Campmaster.co.za
TENTS Of the three tents we tested, my winner was the (1) Family Cabin 490 (R2 299), which at 2.1m has actual standing room for ordinary adults and a top mesh vent for ventilation (and star gazing). There’s also a “stoep” attached. A palace for the wild, really.
The 3m x 3m (2) Gazebo Tent (R999) looks cool but don’t forget you need to get the Instant Shade 100 gazebo too (also R999) or you won’t have the right poles to hold the tent up. If you want to go really palatial, you can also get side panels (R499) for the gazebo. BEDDING Turns out, the width of your average “envelopeshaped” sleeping bag is 85cm. The puffier the fabric, the pricier — and more comfy— they become.
My Expedition 300 E (for envelope?) was lovely and snug and the same is available as an (3) Expedition 300 C (for cowl, presumably). The sweetest dreams must be made of the Expedition 450, which has all the puff and is an extra 15cm wide.
Whatever your cocoon, you’ll want something to take the edge off those rocks digging into your hips. Look tough if you must and roll in with a rollup mattress, but for newbies especially, an airbed is a no-brainer. The single (4) Inflatable Flocked Air bed is R269 and goes right up to queen size. CHAIRS The Classic 200 Oversized Chair (R179) will do the job if the job is to get you up off the ground. I’m told proper campers’ chairs are sacrosanct — and it’s a massive faux pas to try to sit in someone else’s chair around camp.
For our trip, it became something of a competition to occupy the (5) Director 600 (R1 000). In fact, if you got your bum into it, you had to think twice about getting up again ’cause you were bound to lose it if you did. KEEP THINGS COOKING In every home, the kitchen is crucial, and it’s no different in the great outdoors.
The four-person Picnic Set Backpack is a handy little kitchen cupboard — with cutlery, cups, plates and even napkins. It’s also perfectly portable for a civilised meal on a day hike.
For keeping things cool, the (6) 24l Thermoelectric Cooler/Warmer (R999) plugs into your car cigarette lighter socket but one can also buy an adapter for plugpoints if your campsite has them.
The (7) Folding Stainless Steel Braai (R699) must be nifty if you’re in the middle of nowhere.
We took it along and used its shiny, new grill to cook on the campsite’s built-in brick braai, just so no one would have to scrub it. Next time, for sure.
Products available through Makro, Game and Builders Warehouse. See