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Survivor’s Nico Panagio Shares His Camping Secrets

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Nico Pan

In our Festive Season issue, we chat with Survivor SA presenter, Nico Panagio about a variety of topics, but one that really stands out is his and his family’s love for South Africa and the outdoors.   

The Panagios are all about living in the moment and keeping things balanced – from food and alcohol intake, to work and adventure. With them being based in False Bay in the Western Cape, it’s only natural that they would take advantage of their natural surroundings. Hence their love for outdoorsy adventures and camping.    

Being the face of Survivor SA comes with a bit of a responsibility, as many South Africans might turn to him for advice on where to go camping. Well, we’re here to share it with you first! Here are Nico Panagio’s top three camping spots, in no particular order:   

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Kleine Eike - Greyton

At this child- and dog friendly camping destination – a fruit and guest farm 9km outside of the beautiful Greyton – you can put up your tent up on the riverbank and just be. Here, the early bird catches the view and stories get told beside the fire ‘til late at night. They also offer ample hiking trails for those keen to explore.

www.kleineeike.com

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve - Langeberg

This reserve encompasses 250 hectares of indigenous forest in the Langeberg region and was originally known as Melkhoutskraal. While they offer the choice of eco venues and cabins too, Nico Panagio recommends the campsites. There are sites for pop-up tents, caravans and camper vans and for those not too keen on camping, there are also five glamping tents available. Bookings can be made via Cape Nature’s website.

www.capenature.co.za

Kogelberg Nature Reserve

While staying in these recently launched eco cabins cannot really be considered camping, Nico Panagio swears by them as one of the best experiences for nature lovers. The self-catering cabins offer visitors the opportunity to truly relax and reconnect with the great outdoors and one another.

www.capenature.co.za
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Nico’s must-pack camping checklist

According to Survivor SA presenter, Nico Panagio you’re all sorted for camping if you’ve packed the following:    

  • A machete or an axe. Nico says he always has a bush knife at hand.   
  • A blow torch lighter, which makes it very easy to start a fire.  
  • A good pair of sheep skin boots. Nico recommends In Step’s boots, which are locally made in Jeffreys Bay. According to him, you can walk around in shorts and a T-shirt, as long as you have good quality, warm boots. 
  • A comfy beanie.  
  • A tent (although Nico says if you have a machete, you can build a tent). The Panagios have a proper Frontrunner rooftop tent, which Nico claims is very easy to put up and take down. “The mattress is inside; you only need to take a blanket. It’s the greatest way to camp.”   

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Don’t go camping when it’s raining. “There’s nothing as bad as camping in the rain,” says Nico, who seems to be speaking from experience. You can camp when it’s warm, or even when it’s cold but when it rains, it’s not so much fun. Nico recommends downloading and checking a good, reliable weather app, like Ventusky before you start packing.  

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