golden rule about making campfires in the wild is to make sure they’re safe. Unsurprisingly, campfires are one of the main causes of forest and bushfires. So, to be safe, select a sandy spot in a clearing away from trees and undergrowth, and free of grass. Collect some stones to place in a ring and build your fire inside the ring. This way the embers won’t escape and cause a bushfire. In Africa, especially in the dry winter season, the grass is tinder dry, and even the smallest spark can start a blaze. Always keep water handy just in case things get out of control.
Lastly, when you pack up your camp and leave, take your garbage with you. Don’t leave anything human-made behind.
7. Lighting
Yes, the African bush is a very dark place at night. Some campsites have generators for lighting, others don’t. Even those with generators usually only have a few lights around the ablution block, and that’s it. So you’re going to need a torch, or two, with spare batteries, as well as some headlamps which are extremely handy when you can’t find those beers hidden in a cooler box under a pile of camping gear (what idiot put them there?).
If you’ve got some spare cash, invest in a portable power station like a Jackery or Ecoflow (Ecoflow is better because it charges faster). These little power stations are great for plugging in some regular lamps, as well as charging your digital devices such as cellphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, etc.
There are several options for recharging your Ecoflow: using a portable solar panel, plugging it into the lighter socket of your vehicle, or with conventional electricity – should you ever be so fortunate as to ever find an electric socket in the middle of nowhere!
8. Personal hygiene
Yes, I know we’re in the bush, and intrepid explorers like Stanley and Livingstone never carried hygiene products with them, but hey, we have to at least keep up some sort of appearance even though we haven’t been near a shower for days.
“Who is Livingstone?” you might ask. Only the guy who discovered the Victoria Falls in 1855. Duh! Mind you, he didn’t care much that the falls were called Mosi-oa-Tunya by the locals long before he arrived on the scene. Translation: “the smoke that thunders” (on account of the falls causing a fine “smokey” mist in the air). Livingstone preferred to name the falls after Queen Victoria. Those were the halcyon days of the Great British Empire when they ruled most of the world. Amazing. Such a small island conquering the whole world?
But I digress. Personal hygiene stuff you’re going to need:
Showers
Getting back to the lack of showers. An old safari trick is to use one of those portable plastic showers. It’s really just a big black plastic bag that you fill with water and hang in a tree, and it has a hose and a shower nozzle attached. So you hang the bag in the tree and let gravity do the rest. And if you want a lukewarm shower, leave the bag in the sun for an hour or two before showering.
It might be crude but believe me, it feels like heaven when you haven’t been able to wash yourself in days. Another tip: use the vehicle’s spare wheel to stand on so you don’t get your wet feet full of mud and pesky bits of grass. And for privacy? Shower behind a bush.
Okay, so now that you have all this invaluable safari camping advice in your arsenal, it’s time to get off the couch and put the wheels in motion for your African safari adventure!
Don’t be ridiculous! I hear you say. Everyone knows how to make a fire! Yes, but what if you don’t have anything to start the fire with? As in matches, or a lighter? Are you going to rub two sticks together? Good luck with that.
Unless you’re a smoker (smokers always have a light) remind yourself to take one (preferably two) of those Bic gas lighters. The ones with the long stems. If you prefer matches, take lots of them. And keep them dry. Damp matches are no good to anyone.
The first golden rule about making campfires in the wild is to make sure they’re safe. Unsurprisingly, campfires are one of the main causes of forest and bushfires. So, to be safe, select a sandy spot in a clearing away from trees and undergrowth, and free of grass. Collect some stones to place in a ring and build your fire inside the ring. This way the embers won’t escape and cause a bushfire. In Africa, especially in the dry winter season, the grass is tinder dry, and even the smallest spark can start a blaze. Always keep water handy just in case things get out of control.
Lastly, when you pack up your camp and leave, take your garbage with you. Don’t leave anything human-made behind.
7. Lighting
Yes, the African bush is a very dark place at night. Some campsites have generators for lighting, others don’t. Even those with generators usually only have a few lights around the ablution block, and that’s it. So you’re going to need a torch, or two, with spare batteries, as well as some headlamps which are extremely handy when you can’t find those beers hidden in a cooler box under a pile of camping gear (what idiot put them there?).
If you’ve got some spare cash, invest in a portable power station like a Jackery or Ecoflow (Ecoflow is better because it charges faster). These little power stations are great for plugging in some regular lamps, as well as charging your digital devices such as cellphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, etc.
There are several options for recharging your Ecoflow: using a portable solar panel, plugging it into the lighter socket of your vehicle, or with conventional electricity – should you ever be so fortunate as to ever find an electric socket in the middle of nowhere!
8. Personal hygiene
Yes, I know we’re in the bush, and intrepid explorers like Stanley and Livingstone never carried hygiene products with them, but hey, we have to at least keep up some sort of appearance even though we haven’t been near a shower for days.
“Who is Livingstone?” you might ask. Only the guy who discovered the Victoria Falls in 1855. Duh! Mind you, he didn’t care much that the falls were called Mosi-oa-Tunya by the locals long before he arrived on the scene. Translation: “the smoke that thunders” (on account of the falls causing a fine “smokey” mist in the air). Livingstone preferred to name the falls after Queen Victoria. Those were the halcyon days of the Great British Empire when they ruled most of the world. Amazing. Such a small island conquering the whole world?
But I digress. Personal hygiene stuff you’re going to need:
- Soap (for body and dishes)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste (yes, it is possible to brush your teeth using nothing but a bottle of water to rinse your mouth)
- Wet wipes (Take lots. You’ll need them for sticky hands, sticky surfaces, sweaty face, etc.)
- Towel
Showers
Getting back to the lack of showers. An old safari trick is to use one of those portable plastic showers. It’s really just a big black plastic bag that you fill with water and hang in a tree, and it has a hose and a shower nozzle attached. So you hang the bag in the tree and let gravity do the rest. And if you want a lukewarm shower, leave the bag in the sun for an hour or two before showering.
It might be crude but believe me, it feels like heaven when you haven’t been able to wash yourself in days. Another tip: use the vehicle’s spare wheel to stand on so you don’t get your wet feet full of mud and pesky bits of grass. And for privacy? Shower behind a bush.
Okay, so now that you have all this invaluable safari camping advice in your arsenal, it’s time to get off the couch and put the wheels in motion for your African safari adventure!