Camping gear that’s stood the test of time

Geert Jurgens made his first caravan in Holland in 1938 and launched the company on South African shores in the 1950s. Caravans have since come a long way, with the newest design, the four-sleeper Penta, including a 270-litre fridge, microwave, gas stove and hot-water geyser.

R227 000, www.jurgensci.co.za

Whoever thought wearing a light on their head would catch on was unequivocally right. Petzl headlamps were created by French cave explorer Fernand Petzl and the company continues to produce this clever headgear. Some 25 years ago, the lamps had a range of only 10 metres, but the latest Petzl TIKKA RXP has a 110-metre range and can be charged via USB.

R1 350, www.eigerequipment.com

The rooftop tents and retractable awnings made by Eezi-Awn took South Africa’s off-road community by storm more than 30 years ago. Locally made, they’re now exported across the world. The Xclusiv rooftop tent comes with a handy drop-down side room for changing or storage.

R16 758, www.eezi-awn.co.za

After 21 years, Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa (Struik Nature) is still one of the greatest field guides a South African traveller can own. The 2010 commemorative edition was revised, updated and expanded to reflect new research and covers all the birds recorded from the Antarctic to the Zambezi River. The Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa app (about R200 for Apple devices) plays calls, features 975 different species and allows you to track sightings online.

From R239, available at most book stores. www.randomstruik.co.za

Over the years Busby has created a vast portfolio of quality leather goods that features luggage, purses, wallets and handbags. This classic cocoa- coloured, Italian leather duffel bag comes with a three-year warranty and the traveller’s favourite invention for transporting heavy luggage – the retractable trolley system with inline skate wheels.

R4249, www.busbyhouse.com

Initially made for police officers, the Maglite torch was designed by Tony Maglica in New York in 1979. The product came to South Africa six years later, where travellers welcomed the rugged, reliable aluminium flashlight guaranteed to last a lifetime. The Maglite 3D cell LED flashlight boasts a whopping 364 lumens with weatherproof and shockproof housing- the perfect addition to your camping gear.

R600, www.liteoptec.co.za

Some electronic devices feature rechargeable ports, but this Maglite torch and many other travel gadgets still require batteries – South African-manufactured Eveready batteries have been around since 1937.

www.eveready.co.za