Coffee and Coals: The Perfect Hazelmere Dam Morning

There are plenty of ways to make a cup of coffee, but few beat sitting beside Hazelmere Dam with your Land Rover Defender, George, parked a few metres away, a fire crackling in front of you and a battered little moka pot sitting straight on the coals.

This isn't about fancy coffee machines, perfect temperatures or laboratory measurements. This is bush coffee. It's simple, it's smoky, and somehow it tastes better because you're nowhere near the kitchen.

For me, this is what getting outdoors is all about.

Finding the Perfect Spot

Hazelmere Dam is close enough to Durban to make it an easy escape, but once you've pulled off, found a quiet spot and got the Defender parked up, the city feels a long way away.

George has become part of these little adventures. He's not just a vehicle that gets us there; he's part of the KhakiBush story. Whether we're heading into the bush, exploring a gravel road or simply finding somewhere to stop for a coffee, there's something satisfying about having the old Defender beside you.

And let's be honest, everything tastes better when you've got a Land Rover sitting nearby.

You Don't Need Much

The beauty of making coffee this way is that you don't need a boot full of equipment.

For this brew, I used:

• Rox Coffee Company's ground coffee

• An old-school moka pot

• Fresh room temperature water

• A fire

• A mug

• And a handful of hot coals

That's about it.

No electricity. No coffee machine. No complicated camping gadgetry.

Just coffee, fire and a little patience.

Making Coffee on the Coals

Once the fire has burnt down and you've got a decent bed of hot coals, fill the bottom section of the moka pot with water.

Add your Rox Coffee Company ground coffee to the filter basket. Don't pack it down like you're trying to build a road. Just fill it evenly and give it a gentle level.

Screw the moka pot together, place it carefully on the hot coals and let the fire do its thing.

And this is where you need to exercise a little patience.

You don't want the pot sitting in a roaring fire. We're making coffee, not smelting Defender parts.

The gentle heat from the coals slowly pushes the water through the coffee, and before long you'll hear that familiar bubbling sound.

That's when you know you're nearly there.

The Smell of Coffee in the Bush

There is something incredibly satisfying about that first smell of coffee mixing with wood smoke and fresh morning air.

You can hear the birds around the dam, the fire is ticking away as the coals settle, and George is sitting there covered in the dust and evidence of the latest adventure.

Pour the coffee into your mug, take a seat and just enjoy it.

No rushing.

No notifications.

No traffic.

Just you, the water, the fire and a bloody good cup of coffee.

Why Coffee Tastes Better Outdoors

Maybe it's the smoke.

Maybe it's the Rox Coffee Company coffee.

Maybe it's because you've actually had to work for the cup.

Or perhaps it's simply because you're drinking it somewhere beautiful.

One of the things I love about getting outdoors is how quickly the simplest things become enjoyable again. Making coffee becomes an experience rather than something you do half asleep while waiting for the kettle.

And that's the beauty of outdoor life.

You don't need much.

A vehicle, a fire, decent coffee and somewhere worth sitting.

The KhakiBush Way

At KhakiBush, we're all about getting people outdoors and encouraging them to experience the incredible places we have right on our doorstep.

You don't always need to disappear into the wilderness for a week. Sometimes the best adventures are the little ones.

Pack the coffee. Chuck the moka pot in the Defender. Find a quiet spot beside the water and light a fire.

And if you've got a mate who says making coffee on coals is unnecessary, make him one anyway.

He'll change his mind after the first sip.

For me, that's what Africa, adventure and the outdoors are really about — slowing down, getting your hands dirty and appreciating the simple moments.

And sometimes, sitting beside Hazelmere Dam with George parked nearby, a smoky moka pot bubbling away on the coals and a good cup of ROX in your hand is all the adventure you need.

Now that's a morning worth getting out of bed for.

This article is written by Craig Mitchell, KhakiBush Magazine editor, conservationist, guide, adventurer, photographer and explorer. Craig personally guides safari and adventure expeditions, sharing his passion for Africa's wild places through authentic wildlife encounters, remote landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.

Keywords: coffee on the coals, bush coffee, camping coffee, moka pot coffee, ROX coffee, Hazelmere Dam, Land Rover Defender, George Defender, camping in KZN, outdoor coffee, South African camping, KhakiBush