Frequently asked questions
Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions about YALA products. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, please call or email us and we would be happy to help you!
Purchase a canvas lodge
What is the price of your luxury canvas lodges?
The price of a canvas lodge depends on the model you choose, the materials, size and furnishings. Please contact us and we will prepare a customised quotation for you.
What do I get when I buy a canvas lodge?
When you purchase a canvas lodge with us, you can either choose to order the canvas lodge only or a fully equipped canvas lodge with shower, kitchen and furniture. Basically, a tent always consists of a wooden frame and floor, a canvas inner tent and a PVC roof. Tents without walls and furnishings can be used very well as space for a restaurant, for organising activities or for furnishing a bathroom or laundry room.
Construction and transport costs along with any customs charges are always stated separately in the quotation. Any costs relating to the preparation of the land, the installation of a sewage system, water connection and electricity are not included.
Do I also receive a design when requesting a queote?
You will find a 3D drawing of each model along with the floor plan with the standard interior of each specific tent on our website. With every quote, you will receive a custom 2D floor plan so that you get a good idea of the tent’s layout and the possible furnishings before making a decision.
What happens after I place an order?
Once you’ve made your selection from our range of luxury canvas lodges in consultation with our account manager, you’ll receive a final order confirmation.
After we’ve received your signed approval, we’ll immediately start production of your tents.
Can I rent or lease your luxury canvas lodges?
In some cases it is possible to lease our luxury safari tents. We are also in contact with several parties that offer leases of our safari tents. Our account manager will be happy to help you with this question.
Do you have luxury canvas lodges in stock?
What is the lifespan of your luxury canvas lodges?
Our luxury canvas lodges can last a lifetime if they are properly maintained. They are made of high-quality materials and they are manufactured under the best conditions. Every material has been carefully selected and tested by us.
Specific parts might have to be replaced over time, such as zippers, straps and ratchets, but this is relatively easy to do yourself. Please contact us if you require a replacement part; we would be happy to help you.
We provide a standard 24-month warranty on all our luxury canvas lodges. This period starts after delivery and if applicable after building the luxury canvas lodges. You can read more about this in our terms and conditions.
Do you give a guarantee on the luxury canvas lodges?
We provide a standard 24-month warranty on all our luxury canvas lodges. You can read more about this in our terms and conditions.
Design and options
What colours are available?
The PVC roofs of our standard luxury canvas lodges are available in beige and green.
The inner tent canvas is supplied in beige.
Who designs your luxury canvas lodges?
We work closely with a development company, who are specialists in the design and production of innovative tent structures, such as luxury glamping and restaurant tents, to design our luxury canvas lodges. We review our range every year, including the addition of several new tent models that are both innovative and in line with current trends and to meet our customers’ needs.
Do you also supply custom luxury canvas lodges?
As with all our models, you have several options to choose from, such as the colour of the tent fabric and the roof, choice of interior, and even the size of the veranda, so you can put together your own unique canvas lodge based on several building blocks.
Is it possible to order a canvas lodge with a fixed door?
A fixed wooden entrance door may be selected for your canvas lodge. Please contact us to discuss the possibilities.
Interior
Do you always supply the interior of the luxury canvas lodges?
We prefer to deliver our luxury canvas lodges with the interior installed, which have been specially designed by YALA and manufactured at our furniture factory, therefore, guaranteeing the same look and life span as our luxury canvas lodges. However, you can choose to do the furnishing yourself.
If you are using our canvas lodge for a restaurant or reception tent, we will supply the canvas lodge with adapted walls and furniture.ice in the Netherlands. You will also find some of our luxury canvas lodges on display at several of our dealers and agents, such as in the Spain and France. It may also be possible to view our tents at one of our customers’ sites in your area. Please contact your nearest agent or dealer.
Can I order furniture separately?
Can I assemble the furniture myself?
Laws and regulations
Do you need a permit to build a safari tent?
Whether you need a permit to build one or more luxury canvas lodges at your location depends on the country in which you are based. However, please always check with your local authorities first, as there may be municipal, provincial or department laws that also apply.
We have a large worldwide sales network of dealers and agents to advise on how to navigate these matters. Please contact us and we will be happy to help you.
Does a safari tent fall under temporary accommodation?
Whether you need a permit to build one or more luxury canvas lodges at your location depends on the country in which you are based. However, please always check with your local authorities first, as there may be municipal, provincial or department laws that also apply.
We have a large worldwide sales network of dealers and agents to advise on how to navigate these matters. Please contact us and we will be happy to help you.
Can the luxury safari tent be insured?
It is possible to insure the tents if certain conditions are met. It is best to ask your own insurance company about what options are available to you.
Delivery and transport
Where will the luxury safari tents be transported from and what are the transport costs?
Our tents are manufactured in China and shipped from our factory in the Netherlands.
We also have a distribution center in Asia.
Transport costs depend on several factors, including volume and destination country. In addition, import duties, taxes, and other transport-related expenses may apply.
Each order is assessed individually, and transport costs are calculated accordingly.
Delivery time
Once the signed order confirmation has been returned and the deposit has been paid, we will begin production immediately.
The standard lead time is 16 weeks.
If the tents are in stock at our warehouse, delivery can take place within 3–6 weeks, depending on the interior.
Please note that delivery times depend on multiple variables. For an accurate estimate, we recommend contacting us directly.
Building a safari tent
Will you visit the building site in advance
Whenever it is possible or necessary due to special circumstances (such as certain soil types or gradients), we will carry out a site visit. Together we will look at where the tent or tents can best be placed on the site, what special considerations need to be taken into account and to take measurements.
Can you build a safari tent on any type of ground or on sites with large gradient?
We have been building our luxury canvas lodges all over the world for more than ten years and we have experience with erecting them on many different types of soil and also on steep inclines, so a lot is possible. If you want to know if your location is suitable, please contact us for specialized advice.
Is there always a foundation needed to install a tent?
We make a solid foundation for every tent by anchoring hard wooden azobe poles into the ground. The exact foundation depends on the type of soil we build on and how flat the land is. The foundation is customized for each site. We install the wooden floor on top of the foundation.
On request, we can place the floor directly on the ground.
Who takes care of the construction of the safari tent?
We have several experienced construction teams worldwide, usually consisting of 3 or 4 people.
In exceptional cases, it’s possible to assemble the luxury canvas lodges yourself using our detailed construction drawings.
However, technical knowledge, construction experience, and proper tools are essential.
Alternatively, we can send a supervisor to your location to guide your team through the installation process.
Is it also possible to build the foundation and the subsoil yourself?
In exceptional cases, it is possible to build the foundation and subsoil yourself, with clear instructions that we provide. Our construction team can then immediately continue to build the luxury canvas lodges on arrival.
How long does it take to build a safari tent?
Depending on the type of canvas lodge and any extra options chosen, a team of 4 people need about two days to build and equip a canvas lodge. When installing multiple tents, our teams work in phases. The foundation is laid first, then the team will lay the wooden floors and finally, the tents are set up and furnished.
For custom made projects, we create a tailor-made plan and then schedule the construction period in consultation with you.
Can your luxury safari tents be demolished easily
It is possible to dismantle the luxury canvas lodges if they are not going to be used for a period, however, we do not recommend doing so. Our luxury canvas lodges can withstand extreme weather influences and leaving them in place can help maximise the life of the tent. If you want to know more about these issues, please contact us.
The exception to this is our Bell Tent. This tent should be dismantled and stored in a dry environment before the winter or a humid season during which the tent is not used.
Do you also install electricity and plumbing?
We ask our customers to take care of the installation of electricity, water and sewerage with local parties.
Materials
What fabric do you use for the tents?
Our tent roofs are made from flame-retardant PVC, 650 g/m² (M2 classification according to NFP 92-503).
This material complies with European, British, and American fire safety standards (M2, B1, and DIN 4102).
It is durable, has a premium appearance, and provides excellent protection against a wide range of weather conditions — even extreme ones.
You can also choose from several colors to perfectly match your lodge’s style.
The inner tents are made from high-quality polycotton canvas from our own canvas program.
The combination of polyester and cotton fibers results in a strong, waterproof, and dirt- and mildew-resistant fabric.
In collaboration with leading industry experts, we have developed the best canvas on the market: FPTC-420.
This unique canvas is:
Flame-retardant (B2 classification)
Mold-resistant (value 0)
Colorfast (GR6)
These properties ensure that your inner tent remains not only beautiful but also in excellent condition year after year.
Our windows consist of three layers:
A roll-up transparent layer of weatherproof PVC
A fiberglass-reinforced mesh
A roll-up canvas cover
This combination provides optimal ventilation, insect protection, and maximum durability, regardless of the weather.
What wood is used for the construction of the luxury safari tents?
For Europe and America, we use Central and Northern European spruce wood for both the foundation and frame of our luxury canvas lodges.
For the frame, you can choose between round wooden poles of 80 or 100 mm.
In Asia, we use Douglas wood, which is standardly treated against termites.
If required for a specific country or region, we can also apply additional termite treatment to the wood.
Can you treat the wood with anti-termite spray?
In consultation with you, we can have the wood treated with anti-termite spray in advance. We have extensive experience in areas such as Australia and Asia and can advise you about this service. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
What are the end connectors of the frame made of?
To protect the wooden frames, they are fitted with fully galvanized steel end couplings. In addition to strengthening the tough and robust appearance of our tents, it also protects the wooden poles against the weather. With this we create a very strong construction, and we extend the life of our YALA safari tents and glamping lodges.
How fire proof are the materials with which the tents are made?
Our tents are made of materials that are largely flame retardant and are also certified according to European Standard (M2| B2), Australia/New Zealand Standard (1530.2-1993) BS7837-1996 and US Standard (NFPA701). In many countries it is an additional legal requirement to provide a fire extinguisher as equipment of the canvas lodge.
Durability
How do you deal with the issue of sustainability?
As a market leader, YALA leads the way in designing, developing and supplying luxury safari tents and glamping lodges. This is reflected not only in how we develop, produce and install our tents, but also in how the theme of sustainability plays an increasingly important role within our company.
YALA’s ambition is to be the most sustainable producer of luxury glamping tents. We are already demonstrating this in the following three areas:
- Which suppliers we work with;
- How we develop new tents;
- What we do within YALA.
Read more about what we all do on sustainability and corporate social responsibility here.
Environmental and weather influences
What snow loads can the luxury canvas lodges withstand?
Our luxury canvas lodges have been proven to withstand a thick layer of snow. If there is a high chance of snow in your region, we will provide the tent frame with an extra supporting beam so that it can withstand an even greater load of snow. Snow can be removed quite easily along the sides of the smooth roofs of our luxury canvas lodges, which we recommend is done daily during extreme snowfall.
Does salty air affect the canvas when the safari tents are placed neer the sea?
When our tents are placed in locations near the sea, we advise to regularly clean the canvas of the tents and also parts such as zippers, ratchets, windows and wood that are exposed to the air. You can do this by using tap water and/or brushing the parts with a soft brush. This extends the life of the safari tents.
Can the safari tents withstand heavy rainfall?
All our luxury canvas lodges can withstand heavy rain because they have a double roof, which are both waterproof. In addition to this, our canvas is water-repellent and even our windows have a unique PVC flap on the outside. This is extra protection to prevent water from entering through the mesh or the seams of the windows.
Can the luxury canvas lodges withstand UV rays?
The materials we use for our luxury canvas lodges are protected against a large amount of UV radiation. PVC is standard equipped with UV blockers to protect the properties of the material and it is therefore very resistant to UV radiation. Our PVC has the best UV treatment of 50+.
How can the luxury safari tents be heated in winter?
Our luxury canvas lodges are very suitable for winter glamping. If you also want to rent out your luxury canvas lodges in the colder periods, we recommend heating the tents with either a pellet stove, electric heater, or possibly a central heating system. If you are interested in using a pellet stove, we can provide you with further information. It is important that good ventilation is created through the roof of the canvas lodge. Although the materials of the luxury canvas lodges are fire retardant, we do not recommend the use of open fires because of the high risk of accidents.
Read more about our solutions to extend the season.
How do you keep the luxury safari tents cool in the summer?
In countries where it is often hot for a longer period, an air conditioning unit is usually recommended for installation in our luxury canvas lodges. We advise you to contact a local air conditioning specialist to discuss the possible options.
We use high-quality canvas materials that have breathing properties. As a result, it does not get damp inside the luxury canvas lodges and it is cooler than inside a mobile home, for example.
How can you protect the safari tents in winter?
Our safari tents can remain outdoors throughout the winter and do not need to be dismantled.
We do recommend draining the water pipes and opening the windows weekly for ventilation.
For our Bell tents, however, we advise taking them down during winter or before a rainy season in which they won’t be used.
Store them in a dry indoor space to preserve their quality.
Maintenance and repair
How do you clean the luxury safari tents?
In principle, the canvas of the luxury canvas lodges does not require regular maintenance. If there is a stain on the canvas, clean it with a soft brush or cloth and some tap water. Do not use soap, as this can affect the treatment of the canvas. If there is mud or other dirt on the canvas, wait for it to dry before removing it with a soft brush.
New at YALA: YALA’s Canvas Cleaner. This cleaner is specifically designed for maintaining canvas. It cleans effectively eithout damaging the material.
You can wash the windows with soapy water but make sure that the soap does not get on the canvas.
Please contact us to receive our extensive “Safety, Care & Maintenance Manual”.
How do you extend the life of your safari tents?
A canvas lodge from YALA does not require much maintenance but to increase the lifespan of your investment, there are a number of tips in our blog that you can apply.
For detailed instructions, please contact us and we will send you our “Safety, Care & Maintenance Manual”.
How do you deal with repairs?
It can happen that, unexpectedly, a zip or a tension strap breaks, for example. With good instructions from us, you can carry out these repairs yourself. You call us when something is broken and we look for the best solution to help you. It almost never happens, but when a hole does appear in the PVC roof or canvas, we look at each report to see how we can best help and advise on a tailor-made basis.