Best Portable Braai for Camping in South Africa: What to Look For

Camping in South Africa and braaiing naturally go together. Whether you are heading to the bush, setting up beside a dam, spending a weekend at a caravan park or travelling along the coast, having your own portable braai makes outdoor cooking considerably easier.

But the best portable braai for camping is not necessarily the biggest or most expensive model. You need something that suits the way you travel, the number of people you normally cook for and how much space you have available in your vehicle.

Safari Cart is increasingly focused on braais, Weber grills and outdoor cooking equipment, including portable options designed for camping and travel.

Here is what to consider before choosing your camping braai.

What Makes a Good Camping Braai?

A camping braai needs to do something a permanent backyard braai does not: travel well.

Before buying one, consider five practical factors.

Portability: It should be manageable to transport and pack into your vehicle with the rest of your camping equipment.

Cooking space: A very small braai may be convenient to carry but frustrating when cooking for a family or group.

Fuel: Charcoal gives you the traditional braai experience, while gas can provide faster setup and more direct temperature control. Safari Cart’s comparison of charcoal, gas and electric grills highlights these differences in cooking style and convenience.

Durability: Camping equipment gets transported, packed, unpacked and exposed to outdoor conditions. Construction quality matters.

Cleaning: A portable braai should also be practical to clean and pack away once it has cooled.

Charcoal or Gas: Which Is Better for Camping?

There is no single answer because the two options suit different types of campers.

Charcoal Portable Braais

For campers who want a traditional South African braai experience, charcoal is an obvious choice.

You get the fire, smoke and flavour associated with braaiing, and you do not need a gas connection.

The trade-off is time. You need to light the charcoal, wait for the coals to become ready and safely dispose of the ash afterwards.

Charcoal is a good choice for:

• traditional braai enthusiasts
• relaxed campsite cooking
• weekend camping trips
• people who prioritise flavour over speed

Portable Gas Braais

Gas is useful when convenience is the priority.

There is less preparation before cooking, temperature is generally easier to control, and there is no charcoal ash to dispose of afterwards. Safari Cart’s existing grill guide identifies speed and temperature control as key advantages of gas grilling.

A portable gas braai can therefore make sense for road trips, frequent campers and travellers who want to prepare food quickly.

Always check the fire and braai regulations at your specific campsite or destination before using either option.

Weber Smokey Joe: A Compact Charcoal Option for Camping

One portable option currently available from Safari Cart is the Weber Smokey Joe® Charcoal Barbecue.

Its compact design makes it particularly relevant for camping, road trips and other situations where packing space matters.

Safari Cart lists it as suitable for camping and road trips, beach braais, small outdoor spaces and quick weekend braais. It uses a porcelain-enamelled bowl and lid, a rust-resistant cooking grate and adjustable airflow for temperature management.

Why It Works for Camping

The attraction of the Smokey Joe is simplicity.

You are getting a compact charcoal braai rather than trying to transport a full-size kettle braai.

That makes it useful for:

Couples and smaller groups who do not need a large cooking surface.

Road trips where luggage space is limited.

Caravan and camping holidays where equipment needs to be packed and unpacked regularly.

Day trips and picnics where carrying a large braai would be impractical.

And because it is charcoal based, you still get the traditional cooking experience many South Africans want from a camping braai.

What Size Portable Braai Do You Need?

This is one of the most important buying decisions.

For one or two people, a compact portable braai may be all you need.

For a family, think carefully about whether the cooking area will comfortably accommodate your normal meal. Cooking boerewors for two people is very different from preparing steak, chicken, mielies and braaibroodjies for six.

For larger camping groups, a bigger kettle-style or portable grill may be more practical even if it takes up additional vehicle space.

The best choice is therefore a balance between:

Cooking capacity ↔ Packing space

Do not buy purely on portability and discover at the campsite that you need to cook everyone’s food in four separate batches.

What About a Weber Go-Anywhere?

This is another product type worth considering as Safari Cart’s Weber range expands.

The low-profile, rectangular format of a Go-Anywhere-style grill makes this category particularly interesting for travellers because packing shape can matter just as much as overall size.

For campers packing vehicles, trailers or caravans, a compact rectangular braai may sometimes fit into the available storage space more conveniently than a round kettle.

As Safari Cart continues adding its expanded Weber range, these portable models should form an important part of the site’s dedicated portable braai collection.

Camping Braai Accessories Worth Packing

The braai itself is only part of your camping cooking setup.

A practical kit can include:

• braai tongs
• heat-resistant gloves
• appropriate fire-lighting equipment
• grill-cleaning brush
• compact cutting board
• braai utensils
• cooler box
• cleaning equipment
• charcoal or the correct gas supply for your braai
• a suitable container for safely transporting dirty equipment home

Safari Cart’s current range extends beyond the grills themselves into Weber tools, cleaning products, covers and outdoor cooking accessories.

The objective is not to pack every braai accessory you own. For camping, choose equipment that earns its space in the vehicle.

Portable Braai for Camping vs a Full-Size Braai

A portable braai is the better option when:

You travel regularly.
A dedicated camping braai means you are not constantly moving your main home braai.

Vehicle space matters.
Compact equipment leaves more room for tents, chairs, coolers and other camping gear.

You normally cook for smaller groups.
There is little reason to transport a large braai if you are usually cooking for two or four people.

You want flexibility.
A portable braai can also be useful for day trips, picnics and other outdoor occasions.

A full-size braai becomes more attractive when cooking capacity is more important than portability.

So, What Is the Best Portable Braai for Camping?

There is no single portable braai that is best for every camper.

For someone wanting a compact traditional charcoal braai, the Weber Smokey Joe is a strong option to consider. Safari Cart specifically positions the model for camping, road trips and other portable uses.

For campers who prioritise speed and temperature control, a portable gas grill may be more appropriate.

For families and larger groups, cooking capacity may matter more than choosing the smallest possible braai.

The right decision comes down to four questions:

How many people are you cooking for?
How much vehicle space do you have?
Do you prefer charcoal or gas?
How often will you travel with the braai?

Answer those first and choosing the right camping braai becomes much easier.

Take the Braai With You

Camping does not mean compromising on one of South Africa’s favourite ways of cooking.

A well-chosen portable braai gives you the freedom to cook at the campsite, caravan park or during your next outdoor adventure without carrying an unnecessarily large setup.

Safari Cart is building its range around Weber braais, portable braais, outdoor cooking equipment and accessories, making this an important part of the store’s new direction.

Explore Safari Cart’s Weber and outdoor cooking range and find a braai that fits the way you travel.