17 Nov Camping Essentials For An Epic Trip: A Beginner’s Guide To (Luxury) Camping
Whether this is your first time reading our blog, or it’s the 200th blog post you’re perusing (hey there, Superfan!), we want to let you know that we are PUMPED about this post. “Why?” you ask? Well, it’s been a long time coming, and with the time we’ve put into it, we hope it’s super helpful: a beginner’s guide to (luxury) camping with a complete list of our camping essentials. Yes please!
But let’s maybe set the scene first with a little background…
Stevo has been camping his whole life. Whether it was short weekends away, or long Christmas-break holidays, he and his family would venture off for camping adventures around South Africa at any opportunity they could get. I, was not quite so camp-involved, but went on the odd school trip, and definitely embraced it during our wild adventures to Mozambique (our first cross-border trip together), Zimbabwe (think I still need to share that pre-HFFH story), our Namibia, East Africa and Iceland treks back in 2016, our motorhome road-trips in the USA and Canada and, more recently, our wedventure in Namibia.
So one could say we’re fans of camping.
Now with the ‘new normal’ post-COVID, The Badger joining our troop, and our upcoming (ambitious) plans to explore more of Southern Africa while we aim to travel the distance to the moon and back, there really couldn’t be a better time for us to write this beginner’s guide, breaking down all the camping essentials we have with us for a (somewhat luxurious) camping stint.
Before You Get To The List, Know This
I would like to quickly mention that our priorities might be a little different to yours, and there will probably be some items that you see here and think, “why would they pack that?” or “what do you mean you don’t have Item X?!” and that’s totally ok. Camping can be enjoyed by anyone as long as you make it your own.
We haven’t listed any clothing items as this will really depend on where you’re camping, what type of weather you’ll be enduring, and how long you’re going for, but standard travel rules apply: make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes, a warm jacket, a hat (highly recommend my Lack Of Color hat) and enough socks, underwear, and t-shirts or tank tops to last your trip (unless of course you’re planning to do lots of hand washing).
RECOMMENDED READING: Dressing For Photoshoots In The Extreme Cold: 5 Tips For Beginners
Similarly we won’t be recommending any particular foods (although you might get some inspiration from our Vegan Camper post) but the key with cooking whilst camping is simplicity and flavour. Don’t overdo it with many ingredients (as you simply don’t have the space), but definitely make sure to bring a ton of herbs and spices to make your few-ingredient meals taste amazing.
Since we’re planning on camping for a long time (and a large portion of our 2021 will be spent living at campsites) we’ve opted to invest in some luxury items to make it more enjoyable in the long run, but that doesn’t mean you can’t “rough it” omitting some of the items we list, since you’re only going to be out in the wild for two or three weeks.
We also chose to get a lot of products locally (in South Africa) to support local small businesses during these tough times. Some of these brands deliver worldwide (and their products are truly incredible), so we’ll include their links in the post, but we’ve also opted to share some Amazon links for worldwide availability (but of course you could probably find similar products in your home town and support your own local artisans too).
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Things To Keep In Mind When Packing For A Camping Trip
- You have limited space, so downsizing is key
- You will be “living out of a bag” (or in this case, your car) ALL. THE. TIME. So everything needs to have a place and it all needs to fit together (like a giant puzzle)
- You’ll be out of your comfort zone almost all the time, so having one or two “comforters” could make the world of difference (especially if you’re preparing for your first-ever camping adventure)
- You’ll more than likely end up in some remote places, so being prepared for the worst is always a good idea
- You’ll also more than likely (and hopefully) be far away from any WiFi or smartphone reception, so be prepared to embrace life without tech
RECOMMENDED READING: What Unplugging From The Internet For 30 Days Taught Me
With all that in mind, let’s get into it!
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Our Complete List Of 90 Camping Essentials
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BAGS & STORAGE
Like I mentioned earlier, the key to camping is viewing it like a giant puzzle – with each item having its place, and everything fitting together. Having the right storage boxes and containers, and keeping everything neat and (almost always) at arm’s reach is key.
Backpacks and Bags
For your clothes, toiletries, and camera equipment (hey, fellow photographers) you’ll want to either have a backpack or overnight bag. We love our Douchebags and recently got our hands on the beautiful Wild Leather Co products so will be utilizing both for the upcoming camping adventures.
Douchebags ‘The Hugger’ Backpack
Douchebags ‘The Explorer’ Backpack
Douchebags ‘Carryall’ Overnight Bag
Douchebags ‘CIA’ Camera Bag Insert
Wild Leather Co ‘The Everything Bag’ Backpack
Wild Leather Co ‘Large Overnight Bag’
Wild Leather Co ‘The Gypsy Girl’ Overnight Bag
Wild Leather Co Camera Bag Insert
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Food Carriers
You’ll need to keep your fresh food chilled for as long as possible, so a cooler bag is essential. Lifewit have various sizes available.
Lifewit Collapsible Cooler Bag
Another item you may want (especially if you’re only camping for a couple days at a time) is Luncia’s casserole carrier, which can keep your freshly-made meals fresh for your adventures.
Luncia Double Decker Insulated Casserole Carrier
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Durable Storage Containers
For neat storage in the back of your car or trailer, for all your loose bits and pieces, get yourself a couple Wolf Packs.
We’ve gotten a few of these high-quality storage boxes from the Dutch brand Mepal, which we’ll use to store leftovers, and they’ll double up as serving bowls (bonus).
We’ve been collecting jars since lockdown and have all our nuts, seeds, lentils, popcorn, sugar e.t.c. stored in them. If you don’t already store your dry foods in jars, camping might be a good time to start using this handy eco-friendly method.
Similarly, good to have all your herbs and spices with you, and these little magnetic jars stick together nicely so you don’t have them rolling around everywhere.
Whether it’s for loose fruit and vegetables, sachets of food, your vitamin containers, or even to keep your socks all neatly together, we cannot recommend these various-sized mesh bags enough. We must have about 15 of them, since they’re just so useful.
Veggio Reusable Mesh Carry Bags
To keep your hiking and road-trip snacks fresh and safe, check out these reusable snack bags from Stasher.
Stasher Reusable Silicone Snack Bags
Similarly, to keep your bathroom essentials like shampoo and body cream, stored in small quantities, we found these travel-size containers.
Something we never leave without are dry bags (to keep our phones and cameras dry at all times). Most dry bags are designed in a way that they create a loop at the top, making it a handy bag that you can hang inside your tent as well, to store all the important things in one place.
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LUXURY CAMPING SLEEP ESSENTIALS
Now I don’t know if this is because we haven’t had our own bed for nearly six years, but having a comfortable sleep is our numero uno, so we have invested in some premium items to ensure we wake up smiling every morning (no matter where our camping trip has taken us).
Rooftop Tent Camping
If, like us, you have the option to put a roof tent on your car, do it! It’s the biggest game changer and will turn any camping trip into a luxury camping trip. We got ourselves a roof rack and rooftop tent from Front Runner (and they have a ton of options for all sorts of cars) so check them out. The set-up also comes with a mattress so you won’t need to get that separately.
If you want that luxurious hotel experience in your own tent, we recommend getting the pillows and bedding directly from your favourite hotel chain (yup, you can do that). We will never forget the amazing sleeps we had at the various Luxury Collection Resorts we’ve visited, so we’ll be trying to replicate the sleeps as much as possible. We’ve also opted for pure linen from Mungo (the most amazing South African textiles company) so check out their range and see if there’s anything you fancy.
Marriott Duvet
Marriott Pillows
Mungo Bed Linen
Floor Tent Camping
If sleeping on your car’s roof is not an option, you’ll need to set yourself up with a good tent, and then a mattress and sleeping bag will be the best way to go. The mattress you choose will depend on how much space you have, and there are so many sleeping bag options – once again you’ll need to consider the weather conditions to make your choice, although we’ve found some with great reviews, which you can see below.
Front Runner Flip Pop Tent
Naturehike Tent Mattress
MalloMe Sleeping Bag
Lighting
Something not many people think about, is lighting once you’re inside your tent, and if you’re not a fan of hanging your headlamp from the roof and want to conserve your phone’s battery, you might want to get this universal light strip which can be moved around and placed almost anywhere (perfect for lighting up your tent if you plan on doing some old fashioned reading inside there).
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LUXURY CAMPING BATHROOM ESSENTIALS
No two campsites are the same, so you may find that one day you’ll have a hot shower, mirrors, and perfectly functioning toilets, and then the next day you’ll be showering under cold water, using a long drop, and brushing your teeth behind a tree. Nothing can be done to prevent any of that, but you can prepare for it.
Towels
Once again we’re going to give a shoutout to Mungo, as their range of towels is amazing, but you could also go the more ‘traditional camping route’ and get one of those quick-drying microfibre towels.
Mungo Towels
Youphoria Microfibre Towels
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Wash Bags and Cases
Our only advice for choosing a toiletry, wash or cosmetic bag for camping, is to have one that you can hang (as you don’t want to be placing your items on those campsite counters), and one that is waterproof. If you want a cute, patterned one, Lou Harvey’s range is quite fun and I’ve been a fan of the brand for years.
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We’d also recommend getting a case for your toothbrush, and a soap dish (for obvious reasons).
Portable Toothbrush Case
Portable Soap Dish
Extras
If you’ll be bringing your loofah or other luxury shower items, get yourself some suction hooks so you can hang your goodies in any camping shower.
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LUXURY CAMPING KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
A lot of what we list here will be subjective (based on our preferences, of course) but pick and choose what suits you and your cooking style. Many of the items you may already have in your kitchen, and some you may need to invest in.
Cooking Essentials
You’ll want to have a gas cooker (just don’t forget to regularly get gas cans for it as you travel), a portable grill grid for the barbecues (or ‘braais’ as we call them here in South Africa), and maybe even a grill basket (for the veggies).
Portable Gas Cooker
Portable Grill Grid
Portable Grill Basket
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You’ll want to have a gas cooker (just don’t forget to regularly get gas cans for it as you travel), a portable grill grid for the barbecues (or ‘braais’ as we call them here in South Africa), and maybe even a grill basket (for the veggies).
You can use your normal pots and pans, or invest in a set of cookware that can be placed on the fire, and packs neatly together.
Stanley Adventure Even-Heat Camp Pro Cook Set
Something all South Africans take with them on most camping trips is a ‘Potjie Pot’ (or Dutch Oven) so that’s really fun if you have the space for it. Front Runner also have a holder for it, so you can strap it to your roof rack. Alternatively you can just bring along a casserole dish that is fire-safe.
Megamaster Potjie Pot
Front Runner Potjie Pot Carrier
Le Creuset Cast Iron Signature Casserole Dish
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For the fancy-coffee lovers (yes, I’m talking to you, Stevo) a little Espresso maker is handy.
Crockery and Cutlery
The goal with your camping crockery and cutlery is to have items that won’t break, so choose plates, bowls, cups and mugs that are made of bamboo, acrylic or enamel. We picked up some cute ceramic-looking items from Woolworths, outdoor wine glasses from Humble and Mash, and designed our own enamel mugs, although there are a ton of travel mug options out there – we particularly like the ones from Stanley, Mepal, and Built, or (if you’re tight on space), we found some fold-up silicone ones on Amazon.
Woolworths Studio W Speckled Outdoor Bowls
Woolworths Studio W Speckled Outdoor Plates
Humble and Mash Outdoor Red Wine Glasses
Stanley Legendary Camp Mug
Mepal Drinking Cups
Built Desk Mugs
ME.FAN Silicone Collapsible Travel Cup
You’ll want to have a flask (as boiling water whilst camping is not as simple as switching a button on a kettle). We love our Stanley Adventure Flask (and no it’s not only because it matches our car).
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You probably already have a water bottle, but if you don’t, it might be worthwhile to invest in one that purifies your water as well. LifeStraw makes them in all shapes and sizes, and even sells a universal filter (so you can pop it onto your existing bottle).
Lifestraw Flex With Collapsible Water Bottle
Lifestraw Universal Filter
Front Runner have a handy utensil set, that has (almost) everything you might need. We just bought a peeler, grater and tongs as well, as it didn’t come included in the set.
Front Runner Utensil Set
OXO Peeler
OXO Grater
Yuppiechef Tongs
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CAMPING CLEAN UP
One thing that’s going to be very different to normal life, is the cleaning up part of camping, because it has to be done quickly, and it needs to be part of your routine – no leaving dishes lying around, or placing them into a dishwasher. No leaving your bed unmade. If you want to go anywhere (in most cases) you’ll have to bring everything with you, so that means everything will need to be back in its place at all times.
Wash Up Essentials
We like to be prepared for the campsites that don’t have communal kitchens and wash-up spaces, so we have a bucket (collapsible is best), sponges, washing up liquid, dishcloths, and a dustpan and brush for general campsite cleaning. Something that might not be on a lot of people’s packing lists is an antibacterial spray, and with COVID still very much around (and our heightened desire to remain as hygienic as possible), we’d recommend having one (Method make a lovely plant-based one).
Collapsible Wash Bucket
Eco-Friendly Sponges
Method Plant-Based Washing Up Liquid
Method Plant-Based All Purpose Cleaner
Mungo Dishcloths
OXO Dustpan and Brush
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CAMP LIFE ESSENTIALS
These are the items that will make your camping experience go from good to flipping AMAZING. Not all are necessary, but we have included our favourites so you can pick and choose.
Campsite Set-Up
To make your immediate area around your car pleasant, we’d recommend getting some form of awning for shade (we have Front Runner’s easy-out awning attached to the top of our car), a ground sheet or tarp to keep your area fairly dust- and bug-free, and, of course, camping chairs and a table (we have a table-kit which store our table neatly on the roof of our car).
Front Runner Easy-Out Awning
REDCAMP Waterproof Camping Tarp
Front Runner Expander Chairs
Front Runner Table Kit
This is really unique, but should be on everyone’s camping pack list – Rhino Balls from Megamaster. They’re essentially eco-friendly firelighters, but they support rhino conservation with every light. They’re also made of rhino dung, so that’s a pretty cool camp fire story to share.
Some of the miscellaneous items we’d recommend having:
Bendable and Rechargeable Lighter
Rechargeable Headlamp
Front Runner LED Flood Light
Extension Cord (depending on where you’re camping, you might need to get a universal or international plug as well)
Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
Gorilla All-Weather Waterproof Duct Tape
Skewer Sticks (for kebab-making, marshmallow roasting, and playing Pick Up Sticks)
Playing Cards (for those tech-free days)
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Added Comfort
For lounging around, a hammock is a nice addition. Nakie have created the world’s first recycled hammock so it’s definitely a great way to go if you are thinking of buying a hammock.
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It can get chilly sometimes, especially at night (no matter what time of year you’re traveling and where you’ll be staying), so having a hot water bottle has saved us many times.
For picnics, beach lounging, or some extra warmth, a blanket is always handy. Once again, check out the range from Mungo for some really colourful designs.
It’s such a small detail, but having something like a tablecloth, table runner or even just a couple of placemats will add that homely, cosy feel to your table. Mungo have a whole range of linen, so have a browse.
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To set the mood at dinner time, having tea-light candles (in covered tea-light- or votive-candle holders to avoid winds blowing them out) will make a huge difference as well, and if you want to go all out, you can get some portable fairy lights as well.
Votive / Tea Light Candle Holders
Tealight Candles
MPOWERD Solar-Powered Fairy Lights
And if we continue talking about setting a mood, you may want to get a portable bluetooth speaker to play music, or (using a bird calling app) bring the wildlife closer to you.
Beats By Dre ‘Pill+’ Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Something we almost forgot to mention (as they come with us everywhere so we completely forget that not everyone has these) but a camera should be on your list. You’ll want to capture all your camping memories, so bring it along (even if you’re just using your phone’s camera).
Canon EOS RP Mirrorless Camera
RECOMMENDED READING: Wildlife Photography: 10 Tips To Get The Best Shots
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HEALTH & SAFETY
The last thing you’ll need to think about is making your camping trip as stress-free as possible, and being prepared for those unlikely situations is how you can do that.
Fire Safety
When there’s gas and fire involved, it’s always good to have a fire extinguisher – we found this small travel-friendly one – and since you’ll be handling all sorts of grills and crockery around the fire, it might be worthwhile having grilling gloves to wear whilst cooking.
Mini Firefighter Extinguisher
Grilling Gloves
General Health
Make sure you have a first aid kit (you can buy a pre-packed one or make your own like we did) but if you do make your own, just remember to have everything within easy reach, and packed in waterproof baggies or containers.
Sunblock and insect repellant should be on everyone’s list, even if you’re planning some cloudy camping in non-tropical areas.
Nivea Face Sunblock
Nivea Body Sunblock
3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent
Wet wipes are also a must-have for those days when showers are a no-no, and to wipe down surfaces.
And last, but definitely not least, some antiseptic liquid, for general first aid, yes, but also to use (in tiny amounts) to disinfect your wash bucket rinse water, especially if you don’t know if your campsite’s water is fresh.
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We hope this monumental list has been helpful and useful! We will make sure to keep it up to date (as our camping style may change) so keep checking in ahead of all your camping trips.
Please let us know in the comments if we forgot anything, and if you enjoyed this post, please give it a like up top!
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Carissa Gutierrez
Posted at 07:03h, 14 Maythank you for sharing this! Especially the things to keep in mind when packing for a camping trip 🙂
Chanel
Posted at 07:58h, 14 MayPleasure! Glad you enjoyed the read 🙂