Top 10 padkos must-haves

1. Biltong and droëwors – this is a must have

2. Koffie en Biskuit – If you are an early starter, you will definitely need to pack your flask of coffee and some homemade rusks.

3. Zoo Biscuits – Iced Zoo Biscuits by Bakers are great for kids and adults. Sweet, crisp biscuits with brightly coloured icing and white icing animals on top.

4. Lemonade – Bottled lemonade is cool and refreshing, great for sipping on while staring out the window hoping to be the first to spot an impressive sighting.

5. Dried Fruit/Fruit Kebabs – Packing a brown paper bag filled with a safari mix of dried apricots, peaches, pears and apple is sure to hit the spot or for something a little more fresh, try making some of your own fruit kebabs by placing some cubes of apple, strawberry, pineapple, mango or near ripe paw paw on a skewer stick. Remember to drizzle some lemon juice over them to keep fresh and place inside your fridge.

6. Assortment of nuts – Cashews, Macadamias and Almonds

7. Fry up / Burgers / Boerie Rolls – For lunch, make a stop at one of the many day visitor camps to stretch your legs and show off your culinary skills in the bush. You can hire a Skottel Braai for a very reasonable price of around R35 (you do not need to worry about washing it afterwards). Take out your tools and fry up a brunch of eggs, bacon, tomato, pork sausage, mushroom and toast. Or bring along some beef burger patties and buns with lettuce, sliced cheddar cheese, tomato, onion and Pinky Sauce (tomato sauce and mayonnaise). Or just cook up a traditional boerewors roll with tomato sauce and mustard.

8. Fudge – Some sweet, soft fudge with a hint of condensed milk is sure to cure that sweet tooth in the mid afternoon.

9. Quiche/Sandwiches – A cold slice of quiche is a delicious snack, bacon and cheese, feta and peppadew… pick one up from Woolies or make your own! Another snack alternative is a ham sandwich made with seed loaf bread, a bit of mayo and some green leaves.

10. Ice Cream – Treat yourself to an ice-cream, it is summer afterall!

Don’t forget to pack in lots of bottled water!