camping | Adventuring into Retirement

Introduction from Helen
Camping—what’s not to love? It’s the ultimate escape from the frantic pace of modern life.
But let’s be honest—while most campers are delightful, there’s always the odd one who is thoughtless and does not consider his/her fellow man. That’s where a gentle nudge toward camping etiquette comes in handy. Not rules, exactly—more like friendly reminders that keep the peace and preserve the magic. Perhaps these reminders should appear in brochures, blogs and signs in ablution blogs and reception areas.
Cathy, our guest blogger, has penned a brilliant guide to the unwritten rules of the wild. Her tips are thoughtful, practical, and worth considering.

(Images are AI generated)

Camping Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules of the Wild
There’s a quiet code among campers—an unspoken agreement that we’re all here to enjoy nature, not to intrude on each other’s peace. Whether you’re tucked into a remote corner of the bush or sharing space at a bustling national park, a little courtesy keeps the experience magical for everyone.
These were rules taught to me by my parents—simple, thoughtful guidelines for camping that I’ve lived by through all my years in the bush. They shaped how I move through wild spaces: with care, respect, and a touch of old-school courtesy. But lately I’ve found myself wondering—are these still relevant? Or have we moved on from these quiet codes of conduct?

Respect the Soundscape
Nature has its own rhythm—wind through the trees, the distant call of a nightjar, the soft crackle of a fire. It’s a symphony that doesn’t need a bass boost. Keep conversations gentle, music low, and save the dramatic retelling of your cousin’s wedding for daylight hours. Quiet hours aren’t just campground rules—they’re a kindness to the early risers, the light sleepers, and the wildlife who didn’t sign up for your playlist.

Stay in Your Lane (and Out of Theirs)
It might seem harmless to cut across someone’s campsite to reach the ablution block or a friend’s site, but it’s a bit like walking through their living room. Campsites are personal spaces, even if they’re just a patch of grass and a folding chair. Stick to paths, respect boundaries, and if you’re unsure—circle wide. A friendly wave from a distance is always better than a surprise appearance next to someone’s kettle.

Teach your kids to respect the space of others

Leave No Trace (and No Toast Crumbs)
The principle is simple: take out what you bring in or dispose of it in the proper place. That includes food scraps, packaging, and the dirty water from your in-van shower. Wildlife doesn’t need our leftovers, and fellow campers shouldn’t have to pick up or clean up after you. Use bins, if provided, or pack your waste out. Bonus points for picking up a stray wrapper that isn’t yours—karma in the wild is real.

Share the Space
Campsites aren’t private kingdoms. Be mindful of how your setup affects others—don’t sprawl across paths, block scenic views, or monopolize communal areas like picnic tables or fire pits. If your tent looks like it’s auditioning for a glamping magazine, make sure it’s not encroaching on someone else’s peace. A bit of spatial awareness and a friendly hello go a long way in building a respectful camping community.

Nighttime Courtesy: Torch Use and Awareness
Walking at night around the camp demands a little extra mindfulness. A torch isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. It prevents you from tripping over roots or stepping on something far less forgiving, like a snake or a scorpion. But how you use it matters.
It’s too easy to blind other campers with torches that are waved around. The trick is to keep the light low, pointed at the ground, lighting your path without disturbing others. Headlamps are handy, but they require extra mindfulness—tilt them down and resist the urge to look directly at people while chatting.

Fire with Care
There’s something primal about gathering around a fire—but it’s also a responsibility. Use designated braai areas, keep flames manageable, and never leave a fire unattended. When the embers die down, make sure they’re truly out. Our Tearful Bokkie may be fictional, but the risk isn’t.

Make sure campfires are properly extinguished

Hygiene Happens
Washing dishes at the tap, brushing teeth next to the water tank, leaving a shower stall swamped, or rinsing muddy boots and ground-sheets in the shower block? Maybe not. Use proper facilities, biodegradable soap, and keep shared spaces clean for the next person. If you don’t want to step in it barefoot, don’t leave it behind. And yes, that includes toothpaste blobs, hair in the shower drain, and rogue spaghetti strands.
Camping is about connection—with nature, with others, and with ourselves. A little etiquette ensures the experience stays wild in all the right ways.

Use the correct facility and leave it spotless for the next camper

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We awoke to clear blue skies this morning, but it was still fairly chilly. I dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. We were all up by 7:30 and went to the Kleinplaas restaurant for breakfast. You could choose from a full buffet of cereals, yogurt, fruit, eggs, bacon, etc., or have a plated health breakfast of cereal, yogurt, fruit, or bacon and eggs. Earl and I had bacon and eggs while Cathy and Alec settled for the health.

At around 09:00 we left to make the two and a half hour drive to Karoo National Park. Once again we enjoyed another beautiful mountain pass. Swartberg Pass starts from the quaint village of De Rust. What an amazing feat of human engineerng this pass is. Imagine the Voortrekkers of old having to make their way across these majestic mountains in their ox wagons. What amazingly brave and tough people these men and women were.

Day 2 Journey – Oudtschoorn to Karoo National Park near Beaufort West

The road has dramatic twists and bends and the scenery is magnifcent. The sheer rock faces in hues of grey and red are interspersed with lush green pockets of vegetation that miraculously sprout from the dry, stony earth. Once over the pass the landscape becomes typically semi-desert with scattered trees and scrub and the lovely low flat topped mountains and koppies.

Although the skies were clear and blue there was a nip in the air and the wind was blowing. When we entered the park the gate guard told us that it was summer last week but now winter had returned!

I love the colour of the Karoo and the park displays the tapestry of ochres, rusty reds and deep orange in its rocks and soil. The vegetation is a show of different shades of mauves, pinks, browns, greens and yellows.

After checking in we found two lovely sites next each other and soon set up camp. The fascilities are stunning. Everything is neat and well maintained. There is a camp kitchen and a laundry and the ablution block is spotlessly clean.

We spent the afternoon in camp and enjoyed the birds and animals that don’t mind sharing their habitat with humans.

I strongly disapprove of feeding the wildlife but I am sure there are people wno do otherwise why would a beautiful kudu female feel so comfortable among us? She visited us today and it was extremely tempting to offer her a carrot or some cabbage but I would not allow The Earl to give in to his emotions. You can see from the photographs how tame this creature is. She visits the campsite often but is truly wild and goes to join her kudu friends once she’s greeted everyone in camp.