Out of sight
The best way to wild camp is to find a river on your map/ navigation device in a wooded or
secluded area and head for it. Having running water makes all the difference to a camp spot as
you can use it to cook, clean and wash. Try and tuck yourself out of the way, out of sight and
away from the main road so you don’t attract any unwanted attention. If you need to camp
closer to civilisation, then locals are usually fine with wild campers so long as they don’t
leave a trace, set-up their site once the coast is clear and are gone early morning.
In sight
But wild camping doesn’t always mean traversing forests until you find an isolated spot. I’ve
wild camped in people’s back gardens (ask permission first, obviously), in a greenhouse, next
to restaurants, next to a football pitch during a game, in between trucks, car parks and even
parks in city centres. I’ve had some incredible nights and made great friends just by knocking
on a door and asking if I could sleep on a patch of grass. This can be a great option if you feel
you need a bit of added security in the area you’re staying.
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Wild camp whenever possible
Opt for guest houses over hotels
Don’t be afraid to knock on doors and ask if you can sleep nearby – you’ll be surprised how
kind people can be
Check phone apps like Maps.Me and iOverlander before booking hotels
Try alternatives like Couchsurfing
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Consider how expensive the countries you’re visiting are
What paperwork do you need to enter each country?
Know what to expect at each border beforehand
Don’t get caught out with bribes
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Be prepared with your own emergency food
Plan days for dining out
Cook for yourself whenever possible and carry the ingredients to make your own
meals
Try not to buy bottled water. Instead, fill up your bottles whenever possible.
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Buy a shower bag if you’re in a region with no rivers instead of going to hotels to
freshen up.
Look for a local laundrette over your hotel’s in-house service.
Wash your own clothes.
Learn basic mechanics before leaving.
Work as You Travel
We have met plenty of people who are lucky enough to supplement their travels by working
as they go. Most of the time these people are able to work online and remotely. This could be
anything from webpage building to graphic design to Skype based English teaching. If you’re
in this category then fantastic! Look into transferring your skill into freelance work and do it
while you travel.
That’s not the only way though, we have met people who left without the intention of
working. They started putting a few YouTube videos up for their friends and family and got
really into it. After a while the visitors and subscribers racked up and now they’re able to fund
their trip from their YouTube channel!
If online work isn’t for you, then you can always learn a new skill or apply one you already
have. Having a specific skill set while travelling sets you apart and can help you help others.
This skill can be anything from building to teaching English. The teaching route is an easy
one to go down; sign onto a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) crash course
and earn some money as you travel by doing private tuition or stopping off in countries and
teaching at schools for a few months.
Don’t fancy that? There’s always bar work, catering, deck hands, working in a hostel or just
applying for whatever work is in your area. Make sure you have a valid working visa before
applying though.
Finally, there are options like workaway.info. This is another excellent service, but this one
is an exchange. You’ll need to work a few hours per day in exchange for food and
accommodation. It can be a great way to explore new places without spending a penny.
Workaway is worldwide and every place has different working hours and conditions. Take a
look, pick one you fancy and give it a go!