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Thanks ndloti, Switchback and Rooies. Guess we'll have to beg, borrow or steal some equipment for our first camping adventure. I'll also chat to a few of the other campers when we go on our next trip in April, that should give me a good idea of what we'll need to make our first camping experience as comfortable as possible.

WillBen , if I may guide you gently ...


Start by trying out Tsendze , Moroela & Balule where it is rustic and you can enjoy the sounds of nature relatively undiluted by airconditioners and cars driving to ablution blocks and night skies relatively indiluted by electric lights .

Sho ndloti, you sound like the Chuck Norris of camping . How do you transport the paraffin safely? Maybe LED lights are a bit better but I'm not sure if they're cheaper in the long run, unless you use the rechargeable batteries. Does a gas light really make that much noise? I was thinking of getting a gas fridge is that quieter than a gas light?

These days I buy a citronella oil in 300 ml bottles which is made specifically for lanterns , it smells better and it also possibly repells insects .
I prefer a softer light from lanterns and a quieter environment without hissing gas lamps - this is possible at certain campsites if you are not too close to the neighbours .
Gas fridges are allmost inaudible .

Does citronella oil really repels insects? I have found it to be useless.

Btw WillBen, as Ndloti will also tell you, there are a lot of gadgets on the market which look very nice to have but are really not necessary. It takes up space and sometimes you will never ever need them. At first, buy good quality basic stuff and see how it goes. You can always add something later which becomes essential.

Another thing, can someone please explain to me what is the use of a spare wheel cover, where the spare wheel is attached to the back of some 4X4 vehicles, like the Prado?

Rooies, we have used it when we braai or make the good old skottel breakie and it seemed to keep the flies at bay, then in the rooms it kept them mozie free at night, don't know if they get use to it though

Rooies, I think it's for cosmetic purposes!

Hi Chuck...oops Ndloti ...yes, I also prefer the citronella oil for my Dietz as well. December when we were deep in the bush I have used paraffin and the glass was smoked pitch black! This was due to a VERY windy and stormy night and I had to turn the lamp high due to flame blow-out problems. I don't think citronella oil causes a black smoke but I'm not so sure!

Herewith a pic of my lantern hard at work:

It appears that paraffin is not as clean burning (although cheaper) than citronella oil .



I think it is so that the wheel cover , instead of the tyre dirties your hands when you take the spare off the back door .

But before you take of the spare, you have to take off the even dirtier flat tyre. As Theuns has suggested, I also think it is cosmetic or to advertise. I am not sure, but I think you get a Getaway cover for a couple of hundred rand.

Protects the spare wheel from the sun, dust, rain etc that cause corrosion.

What tyres does your 4X4 have on. I was advised by a friend to put on Bridgestone Dueler D694 tyres and the set has just done 87 000 km. Very good I think.

Rooies , I keep it neat - what if a visitor arrives unannounced and the camp is untidy - (it is unfenced) - it is very bad manners towards animals to be untidy or noisy .

See the visitors legs at the bottom ...

Rooies - as regards those tyres are very good for SUV's as far as I hear , also expensive .

Protection against the sun.

rooies, my vehicle is due for new tyres. I've heard very good things about the Bridgestones and their prices are very good.

@ Senyetse

I am involved in 4x4'ing competitively and, depending what your 4x4 needs and usage is, you can't go wrong with Bridgestone tyres. Don't forget to look at Cooper Tyres and BF Goodrich though.