Darche Safari 260

Matt4x4

Matt4x4

New Member
Hello everyone
Has anyone on this forum used a Darche Safari tent? Looking for something quick and durable to suit my touring needs.
As we like to do long distance touring, I’m looking for something that works for a quick one night setup on our trips into Outback Queensland. My wife and I used to use a double swag, and that worked great, but we have recently welcomed a little one into our lives and so the big ol swag had to go. One day I’ll sort out some form of lightweight camper trailer, but for now, this Darche safari tent caught my eye. It would be the 260 version, as the 350 is far too large to pack up. I’m just not sure how big this tent really is- the specs say ‘2-4 people’ (this makes me think it’s really only suited to 2 people, but I done really know). There are no demo models that are setup in stores near me. There is a tent world near me, however I have never seen one setup.

Cheers
 
discomatt

discomatt

Well-Known Member
After having kids and traveled with them a tent is the least favourite option, it makes for a hard work holiday. That doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t work for you
Th best way to check size is to lay out some tape on the floor to the dimensions put your beds and the cot in it, then sand me bags, a dirty nappy, a bottle or 2 something to heat the bottle for when it’s freezing and pouring with rain , then see if it all fits in the tape lines. Then imagine sleeping in that night after night then I imagine packing and I unpacking all the gear that’s needed to travel with the misses and tot
I suggest going straight to the camper trailer idea
Over the years we did several tents, a couple of camper trailers and a caravan , the van was by far the best solution for travelling with kids
 
B

boobook

Well-Known Member
Matt4x4 said:
Hello everyone
Has anyone on this forum used a Darche Safari tent? Looking for something quick and durable to suit my touring needs.
As we like to do long distance touring, I’m looking for something that works for a quick one night setup on our trips into Outback Queensland. My wife and I used to use a double swag, and that worked great, but we have recently welcomed a little one into our lives and so the big ol swag had to go. One day I’ll sort out some form of lightweight camper trailer, but for now, this Darche safari tent caught my eye. It would be the 260 version, as the 350 is far too large to pack up. I’m just not sure how big this tent really is- the specs say ‘2-4 people’ (this makes me think it’s really only suited to 2 people, but I done really know). There are no demo models that are setup in stores near me. There is a tent world near me, however I have never seen one setup.

Cheers
Click to expand...
I have the Darche 260 tent for touring and the high country when I can't take my camper. It will be large enough, and you can get side poles so there is no centre pole. It is durable and 6 kg lighter than the specs say on the website at about 18kg, which includes packing for some reason. It is waterproof, and you can get optional sides to make a decent outside area. The downside is that it is bulky when compared to the lighter, fast erect tents. But it is much easier to put up and down.

The list price is high, but I found I could get it cheaper when I got one. Tentworld and Snowys usually have it cheaper.

If you mainly tour in places without rain, the oztrail 9 is worth looking at too. It is nowhere near as rugged but hey, you may grow out of the tent in a few years anyway. It is more compact when packed and ever so slightly lighter but has little rain protection in the awning. It has optional side rails too.

After many years of searching, I can not find a touring tent that is light, easy to put up with no liner and that you can stand up in. I'd be interested if anyone knows one. Those instant erect ones are useless in small winds.
 
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Triton14

Triton14

Well-Known Member
Matt4x4 said:
this Darche safari tent caught my eye. It would be the 260 version, as the 350 is far too large to pack up. I’m just not sure how big this tent really is- the specs say ‘2-4 people’ (this makes me think it’s really only suited to 2 people, but I done really know). There are no demo models that are setup in stores near me. There is a tent world near me, however I have never seen one setup.

Cheers
Click to expand...

With tents my rule of thumb is whatever size you think you need double it & yes when they write 2-4 people they really mean 2 people comfortably.

I'd be going for the 350 if it was me but then I have settled on an Oztent RV5, much easier to put up & pull down & yes its also bulky(more long) when packe up but thats what roof racks are for.
To save internal space the 350 would probably need to go on rack & maybe in a cage?

If you want something large that packs down smaller then you will need to go polyester which are no where as good as canvas.

You cant have it all right ;)
 
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