African Tents

I’ve been looking at canvas style tents for a awhile. We’re doing more car camping these days with the kids for various reasons and need more room.

Being a safari-phile, I’d like to hear any options here in the US as well as imported African options. First hand ownership, experience and maintainence would be great

My camping experience is fairly deep across a broad range of environments and equipment set ups. From boys scouts, domestic and international huntings trips, training and working as a professional geologist, I’ve run the gauntlet of gear…

I like tentco from SA but what else out there is attainable and reasonable?

I really like Montana Canvas. I don’t know if that’s the style you are looking for. I have a 12x14 that I got in 2005. It’s still going strong. The Achilles heal of the canvas is moisture. So as long as it gets put away dry, it should last a very long time.
I’m also a big fan of Kodiak Canvas. They make great tents with bathtub rubber bottoms for wetter weather.
After looking at Tentco website, it seems like Kodiak Canvas has very similar styled products.
Fish

RLL said:

I’ve been looking at canvas style tents for a awhile. We’re doing more car camping these days with the kids for various reasons and need more room.

Being a safari-phile, I’d like to hear any options here in the US as well as imported African options. First hand ownership, experience and maintainence would be great

My camping experience is fairly deep across a broad range of environments and equipment set ups. From boys scouts, domestic and international huntings trips, training and working as a professional geologist, I’ve run the gauntlet of gear…

I like tentco from SA but what else out there is attainable and reasonable?

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Colorado Tents would be my choice not Africa tents

Fish2table said:

I really like Montana Canvas. I don’t know if that’s the style you are looking for. I have a 12x14 that I got in 2005. It’s still going strong. The Achilles heal of the canvas is moisture. So as long as it gets put away dry, it should last a very long time.
I’m also a big fan of Kodiak Canvas. They make great tents with bathtub rubber bottoms for wetter weather.
After looking at Tentco website, it seems like Kodiak Canvas has very similar styled products.
Fish

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Good tip. We spend more time across Texas and the south, so moisture and waterproofing is key to manage to stay comfortable and dry. If it works ok here, it’ll be fine out west.

Rare Breed said:

Colorado Tents would be my choice not Africa tents

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Looks like a good set up

I have a limited experience with the African canvas tents, but I would say they are built for limited movement (i.e not a weekly mover) and limited rain. Good ventilation and wind resistance.
I've visited an outdoor store in Johannesburg and looked at their tens. Then lived in one for a week. I'll attach the wearhouse website should you wish to do further research on your own and some other random photos.


Note the waterproof tarp and secure mesh on top of the left tent.


From camp

Having grown up in the 60's camping in canvas tents across the southeast USA, I was reading this thread more out of nostalgic curiosity than someone who can give meaningful insight into current offerings. Davis Tents is also made in Colorado and includes a stove with their hunting models. Wall Tent Shop has a varied selection.

Canvas tents are tough and heavy. Personally, I have several nylon ripstop tent because they are cheap and work really well. But I have lived and worked out of canvas tents. They are much tougher and stronger than nylon and here in Africa they often have steel poles vs the fibreglass ones in cheaper tents. Canvas needs to be put away clean and dry so it needs more maintenance. It also needs to be slightly wetted for a few hours before it becomes waterproof. Alternatively you can get waterproofing sprays. I would also check the waterproofing on the floor of african tents. We tend to have quick heavy downpours rather than long term wet ground like you guys can get.

I have had a Kodiak 8x10 for 15 years. It is a solid tent. have had it out in rain snow and wind (50 MPH) and no issues. As many have mentioned it requires more maintenance and correct storage but well worth the time for a product that will last more than a couple years.

V.Veritas said:

I have a limited experience with the African canvas tents, but I would say they are built for limited movement (i.e not a weekly mover) and limited rain. Good ventilation and wind resistance.
I've visited an outdoor store in Johannesburg and looked at their tens. Then lived in one for a week. I'll attach the wearhouse website should you wish to do further research on your own and some other random photos.

https://www.outdoorwarehouse.co.za/brands/fveldt

Note the waterproof tarp and secure mesh on top of the left tent.
View attachment 797087

From camp
View attachment 797088View attachment 797089View attachment 797090View attachment 797091View attachment 797092

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That’s great, thank you!