Alexandro Faria
AH enthusiast
Hi guys,
New one, for your enjoyment. Some beautiful spots here. Forgot just how amazing some of these places are- was actually nice going through all the old shots.
Canvas Is King- A Look At Modern Day Camping Options
(One of the reasons we camp- Segal Rieger)
A quick disclaimer before I get going: About 90% of my camping has been done in a ground tent and while I have spent a fair bit of time in rooftop tents,camping trailers and caravans, I do not (by any means) claim to be an expert on any of them.
With that out of the way, let’s get started.
Firstly, I’m a firm believer in “horses for courses” for just about everything- there’s a reason that there’s so much variety and it’s not just as a result of rampant consumerism. Tents, trailers, caravans and rooftop tents all have a place- there’s no denying it. However, which is most likely to best suit your needs?
To answer this question, we’ll be considering a few different categories and scenarios- just to make it fair- and seeing which is (arguably) best for which situations and under which conditions. This is not to say that the others won’t work, but there are usually preferred options for a reason and we’re going to do our best to expand on these a little.
(See- Canvas in the Kalahari!)
Right, if you’re anything like me (a student) you probably don’t have the money for one of these bad boys as they probably cost more than your car. However, if finances allow, they’re an awesome investment to ensure a bit of homely comforts away from home. It’s likely that you’ll have your own little (in door) kitchen, a (reasonably) comfy bed and a slightly better security and privacy. You also don’t have to worry about packing it up everytime you want to go for a drive, which is a definite down side of the rooftop tents.
However, caravans do come at a cost (both literally and figuratively) that can not be ignored, both of which are pretty obvious. The one is fuel cost- if you want to see the maximum number of litres your car can do per km, pull a big caravan. With fuel prices what they are, this consideration is no joke and one that needs to be taken into account. The second is the effort involved- perhaps it’s because I have limited experience, but I find it really stressful driving around with a big trailer, let alone a caravan. Reversing is a pain and I stress everytime there isn’t ample space, regardless of the situation. In addition, it also limits where you can go (depending on the capabilities) as well as how you can get there.
All things considered, caravans are (in general) AWESOME if you aren’t doing anything too extreme, if you have ample money (and time) and if you’re a fan of your comforts. Don’t get me wrong, there are some awesomely built caravans that can handle just about any road, but not every driver can handle the car and the caravan on those roads.
However, if you’re looking for a quick and easy weekend getaway, this probably isn’t the option for you.
(Merry Pebbles- a Sabi gem. A weekend spent discussing how photographers can play a bigger role in conservation)
Now for the complete opposite end of the spectrum- the good old tent. Not exactly the small, rickety tent thing most of us slept in as kids, but close enough. No, when I talk about tents, I’m talking about strong, reliable canvas tents.
As I said, tents are my niche- I’ve used a regular canvas tent in everything from 42°C desert heat to -10°C (almost) winter nights in the mountains. They weren’t the most comfortable, but they worked and I definitely survived. While not necessary, there are things you can do to make staying in a tent a little more comfortable- reflective coverings, for example. Otherwise, trees are your best friends, except in big storms… Oh, avoid sausage trees and any tree that’s dead. Just trust me on this.
If you enjoy simplicity, a tent is an outstanding option- especially if you can find a “pop up” tent that’s reliable. I find a 4 person tent is just about right for 2 people and minimal luggage.Trust me, you’re going to want that little bit of extra room. Another obvious advantage is price and while good quality tents can be a bit spendy, it’s nothing like buying a caravan or a trailer.
Security wise, all you have is the canvas and you’re not elevated. Theoretically speaking, this leaves you pretty exposed to both 2 and 4 legged predators, so it’s advisable to choose where you camp with a little more care. Bedding and such travel in the car with you, so extra space is needed, but that’s really not an issue if you don’t take unnecessary kit with you. I’ve found high-density foam mattresses to be a real back saver and they take next to no space in the car.
Honestly, camping with a tent is as comfortable or miserable as you make it. It’s awesome to have a camp to come back to at the end of the day and I always count my blessings when I get home to a bed waiting and the rooftop tent guys have to still get things up and going. You need to be a little more attentive and a little more organized, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it and you don’t have to worry about your tent getting stuck in the mud or sand when you're trying to tow it to the next campsite.
So if you enjoy simplicity, have a mistrust of late-night ladder climbing and like to keep things affordable, a good quality canvas tent is probably the best option for you.
(The convenience of a good pop-up tent- Dries Blignaut)
Here comes my prejudice, so be forewarned. In my opinion, a small camping trailer is the epitome of camping awesomeness. Increased comfort, but with a reasonable price tag- what’s not to like about them? Whether it’s a long-weekend trip or a 45 day trip across borders, there’s not much that the trailer can’t be used for effectively.
The trick here is to try to keep things as compact as possible, without sacrificing too much space or too many comforts. Unlike most caravans, trailers are usually small enough to move and set up alone, if need be. They’re also not nearly as daunting to pull as they’re usually smaller than the car pulling them- I can’t overstate this point for the new camper. Yes, fuel economy does suffer in comparison to when you just have the ground tent, but it does free up space in the car itself and usually you’re going to have a more comfortable place to sleep at the end of the day.
(A mix of ground tents, trailers and rooftop tents all on the same expedition-Regan Carolissen)
As stated, price isn’t as bad as you might think, especially if you’re open to the second hand market. You have space for your fridge, cookers and so on AWAY from the car, meaning you can travel light, and breaking camp is usually pretty quick (as with caravans) as there’s an easily accessible spot for just about everything.
Security isn’t great as, once again, you’re surrounded by canvas. However, you are sleeping off the ground, so there is that. You do still need to pull something behind you and you do (usually) need to climb down stairs when, invariably, you need to go to the bathroom at 2am.
If you do a bit of everything, have a little extra cash and don’t have the reversing skills of a 17yo still learning to drive, the trailer is really a good option for you.
The absolute bane of my camping existence and not just because I might’ve fallen out of one on a cold, frosty night when, half asleep, I tried climbing down the stairs to get to the bathroom… Fine, that is the main reason and I feel like it’s a reasonable one.
In all seriousness, rooftop tents are awesome if you don’t mind heights and have a little more coordination than I do when still groggy (not hard, I must admit). They’re great for overland trips where you aren’t worried about staying in one place for more than a night or if you don’t have an issue with packing up your bed every morning.
(Fine, rooftop tents aren’t all that bad, especially with a view like this- Segal Riegar)
They do mean that you don’t have to pull anything behind you, but they’re usually quite heavy and having all that weight at the top of already usually tall vehicles can cause issues in certain situations. Keep in mind too that you’ll have to keep everything in the car with you- there is little to no base camp if you don’t take another tent with you and that kind of defeats the point. You’ll also need to set up anew every evening, so keep that in mind when choosing this option.
Despite all my issues with them, roof top tents definitely serve a purpose and many campers swear by them. You have the added bonus of being up high (away from the bumps in the night) and when done properly, they allow for a pretty neat and compact experience.
If you’re the type of “on the go” camper who isn’t too fussed with having to break camp everyday (just about) or if you’re the kind of person to set up camp and not move until the holiday is over, then this is definitely a good option for you to consider. It may just make your experience that much more enjoyable.
As has been said, each of these opinions has its own pros and cons and each are very much valid options. Despite our own preferences and prejudices, we hope we’ve given you a few points to consider and ideas which will help you in your search.
(Freezing our backsides off in the Drakensberg)
Remember, you can’t make memories if you aren’t out there doing it- it’s far better to take the journey with what you have. Don’t stress the details too much and don’t feel bad about making mistakes- it’s how we learn. Get out there, enjoy our natural world and all it has to offer- what you need will start to become abundantly clear.
Acknowledgements
A big shout out and thank you to Mr Blignaut, Mr Riegar and Mr Carolissen for the pictures and input- you guys are awesome and it’s just this kind of generosity that makes the Camping and Outdoor community so unique.
(The joys of friends, family and wilderness- Dries Blignaut)
New one, for your enjoyment. Some beautiful spots here. Forgot just how amazing some of these places are- was actually nice going through all the old shots.
Canvas Is King- A Look At Modern Day Camping Options
(One of the reasons we camp- Segal Rieger)
A quick disclaimer before I get going: About 90% of my camping has been done in a ground tent and while I have spent a fair bit of time in rooftop tents,camping trailers and caravans, I do not (by any means) claim to be an expert on any of them.
With that out of the way, let’s get started.
Firstly, I’m a firm believer in “horses for courses” for just about everything- there’s a reason that there’s so much variety and it’s not just as a result of rampant consumerism. Tents, trailers, caravans and rooftop tents all have a place- there’s no denying it. However, which is most likely to best suit your needs?
To answer this question, we’ll be considering a few different categories and scenarios- just to make it fair- and seeing which is (arguably) best for which situations and under which conditions. This is not to say that the others won’t work, but there are usually preferred options for a reason and we’re going to do our best to expand on these a little.
(See- Canvas in the Kalahari!)
- The Caravan
Right, if you’re anything like me (a student) you probably don’t have the money for one of these bad boys as they probably cost more than your car. However, if finances allow, they’re an awesome investment to ensure a bit of homely comforts away from home. It’s likely that you’ll have your own little (in door) kitchen, a (reasonably) comfy bed and a slightly better security and privacy. You also don’t have to worry about packing it up everytime you want to go for a drive, which is a definite down side of the rooftop tents.
However, caravans do come at a cost (both literally and figuratively) that can not be ignored, both of which are pretty obvious. The one is fuel cost- if you want to see the maximum number of litres your car can do per km, pull a big caravan. With fuel prices what they are, this consideration is no joke and one that needs to be taken into account. The second is the effort involved- perhaps it’s because I have limited experience, but I find it really stressful driving around with a big trailer, let alone a caravan. Reversing is a pain and I stress everytime there isn’t ample space, regardless of the situation. In addition, it also limits where you can go (depending on the capabilities) as well as how you can get there.
All things considered, caravans are (in general) AWESOME if you aren’t doing anything too extreme, if you have ample money (and time) and if you’re a fan of your comforts. Don’t get me wrong, there are some awesomely built caravans that can handle just about any road, but not every driver can handle the car and the caravan on those roads.
However, if you’re looking for a quick and easy weekend getaway, this probably isn’t the option for you.
- Ground Tents
(Merry Pebbles- a Sabi gem. A weekend spent discussing how photographers can play a bigger role in conservation)
Now for the complete opposite end of the spectrum- the good old tent. Not exactly the small, rickety tent thing most of us slept in as kids, but close enough. No, when I talk about tents, I’m talking about strong, reliable canvas tents.
As I said, tents are my niche- I’ve used a regular canvas tent in everything from 42°C desert heat to -10°C (almost) winter nights in the mountains. They weren’t the most comfortable, but they worked and I definitely survived. While not necessary, there are things you can do to make staying in a tent a little more comfortable- reflective coverings, for example. Otherwise, trees are your best friends, except in big storms… Oh, avoid sausage trees and any tree that’s dead. Just trust me on this.
If you enjoy simplicity, a tent is an outstanding option- especially if you can find a “pop up” tent that’s reliable. I find a 4 person tent is just about right for 2 people and minimal luggage.Trust me, you’re going to want that little bit of extra room. Another obvious advantage is price and while good quality tents can be a bit spendy, it’s nothing like buying a caravan or a trailer.
Security wise, all you have is the canvas and you’re not elevated. Theoretically speaking, this leaves you pretty exposed to both 2 and 4 legged predators, so it’s advisable to choose where you camp with a little more care. Bedding and such travel in the car with you, so extra space is needed, but that’s really not an issue if you don’t take unnecessary kit with you. I’ve found high-density foam mattresses to be a real back saver and they take next to no space in the car.
Honestly, camping with a tent is as comfortable or miserable as you make it. It’s awesome to have a camp to come back to at the end of the day and I always count my blessings when I get home to a bed waiting and the rooftop tent guys have to still get things up and going. You need to be a little more attentive and a little more organized, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it and you don’t have to worry about your tent getting stuck in the mud or sand when you're trying to tow it to the next campsite.
So if you enjoy simplicity, have a mistrust of late-night ladder climbing and like to keep things affordable, a good quality canvas tent is probably the best option for you.
(The convenience of a good pop-up tent- Dries Blignaut)
- Camping Trailers
Here comes my prejudice, so be forewarned. In my opinion, a small camping trailer is the epitome of camping awesomeness. Increased comfort, but with a reasonable price tag- what’s not to like about them? Whether it’s a long-weekend trip or a 45 day trip across borders, there’s not much that the trailer can’t be used for effectively.
The trick here is to try to keep things as compact as possible, without sacrificing too much space or too many comforts. Unlike most caravans, trailers are usually small enough to move and set up alone, if need be. They’re also not nearly as daunting to pull as they’re usually smaller than the car pulling them- I can’t overstate this point for the new camper. Yes, fuel economy does suffer in comparison to when you just have the ground tent, but it does free up space in the car itself and usually you’re going to have a more comfortable place to sleep at the end of the day.
(A mix of ground tents, trailers and rooftop tents all on the same expedition-Regan Carolissen)
As stated, price isn’t as bad as you might think, especially if you’re open to the second hand market. You have space for your fridge, cookers and so on AWAY from the car, meaning you can travel light, and breaking camp is usually pretty quick (as with caravans) as there’s an easily accessible spot for just about everything.
Security isn’t great as, once again, you’re surrounded by canvas. However, you are sleeping off the ground, so there is that. You do still need to pull something behind you and you do (usually) need to climb down stairs when, invariably, you need to go to the bathroom at 2am.
If you do a bit of everything, have a little extra cash and don’t have the reversing skills of a 17yo still learning to drive, the trailer is really a good option for you.
- Rooftop Tents
The absolute bane of my camping existence and not just because I might’ve fallen out of one on a cold, frosty night when, half asleep, I tried climbing down the stairs to get to the bathroom… Fine, that is the main reason and I feel like it’s a reasonable one.
In all seriousness, rooftop tents are awesome if you don’t mind heights and have a little more coordination than I do when still groggy (not hard, I must admit). They’re great for overland trips where you aren’t worried about staying in one place for more than a night or if you don’t have an issue with packing up your bed every morning.
(Fine, rooftop tents aren’t all that bad, especially with a view like this- Segal Riegar)
They do mean that you don’t have to pull anything behind you, but they’re usually quite heavy and having all that weight at the top of already usually tall vehicles can cause issues in certain situations. Keep in mind too that you’ll have to keep everything in the car with you- there is little to no base camp if you don’t take another tent with you and that kind of defeats the point. You’ll also need to set up anew every evening, so keep that in mind when choosing this option.
Despite all my issues with them, roof top tents definitely serve a purpose and many campers swear by them. You have the added bonus of being up high (away from the bumps in the night) and when done properly, they allow for a pretty neat and compact experience.
If you’re the type of “on the go” camper who isn’t too fussed with having to break camp everyday (just about) or if you’re the kind of person to set up camp and not move until the holiday is over, then this is definitely a good option for you to consider. It may just make your experience that much more enjoyable.
As has been said, each of these opinions has its own pros and cons and each are very much valid options. Despite our own preferences and prejudices, we hope we’ve given you a few points to consider and ideas which will help you in your search.
(Freezing our backsides off in the Drakensberg)
Remember, you can’t make memories if you aren’t out there doing it- it’s far better to take the journey with what you have. Don’t stress the details too much and don’t feel bad about making mistakes- it’s how we learn. Get out there, enjoy our natural world and all it has to offer- what you need will start to become abundantly clear.
Acknowledgements
A big shout out and thank you to Mr Blignaut, Mr Riegar and Mr Carolissen for the pictures and input- you guys are awesome and it’s just this kind of generosity that makes the Camping and Outdoor community so unique.
(The joys of friends, family and wilderness- Dries Blignaut)
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