I am looking for a suitable family tent to purchase in the UK and take out to Uganda where I live. We have three children, so wanted a tent with 3 sleeping compartments and plenty of living space. It needs to be insect-proof because of mosquitoes in Uganda which carry malaria. It also needs to stand up in a storm, which are common. I am clueless on camping, so don't know where to begin. Saw Halfords had something which looked not bad, searched on the internet and it took me to this website. So I thought I would get some expert advice from people who know more than me. Thanks.
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In my experience it is far better to to buy a tent designed for the country in which it is sold. For example, tents in the UK have evolved to allow for our inclement weather and so are very water-proof, have large indoor living areas, and SIG to eliminate drafts.
In the US tents have little or no living areas, SIGs to keep out the bugs, optional fly-sheets (just in case it rains!) and people buy separate screen rooms to allow for maximum bug-free ventilation while sitting 'outside'.
I would imagine that you would need a canvas tent to avoid build up of heat that you get in 'plastic tents', but it is unusual to find one with a SIG to keep out bugs. Maybe you need to look at two tents (as in US) - one for sleeping, and a screen room for living.
Sorry haven't given you any answers, just loads more questions!! But I grew up in Africa and so know about the storms ... and the stuffy weather that goes with them!!
I think the advice given by B Chyrstie is spot on. Tents are a piece of equipment and need to be fit for purpose. Thats why there are so many on the market as we all have individual needs.
When I have seen info on camping safaris in Africa the tents all seem to be fabric - I guess this is for the heat. But as already mentioned in the UK they do not tend to have a sig. Maybe you could buy insect nets and camp beds to get around this?
I also thought that to buy a fabric frame tent here and get it to Uganda would be very expensive as they weigh a tonne. Which is exactly why more of us have turned to other fabrics - especially heavy when they get wet in the great British weather!
Why don't you contact one of the camping safari companies for advice when you get home? They may even offer you an old tent to try out to see if your family like it.
Sorry not much help!
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Angus, you don't say what your budget is. I'm guessing that if you have been looking in Halfords it's not huge? Otherwise I'd suggest something like Outwell Norfolk Lake - but I may be right off the mark?
Thank you for all your responses which were informative and revealing. I take the point that tents are designed for particular locations and purposes. I am so ignorant that I have not got a clue where to start. What for instance is SIGs. It is pretty hard to purchase tents in Uganda, it is very much a European recreation activity. There is a South African department store in Kampala that sells tents, but South Africa is not Uganda, sub-tropical rather than tropical.
Beautifullily: thanks for recommending the Outwell Norfolk Lake, pretty pricey. I imagine you have recommended it because of the breathable material in a tropical climate.
West Yorkie: funny but you are on dangerous ground. Notice the FCO webiste notes: 'Around 15,000 British tourists visit Uganda every year. Most visits are trouble-free.' Not planning to camp in the North of Uganda, or I might pick up a tank instead. Uganda suffers, like the rest of the continent, from the bad news syndrome - witness the film Last King of Scotland, last time Uganda surfaced on the European media radar screen. Would you have responded in the same way if I had suggested Croatia or Bosnia, conflict zones more recent than the south of Uganda?
B Crystie: Where did you grow up in Africa?
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Angus - a SIG is a Sewn In Groundsheet - helps to keep bugs out, but at the same time does not allow the air to circulate. Yes, I suggested the Norfolk Lake because of the fabric, which is what makes it pricey (and the poles, but should stand up to stormy weather), but you could search for other polycotton tents.
Quote: Originally posted by angus2007 on 26/6/2007 B Crystie: Where did you grow up in Africa?
Zimbabwe (or Rhodesia as it was then). Did most of my secondary schooling there in Harare. Absolutely fab place for us kids to grow up! Although we lived in the city, we spent a lot of time out in the bush at some of the mission schools. Such a shame what has happened to the country since then.
Remember some great family holidays/safaris in an old VW which we had added a table to and called it a 'camper'. Us two kids slept in the van and parents slept in a small tent outside (or was it the other way round? My dad doesn't 'do' camping! ... so it must have been us in the tent!) Had hyenas raiding the barbecues and elephants trumpeting around the campsight all night!
Anyway, thinking again about your problem, I do think that if you need to buy your tent here I would go for a small basic tent for sleeping in and use a screen room for your living area. Even if it is bucketing down outside you will have some shelter from the rain, but not be encased in plastic in all that humidity. Once again, I think the american style tents might be better.
I can't imagine that it's a high quality tent, but it does have the built in screen room. Can't tell whether this area would be water tight in the rain or not though.
A lot would depend on how many of you would be camping, and for how long, and how much kit would need to be stored in it. Also what weight you could carry back with you (assuming you're flying back)
Post last edited on 26/06/2007 23:46:32
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Hi Angus,
I wouldn't consider a nylon tent - you will roast! a canvas one is your best bet, although heavy to ship back to Africa. It will also be more resistant to insects and small creatures nibbling at it, and stand up to the elements much better. In Gambia we use canvas tents although I don't know where they came from, but in Africa somewhere! They have been up now for 3 years and have stood the climate very well.
Cabanon make really good canvas frame tents, have a look at their website.www.cabanon.com the Pyramide ones are brilliant. Have a look on ebay too, there are often canvas frame tents on there.
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Topic: Family Tent for Uganda
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