Generator etiquette at South African campsites — what is allowed and what causes conflict
Back from 4 nights in the bush — here is the full report from Rustenburg.
The spot: First-come-first-served on weekends so we arrived Thursday to secure a site.
Facilities: Basic pit toilets and cold shower only — bring a solar shower bag for comfort.
Wildlife: Elephant at the waterhole every morning at 06:30 without fail.
What worked: The Dometic fridge ran the full trip on 151Ah LiFePO4 topped up by 249W solar. Didn't need the generator once.
What to bring: Your own firewood (collecting prohibited in most reserves), minimum 20L water per person for 3 days, and a headlamp — the bush is seriously dark.
Would I go back: Immediately. This is exactly why we overland.
5 Replies
The LiFePO4 and solar setup you describe is similar to mine. 147Ah battery with 219W solar keeps a Dometic CFX3 45 fridge running indefinitely in South African sun. Have not used a generator on any trip in the last 29 months.
The campsite you mentioned matches what we found when we went. The facilities have improved since the last reports I read.
The facilities situation matches what we found when we went. The game viewing in the early morning before other visitors are out is exceptional.
On the signal front — this is why I bought the Garmin inReach Mini. Even where there is zero cell signal, I can communicate with my family and call for help if needed. It is a non-negotiable item for any remote camping trip for me now.
The LiFePO4 and solar setup you describe is similar to mine. 116Ah battery with 148W solar keeps a Dometic CFX3 45 fridge running indefinitely in South African sun. Have not used a generator on any trip in the last 20 months.