Why Camping?

#camping #thelazycampers

We often mention to people that we should all get away on an adventurous weekend of camping somewhere and often people respond “Why camping, no thanks!”

So why camping?
Here are 10 reasons why we love camping and why it is such a wonderful getaway.

1. Being minimalist for a few days and keeping it simple: Removing oneself from all the complexities of everyday life is a fantastic way to lower the stress levels. Keeping living situations and food preparation as simple as possible so as to enjoy the wonders around you. I find myself less attached to the materials things I have at home after a good camping trip and have realised that this is the best time to do a good clear out.
   
2. Being one with nature: Spending time appreciating every living and nonliving thing around you is good for the soul. Take in the views and the scenery. Fully experiencing the elements - like listening to the pitter-patter of the rain on a tent on a rainy night; watching a crazy lightning storm in the mountains (we saw this at Amphitheatre Backpackers in the Drakensberg and it was spectacular); or waking up to the birds singing to watch the sunrise; and watching the sunset and going to sleep to the sound of the crickets.
   
3. Escape from urban living: Camping provides an escape from the smog of the big city to the smell of fresh air and really allows you to embrace it. There is just something about that fresh air smell that immediately makes you relax a little but also brings back so many childhood memories.
   
4. The quiet: I love the peacefulness of sitting outdoors, where there are no cars speeding by, or sirens to interrupt your thoughts. It helps to clear the mind when one escapes the hum of the city in exchange for the rustling of the trees, the chirping of the crickets in the evenings and the twittering of the birds in the early morning.
5. Exploring interesting places: Oh the fascinating places you will encounter when you go camping. We have done a hike up a river and its series of waterfalls at Kudu Kaya; camped right on the beachfront in Rocky Bay and Koringkorrelbaai; and camped in the Knysna Forest at Diepwalle Camping Decks. We would not have had these incredible experiences if we were not camping.
   

   
6. Encourages a break from technology: Luckily (I think) a lot of the places that we go camping have limited cell phone reception and this is appealing to me as it forces us to take a break from technology and social media and really enjoy what is around us - the place and the people.
7. More cost effective: As cosy and comfy as chalets, B&B’s and hotels are they do come at a cost. There definitely is a place for those trips but we have been able to do so much more because we camp, because camping costs a fraction of other accommodation and so we are able go away more frequently and keep costs down. We have also stayed at some really incredible places because we opted to camp. Campsites range from R60 pp.pn up to R250 but one can find some really fantastic places for round about the R100 mark.
   
8. Quality time with friends, family and loved ones: I have so many great memories of camping with my parents and brother as a child, with my friends as a student and with my own new family - my wonderful husband - as an adult. No distractions, just you and your people.
   
9. Stargazing: There is something so peaceful about staring out into space in awe of what is around us, my mind just cannot comprehend the enormity of the universe and the vast expanse beyond our sight. Stargazing always sends me back to family camping trips where my dad would sit with me and my brother and show us all the constellations, spotting shooting stars and looking for as many satellites as possible, once we saw 14 satellites in one night (we were pretty chuffed with ourselves).
   
10. Sitting round a campfire: Enjoying the warmth radiating from the fire, staring mindlessly into the flames, enjoying a soothing glass of Sherry, this completes the camping experience.
    

So if you haven't been camping or haven’t been in a while, take a break from real life and treat yourself to an interesting place where the quiet, the fire and the elements can help ease your life stresses - even if only for a moment.