Tentco Safari Deluxe - Junior and Senior Sizes
Top-of-the-line bow tent from Tentco South Africa — a highly regarded manufacturer of true South African safari tents. These are substantially more heavy-duty and longer-lasting than most tents on the NZ market.
We have good local NZ photos of the Wanderer version available here. Here’s what sets the Safari Deluxe apart:
Canvas upgrade: steps up from the Wanderer’s already heavy-duty 260gsm ripstop canvas to a class-leading 320gsm ripstop.
Stronger floor: the 440gsm PVC floor on the Wanderer becomes a 540gsm PVC floor in the Deluxe.
Dual window closures: the Safari Deluxe includes both internal and external window closure panels, allowing temperature and privacy adjustments from inside the tent while keeping your preferred exterior setup.
Heat vent: added ventilation for improved airflow in hot conditions.
Cap fly with doorway awning: provides extra shade, weather protection, and heat buffering above the roofline and entrance.
These tents don’t use flimsy fibreglass poles. Instead, their superior performance in harsh weather comes from an 8.5 mm high-tensile spring-steel frame — far stronger, more stable, and significantly more durable than typical pole systems.
Specifications
Senior Size
SIZE: 3.0m x 3.0m x 2.2m
MATERIAL: Safari Ripstop Canvas 320gsm Weatherproof UV, ROT & Mildew
GROUNDSHEET: Heavy Duty PVC 500gsm
FRAME: Electroplated High Tensile Spring Steel Frame 8.5mm
WINDOW: 3 Windows
WINDOW CLOSURE: Inside & Outside Window Closure
DOOR: 1 Door
HEAT VENT: Yes
ELECTRIC CABLE TRAP: Yes
FLYSHEET TYPE: Skullcap with Veranda
TOTAL WEIGHT: 33kg
PACK SIZE TENT: 72cm x 37cm x 40cm 24kg
PACK SIZE FRAME: 124cm x 16cm x 10cm 9kg
BAG: PVC, ZIP Closure, Carry Straps, Generous SizeJunior Size
SIZE: 2.5m x 2.5m x 1.9m
MATERIAL: Safari Ripstop Canvas 320gsm Weatherproof UV, ROT & Mildew Resistant
GROUNDSHEET: Heavy Duty PVC 500gsm
FRAME: Electroplated High Tensile Spring Steel Frame 8.5mm
WINDOW: 3 Windows
WINDOW CLOSURE: Inside & Outside Window Closure
DOOR: 1 Door
HEAT VENT: Yes
ELECTRIC CABLE TRAP: Yes
FLYSHEET TYPE: Skullcap with Veranda
TOTAL WEIGHT: 25kg
PACK SIZE TENT: 72cm x 28cm x 35cm 17kg
PACK SIZE FRAME: 112cm x 16cm x 8cm 8kg
BAG: PVC, ZIP Closure, Carry Straps, Generous SizeSeasoning Required
Canvas tents with cotton thread such as these should be seasoned prior to use to attain optimal weatherproofness.
In basic terms this involves setting the tent up in your back yard on a hot sunny day, drenching the tent by hose completely and thoroughly - paying extra attention to drenching all sewn seams - and then allowing it to dry and bake in the sun.
Repeat a total of 3 to 4 times in the same day. It is normal for there to be some leaks from the seams initially. This seasoning process will gradually encourage the cotton threads to swell and tighten, naturally sealing needle puncture holes in the canvas.
Any stitching that has not become fully watertight following seasoning is treated with a wax or urethane based seam sealant product.
Here's a quick seam sealer product we recommend (but use a small artists type paint brush rather than the included one): https://www.gearaid.com/products/seam-grip-sealant-fast-cure
Why do it this way? Cheaper tents often come with a seam seal tape over the seams, which is great on day one but often peels off after some use. Naturally seasoned real cotton thread is time proven for durability over the longer term.