Blog: Camp Cooking Seals the Deal

Let’s face it legends, when waking up early mornings or when heading back to camp for lunch but especially when heading back after the Golden Hour turns to dusk, there is always much anticipation and excitement for the culinary processes and rituals that lie ahead. Invariably, for us Southern Africans, it revolves around the campfire and our proverbial evening braais.

Throw in the eerie sounds of Africa’s Nocturnals and the immense beauty of Africa’s skies, everything comes together and the “browning of the few chops on the fire” seals the deal for us.

With the assistance of AI (well ChatGPT in fact), and some editing to reflect some “boerie & tjops from the local slaghuis” themes for us Southern Africans, herewith why camp cooking plays such a major part in overlanding and camping.

“There’s something about cooking in the wild that makes even the simplest meal taste unforgettable. It’s not just about the food—it’s about the entire experience that surrounds it.

When you’re out camping, stripped of the conveniences of a modern kitchen, cooking becomes an act of resourcefulness. A pot, a braai grid, a few utensils, and a fire are all you need. That simplicity transforms the process. Every task—from gathering wood and lighting a fire to chopping vegetables and spicing the meat on a makeshift board—feels purposeful, grounding you in the moment.

The fire itself becomes both tool and companion. The crackle of burning wood, the smell of smoke drifting into the air, the dance of flames in the dark—these are as much a part of the recipe as the ingredients. Food takes on a unique flavour in the wild; bread crisped on coals, coffee brewed over an open flame, or meat grilled on hot embers tastes richer, earthier, and somehow more alive.

But perhaps what makes camping cooking so special is the connection it creates—with nature, and with each other. Around a fire, meals become communal rituals. Stories are told, laughter rings out, and silence feels just as comfortable. The wilderness slows life down, and suddenly, sharing a simple stew with friends under a blanket of stars feels like a feast.

Then there’s the satisfaction. After a long day of overlanding, setting up camp, or simply soaking in the Africa’s landscapes and critters, hunger sharpens the senses. A meal doesn’t just fill you—it rewards you. Each bite carries the memory of effort, adventure, and the beauty of where you are.

Cooking in the wild is more than preparing food—it’s about savouring life in its purest form. It’s about fire, nature, and fellowship. It’s about reminding ourselves that sometimes, the simplest meals are the ones that stay with us the longest”

So, to experience the best the bush has to offer, make your meals a ritual and for this, ensure you have the basic cooking utensils with you and plan your meals and recipes carefully. The logistics and planning involved for all your meals throughout the days and for the duration of your adventure are just as important as your route and campsite planning, your vehicle setup and your fuel planning.

Don’t be that “Tjop” that Overlands and Camps with only canned beans and mielies, tinned bully beef and hard dry Ouma’s rusks – add some style and panache, like some skilpaadjies and ribbetjies, potjies and braaibroodjies!

Harry Nicolaides

Wild Camper Wannabe