My friends and I decided to go to a camping site in Bela Bela, Limpopo, for my birthday weekend. As excited as I was about this new experience, I was equally anxious and wondered whether I will be able to rough it in the outdoors for two nights.
Various questions ran through my mind: would the weather play along, would I miss my home comforts and what about mosquitos.
Here’s my take on the experience:
- We got to the camping site very late, we should have arrived while the sun was still up so that we can set-up and choose a spot close to ablution facilities but it all worked out and after setting up we finally had dinner.
- As bedtime got closer the reality of sleeping outdoors set in, my friends who are regular campers advised us to always zip up the tent door so that snakes, bugs and other creepy crawlies don’t get inside the tent. Imagine finding a scorpion as you curl up in bed.
- It’s important to be prepared for all eventualities when you go on a camping trip because the weather may change, even during summer months. The second night was quite chilly so I was glad that I packed a blanket and warm pyjamas.
- Forget about your home comfort and gadgets when you go on a camping trip, sit back, relax and enjoy the outdoors. We spent most of the first day swimming and after a couple of hours in the water, we were starving and started preparing dinner as soon as we got back to the camping site.
- We mostly had braai (grilled meat), in hindsight we could have been more creative with our menu and prepared a variety of dishes like salads and vegetables, slow cooked meat and even a pasta dish.
- And out of nowhere came this warthog that charged at us, it was scary and could have gone pear shaped. So be careful when you encounter animals while camping, especially when they are with their young and remember to bring a first aid kit just in case someone gets injured.
Overall it was fun and I would do it again!!!
*Watch Episode 1 – https://youtu.be/F6m1A67EK9c) and Episode 2 – https://youtu.be/B8LnnqPjzrY) of the trip on my YouTube Channel!
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