Dome tents will give you years of easy-pitching protection in the bundu. Here are a few to consider.

Dome tents are a good off-road compromise. Granted, they’re not as quick and easy to set up as a roof-top tent and compared with a cabin tent they can be cramped.

But with a dome tent you can set up camp and still go out for a game drive, something that is impossible to do with a roof-top tent.

Moreover, dome tents are normally much quicker to pitch than a palatial cabin tent, which can make a big difference to your sanity if you need to set up camp daily.
 

BUSHTEC THREE-ROOM FAMILY DOME
Your room or mine?

Bushtec have addressed the most common complaint about dome tents (that the whole family sleeps together) by adding two rooms.
Two half domes have been added to the main tent, which is a conventional, 3 m x 3 m dome.The half domes can be accessed from the central room, or via their own outside door.
So mom and dad can sleep in the middle, with the kids in the side rooms, or the parents can take the one side room, the kids the other and the central room becomes the lounge.
We like:

• It has many guy ropes to keep it anchored (and it certainly needs them);
• All three domes have a number of pouches in which to store objects;
• As each dome has its own door separating it from the rest of the tent, privacy is guaranteed;
• It has loads of living space for families who don’t want to be on top of each other all the time; 
• A person of average height can easily stand in the central dome, and only has to bend slightly in the side domes;
• The tent has an attachment point for a small lamp or light in the middle at the top.

But …

• It took us about an hour to pitch the tent the first time, but it would probably be faster once you know where everything goes (or if you’ve read the manual);
• We aren’t zip boffins, but the zips don’t look strong enough to last a lifetime.

Material: Coated polyester with fibreglass poles
Sleeps: 6-8
Dimensions: 7.2 x 3 x 2.15 m
Weight: 23.3 kg
Price: Around R3 500
Contact: Canvas and Tent 036 6341902;
082 455 5580;  www.canvasandtent.co.za/bushtec

Drive Out says: Its’ also a winner for two (or even three couples) who want to go camping and share a tent.

TENTCO SENIOR SAFARI BOW
Heavyweight takes a bow

This is the classic canvas dome tent: big enough to comfortably sleep three, tall enough to stand up in and tough and sturdy enough to survive Hurricane Katrina (well, almost) or years of heavy use in the bush.
We like:

• It’s a tough customer: thick ripstop canvas, steel poles, a PVC base and YKK zips that have a lifelong guarantee;
• There are zips outside on either side of the windows and door, which also have a wide Velcro strip on the bottom.
• The windows have zip-up flaps on the inside − just what’s needed in a dust storm;
• The tent also has a handy flap at the back through which to feed power cables;
• It has a storage pouch on the inside under the window in which you can keep magazines;
• It has a loop in the middle at the top for a small lamp or light;
• The thick netting over the windows is difficult to see through from outside.

But …

• The tent is extremely heavy and even folded up it’s so big it will fill a Chico’s boot;
• Although the gauze over the windows is thick, the holes are quite large − maybe large enough for a famished mozzie?

Material: Ripstop canvas with steel poles
Sleeps: 3-4, but may be too small for 4
Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 2.2 m
Weight: 34 kg
Price: R4 565
Contact: Tentco 011 397 6451;  www.tentco.co.za

Drive Out says: The Senior Safari is one of six in the Tentco dome range. Visit their website for other sizes.
 

CAPE UNION VISTA 4
… and in this corner − the lightweight

The Vista 4 is part of Cape Union Mart’s range of leisure tents, which means it’s not cut out for use in really bad weather (such as Hurricane Katrina). But, for most local conditions it works a treat.
The sleeping area is 2.8 m x 2.4 m, enough for three to sleep in relative comfort, while the large front vestibule provides a sheltered porch for stowing wet shoes or cooking when it is raining.
We like:

• It is light and easy to transport;
• The front part is large enough to allow you to cook in it when it rains;
• It has YKK zips that have a lifelong guarantee;
• A person of average height can easily stand up to get dressed in the tent.

But …

• The tent may be a little too small for four adults. Two adults, with their luggage, should fit comfortably in it.

Material: Ripstop nylon with fibreglass poles
Sleeps: 3-4, but may be too small for 4
Dimensions: 3.9 x 2.4 x 1.8 m
Weight: 8.4 kg
Price: R1 499
Contact: Cape Union Mart 0860 034 000; www.capeunionmart.co.za

Drive Out says: The Vista has some nifty extra features like reflective guy lines and a transparent skylight panel in the roof that we like.