Book a 4×4 roof top tent car with self-drive in Uganda to have a whole new experience on spontaneous road trip in Uganda. Roof top tents are made for campers who love adventure. Their quick set-up time means you can camp easily anywhere, and their durable construction makes them the perfect for the wilderness.
Putting a tent on the roof of your Uganda car rental may seem like a silly solution for avoiding dangerous animals while you are exploring their habitats, but it is a practical and convenient way to camp. But is it safe to have your camp set up on top of your rented car?Â
MERITS OF A ROOF TOP TENT IN UGANDA
Easy Set-Up
When you went camping with a regular tent, you probably know the hassle of setting up your tent. Finding a flat camping spot and dry ground. Unpacking your tent, making sure it is mounted correctly in case the wind picks up at night. Even with the easy pop-up tents, you still need around half an hour to set up everything in the correct way.
Setting up a rooftop tent is different. You just park your car, pop up the tent. In a matter of seconds or a few minutes, you’re done with setting up the tent and have more time to go relaxing. Setting up takes a few minutes longer, because you first need to take off the cover before unfolding. Still, you’ll be done in minutes. Park and your tent can be set up in a few minutes. Another 10 minutes to set up the annex if required.
Sleep secure and dry (of the ground)
Are you a bit worried about insects, snakes, or even bears coming into your tent while you are asleep? When sleeping on top of the car, you minimize that risk (however, bears can get everywhere).
The most positive side of sleeping in a rooftop tent above the ground is that when it is raining, you don’t have to set up your tent on the wet ground. And that you always sleep on a comfortable mattress. No more air mattresses where you can feel almost every rub, stone or twig pierce through.
It is also much warmer because you don’t feel the cold coming from the ground through your mattress. Of course, when sleeping in a standard tent, you can use an extra sleeping pad. The so-called, isolating thermal mattresses that protect against the cold floor. However, you don’t need all that additional equipment to keep warm when sleeping in a rooftop tent.
Frees up extra car space
In most rooftop tent, you can leave your bedding while closing the rooftop tent. You don’t have the hassle rolling up the sleeping bags and mattresses every time you go to a new destination.
Also, many rooftop tents have enough space for extra luggage, like a foldable camping table and camping chairs. Or maybe some clothing or other stuff you don’t need while driving from one destination to another.
Either way, you free up a lot of extra space in your car because you can leave your bedding in the tent, and also can put away the larger stuff on top of the car. This way, we were able to bring all the necessary kitchen stuff and other useful equipment we needed when on the road. We still packed in the lightest way possible.
Mobility
Great for a road trip. The perfect adventure on the road if you’re moving from place to place. Set up wherever your vehicle can go. Top choice for people who often head out for weekend trips, surfers moving from beach to beach, 4×4 enthusiasts and anyone looking for a bit of adventure and fun.
Comfort
Sleeping on a luxurious double mattress up off the ground for a great night’s sleep. And leave your bedding in the tent when you pack up. Comfort Sleeping
You’re not only sleeping from the ground, which is much more comfortable than in a normal tent. You also have the opportunity to sleep on a regular mattress. Most rooftop tents have a standard foam mattress.
It is not a thick as the mattress you might sleeping on at home, but it is way more comfortable than sleeping on a sleeping mattress or air mattress.
You also can use your own bedding. You don’t need to use a sleeping bag while sleeping in a rooftop tent. We always use our own bedding and pillows. And when it is too warm at night, we just put the duvet in the car and only sleep under the duvet cover.
The adventure
Rooftop tents are a unique way to experience the great outdoors, no matter the conditions. These tents are built to last. They handle bad weather better than ground tents and can be used in tricky terrain unlike RVs.
Factors need to be considered when you’re looking for your perfect tent set up.
Fall Risk
The biggest worry that campers have is about falling out of their rooftop tent. If you haven’t experienced this fear, it might seem irrational. But because most people think of soft-sided tents that flop over in the wind or rain, it’s a common concern.
The bottom line is that yes, it’s possible you could fall.
Realistically speaking, not only do most car-top tents have reinforced structures, but you’re also lying down in an enclosed area, not dancing on the open roof.
Weather
Sleeping on top of your car gets you off the ground and away from potential flooding, snow pileup, and other weather elements. But it also positions you higher up, which could mean exposure to wind and rain (plus snow).
Ideally, you’ll park your vehicle somewhere with a bit of cover, the same way you would pitch a tent in a protected area.
At the same time, doing so could present another risk, tree damage. Depending on your environment and current conditions, ground-level camping could be safer in some instances.
Equipment Failures
Equipment failure is another potential safety issue, but the truth is that most of these situations can be avoided with proper setup and maintenance of your roof top tent.
Always follow the manufacturer instructions, keep safety in mind (check out the tips below), and you’ll be just as safe as if you were sleeping on the ground.
Rooftop tents may involve safety risks, but they also offer a unique tent camping experience. Not to mention, they may keep you away from other hazards like animals or on-ground weather conditions.
In Conclusion: Are Roof Top Tents Safe? Simply put, yes, the roof top tent is a safe alternative to on-ground camping. As long as you have made sure to do the research and understand what your car can handle, and properly secure your tent to the roof of your car, you will not run into any issues. Happy camping.
