Camping under African skies

There’s something deeply grounding about camping. For me, it’s not just about getting away from the daily routine, it’s about reconnecting with nature in the purest way possible. I’ve always been a camper at heart, happiest when surrounded by bushveld rather than beach sand. I also refer camping and not glamping.

I could never quite understand why people choose to live by the ocean. Don’t get me wrong, a seaside holiday is wonderful, but two weeks of waves and wind are usually enough for me. The bush, however, calls me back again and again.

This past weekend, my husband and I set off for a short break in the Kruger National Park, one of my favourite places on earth. We camped at Lower Sabie, testing out our newly bought tent trailer. What an adventure! Between setting up camp, unpacking, and discovering how the ladder to our sleeping quarters works, we had plenty of laughs. Let’s just say that climbing up and down in the dark, especially when nature calls in the middle of the night, should count as a fitness routine for anyone over sixty!

Despite the small challenges, camping remains one of life’s greatest joys. There’s a certain magic in sitting under a full moon, surrounded by the soft crackle of the braai fire, listening as the veld comes alive with the sounds of the night. The distant roar of a lion, the whoop of a hyena, the call of a nightjar or bushbaby, all reminders that this is their world and we are merely visitors.

Let's not forget the elephants. To me, they are the most magnificent creatures of all. Watching a herd move gracefully through the bush or play in the Sabie River fills me with a sense of calm and awe every time. They seem to embody everything that is wild and wonderful about Africa. Make no mistake, I have also had my close-calls with these majestic giants, but that is a story for another day.

Camping in the Lowveld is ideal, the weather is generally perfect, and there are so many beautiful places to pitch a tent or park a caravan. But it’s not without its challenges. As we discovered this past weekend, a good fan is an essential piece of equipment, especially in the summer heat.

This was a test for our upcoming December trip to Namibia, something that has been on my bucket list for many years. We have to plan ahead: from packing extra shade to making sure our campsite comforts are just right in this hot desert land.

Another blessing that comes with camping is disconnecting from technology. There’s a wonderful sense of freedom in leaving the constant buzz of phones, social media notifications, and emails behind. No messages to check, no online noise, just the whisper of the wind through the trees and the call of birds at dawn. It reminds me how much we miss when our attention is divided between screens and scenery. In the bush, the only connection that matters is the one with nature and the people sharing the campfire beside you.

Whether it’s Kruger, a farm dam, or a quiet bushveld hideaway, camping allows us to slow down, appreciate the simple things, and rediscover what really matters. It’s about waking up with the sun, cooking over open flames, laughing under the stars, and falling asleep to the night sounds of Africa.

For me, it will always be the bush, the heart of the Lowveld, where the air smells of dust and grass, and the rhythm of life still beats in tune with nature.

𝓛𝔂𝓷𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓮.