Africa Wild

harrys wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2019 8:29 am 100% disagree camping is awesome if you know what you do, you don't need all the fancy stuff I camp to get away from all the technology and It takes 20 min to set up camp with a caravan and about 45 min with the tents. When you camp you don't have to carry your stuff into the accommodation everything is where you want it and within 30 min you can relax with a beer, wisky or wine no hassle

Or with mentos

I can stay 3 to 4 nights camping to 1 night bungalow, so the hour setting up is then one of the biggest savers for me. Almost a R1000 that day saved for an hours work. We will be here at Letaba for 9 nights at almost R3600 where in cheapest chalet or safari tents would have been R8000+ . My equipment has been paid off many trips ago by the savings and as each year SANparks increases their fees the savings between camping and chalets gets bigger.

The cost is the only pro camping argument that I find relevant.

To camp in a place where there is nothing might be worth it when you are young, but with access to a bungalow next door I don't see the reason for camping

Alf wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2019 11:10 am

harrys wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2019 8:29 am 100% disagree camping is awesome if you know what you do, you don't need all the fancy stuff I camp to get away from all the technology and It takes 20 min to set up camp with a caravan and about 45 min with the tents. When you camp you don't have to carry your stuff into the accommodation everything is where you want it and within 30 min you can relax with a beer, wisky or wine no hassle

Or with mentos

Eish that's not recommended

When we " unpack " for a bungalow , it only needs one suitcase .
And I can do that , carry the suitcase in one hand , and a beer in the other hand , already chilled and ready to drink .


By the time the camper drinks his beer only 30 minutes , I am busy with my 2nd or third one already , and the braai-fire already lit
In fact , I can even do it quicker if Okiedokie unloads the suitcase .........

Oh , and BTW , no problems with monkeys and 'boons .......

RobertT wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2019 11:12 am I can stay 3 to 4 nights camping to 1 night bungalow, so the hour setting up is then one of the biggest savers for me. Almost a R1000 that day saved for an hours work. We will be here at Letaba for 9 nights at almost R3600 where in cheapest chalet or safari tents would have been R8000+ . My equipment has been paid off many trips ago by the savings and as each year SANparks increases their fees the savings between camping and chalets gets bigger.

Well , I am sure you did not pay nothing for your equipment .
Lets compare TODAY's prices .
A decent tent easily costs R50 000 - ( and that is already at least 50 nights in a bungalow ) .
A new caravan , not big , sleeping two people , at a price of around R250 000 or more . Add equipment ?

Finance charges at prime plus 6 % , say 15 % on R300 000 ( excluding equipment which probably cash ) , is then R45 000 per year .

As the saying goes : there go the children's college fund .......

Really, a decent tent will cost you R 9000 for six people, trailer for transporting tent and stuff R 18000 that is R 27000, I will know because that is what we paid. You can pic up a excellent caravan that will last a very long time for R 120000 I know because I'm in the market for 1, you don't need a 4x4 or a big suv to tow it. A small car is capable do do that So ja I agree with Robert much cheaper and cooler.

You either love camping or you hate it it's how it is..... I drink my beer while setting up, makes it so much more interesting

Not many go for the simple life ............

But hey ...... everyone to his own , and for what he wants , enjoys ( and can afford ) . Nothing wrong with that .

Way , way back , I had a simple " tent " , made to half pull over my Volksie beetle , allowing me to open the door on one side under cover , and I travelled all over South Africa , starting Joh'burg , travelled the coast-line from Sodwana bay , snorkelling and spear-fishing , right down through Durban , Transkei , East London , Mosselbay , Cape Town up to Saldana bay , back to Jhb through the Karoo -- all by my ownself .
Petrol was 25 cents per gallon ....