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The rising cost of accommodation nowadays is a great factor that some Namibians will rather prefer to go on camping, as it is much cheaper than renting holiday flats. Camping offers flexibility to different kind of options available on what to do for different families, whether it is a fishing trip next to a river, at a dam or at the sea. Seasoned campers will tell you that a good planning trip should be done well in advance considering what will be needed, what you want to do, where you want to go, who and how many you are and most important considering all safety measures. Here are seven points to help your holiday be one to remember.

1. Choosing a tent

A tent is needed as the replacement of a room or rooms and depend on your needs and for how long your stay will be at one camp site or different sites. Small two-man tents are fine for a few days at the beach, but for a longer period a bigger tent will be more comfortable for your family. For a one man trip you will not require a large, heavy tent to carry around. The material of the tent should be considered, canvas is durable and longer lasting while polyester can withstand the elements. Inspect the tent for any manufacturer defects, such as zips, doors, windows and flooring for quality, before you buy. For most campers, a built-in ground sheet offers more protection from outside dirt and water, but you can buy an additional ground sheet if you wish so. Practice pitching your tent at home to familiarize yourself with the activity, as you might setup your tent in unfriendly circumstances.

2. Choosing a spot

It is very important to decide on a decent placement of the tent at your allocated spot, keep in mind the ground level and some possible pools of water if the weather turned bad. Before you pitch the tent make sure you know on which side the door open, as most campers prefer privacy, and will not want the door to face the road. The car can be park between your tent and the road to create a division for privacy and if you have a trailer, you can leave as much of your luggage inside and park it close to your tent as you can.

3. Building a campfire

A campfire create a atmosphere of relaxation and is half of the fun of the camping, by sitting around the fire, making a potjie or for a braai. Always practice safety when lighting a fire. Never use hazardous materials to start the fire and make sure that it is properly extinguished before you leave.

4. Birds and bees

Living alongside nature can have its disadvantages too. Make sure you pack mosquito repellants and insecticide sprays. Don' t leave food out in the open especially if you are in a game and there are monkeys in the area. Keep your food in the car boot or in a locked trailer, never inside the tent. Don't feed monkeys and other animals as some of the animals might be aggressive and attack you for food. Snakes are usually found everywhere, so be vigilant when walking along paths. You should also be carefull when exiting your tent in the morning.

5. Surviving the weather

The weather is a factor to be considered, as bad weather can spoil your trip, hence the reason to prepare for all sorts of weather. The Namibian sun is very hot in the summer, especially in the northern and southern part of the country. Surviving the hot summer sun can be tough, especially when you are accustomed to the air-conditioning. Keep youself hydrated by drinking lots of water, apply a high SPF sunscreen and spend the hottest part of the day in a shady spot. Most reputable campgrounds in Namibia have a clean water supply so you won't need to purify your drinking water. However, if you go on hiking never drink water from a natural source unless you are absolutely sure that it is safe to do so. Preferable, it will be best to take your own water along. Ground water may be contaminated with virusses, bacteria and other harmful organism. This water needs to be boiled or purified to be rendered safe for drinking.

6. Preventing accidents

Practice the same basic common sense procedures as you would at home. Never ever leave a camp fire to burn out during the night, make sure you totally extinguish the fire, before you go to sleep. If you must burn candles always place them in proper candlestick to prevent them from falling over. Marking of tent poles with white plastic bags will prevent accidents at night. Keep knives and fishing equipment locked away and out of reach of small children. Wear shoes when you go for a walk and never leave them out in the open. Always check inside your shoes, before you put them on.

7. Must haves

Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in your car for accidents. The kit should contain a selection of bandages, burn shields and medicines. Don't forget the matches and torch with batteries (and extras too) you may not be able to purchase them at your destination. Make sure you packing a hammer for knocking in tent pegs. A sturdy lantern is also a good item to have, the variety that screws onto your gas braai is preferable if you won't have access to electricity, if you do, then pack an extension cord, as the plugs always seems to be miles away from where you need it to be. Other items include: a small fire extinguisher, a foam mattres, an extra bag of tent pegs, just in case, an umbrella and a small sewing kit for fixing tears in the tent lining.

References:

The Home Handyman, December 2003/January 2004 (Vol 11 No 1), published by Home Handyman Publishing cc ck2000/036356/23

http://www.lostgirlsworld.com/2011/02/gear-guide-setting-up-camp/ [Accessed 7 October 2012]