Skip to content Choosing the right rooftop tent for camping in the UAE and GCC is about more than appearance or price. The best choice should handle high temperatures, provide good ventilation and insect protection, offer a comfortable mattress, and be quick to set up after a long drive through the desert.
Before buying, consider these essential factors:
For many UAE overlanders, a lightweight, low-profile design with quick deployment and effective ventilation can make camping more convenient. The Chicari rooftop tent is one option to consider when comparing compact designs for your vehicle.
Camping in the UAE differs from camping in cooler climates. You might spend a weekend exploring the dunes of Al Qudra, travelling across the gravel tracks of Hatta, or heading towards the mountains and deserts of Oman or Saudi Arabia.
These trips can expose your camping equipment to intense sunlight, high temperatures, blowing sand, dust and sudden changes in weather.
When choosing a rooftop tent, think about how you will use it throughout the year rather than focusing only on how it performs during the cooler winter months.
Prolonged exposure to strong sunlight can cause some tent fabrics, coatings and plastic components to deteriorate over time. Look for durable materials, good UV resistance and a protective outer shell where applicable.
A compact, hard-shell design can help protect the folded tent fabric while driving and when the tent is closed. However, the quality of the materials, seals and construction remains important.
Remember that even a well-built rooftop tent is not designed to make sleeping comfortable in every temperature. During the hottest months, consider camping only when conditions are suitable and avoid relying on ventilation alone to manage dangerous heat.
Desert dust can work its way into zips, hinges, mounting points and other moving components. Over time, accumulated dirt can make opening and closing your tent more difficult.
Look for robust construction, reliable closures and components that are easy to clean and maintain. After dusty trips, brush away loose sand and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before storing the tent.
UAE camping tip: After returning from a trip, allow any damp fabric or bedding to dry thoroughly before closing the tent for extended storage. This helps reduce the risk of mould, unpleasant odours and damage.
Ventilation is one of the most important considerations when selecting a rooftop tent for the GCC.
Even during the cooler camping season, temperatures inside a closed tent can rise, particularly when the vehicle has been parked in direct sunlight. Two people sleeping inside also release moisture through breathing, which can contribute to condensation when airflow is limited.
A good design should provide several ways for air to circulate:
The important thing is to consider how the ventilation works when you are actually sleeping inside the tent, not simply how many windows it has.
A small 12V or USB fan can improve perceived comfort by moving air around the sleeping area. Some campers power a fan using a portable power station or their vehicle’s auxiliary electrical system.
However, a fan does not lower the surrounding air temperature in the way an air conditioner does. It should not be treated as a solution for dangerously hot conditions.
For summer trips, choose a safe camping location, seek shade where practical and plan your sleeping arrangements around the forecast.
Sleeping above the ground is a major attraction of a rooftop tent, particularly when camping on uneven terrain or in areas where crawling insects may be present.
However, elevation alone does not guarantee protection from insects. Mosquitoes and flying insects can still reach your sleeping area.
Mesh panels should allow air to circulate without leaving large gaps through which insects can enter.
Check the following before buying:
Insect protection is particularly useful when camping near wadis, vegetation or water, where mosquitoes and other insects may be more noticeable.
Keep doors and windows properly closed when necessary, and inspect the tent before going to sleep.
A comfortable sleeping setup can make the difference between an enjoyable weekend and a tiring trip home.
Many rooftop tents include a built-in mattress, but mattress comfort varies significantly between models.
Consider four things:
Thickness and support: A mattress should provide enough support for your body without allowing you to feel the hard base beneath it. Thickness alone does not guarantee comfort, so consider the foam’s density and construction as well.
Sleeping dimensions: Check the actual usable sleeping area rather than relying only on the advertised capacity. Two adults need enough room to sleep comfortably without being forced against the tent walls.
Heat management: In warm conditions, a mattress and bedding combination that allows moisture to escape can feel more comfortable than one that traps excessive heat.
Ease of cleaning: Removable or washable covers can make maintenance easier after dusty trips.
For occasional weekend camping, the supplied mattress may be perfectly adequate. If you plan to travel regularly or spend several nights at a time outdoors, it is worth checking whether the mattress suits your sleeping position and comfort preferences.
Try to assess the mattress in person if possible. A mattress that feels comfortable for one person may not suit another.
Also consider how much space the mattress takes up when the tent is folded. A practical design should make it reasonably easy to pack away bedding without turning every departure into a struggle.
When you arrive at a desert campsite after driving for several hours, the last thing you want is a complicated setup.
This is where the opening mechanism becomes particularly important.
Both styles have advantages, and the right choice depends on how you camp.
Hard-shell designs
Soft-shell designs
