Since I love camping and have been out there at different places for many times, it becomes normal for me to prepare for it. Some people asked me what should they pack and bring?
Here, I have made some recommendations for those who want to go camping for the first time, taking Cambodia as a case (tropical weather, with humidity and rainfall)
There are 4 basic things to mind when packing: food, drink, clothes & camping gears.
There are 4 preparations to keep in mind while go camping!
Know your camping destinations
Do homework for the destination. Many of camping destinations probably involves so much exercise which you will trek, hike, crawl, swim, and many other things so you will know what to bring.
- First, you have to collect all information about camping destinations. Which ones do you want to go? What is the nature of the destination: beach camping site? Mountain camping site?
- Invite or talk to your friends to go camping together. It is not a good idea to go alone as you might share your tent with stranger or someone you don’t really like!
- Check out safety and security of the sites!
- Check the weather condition and season before go, some areas are prone to danger such as camping at the lower mountain in rainy season and suddenly water flows from somewhere you don’t know!
- Best time to camp in Cambodia is between November - May. November - January (cold weather, easy and comfortable while water is still there and the view is still very green), Feb - May, it is getting hotter, water starts to dry out and the view getting golden rather than greenish. Jul-Oct is too wet to go out!
Know camping gears that will be required
- If you have own camping gears (tent, pillow, matt, torch, potable charger, mosquito repellent, small shovel for your own waste if the place cannot provide toilet service), go with it. If not, looking for company who have those for rentals or buy them if you are going to do them more often.
- In many cases in Cambodia, camping organizers are plenty so just buy the tour and join with others at the set destinations. They would provide the required gears (you will only bring your personal belongings)
Know personal belongings or what to bring for camping
- Clothes comfortable for different weather, for trekking or hiking and other things: socks/hat/bandana. The expert said not to wear underwear (when trekking/hiking as it will cause skin problem). Dry clothes for brand such the Kathmandu or Decathlon are very good (thin, lighter and sweat breathing type of clothes).
- Shoes should be fitting, not too loose or too tight that is comfortable to walk for a long time. Less is more, both clothes and other things, the lighter the better! If the camping are on top of mountain with so much hiking and walking, carrying walking stick would be a great idea! The backpack should be light+waterproof as well!
- Bottle of water for trekking/hiking, instant coffee if you are coffee lover, more water
- Food that you will use during camping: dried food that is easy and simple to make (dried beef, chicken and fish)
- If it involves a camera or phone and go on water, beware to have dry bag to keep your belongings out of danger.
Logistics arrangement
- If you are confident that you can go yourself, you arrange a transport and contact the place (if there is a management company at the campsite). Some places are accessible by motorbike and most cases, camping sites have no management companies. All you have to deal yourself.
- If you are not confident to go yourself, looking for the camping service providers that will bring your group to the campsite and arrange everything for you.
- My case is different because I am the organizer of the camping so the way I prepare it is different. I contact transport company and book into the site for food and other arrangement. At many places and destinations, food and drink service is available - make use of those services which are mostly performed by local villagers that are living in those areas. I always use this service in the mean of supporting local businesses and communities.
from Chittagong city, Bangladesh 
not forgetting the food, looks super yum… i love BBQ too 
