Camping abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is camping abroad like?

• Camping abroad means simply spending the night, often with fewer facilities than you are used to. It is a way of traveling for people who want to be close to nature and are okay with a basic setting.
• Camping is possible at different levels. From spending the night in a bivouac bag or hiking tent, to glamping or even a comfortable camper.
• Camping is a way of traveling where you live closer to your environment. Instead of a room with walls and comfort, you are under the stars and dependent on the weather, your belongings and the place where you are. That sometimes makes it challenging, and also special.
• Small things suddenly become important: a dry place, a beautiful view, a quiet night. At the same time, it gives a feeling of freedom — deciding where you sleep and how you organize your day.
• Camping is often also social. At campsites or at hostels it is easy to get into conversations with other travelers, precisely because everyone is in a similar situation. When camping in the wild, the emphasis is more on peace and space: time for self-reflection, silence and getting back to basics.
• What camping brings you:
  • the realization that you can live with few things.
  • deal more consciously with your environment.
  • make contact with other travelers easier.
  • experience that comfort sometimes makes way for experience.
• Camping is therefore a combination of freedom, simplicity and adaptability.

What are the reasons for camping abroad?

• To learn to deal better with your environment and natural conditions: you immediately experience how weather, terrain and location influence your daily life.
• To become more flexible in unexpected situations: you adapt to changing plans, circumstances and comfort levels.
• To increase your self-reliance and independence: you arrange your own place to sleep, belongings and basic needs.
• To make more conscious choices about what you need and how you travel: you learn to minimize and prioritize.
• To be more actively involved in your environment and experience: you experience a place more intensively than from a standard accommodation.

What skills and motivations do you need for camping abroad?

• Flexibility :adapt to the weather, the environment and unexpected situations.
• Planning: think ahead about places, routes and your equipment.
• Environmental awareness: understand where you can and cannot camp and what is safe.
• Stress-resistance: deal with discomfort, fatigue or unexpected situations.
• Self-confidence: dare to trust yourself, even in unfamiliar environments.

What are the best countries and locations for camping abroad?

• Well organized campsites and infrastructure: Netherlands, Germany, France, Australia, Canada: many campsites, good facilities and relatively safe and accessible.
• Nature and wild camping (where permitted): Norway, Sweden, Finland, Scotland, Oman: lots of space, nature and in some areas possibilities for wild camping.
• Adventure camping and budget options: South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Bolivia, Peru: camping is often possible at nature reserves, lodges or hostels and often cheaper than other accommodations.
• Emerging and alternative camping (via hostels): Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines: few official campsites, but more and more hostels offer space to pitch a tent.

What are the risks of camping abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

What are the risks of camping abroad, and what happens with some regularity:

• that you will have to deal with extreme weather conditions such as rain, heat or cold, without the protection and comfort of permanent accommodation.
• that your safety is less self-evident, especially when camping in the wild or in remote places, where help is not always close by.
• that you are dependent on your own equipment, and that broken or insufficient equipment has a direct impact on your stay.
• that you will have to deal with insects, animals or poor hygiene, which can lead to discomfort or health problems.
• that you become ill due to conditions such as poor hygiene, fatigue or exposure to the elements.
• that you feel isolated or mentally challenged, especially if you are traveling alone or have limited comfort.
• that you are breaking rules about camping without knowing it, which can lead to fines or problems.

Are you insured while camping abroad?

• During activities and trips abroad, the coverage of your own health insurance in your home country may be insufficient, or even lapse. See the pages on insuring activities abroad.