East Africa - to camp or not to camp?

[ScottC]

Hi all, Im touring through Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya in May/June this year. Apart from booking some accomodation for big ticket items like the Gorilla's, safari etc, I plan to pretty much ride and find somewhere to stay as I go.

The big question Im faced is whether or not to take camping gear? Im on a pretty tight budget, and want to save as much as possible. I'm wondering if anyone has camped in the abovementioned countries and has any advice re: camping in them.

I'll be riding a KLR650 and would need to buy most of the gear before I go, i.e; tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, camp stove etc. I don't want to invest in all of that gear if camp sites are too few and far between.

Thanks,

Scott.

[Petrus]

We did the east route last year. We camped almost every night. You can camp at almost every lodge and backpacker apart from the normal campsites. So yes, take camping gear with you!


www.amsterdamtoanywhere.nl

[ScottC]

Hi Petrus, that's great thank you! Do you recall how much you paid on average to pitch your tent?

Thanks,

Scott.

[tmotten]

Did you do any "rough" camping? If so, what were your experiences?

[Petrus]

I think it was something like 10/15 us$ on average. We did some bushcamping but only in remote areas like Sudan desert and along Turkana route. Campsites in southern and East Afrika are quite good compared to the ones in South America where we are traveling at the moment.


www.amsterdamtoanywhere.nl

[tadhg123]

Community campsites in Kenya and Uganda can be pleasant surprises and are well worth checking out at least. They tend to be cheaper but can be quite good for getting proper local food. Packing a cheap tent gives you the option to try these places even if you don't cook.

Missions in Uganda and Rwanda are also good, clean, secure options.

Bushcamping is harder to do in the countries you've listed than a lot of the rest of the East Africa route but not impossible. Rwanda is densely populated but Kenya and Tanzania less so. That being said the security, simplicity and comfory of paying a few shillings for a campsite with showers will soon appeal if you go off tarmac!

[ScottC]

Thanks everyone, that's great information. Now I've just got to figure out how to pack a KLR650 with all of my bags AND camping gear.

[romnek72]

If you are on the budget bush camp is your best friend.
2012-2013 I rode around on R1100gs 23african country's and bush camp 95%
Back of Police stations,catholic missions,fields,farms,beaches,abandoned houses
Warehouses,it's very simple,late evening (most of the farmers are home)shortly before sun set,look for dirt road,bicycle path,ride away for couple km,from main road,look for flat place for your tent,if you can't find place,ask people (use your body language)
If you can sleep on their property,most of them will say yes.
Make sure is free "no money" otherwise you will have surprise
Dangers animals in Africa? Most of them are killed and eaten rest of them are in national parks,


Small hammock with Mosquito net is very handy if you can't find flat place to squat.

New Year's Eve 2012 in the middle of Cairo,amazing person took me into his home and slept with his door open next to my tent.



Some times in the morning you may have local visitors,every one super friendly,locals have deep respect for overlandes.

[ScottC]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing your experience. Im now 100% set to camp. Im travelling through Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya.

[Desert Driver]

I agree with romnek72, I have been travelling through Africa for 3 months each year and bush camp most nights, like he said look for somewhere just before sunset and I am sure you will find it easier than expected as long as you are packed early the next morning.
Good luck and enjoy the trip, I am doing a similar trip later in the year