Work Travel Volunteer

If you're slightly uneasy about having to camp for any length of time, perhaps an overland budget travel trip is not the perfect way to travel for you. If you're just fearful of the unknown, here's some information on what to expect, the highs...and the lows....of camping holidays and budget travel

1) If you're on a real budget, you'll be expected to put your tent up and down yourself. On the plus side, you'll become an expert and will be shaving seconds off your PB and your fellow happy campers. On the negative, when it's dark and wet, putting up your tent for the millionth time can become rather wearing.

2) Hard-core campers do it on the ground. Not so hard-core WILL NEED A THICK ROLL MAT for any chance of a fairly decent night's sleep.

3) Yes, spiders and bugs are present but if you keep your tent zipped up, they shouldn't invade your space.

4) Do not position your tent in the middle of the hippo highway. We know of an unfortunate individual who managed to do this and ended up being trodden on in the night by one. Not pleasant. (But rather funny)

5) Bring a head-torch. They are a godsend, can be strapped to your head to read, when you fight your way in the dark to the toilet or when you have that unfortunate task of erecting your tent in the dark.

6) Expect to get up close and personal to your tentmates. You'll hear all sorts of bizarre sounds in the night.

7) Expect to get disorientated. It's a small space to occupy but finding the exit can be troublesome at times.

8) Zip your tent up when you are not in it. Otherwise mosquitoes will be your favourite chums.

9) Campsites vary widely on cleanliness scales but on the whole, tend to be fairly okay. 90% of the time there will be a toilet (or hole of sorts) and if you're lucky, hot running water too.

10)Prepare to become a creative cook. If you have to cook for 15 people and have three eggs, one tomato and some mushrooms, you'll have to make do. Most campsites also have cooking facilities. If you are on an overland truck, they tend to carry a charcoal fire with them and cooking utensils.

11)Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to sleep in your tent. Position yourself under a tree with a neatly tied up mossie net and it could be a far more comfortable (and social) affair.

12)Scour the horizon for firewood at all times. Big is best.

13)Get organized and get the next morning's stuff ready the day before so you don't have to struggle in the dim early hours looking for your toothpaste.

Limit your impact when camping

• Position yourself at least 50m away from waterholes or rivers.
• Limit the use of washing products and use biodegradable choices (ones that do not contain phosphates)
• Stick to marked tracks when out walking
• Remove the mud from your shoes when moving from one campsite to another. You can transfer poisonous fungi or bacteria from area to area otherwise.
• Only burn rubbish that is biodegradable such as tissues. Take anything else with you and dispose of properly.
• Check you can light fires before you do. In some national parks it is illegal to do so.
• Only use wood from fallen, dead trees. Flora and fauna use trees to eat, live in and shade themselves (even dead trees still standing)
• Don't leave fires unattended
• Watch out for delicate flora in your camping area that you may accidentally tread on or put your tent or bag upon.
• Limit your water usage in activities such as washing yourself or your dishes (not on your drinking!)
• Do your business this way