Amazing African Gazebos

What is an African Gazebo?

An African gazebo is a stunning rustic addition to any outdoor space. A gazebo is classified as a pavilion structure which is often built in a park, garden or public space. It is usually freestanding, has a roof and is open on all sides, providing shelter, shade, visual appeal and a versatile space for anything from a bandstand to a bar. What makes the African gazebo different, is that it is made of wood and has a beautiful thatch roof which reminds us of traditional African huts and lapas.

Why Should You Get One?

• They create a wonderful atmosphere, with a relaxed vibe that reminds us of holidays, tropical places or the bushveld.
• They are weather resistant and have a long lifespan. A treated timber frame will ensure that the gazebo is protected from rot and termites, while the thatch roof, if installed correctly, can also last many years. 
• They provide shade and shelter, but still allow you to enjoy the outdoors. An African gazebo with thatch will offer good protection from rain in wet weather and in the summer months the shade underneath will offer maximum UV protection and keep you at least 10 degrees cooler.

• They are proudly African! Southern Africa has a rich history of building with Cape reed thatch which is over 300 years old. By building an African gazebo you are celebrating a great African tradition and building style.
• They have so many uses: Use your gazebo as a shady picnic spot, a place to chill, an outdoor bar at your garden party, or the stage for live music entertainment. They also work really well for wedding venues, at spa resorts or in game reserve camps or picnic spots.

Tips for Building an African Gazebo

• African Gazebos can come in many shapes. Many are round to resemble a traditional hut or rondavel, but square or rectangular shapes also work. You can also use a hexagonal or octagonal shape. Choose a shape that will work for the way in which you want to use the gazebo.
• First construct the timber base of the gazebo and ensure that it is sturdy.
• Your roof should use thatching laths as the framework onto which the thatching reed will be fixed.
• Ensure that the thatched roof allows water to flow off effectively, as this will allow the thatch to last longer.
• You may choose to add railings on the sides of the African gazebo, or to leave them open.
• Flooring inside the gazebo is also optional.
• Spend some time choosing a good location for the gazebo and considering how it will tie into the landscaping around it.

We have all the materials needed to construct an African gazebo available at die Pale Depot and can help you to calculate the correct quantities of treated poles, thatching laths and thatching reed needed to build it.