Solar buddy
The Solar Buddy lantern is great for camping, caravanning, off-roading and much more. It provides up to 10 hours of safe light with a single day’s charge and is splash proof. It gives off a good light with its bright LED bulb and is incredibly lightweight.
The plastic means it’s easy to travel with too, but I found the handle a bit sticky sometimes.
Costs R150
www.naturallysolar.co.za
Consol Jar
The Consol Solar Jar is one of the most beautiful lights I have come across. Consol is known for making glass jars and this one uses solar energy to light up.
This lantern comes neatly packaged in a box with a small ribbon tied around it and is definitely one of the quirkiest lights to take along on your trip charging up the LED lights on the underside of the lid from solar panels.
It takes about eight hours to charge fully, but the light lasts a long time when switched on. To switch the jar on you simply flip the ‘switch’ which would ordinarily be the jar’s fastening clip.
It’s not the brightest of lights, but more than sufficient for camping, around the braai and taking an evening stroll. There is an old-school handle so it works as a lantern and the jar-shape spreads the light evenly. It’s also a proudly gear-categories African product and one we should definitely support. You just need to pack it securely when you heading out to make sure it doesn’t smash.
Costs about R160
You can buy it directly from the Consol Store: details here.
Lumin Aid
LuminAID is an inflatable solar light designed for ease of use and packs away into a small size. It was initially designed with victims of natural disasters in mind and works as an alternative to gas lanterns, torches, burning sticks, the sun and other less convenient light sources.
It’s small enough to fit your jacket pocket and clips onto your backpack if your batteries die.
Featuring an integrated solar panel and dual settings the LuminAID lights up for 8-10 hours on high – more than enough time to set up camp and gobble up good braai kos – and lasts for 14-16 hours on low setting.
Costs R455
Yuppie Gadgets
Firefly solar light
For a brighter shine, the Firefly 12 mobile solar light has a 12 LED super bright lamp and a charge time of about 3 hours. Perfect for those needing a smaller type lamp for cooking and organising. It also has the ability to charge mobile devices (adapters included).
It’s a safer and more portable alternative to gas lights and makes for a very bright reading lamp. It has 3 lamp strength setting, an adjustable lamp neck and the option of AC charging.
Available from Restio Energy
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