Here are some tips and suggestions when planning a trip:
Note,!) we did not make any pre bookings anywhere as this can become a problem.
2) we were all self sufficient in terms of camping 'in the bush'
Firstly and most important!:
- Choose / have 1
'one' team leader, to make decisions during the trip, and ensure all agree with this.(this will avoid problems later on the trip)
- Decide and
confirm who is all going on the trip, get a commitment. (how many children / adults / vehicles.)
- All agree on the
basic route, you will follow.
- Obtain everyone's input regarding the route and find out about 'nice places to see'.
(as what you like may not interest others)
- Food, what we do is,
ensure all are present when planning your menu / meals:
We usally have a
quick coffee and a rusk, before departing.
Stop for brunch, eggs (take with), bacon ex. Not every day it takes quite some
time setting up and finding a nice spot, washing up etc.(every 3rd day or so)
We would have 'quick' breakkies most of the time and the kids prefer this anyway(Pro-nutro, corn flakes).
Meat: pack the fridges according to your use ie
from bottom up. Spread the meat in
various fridges incase something fails. This will avoid spoilt meat.
Tin food / pap en sous / box salad's work, just ensure it's bubble wrapped.
Bread, make sure you have someone who can
bake nice bread, it's not always freely available.
- Allow
extra time for border crossings as they can test your patience, try and go through as a group.
- Have
camp site duties, assign various members, to make fire, coffee, cook, dig toilet 'gat', washing up dishes, put up shower, etc.
- Who transports what,
spread the load umongst the vehicles. Make sure you all know who has what.
- Have a kitty or
slush fund the leader or accountant controll's, for vegies, fruit you buy along the road.
- Ensure you have
2 way radio's that work and tested weeks before you depart. 29meg not so good, we used vhf, Front vehicle warns convoiy of pot-holes, road block's,
pee breaks (all) and general info.
- Make sure vehicles are all in
good workig order. Each one to carry own spares like(fan belts, filters, brake pads, spark plugs, etc.) Take 2 sets of tools, as my idea of tools is not the same as my mate's)
- Trailers, they break! Even the best, spare set of
springs and bearings
- Recovery equipment:
Each vehicle to carry snatch strap and tow rope, pref 2 winches and high lift jack's per group and d-chackles (plenty)
- Take enough diesel / petrol per vehicle, make sure if possible vehicles are
'full' before departing in the morning. Otherwise someone always has to stop to fill up at every petrol pump.
- Water: We carted way to much water, water is
freely available, in most towns, boreholes are plenty.
- Work together, be happy and if there is a
Landy in your group,
CANCEL your trip!
