The Exclusive Tents Story
A Legacy Woven
into Every Tent.
Born from a love of the African wilderness. Built by family. Carried forward by passion.
Discover Our StoryWhere It All Began
The story of Exclusive Tents began long before the first luxury tent was manufactured.
It began in the wilderness of South Africa, where a young Paul Zway developed a lifelong fascination with wildlife, nature and the extraordinary landscapes around him.
That passion took him into Kruger National Park, where he spent 17 years as a professional game ranger. His experiences shaped a philosophy that remains at the heart of Exclusive Tents: people should be able to experience the beauty of nature while respecting the environments that make those experiences possible.
What began as a personal passion eventually became a vision for something much greater.
Explore Our History
Paul Zway | Founder of Exclusive Tents
Our Founder | Paul Zway
Paul Zway was more than the founder of Exclusive Tents. He was an adventurer, a conservationist, an innovator, and a man who believed deeply in preserving our connection to the natural world.
After years immersed in the African wilderness, Paul recognized an opportunity to bring the character and adventure of safari living to a wider audience. He envisioned tented structures that could offer exceptional comfort while allowing people to feel genuinely connected to their surroundings.
With determination, creativity and the support of his family, he established Exclusive Tents and began a journey that would carry his vision to hospitality destinations around the world. His approach was always personal: developing relationships, listening to customers, challenging conventional ideas, and creating structures as distinctive as the places they would inhabit.
His passing in 2026 marked a profound loss to his family, colleagues, friends and the wider luxury tented hospitality industry. The values he built the company upon remain part of Exclusive Tents today: his spirit of adventure, respect for nature, dedication to innovation, and belief in family continue to guide the company into its next chapter.
The Beginning of a Vision
In 2004, around a fire in Arizona with his sons, Paul decided to bring the luxury safari tent concept beyond its traditional African setting. With very little in the bank and his eldest son Zane helping every afternoon after school, he launched Exclusive Tents with a single design, the Serengeti Tent.
What started with one signature design grew into an expanding collection of luxury accommodation and hospitality structures. Better fabrics, insulation, steel and timber, distinctive architectural forms and a commitment to customization shaped the collection over time.
The company evolved, but its philosophy never changed: create extraordinary spaces while keeping the personal approach and craftsmanship that defined its beginnings.
01
A childhood surrounded by wildlife in South Africa, followed by seventeen years as a game ranger in Kruger National Park.
02
Bringing the luxury safari tent concept, first discovered in private reserves bordering the Kruger, to guests beyond Africa.
03
From a single Serengeti design to a collection refined with better fabrics, insulation, steel and timber.
04
A two-family company that continues to design, refine and build together.
The People Behind Exclusive Tents
Exclusive Tents has always been more than a business. It is a shared passion built through family, friendship and years of working together. Behind every design, every conversation and every completed project are people who genuinely care about the work they do.
CEO
As the son of founder Paul Zway, Anders carries forward the family legacy and vision that established Exclusive Tents as a leader in luxury tented hospitality. As CEO, he guides the company's continued growth, maintaining its commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, innovation, and personalized service for clients around the world.
HEAD OF MARKETING
Having been part of Exclusive Tents since its earliest days, Zane grew up alongside the family business, working with his father and developing a deep understanding of the company. Today, he brings that history and passion to his role as Head of Marketing, sharing the craftsmanship, innovation, and projects that define Exclusive Tents.
HEAD OF DESIGN & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
With over 20 years of experience in the luxury tented hospitality industry, Brian leads the design and development of custom tented structures for projects around the world. From architectural concepts and 3D visualizations to on-site installation supervision, he helps bring each client's vision to life.
MASTER CANVAS CRAFTERS AND BUSINESS PARTNERS
Johan and Louwrie lead manufacturing in South Africa, bringing specialist canvas craftsmanship to every Exclusive Tents structure.
Our South African Heritage
Exclusive Tents is a two-family business. Johan and Louwrie, our Master Canvas Crafter, and his family lead manufacturing in South Africa, while the Zway family handles design, branding and client relationships.
Together the two families bring nearly 40 years of combined experience in tent manufacturing, canvas craftsmanship and nature conservation. From the first design discussion to the final stages of production, every project reflects the care of people who take genuine pride in their craft.
Explore Our CraftsmanshipInspired by the Wilderness
Paul's years in conservation shaped an understanding that extraordinary places deserve thoughtful architecture. We strive to create structures that complement their environments and encourage a closer connection to nature, without losing sight of the landscapes that inspire them.
The Next Chapter
Exclusive Tents continues to move forward with the same curiosity, determination and personal commitment that inspired its beginnings. The principles Paul established remain at the center of everything we do.
We continue to refine our designs, explore new possibilities and build meaningful relationships with the people who trust us with their projects. Above all, we remain a family-oriented company, proud of our heritage.
The vision began with Paul. The responsibility to carry it forward belongs to all of us.
Our Story Continues Through Our Work
Every project becomes part of our story. From intimate private retreats to hospitality destinations, our tented structures carry the passion and craftsmanship of Exclusive Tents into landscapes across the globe.
We'd Love to Hear Your Story
Whether you have a fully developed architectural concept or are just beginning to imagine the possibilities, we'd be delighted to hear about your vision and explore how we can help.
