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STYLISH SHILOWA TENTS

The refined retreat that shapes the way guests feel

Sometimes it’s not just the view or the service that stays with guests… it’s the atmosphere they step into. The Shilowa tent brings that feeling to life, blending clean lines with natural beauty to create spaces that are both refined and inviting. Whether it’s for private estates, luxury resorts, or glamping retreats, these tents shape memories that guests carry with them long after their stay.

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Our tents are designed to thrive in any environment

Deserts

Mountains

Tropics & Beaches

Rainy Locations

Cold Climates

Windy Areas

Adapt the Shilowa tent in endless ways

The Shilowa Tent offers a spacious interior of 60 m² (645 ft²) complemented by a veranda area of 19.7 m² (212 ft²). Its versatile design suits countless uses, like commercial or private stays, Airbnb/VRBO rentals, guest homes, studios, or retreats. With detailed 2D layouts, we help you bring your ideas to life and create the perfect setting for your needs.

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Shilowa Tent

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Touch of charm in every corner

Luxury glamping

Experience the perfect balance of comfort and style for 2–6 guests, with a cozy bedroom, inviting sitting area, and a spacious veranda designed for relaxation.

Private dining

Create memorable dining experiences for 8–12 guests with an elegant table setup and a scenic veranda that makes every meal feel special.

Small events

Bring people together for up to 10 seated or 18 standing guests, with room for tables, chairs, and a welcoming layout ideal for intimate gatherings.

Customizable options

Shape the Shilowa Tent to your vision with a range of feature upgrades and enhancements that make the space uniquely yours.

Thoughtful details that define the Shilowa tent

Standard Features

  • Graphite screens, PVC overlays, and zip-and-roll flaps with replaceable YKK zips
  • Ceiling fan/light mounts at each apex and veranda
  • Ecru inner ceiling liner with matching curtains
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Premium Materials

  • 50 mm enamel-painted steel frame with outriggers and stainless roof supports
  • Gore® Tenara®-stitched 90%+ shade fly and 700 GSM anti-fungal PVC rain fly
  • 550 GSM blackout ripstop canvas—waterproof, UV-protected, antimicrobial
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Available Upgrades

  • Frame options in 409 / 304 / 316 stainless steel, vertical steel legs, or timber beams
  • Fire-retardant, insulated canvas with upgraded storm flaps
  • High-wind structural package for added strength
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Start designing your Shilowa tent experience today

Your guests are searching for experiences that feel different, memorable and worth sharing. The Shilowa Tent helps you deliver that. With every tent, you’ll also receive a design consultation where we’ll map out how to best position and style the tent on your estate, resort or retreat. That way, you get a clear vision and a smart plan that works for both your guests and your business.

  • Built to last with heavy-duty structure so you can host guests in comfort through all seasons
  • A signature style that makes your property stand out and attracts higher-end guests
  • Design consultation that gives you a clear property plan and setup guidance
  • Adaptable for retreats, dining, events or private stays so you get the most from your space
  • Transparent process so you can move forward with confidence
  • Easy access to optional add-ons like flooring, lighting and furnishings to complete the guest-ready look

Fill out the form below to start shaping a space your guests will always remember.

Questions we often get asked about the Shilowa tent

What kind of interiors can I add inside the Shilowa tent, and can it be used year-round?

The Shilowa tent is designed to be flexible, both in layout and in how it performs throughout the seasons. On the inside, you can keep it open as a single living space or divide it into separate rooms with partitions. Many people choose to add full bathrooms, kitchens, fireplaces, or even multiple bedroom suites.

Since the tent is installed on a raised platform, plumbing and electrical can be integrated into the design, making it possible to create spaces that feel more like a cabin or villa than a tent. Flooring, lighting, and furniture choices are completely up to you, which means every Shilowa can be styled to match the vision you have in mind.

Year-round use is also possible, but it depends on your location and climate. In hot areas, airflow and shading features, combined with options like ceiling fans or A/C, keep the tent comfortable. In colder regions, insulation, underfloor heating, or even wood stoves can make it a warm and inviting retreat.

With the right setup, the Shilowa tent works as a true all-season structure, giving you both design flexibility inside and comfort no matter the weather outside.

The Shilowa tent is built to feel more like a real structure than a camping setup, and that comes down to the materials and how they’re designed to work together.

It starts with the frame. A thicker 50 mm steel roof frame gives the Shilowa more strength and stability compared to the standard 38 mm frames you’ll see in most tents. If you’re building in a tough location or plan to keep the tent up long-term, that extra support really matters. For spots near the coast or in humid areas, you can also upgrade to stainless steel, which holds up better over time without corroding.

The canvas is another big factor. Treated polyester ripstop canvas is used instead of cotton which is stronger, doesn’t stretch out as easily, and won’t keep tearing if it ever gets a small rip. It’s also resistant to UV, mold, and general wear and tear, which helps the Shilowa hold its shape and last longer.

For added comfort, insulation can be stitched right between two layers of canvas. This helps regulate the temperature and also cuts down on outside noise. You get a quieter, more private space that feels closer to a cabin than a tent.

From the frame to the fabric, it’s the quality of these parts that makes the Shilowa tent feel permanent, comfortable, and worth the investment, especially if you’re setting up a space that’s going to be used often or for longer stays.

Yes, that’s one of the biggest advantages of the Shilowa tent. You’re not limited to a few fixed options or standard floor plans. Pretty much every part of the design can be customized to fit your ideas, your space, and the way you plan to use it.

Tent sizes are fully flexible. They can start as small as around 130 square feet for something like a spa room or a private nook, and go up to thousands of square feet if you’re planning something bigger, like a lodge, restaurant, or multi-room suite.

If you’ve got something specific in mind, you don’t have to stick to a pre-made model. You can bring in your own ideas, sketches, or floor plans and have something built around them. That could mean an open-air shower, a wraparound deck, extra windows for natural light, or even a custom roof shape that fits with your location.

Even if you start with the Shilowa’s base design, you can still personalize it from the color of the canvas to the frame finish, window placements, door styles, and extra features like overhangs or a front veranda. The goal is to make it a space that reflects your vision and not just a generic tent.

Yes, a strong, level platform is one of the most important parts of setting up the Shilowa tent. These aren’t like pop-up tents you throw on a patch of grass.

They’re meant to be installed on a stable base like a raised wooden deck or a concrete slab. This kind of foundation keeps the structure secure, protects the canvas, and creates space underneath for plumbing, electrical, and insulation if you’re adding those features.

Setting your tent directly on the ground might seem easier at first, but it usually leads to problems like moisture buildup, faster fabric wear, drainage issues, and unstable anchoring. A raised deck also gives you better airflow, helps manage pests, and keeps your living space dry and clean.

Most people go with wooden platforms, but floating decks and concrete foundations can work too, depending on your location. As a general rule, the platform should extend at least 3 feet beyond the Shilowa tent on all sides. That extra space makes setup easier and gives you room for maintenance, walkways, or even outdoor features like a veranda or shower.

If your site is tricky, like if it is sloped, near water, or hard to access, you don’t have to figure it out alone. While decking isn’t typically supplied with the tent itself, you can get help with deck design and planning.

The Shilowa tent is built to handle real weather and not just perfect conditions. Whether you’re setting up in a hot desert, a windy hillside, a rainy valley, or even a snowy region, the structure and materials can be adapted to your climate.

In hot areas, comfort starts with airflow. The Shilowa is designed with a layered roof system that lets air circulate between each layer. That natural airflow helps reduce heat buildup. Many people add ceiling fans or mini A/C units like a mini-split. Some even use underfloor cooling systems to quietly keep the whole tent comfortable.

For wind, different frame options are available depending on how strong your local conditions are. Standard setups handle moderate winds, but with stronger framing like a 60 mm steel frame with a ring beam, the Shilowa can withstand winds over 112 mph.

Rain is another factor. The waterproof rain fly is designed to shed water effectively, even during heavy storms. A raised deck, proper drainage, and correct fabric tension all help keep the inside dry.

Snow is manageable with planning. In snowy regions, the Shilowa tent uses stronger frames, steeper roof angles, and reinforcements to handle snow buildup. Snow is heavy, so the structure has to be built for that specific load.

All of these factors are considered when designing your Shilowa tent so that it lasts in the environment you need it most.

Security is important, especially if your Shilowa tent is placed in a remote area or used for guests. While it feels solid and permanent, there are ways to increase peace of mind.

Lockable doors can be included in your tent design, giving you a basic layer of access control similar to what you’d expect from a cabin. Many people also add motion-activated lights, small outdoor cameras, or simple alarms that alert you to movement around the tent.

Placement also matters. Choosing visible, well-lit spots instead of hidden corners helps deter unwanted access. The goal isn’t to lock everything down completely but to design a space that feels open, safe, and comfortable.

While no structure is completely break-in-proof, the Shilowa tent gives you options to balance outdoor living with practical security.

Ordering a Shilowa tent isn’t a one-click purchase, and that’s a good thing. Each tent is built around your specific needs, and the process makes sure everything fits your space and plans.

Once you’ve finalized your design and chosen your features, you’ll get an initial invoice along with a freight estimate. Then the design phase begins. You’ll receive drawings to review, revise, and approve. Once everything looks right, the approved design is turned into a CAD file, and production starts after a 75% down payment is received.

Manufacturing usually takes about 8 to 10 weeks. Two weeks before production finishes, you’ll get the final freight quote and a second invoice for the remaining 25% plus shipping. Once paid, you’ll get a shipping date, and the Shilowa tent is packed for delivery.

All payments are made by direct wire transfer. Credit cards, PayPal, and certified checks aren’t accepted, so plan ahead for that.

The process is structured with built-in checks to make sure your Shilowa tent turns out exactly as you pictured.

The Shilowa tent is manufactured in South Africa, then shipped to clients worldwide. Ocean freight typically leaves from the port of Durban, and air freight is handled through Johannesburg. Once your order is packed and shipped, it travels to the port or airport closest to you. From there, you or your local clearing agent take over.

If you’re based in the US, there’s a customs clearing company that many clients have used successfully. They handle the process smoothly, but they bill you directly.

Shipping costs depend on your location, the number of Shilowa tents you’re ordering, and their size. Once details are confirmed, you’ll get a freight quote to your nearest port or airport. Quotes are usually valid for 30 days, so it’s smart to lock it in early.

Keep in mind: the shipping estimate covers everything up to your destination port. Local duties, taxes, and import fees aren’t included and are handled by you or your agent.

The Shilowa tent is made to order, so timelines and costs vary. Once your order is confirmed and the design approved, manufacturing usually takes 8 to 10 weeks. Larger or more complex builds may take longer, especially if you’re ordering multiple tents or adding custom features.

After production, shipping time depends on how you transport it. Ocean freight takes 30 to 45 days, while air freight is much faster at 5 to 7 days, but more expensive. Some people ship one Shilowa tent by air first for setup practice, then send the rest by sea to save on costs.

As for cost, there’s no fixed price. The total depends on things like size, layout, materials, insulation, add-ons, and your foundation plans. Once you share your details, you’ll get a tailored quote. Shipping is separate and varies too.

From start to delivery, most Shilowa tent projects take about 3 to 4 months. Planning early is key, especially if you have a seasonal deadline.

If you’re planning a Shilowa tent project, there are a few things worth knowing upfront.

First, think about what you want the tent to do. Is it for personal retreats, guest stays, or a spa? That purpose helps shape the size, layout, and features. Sharing details like your location, climate, terrain, and number of tents also makes it easier to recommend the right materials, like stainless steel frames for coastal or humid areas.

You don’t need everything figured out, but land photos, maps, or sketches help a lot. The more context you give, the more accurate the design suggestions and quotes will be.

If you’re ordering multiple Shilowa tents, there are sometimes volume discounts. For permits, it depends on local laws. In many places, these count as temporary structures, which can make the process easier. Structural drawings can usually be provided if needed.

Starting early, gathering the right info, and having a clear vision goes a long way in making your Shilowa tent project smooth and realistic.