It is the one thing that most South Africans might be used to but still hate having to deal with. Loadshedding, the rolling blackouts that have been plaguing citizens and businesses for almost 2 decades shows no signs of letting up, always comes at the worst possible time, always when you least expect it.

The blackouts are enough to leave anyone feeling miserable, but if you are looking forward to a holiday, nothing can dampen your spirit, so long as you know how best to prepare for the inevitable.

In South Africa, being prepared has become a way of life. And to bring that prepared spirit on holiday with you, here’s what you need to know.

Preparing as best you can

1. Know your schedule and know your location. We’ve been living with this for long enough to know our own schedule but when you are travelling it can become complicated because you might not be so aware of where you are heading to. So, when you are coming to our town, for instance, phone the Nelspruit lodge you are staying at and ask them for a schedule.
2. Bring your batteries, your torch and your solar lights. We are lucky these days to have renewable lights, like solar lights, which are cost effective and really affordable. Bring them with you, you never know when they might come in handy, especially if the place you are staying at doesn’t have a power backup.
3. Fill your tank. You are probably already going to be doing this, but it is worth mentioning again. Petrol stations come to a standstill with loadshedding as the pumps just don’t work. Instead of getting stuck with no petrol, keep your tank topped up.
4. Charge your electronics. Cellphones, laptops, and anything that needs charging should be fully charged before you head off to wherever you are going.
5. Plan your route. Having no street lights is a huge pain and it can also make travelling quite confusing if you are not familiar with the streets. If possible, do as much research as you can to find out where you will be going and which roads you need to take.

Once you are at your Nelspruit accommodation and the lights go out, you don’t have to feel as though your holiday has been ruined. Aside from going out and grabbing some food to eat or enjoying some live music, you can also think about bringing along some board games or some cards, and having family time. And if you are having a romantic break with your partner, what could be more romantic than sitting around a fire, having a glass of wine?

Loadshedding is a curse and a real downer, but we have no choice but to plan around it and make the most of the hours in which we have darkness. Be sure to always have a good plan and you will be able to handle any amount of power outages.