Preparation Checklist for Hiking in South Africa

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The comfortable backpack and a good water bottle are absolutely essential and comfortable strong shoes are also very important. The weight of your backpack (packed) may not exceed one third of your body weight.

Hikers must be fairly fit and should definitely get exercise before any hiking trail. Don't carry too many things with. Everything, even the smallest item, must be as light as possible. Your backpack should always be packed to keep the load as close to your centre of gravity as possible. This lessens the "backward pull" you get when the bag is incorrectly packed. Pack as illustrated in the diagram above.

Bible (one group member can pack a small Bible)
Permit and a map of the route
Pencil and paper
Whistle
Plastic bags to use when raining
Sun glasses (Optional)
Camera, binoculars, mobile phone (Optional)
National tree or bird list (Optional)

Other important items:

Matches (try to get waterproof matches)
Small torch with new batteries
Pocket knife and tin opener
Plate, mug and spoon
Water bottle
Candles
Soap
Crockery
Tongs
Container to shake powder milk in
Cloth, dish washing detergent
Gas-stove and gas-lamp (see that you have enough extra gas)

Food (make your own selection):

A hiking trip's menu should always come to terms with personal taste and preference, although you should look at the following: Taste, nutritious value, is it filling, lightweight, prepared easily and is the cost reasonable? One way of planning meals on a trail is to join with one or two more people and plan a joint menu. Everyone doing their own thing, or one person doing everything, (unless he/she is a qualified chef) can result in chaos - Gerald Crawford
Rusks
Instant soup and sauces
Any breakfast cereal or muesli
Salami
Dried fruit
Biltong (dried meat) and "droë wors"
Nuts for e.g. peanuts and raisins
Sweets (Super C's or Vita C's)
Chocolates
Powder cool-drink (Game or Clifton)
Fresh fruit (Oranges and Apples)
Cheese wedge's and Yoghurt
Pro-vitas
Eggs or powder eggs
Tin meat (Bully beef or Vienna's)
Dried mince (Dried in a microwave)
Instant potato for e.g. Mash potato
Tin tuna, sardines, Vienna's and meat
Vegetables (Carrots and Onions)
Dried vegetables (Pick 'n Pay)
"Meal in one" or similar meals
Fresh bread rolls
Jam, Syrup and butter
Meat can be used on the first night
Smoked and vacuum-packed meat
"Rooster koek" mix
Instant milk pudding
Woolworths ginger cake

Emergencies:

Vaseline lip-ice
Sun tanning lotion
Bandage and plasters
Mercurochrome
Headache tablets
Voltaren (Ointment that loosens your muscles)
Mosquito lotion (Tabard)
Antiallergic medicine
Malaria tablets (for trails in Malaria regions)
Plaster, bandage and an ankle/knee guard

Clothes:

Cap or sunscreen
Two sets of light clothes
One sweater and/or a warm jacket
A tracksuit for sleeping
Walking shoes with thick woollen socks
One short pair silk stocking
Slip-on's or light shoes for use after the days walk
Swimming suit and towel
Rain coat (Big plastic refuse bags can also be used)
Sleeping bag and small pillow
Washing-line and clothes-pegs
Needle, string, scissors and extra lace

Requisites:

Soap, wash cloth, toothbrush, -paste and Shampoo
Lip-ice and eye drops
Light towel and washcloth
Comb or brush
Mirror
Toilet paper (sometimes it is not provided)

Other:

Remember everyone doesn't have to carry everything with, groups can divide items among each other.

Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: www.12234455.co.za

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