While a rooftop tent isn’t always the best solution for large families, it can be ideal for solo travellers, couples, and even families of three or four. Some of the benefits of a rooftop tent over a ground tent include:

– The tent has an ultra-quick setup time.

– Your mattress and sleeping gear stay inside the tent when packed away, saving boot space.

– It’s less likely to flood or get wet inside during heavy rain.

– It’s safer in big-5 territory.

– You don’t need to worry about rocks, stones, and tree roots pushing through your mattress.

– It’s easy to level out uneven ground.

HARDSHELL ROOFTOP TENTS VERSUS SOFT-SHELL

Typically, hardshell rooftop tents are easier and quicker to set up and take down, with many of these designs being gas-strut assisted.

However, traditional soft-shell rooftop tents often offer more sleeping space, can be more affordable (depending on the brand), provide additional shelter to the side of your vehicle, are incredibly rugged and durable due to their simplicity, and generally take up much less roof-rack space if you still want to pack firewood and jerrycans up top.

What’s more, if weight is a concern, soft-shell tents usually weigh less than their hardshell alternatives.

The most noticeable benefit of a hardshell rooftop tent is the ease with which it can be packed away. This makes hardshell tents ideal for overland travellers who prefer to camp for one or two nights in a single location.

They are also excellent for staying in national parks and reserves, where you can quickly close the tent for a late afternoon game drive.

Finally, hardshell tents are perfect for wild camping, where there may not be enough space for a ground tent, and a quick setup time is preferred.

That said, although hardshell tents may seem like the best all-around option in terms of convenience, the value provided by traditional soft-shell solutions shouldn’t be overlooked.

After all, there’s a reason why soft-shell rooftop tents are still so popular – nearly 40 years after they were first invented by Eezi-Awn in the late 1980s.

On that note, many South African brands dominate the rooftop tent market, with Safari Centre Cape Town supplying the best rooftop tents available. Because we’re an independent fitment specialist – not bound to a single product offering – Safari Centre Cape Town supplies only the best rooftop tent options based on experience and feedback from hundreds of happy customers. 

So, if you need help deciding which type (hardshell or soft-shell) of rooftop tent you should buy or the best brand for your needs, call us at (021) 595 3910 to chat with a specialist.