Equipment Outfitters

Bush Etiquette

Many people go camping to get away from it all, and expect to find the peace and tranquillity they are paying for. If you are visiting a nature or game reserve you can safely assume that everyone who goes there does so to experience the natural environment. You may come across ardent birdwatchers, reptile or plant enthusiasts, amateur astronomers and wannabe entomologists. In-between are people who simply love to wallow in the delightful chaos provided by Our Creator.

In the bush environment, game- viewing is a favourite pastime, so if you see a car full of camera-laden people ‘oohing’ and ‘aching’ over a lion kill, a rare bird or some other once-in-a-lifetime-experience, approach with extreme caution and make every effort not to disturb the proceedings. Someone may have waited years or travelled thousands of kilometres to witness this event, and if you race up noisily in your car you may destroy the moment for everyone, including yourself.

You may well bump into many knowledgeable people at a game park, and by demonstrating a genuine interest you might find out lots of interesting information that does not appear on the brochures: the whereabouts of a particular animal’s territory; where a herd was last seen; the best time of day to visit a certain viewpoint. Enthusiasts are always willing to share their knowledge with like-minded people.

Music

At night, the sounds of the bush take on a special significance for many visitors. While music is usually tolerated in small doses, the sound of your favourite rap artist is unlikely to be considered an improvement on five million cicadas, or the mournful sound of a lion roaring in the distance. If you cannot live without music, pack your headphones or play it so that you don’t disturb anyone else. Some reserves have banned radios altogether (be sure to check the brochures), and there is no benefit to be had from falling foul of a disturbed naturalist.

Some of the more commercial resorts provide nightly discos, which will be frequented by everyone who likes music and the socialising that goes with it. Christmas and New Year’s Eve would not be the same without these events, and if they are well run can be enormous fun

For the whole family. Because they happen ‘on site’, as it were, you do not have to worry about speeding fines or road blocks as you make your way home.

Simple Good Manners

If you have a caravan or motor- home, make sure the outlet does not funnel your dirty water into your neighbours’ site, and don’t be shy to point out if theirs does the same to you.

Try not to confront people aggressively, though, as they may be genuinely unaware of what’s happening, but there is no sense in suffering in silence when the solution is only syllables away.

If you have children, make sure they know and obey the rules of the resort at all times. Generally speaking, children mix more easily than adults do, and problems tend to be few and far between. Errant behaviour, if and when it occurs, should not be allowed to escalate to the point where it becomes a problem that has to be controlled by others.

Even under perfectly ordinary situations, strangers may feel awkward if they suddenly find a strange

Child in their midst. If your child goes visiting, check with the hosts that the invitation carries parental consent, and be prepared to reciprocate when you can. Never allow your children to go off with people you have not met or whose activities you disapprove of, and use common sense in allowing juvenile partnerships to form.

Without being deliberately unhelpful, be careful about lending things to others. If you borrow something, be sure to return it as soon as you have finished with it. A helpful neighbour will always appreciate being invited over for coffee and a friendly chat after dinner. When approaching a strange campsite, perhaps to ask for help, make your presence known by a clearly audible greeting, and do not enter their living area unless invited.

Your holidays will be more rewarding — in a surprising number of ways — if you’re sensitive to your environment, and your example will help to educate others. Be generous in offering help and gracious in accepting it. Individual contributions may seem insignificant but the collective rewards are immeasurable.

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