How to avoid a camping disaster MzansiBride

Winona Griggs

How

How to avoid a camping disaster

So, picture this – I’m a photojournalist, right? And recently, I went on this assignment for a travel magazine called Getaway. Little did I know that it would turn into a comedy of errors, especially when it came to setting up my tent.

Anyway, I decided to share my hilarious misadventure on a blog. And guess what? People loved it! They couldn’t help but relate to the chaos and the unexpected surprises that camping can bring.

In fact, our fans on Facebook had some incredibly funny – although maybe not so funny at the time – stories of their own camping disasters. And let me tell you, some of them were real doozies!

One common theme that kept popping up was forgetting to bring tent poles. Can you imagine? There you are, in the middle of nowhere, all excited to set up your cozy little home for the night, only to realize you left the most important part behind.

But it wasn’t just forgetfulness that caused camping disasters. Oh no, Mother Nature herself decided to join the party. Rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds – you name it, our fans experienced it. It’s safe to say that a leaky, flooded tent is not exactly the camping experience they had in mind.

And then there were the rowdy campers. I mean, who would’ve thought that camping could turn into a late-night party? Our fans shared stories of noisy neighbors, loud music, and people having way too much fun. Let’s just say there wasn’t a lot of sleep happening on those nights.

But despite the challenges, camping disasters definitely make for great stories and memories. They’re the kind of experiences that bring people together, laughing and commiserating over the unexpected twists and turns of outdoor adventures.

So, next time you plan a camping trip, remember the importance of double-checking your gear, keeping an eye on the weather forecast, and maybe bringing some earplugs, just in case. With these tips in mind, you can have a camping trip that’s not only disaster-free but also filled with laughter and unforgettable moments.

Alfred Thorpe: Let me tell you about the worst camping experience I’ve ever had. It all happened at Koelbaai, where a serene campsite turned into a wild rave. Imagine this: two thunderous generators, gigantic speakers, and over a hundred rowdy folks who were completely out of their minds and believed that the “No Music” sign didn’t apply to them. It took the police until midnight to finally silence them, but guess what? At 6 o’clock in the morning, the music started booming again. And if that wasn’t enough, we had to endure the dreadful noise of bongo drums all night long. It was a night to remember, for all the wrong reasons.

Devon Concar: Picture this: two moms and three little kids, all excited about their camping trip. They managed to snag the perfect spot by the river bank, feeling like the luckiest campers in the whole campground. Little did they know that their luck was about to take a turn for the worse. As the night unfolded, their caravan started floating! Can you believe it? Midway through the chaos, my mom found herself desperately clutching onto a tent pole, trying to prevent the wind from whisking the tent away. And you know what the icing on the cake was? A kind stranger appeared out of nowhere and asked, “Aren’t you Keith’s ex-wife?” Talk about a laugh riot! Of course, it took a few weeks for it to become truly funny, but looking back, it certainly provided some entertainment.

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Zipping Zebra Tours: Let me tell you about the time I went on a six-month adventure across Africa. On the very first night, I set up my tent and realized that my stretcher was too long for it. Can you believe it? I ended up sleeping on a reed mat for the entire six months, with only a travel cushion under my hips for comfort!

Angela Taylor: Picture this: waking up in the morning after a heavy rain, only to find that my waist-length hair was floating in a pool of rainwater. Why, you ask? Well, we had forgotten to dig a trench around our tent before the downpour. What a soggy mess!

Jayne Holness: Here’s a story for you: I once traded my brand new, spacious tent for my friends’ old, cramped one-man contraption. You can probably guess how that turned out. In the middle of the night, I was awakened by the sound of someone puking all over my beloved new tent. Talk about a nightmare!

Craig Summers: I can’t believe the night I had at Manyane! The music was blaring all night long, making it impossible to get any sleep. And to top it off, it was pouring rain, turning my tent into a waterlogged mess. On top of that, the temperatures were freezing, making it feel like I was in the Arctic. But you know what’s even worse? Back in my foolish youth, I didn’t even have a mattress or a stretcher to sleep on!

Christopher Stuart Wise: We thought we were in paradise when we set up camp by the Midmar Dam on a beautiful sunny day. Little did we know, our luck was about to change. As we made our way to Margate, the weather took a turn for the worse. We were hit with a massive storm that soaked everything in sight. And to make matters worse, when we returned to our tent, we realized we had left the plastic windows open. Our tent was completely flooded, and all of our blankets, pillows, and clothes were drenched. Our only option was to sleep in the car.

If you want to hear more hilarious stories like these, click here.

So, here’s the deal. I wanted to learn from the experts, so I turned to our team of experienced campers and asked them to spill their top camping secrets. And boy, did they deliver! But hey, if you’ve got some tips of your own, don’t be shy – drop them in the comments section below!

Now, let’s start with our digital project manager, Chris Davies. This guy knows a thing or two about camping. He embarked on an epic solo overland trip that took him from Cyprus all the way to Cape Town, camping for a whopping eight months along the way. And his number one tip? Find the perfect spot for your tent by figuring out where the morning shade will be. Trust me, it makes all the difference. Oh, and let me tell you about his worst camping experience. Brace yourself. Picture this: a cyclone in Plettenberg Bay. Yeah, not exactly ideal. After spending a terrifying night in the car, they had to rescue their poor tent, which decided to take a little detour and ended up halfway up a tree 200 meters away. Now that’s what I call an adventure!

Hey there! I’m Dylan Kotze, a photojournalist who loves camping. Yeah, you could call me a camping expert. Whenever I go camping for MzansiBride, I always keep a camping box ready with all my gear pre-packed (check out our article on this in our August issue, by the way). And to make sure I don’t forget anything, I create checklists of what I need to bring.

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Just like Chris, I believe the best camping spot is one with shade and level ground. Trust me, it’s a total game-changer when you can relax under some shade and not worry about your tent tilting. Oh, and here’s a pro tip: don’t forget your braai grid because not all campsites provide one. And hey, it’s always smart to waterproof your tent every now and then. Trust me, getting rained on while camping is no fun at all!

Hey there! I’m Tyson Jopson, a digital intern and weekend camper. So, here’s a tip for you: try to set up your tent before it gets dark. Trust me, it’s a lot easier to navigate and find the perfect spot when you can see your surroundings. Believe me, I’ve been in situations where we thought we found the perfect camping spot, only to discover that it was right next to a marsh or a steep cliff. Oh, and one time, we accidentally pitched our tent in the middle of a 4×4 route because we had no idea it was there!

Speaking of camping, let me introduce you to Christie Fynn. She recently went on an incredible 17-day adventure called the Put Foot Rally, and boy, did she have some stories to tell. One thing she swears by is wet wipes. They can be a real lifesaver, especially when you’re out in the middle of nowhere with no access to showers. Plus, they’re handy for all sorts of situations, like cleaning up spills or freshening up after a long hike.

Now, back to Christie’s epic adventure. She had a little mishap one night in Namibia when the temperature dropped. She had a stretcher to sleep on, but she forgot to put blankets underneath her sleeping bag. And let me tell you, she woke up freezing in the middle of the night! So, remember to put some blankets underneath your sleeping bag if you have a stretcher. It’ll keep you nice and toasty throughout the night.

Here’s another valuable lesson Christie learned the hard way: make sure your stretcher actually fits inside your tent. She had a rather unfortunate experience where her feet ended up sticking out of the tent. Can you imagine waking up with frozen toes? Yikes! So, double-check the size of your stretcher and ensure it fits comfortably inside your tent.

Well, I hope these tips help you have a fantastic camping experience. Good luck out there!

When it comes to camping, I’ve learned that being prepared is key. As someone who loves spending time outdoors, I understand the importance of being ready for whatever nature throws my way. That’s why I always make sure to pack plenty of plastic bags, dishwashing liquid, a blow-up mattress, and of course, Duct tape.

Now, you might be wondering why I consider these items to be essential for a successful camping trip. Let me break it down for you.

Plastic bags are like a camping miracle-worker. They have countless uses, from storing food to keeping your belongings dry. You can use them to separate wet clothes from dry ones, keep your gear organized, or even collect trash to leave no trace behind. Trust me, having a stash of plastic bags can be a game-changer.

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Dishwashing liquid may not seem like an obvious camping necessity, but it’s actually quite handy. When you’re cooking outdoors, things can get messy. Having dishwashing liquid allows you to clean your cookware and utensils thoroughly, ensuring that your meals are not only delicious but also safe to eat. Plus, it helps to have a clean campsite to enjoy.

A blow-up mattress is a camping luxury that I simply can’t live without. Sure, sleeping on the ground might seem adventurous, but a good night’s sleep is essential for a fun-filled day of hiking, exploring, and enjoying the great outdoors. A blow-up mattress provides that extra comfort and support, allowing you to wake up refreshed and energized for whatever the day holds.

And finally, we have Duct tape. This versatile tool is a camper’s best friend. From repairing a torn tent to fixing a broken pole, Duct tape can handle it all. It’s like a superhero in tape form, ready to save the day whenever something goes wrong. Trust me, you’ll be amazed at the number of problems Duct tape can solve.

In conclusion, if you want to ensure a disaster-free camping experience, I highly recommend packing lots of plastic bags, dishwashing liquid, a blow-up mattress, and of course, Duct tape. These items may seem simple, but they can make a world of difference when you’re out in nature. So, next time you embark on a camping adventure, don’t forget to bring these camping essentials along. Happy camping!

As an avid lover of food, I always find myself fixated on the wonderful art of cooking in the great outdoors. There’s something truly special about the way meals taste when they’re prepared over a crackling campfire and devoured with plastic plates and humble camping forks. Here’s a valuable tip for all you camping enthusiasts out there: make sure you’re well-prepared when it comes to food. Before embarking on your journey, take the time to plan out your meals and make a shopping list. Instead of hauling around entire bags of flour or jars of spices, consider measuring out the precise amounts you’ll need and storing them in convenient Ziploc bags.

Camping cuisine doesn’t have to be limited to the classic sausages on the grill. Allow your culinary creativity to soar and experiment with gourmet one-pot wonders like mushroom risotto or chicken curry (for the rotis, just prepare them at home). Another idea is to use ground meat to stuff rolls that can then be baked in the glowing coals, or perhaps try cooking up some flavorful stuffed butternut. And when it’s time for dessert, treat yourself to the indulgence of baked bananas infused with a delightful blend of rum and chocolate. Lastly, your friends will be absolutely amazed if you surprise them with a delightful batch of banana pancakes for breakfast during your next camping expedition.

Hey there! I’ve got some fantastic camping tips from Justin Bonello just for you! Check them out right here. He’ll walk you through the whole process of making a delicious oxtail potjie, which is the perfect meal for any camping adventure!

So, no excuses! You have everything you need to go camping this weekend. Like our Facebook fan, Lauren Davies, says, camping is always a blast, no matter what happens. Even the worst trips can turn into the best stories that you’ll be telling around the campfire for years to come!

Image credit: Lisa Johnston

Image credit: Lisa Johnston

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