Here is my Desert Camping Packing List. This is by no means the perfect list and I will keep updating this as I get more kit and refine my packing.
For many the thought of spending a night under canvas in the desert is as close to hell as imaginable, for other like me its a heavenly thought that sparks romantic ideas about living with nature and adventure. Its also superb fun if you get it right and take the right kit and equipment.
The experience of camping can make or break people, some love it others hate it. What really makes each experience fail or succeed is the equipment involved. Take the wrong kit and frankly you are doomed, but craft your selection to allow for as much luxury as possible and you are onto a winner.
Living in the Middle East can throw up its own problems, mainly getting hold of good quality kit and equipment. Doha is famous for having a limited supply of anything, so finding the little shops that hold the nuggets to make your Desert Camping packing easier is half the battle.
There is a section below on tools – Really this is just for show, as is carrying them. I wouldn’t have a Scooby how to use them in a break down.
Remember – Any fool can be uncomfortable, but if you have a 4×4 there is no excuse.
- Water jerry can
- Cool box
- Ice/ Cool packs
- Bin bags
- Kitchen towel
- Loo paper
- Table
- Chairs
- Potje/ Camp oven
- Camp gas stove
- Stove gas
- Metal grill
- BBQ
- BBQ fork
- BBQ tongs
- Welding gloves
- Serving spoon
- Fire wood
- Coal
- Chopping board
- Camp knife
- Plates
- Cutlery
- Mugs
- Glasses (metal)
- Large metal bowl
- Tin foil
Shelter/ clothing
- Tent
- Tarpaulin
- Mattress/ camp bed
- Hammock
- Pillow
- Sleeping bag
- Cot
- Mats
- Gazebo
- Floor mat
Base camp
- Straps
- Caribener
- Para cord
- Tent pegs (rebar)
- Mallet
- Mini axe
- Ace
- Survival knife
- Torches
- Lamps
- Siloom
- Saw
Vehicle recovery
- Shovel (Essential)
- ARB 6m Snatch strap
- D Shackles
- Jump leads
- MaxTrax
- Sand flag
- E-Z Tire deflater (ARB)
- Tyre pressure pump (ARB)
- Jack
- Jack handle
- Tire iron
- Gloves
- Jack plate (wood)
Tools
- Screwdrivers
- Spanners
- Hammer (Rubber and Metal)
- Wire
- Socket set
- Pliers, Grips, Snips
- Fuses
Electronics / comms
- Handheld shortwave radios
First aid / Emergency
- First Aid kit large
- First aid kit small
- High vis jacket
Grab bag (extreme camping!!)
- Not for anyone living in Qatar!