Tentco Wanderer - Junior and Senior Sizes
Tentco Wanderer – Genuine African Safari Bow Tent
The Wanderer brings authentic African safari design to New Zealand — a true heavy-duty canvas ground tent built for longevity, stability, and harsh weather performance.
Constructed from 260gsm Safari-grade ripstop poly-canvas with a 440gsm PVC floor, the Wanderer delivers a level of durability far beyond typical recreational tents. This is commercial-duty canvas built to survive rough environments and demanding use long after most NZ-market tents have failed.
At its core is an 8.5 mm high-tensile spring-steel frame — the same style used across Southern Africa for expedition and safari lodges. It doesn’t rely on flimsy fibreglass poles or a web of guy ropes. Instead, the steel bow frame provides exceptional rigidity and storm performance, capable of withstanding severe weather without bending or snapping.
Designed for overlanders, hunters, and operators needing reliable long-term shelter, the Wanderer is a premium, no-nonsense canvas tent built for real conditions — not fair-weather camping. This is the point of entry into Tentco’s world of safari-grade tents: authentic, proven, and built to last.
N.B. woven ground sheet seen in some photos is not included with the tents.
Specifications
Senior Size
SIZE: 3.0m x 3.0m x 2.2m
MATERIAL: Safari Ripstop Canvas 260gsm Weatherproof UV, ROT & Mildew Resistant
GROUNDSHEET: Heavy Duty PVC 440gsm
FRAME: Electroplated High Tensile Spring Steel Frame 8.5mm
WINDOW: 2 Windows
WINDOW CLOSURE: Outside Window Closure
DOOR: 1 Door
ELECTRIC CABLE TRAP: Yes
FLYSHEET TYPE: Skullcap
TOTAL WEIGHT: 24kg
PACK SIZE TENT: 72cm x 36cm x 40cm 17kg
PACK SIZE FRAME: 122cm x 16cm x 8cm 7kg
BAG: PVC, ZIP Closure, Carry Straps, Generous SizeJunior Size
SIZE: 2.5m x 2.5m x 1.9m
MATERIAL: Safari Ripstop Canvas 260gsm Weatherproof UV, ROT & Mildew Resistant
GROUNDSHEET: Heavy Duty PVC 440gsm
FRAME: Electroplated High Tensile Spring Steel Frame 8.5mm
WINDOW: 2 Windows
WINDOW CLOSURE: Outside Window Closure
DOOR: 1 Door
ELECTRIC CABLE TRAP: Yes
FLYSHEET TYPE: Skullcap
TOTAL WEIGHT: 20kg
PACK SIZE TENT: 72cm x 28cm x 35cm 13kg
PACK SIZE FRAME: 112cm x 16cm x 8cm 7kg
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.