The Vango Savannah range is one of the most popular family tent lines in the UK — and it's easy to see why. Spacious, well-built, and packed with features, both the Savannah Air 400 and the Savannah 400 are excellent 4-person tents. But which one is right for you?
At Newquay Camping Shop we stock both models and have them available in our Cornwall showroom — so if you're local or passing through the South West, you can see them in person before you decide. Here's our honest comparison to help you choose.
At a Glance
| Savannah Air 400 | Savannah 400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | AirBeam® inflatable | PowerFlex® fibreglass poles |
| Setup time | ~10 minutes | ~18 minutes |
| Weight | 24.4 kg | 21.6 kg |
| Pack size | L80 × H45 × W45 cm | L80 × H36 × W36 cm |
| Waterproofing | 4,000 mm HH | 4,000 mm HH |
| Dimensions | 600 × 300 cm | 600 × 300 cm |
| Standing height | 205 cm | 205 cm |
| Bedrooms | 2 × King Size Midnight | 2 × King Size Midnight |
| Front awning | Pre-attached | Built-in |
| Includes | AirBeam pump + groundsheet protector | Free footprint |
| Price | £739 | £484 |
What They Have in Common
Both tents share the same footprint (600 × 300 cm), the same 205 cm standing height, and the same core feature set:
- Sentinel Active fabric with 4,000 mm hydrostatic head and fully taped seams
- Two King Size Midnight blacked-out bedrooms with 70 cm per person
- Toggled inner divider for flexible bedroom configuration
- Front awning for covered outdoor living and storage
- AirZone ventilation panels and mesh doors
- Diamond Clear windows
- SkyTrack® II hanging system, lantern points, and cable entry
- TBS®II Tension Band System for wind stability
- Fully sewn-in groundsheet with storm skirt
- Wind and rain tested to EN5912
In short, the living space, weather protection, and bedroom quality are essentially identical.
The Key Difference: Inflatable vs Poled
Savannah Air 400 — choose this if setup speed is a priority
The Air 400 uses Vango's AirBeam® inflatable framework. You connect the pump, inflate, and the tent is standing in around 10 minutes. No poles to slot together, no risk of snapping a section in the dark, and no juggling a large structure on a breezy pitch.
It's heavier (24.4 kg vs 21.6 kg) and packs down larger, but for most families driving to a campsite that's an acceptable trade-off for the convenience — especially if you're arriving late after a long drive down to Cornwall or Devon.
Best for: Families who want the fastest possible setup, frequent movers, and anyone who's ever struggled with poles in the rain.
View the Vango Savannah Air 400 →
Savannah 400 — choose this if weight, pack size, or budget matters
The Savannah 400 uses PowerFlex® fibreglass poles and takes around 18 minutes to pitch — still fast for a tent of this size. It's 2.8 kg lighter, packs into a noticeably smaller bag, and comes in at £255 less than the Air 400.
For families comfortable with a poled tent who want to keep costs down or save boot space, the Savannah 400 is outstanding value. The included free footprint adds extra longevity to the groundsheet.
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, families comfortable with poled tents, and those where boot space or pack size is a factor.
Which Is Better for South West Camping?
Both tents handle the South West's changeable coastal weather well — the 4,000 mm hydrostatic head and fully taped seams are more than capable of handling a wet Cornish week.
Where the Air 400 has a slight edge is on exposed pitches with strong winds. The inflatable AirBeam® structure is harder to damage in gusty conditions than fibreglass poles, which can flex and occasionally snap under extreme stress. If you're regularly pitching on exposed clifftop sites in Cornwall or north Devon, that's worth factoring in.
For sheltered inland sites across Somerset or Dorset, either tent performs equally well.
Our Verdict
If budget isn't the deciding factor, the Savannah Air 400 wins on convenience — the 10-minute pitch is genuinely transformative for family camping, especially with young children.
If you want to save £255, travel lighter, or simply prefer a traditional poled tent, the Savannah 400 delivers the same space, the same weather protection, and the same sleeping quality for significantly less money.
You genuinely can't go wrong with either. The best choice depends on how much you value setup speed vs pack size and cost.
See Both in Our Newquay Showroom
We stock both tents at our showroom at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ. If you're planning a South West camping trip and want to see them side by side before buying, come and visit — our team is happy to walk you through the differences in person.
