Just been looking at my records of our camping costs and how many campsites we have been too.

Total number of different campsites since we started camping some 47 years ago - 119  and still counting 

From July 2012 - Jan 2015 we were permanently in the van camping. I did not keep accurate records of the costs, just the camp sites.

From 2015 to 2022 we stayed in Swellendam and just did various shorter monthly or week camps in and around the Cape. Again just the campsites.

In 2025 we camped for 159 nights in the van (44% of the year.) Ave cost p/n R 179.00. Total Km travelled for the van 4639Km Fuel cost for the trips a total  R15752.00

In 2026 by the end of the year Including our upcoming Dec holiday 210 nights (57% of the year). Total ave cost p/n R 226.00. Total km travelled for the van 3277 Km. Fuel cost for the trips so far a total  R15359 .00 (incomplete as we still need to get back to PTA and return trip to Mountain Splendour)

Ave Costs p/n don't include fuel and food etc.

Who has camped at more campsites over the years? I am surprised at the average cost per night obviously due to pensioners discount and long stays. 

Eish Brian but the fuel costs are a very large part of the budget.  I am currently in Angola and a liter of diesel amounts to R7.50 depending where you are.

Dis baie hartseer dat ons so baie moet betaal in SA

Yeah you need to have a fuel budget for every trip. Especially when you do long tours but fortunately every month as you go along you can top up the fuel budget. I use FuelX App to find the cheapest fuel depot where ever we go. The Co-Ops are usually cheaper than the usual garages. 

Is it safe to use fuel from co-ops etc. There have been numerous reports recently about “doctored” diesel

Louvan wrote:

Is it safe to use fuel from co-ops etc. There have been numerous reports recently about “doctored” diesel

Myself and other camping family members have been using Co-op fuel where ever we can 

Hartenbos, Eiland, Graaf Reinet , Swellendam, Plettenberg Bay, Tzaneen -  with no issues at all  they are quite a bit cheaper than the usual garages - Astron, Sasol, Bp, Shell, Total etc I filled up today with diesel R26,20 / litre 50 ppm in Tzaneen👌

Frans, I've also filled up at the Co-ops along the way and never had a problem either. They are quite a bit cheaper as Brian said. I also look for their location before the trip on the route that I am travelling.