The Ultimate Africa Safari Clothing Guide

Nov 08, 2025 0

If you’ve never been on safari before or are heading to a new destination, packing for a trip into the African bush can be a little daunting. Are you taking too much or too little? What will the weather be like? Are there laundry services? How smartly do you have to dress in the evenings? There is a lot to think about!

Choosing the Right Clothing

Neutral Colors and Comfortable Fabrics

We always recommend wearing neutral colors like earth tones or khaki while on safari. This is especially important if you are doing a walking safari! Choose cotton or linen materials to help you stay cool under the African sun, and try to avoid any bright colors, which are more visible and distracting to others than neutrals (and may also attract insects). White clothing is also more visible and will show dirt easily.

In areas where there are tsetse flies, it’s vital to avoid blue and dark colors, as this attracts them. You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe - just purchase a couple of neutral-colored T-shirts or pairs of shorts, and mix and match these with your normal casual clothes. A lot of time on safari is spent bumping around in a vehicle and/or in the hot sun, so dress in loose, comfortable clothes. Long sleeves and trousers will protect you more from the sun, insects at night, and thorns (if you are walking). Lightweight safari trousers that unzip to become shorts are a great option.

Layering for Varying Temperatures

For early mornings and evenings, when temperatures may drop, we would suggest that you take a fleece with you and even gloves, a hat, or a ‘snood’ (tube scarf). Check the altitude of where you are staying - places like the Ngorongoro Crater can get chilly at night up on the rim. Weather conditions may vary depending on your destination and time of travel, so do ask your safari specialist for advice to ensure you're fully prepared.

Footwear

Gorilla trekking is the exception to this - you will need sturdy, protective footwear due to the rough, muddy, and sometimes steep terrain. We recommend waterproof hiking boots, which offer ankle support and good traction.

What Not to Wear on an African Safari

Evening Attire

Ultimately, this depends on your hotel or safari lodge. In the evenings, the dress remains casual in the vast majority of camps - these are safari lodges, after all. You will be enjoying drinks and chatting around the campfire! There is certainly no need for a jacket and tie. However, at some of Africa’s top luxury lodges, such as Singita and &Beyond, à la carte dinners are common and dressing smart casual here is recommended.

Evenings in a safari camp are usually pretty casual, even at the luxury properties. No overly smart clothing is needed, as it’s very much an extension of the day.

Laundry Services

The majority of camps/lodges in Safari Africa provide laundry services. Some camps provide this for free and other camps offer it at an additional cost (payable locally). Moreover, some camps do not provide it at all. If complimentary laundry is included at the camps you will be staying at, it will be stated in your day-by-day itinerary in the ‘Includes’ section. Laundry takes about 24 hours, so bear this in mind if you need to get some done before you leave a property. For cultural reasons, it does not usually include underwear.

Luggage Restrictions

This is an important one, and it’s up to our clients to follow the guidance to the letter on this. First, you will need to check whether you are taking any light aircraft flights - and if you are, check what the luggage allowance is. Only soft bags will be accepted on light aircraft flights (e.g. duffel bags). The rule of thumb for this is a bag soft enough for you to easily manipulate its shape. Most airlines will allow one side of the bag to have a rigid frame and small wheels, but the total dimension of the bag (including frame and wheels) must fit within the dimension given below. Hard-shell suitcases and luggage with full rigid frames will not be accepted.

Plastic Bag Ban

Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Namibia have all implemented a strong ban on single-use plastic, in an effort to tackle plastic pollution. This includes plastic carrier bags, which can no longer be imported, exported, or used. In many destinations, offenders will be punished with a hefty fine or even prison time for simply using a plastic bag!

Read also: Amazing Facts About Africa

Essential Items to Pack

Flip-flops for being around camp in the daytime.
Binoculars - some of the lodges will have a spare pair, but we always suggest taking a pair with you. Even if you don’t think you will use them, spend the most you are prepared to pay as they will make a big difference to your game-viewing experience. Most people on safari will stick to a magnification of 7 or 8, which gives you a wide field of view and reacts less to any shaking.
Almost all safari camps and lodges provide towels, basic toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, and body lotion), and insect repellent, although of course you can bring your own.

Additional Packing Tips

Pack neutral colors with minimal prints. This makes it easier to mix and match things! Also, some safari sites ask that you do not wear certain bright colors or camouflage patterns.
Don't bring your favorite clothing items. They will be washed by people at the camps, so if you really care about the way something needs to be washed or dried, don't bring it.
You won’t need to dress up! We stayed at nice places, but no one ever wore dresses/skirts, so they aren’t necessary to pack.
Triple check your luggage requirements and baggage allowance if you have to take a bush flight.
Keep in mind neutral, earth tones for your safari wardrobe!

Detailed Clothing Recommendations

Pants: Bring 3 pairs of pants in olive green, khaki, and mustard. These went with all my shirts and made more easy mix and matching. I wore pants on all of the safaris, whether it was cold or warm. They were great for sun and bug protection.
Shorts: I brought 2 pairs of shorts BUT definitely could have SKIPPED these! I visited in September, so if you’re going during a warmer month you might want to bring one pair of shorts. However, you might only want pants depending on how many bugs there are in the region.
T-shirts/tops: I bought 4 shirts. Mine were cream, black, and white. Nothing fancy!
Long sleeve linen/light cotton shirt: This was perfect for layering when I wanted a little more coverage without adding a lot of bulk.
Light weight sweater or sweatshirt: I brought a Vuori Long Sleeve Halo Crew and it was perfect!
Utility jacket: This isn’t a necessity, but I loved having it. I got mine on Amazon and it was great. It was army green with big pockets, which felt perfect for a safari. It was very nice in the mornings and evenings when it got chilly.
Rain coat: Bring a packable raincoat. Amazon has tons of great options!
Lightweight puffer jacket: I didn’t bring this, but I wished I had one on the colder days.
Leggings: I brought leggings thinking that I would work out, but that didn’t end up happening besides some hikes. However, they ended up being great for layering under pants when it was cold.
Pajamas: You only need one pair of pajamas! Trust me, it saves space and was totally fine. I brought Vuori joggers (lightweight cotton)
Socks and underwear: Check ahead of time if your lodge will wash these for you! That will determine how many you need to bring.

Shoes

Tennis shoes: I wore these everyday on the safaris and hikes
Slide sandals: These are so nice to wear while hanging out around the camp
Ankle boots: I didn’t bring these but I wish I had! I have these waterproof Vessi boots that would have been perfect.

Miscellaneous Items

Reusable water bottle
Accent handkerchief (kept the sun off or pulled it on my face when it was dusty) Or a Buff (around my neck)
Hats
- Wide brim wicker hat (typical safari hat)
- Baseball cap (more practical than a safari hat. Holds your hair out of your face.)
- Beanie (I was skeptical, but was SO glad I had one. We had a lot of cold mornings.)
Sunglasses: I love my Goodr glasses! They are affordable and comfy.
Binoculars: These were fun to have, but we didn’t use them a ton.
Toiletries: deodorant, toothpaste/toothbrush. I usually bring my own shower stuff, but I chose to use what the camp provided
Day pack: You will want a small backpack or a fanny pack. I brought a large fanny pack from Walker Family Goods.

Weather Considerations

Africa has a reputation for endless sunshine but many first- timers are surprised by how cold it gets here. Peak safari season is at mid-year during the southern hemisphere winter and game drives leave before dawn and then go out again in the late afternoon, returning at dusk - both times of day when it can be cold, especially in the open vehicles that are more common in Southern Africa.

Color Considerations

The best colours to wear are the dominant colours found in nature such as khaki, beige, light brown and olive green. When in doubt, go neutral, like shades of grey. Although animals are colour-blind, they're very sensitive to high contrasts caused by bright colours, white and black, and loud patterns, and you will stand out to them as something unfamiliar, making them wary of approaching the vehicle. Speaking of patterns, avoid large expanses of animal print on game drives. Avoid shades of blue (especially navy blue) and black as they attract tsetse flies.

Sun Protection

Sun protection is essential - make sure to have a wide-brimmed hat (that won't blow off in the wind), high-SPF sunblock and sunglasses.

Layering

Mornings and evenings can be cold so pack both warm and cool clothing that you can layer, including a fleece or warm raincoat.

Footwear for Walks

You'll need closed, comfortable walking shoes for guided nature walks that take place in the morning or afternoon, usually just around your lodge or camp; heavy-duty hiking boots are only necessary for multi-day walking safaris.

Read also: Discover Thula Thula

Smart-Casual Attire

Bring an outfit or two of smart-casual attire for dinner, and any overnight stops in the city.

Binoculars

Binoculars come in handy, especially if you are visiting national parks where you are not permitted to go off-road to get closer to the animals.

Swimwear

If you are travelling in summer or have a heated pool at your lodge, pack conventional swimwear and a wrap or cover-up.

Drones

Check the local regulations before you pack your drone. Drones must be licensed and you must have a permit to fly them. In many areas, they are not permitted as they hamper anti-poaching measures.

Personal Headlamps

Personal headlamps are helpful in more remote or eco-friendly camps, especially if you want to read at night.

Light Aircraft Transfers

If you are taking transfers on a light aircraft, the space available for your luggage is very limited. There will be a strict weight restriction and all baggage must be soft-sided to fit in the hold. If you are unsure of whether to pack something, check with your Africa Safari Expert.

Packing Cubes

I LOVE packing cubes! I like to pack similar items each in their own cube. This keeps everything so organized and easy to find.

Safari Color Palette

"Safari colors" is not just a fashion thing. There's a logical explanation behind the color palette. But with that in mind, you don't need special safari clothing and most likely what you have in your closet will do. If you don't, you can easily pick the safari color palette at any clothing store - sometimes they would come out with a Safari Collection and have all the tan, brown, beige, and green outfit you’ll need. Also, pick a fabric that is breathable like cotton, rayon, or linen.

Do Wear:

Earth-toned colors - Tan, brown, green, beige, etc. to blend in with the landscape.
Light, breathable fabrics - it can get scorching hot, so make sure to bring light and breathable clothes.
Casual clothes - Even if you are staying at a luxury lodge, you won't need to pack formal attire. I brought a nice scarf and used it on top of my outfit to add an elegant touch, but other than that, I dressed very casually.

Avoid:

Bright colors - as it can scare the animals away.
Black and blue colors - Tsetse Flies love these colors, unless you want their nasty bites, avoid at all cost.
White color - there’s nothing against wearing white, but keep in mind that white will soon turn yellow/brown from all the dust.
Camouflage pattern - camouflage is usually associated with the military, and it's illegal to wear in some countries.

Sports Bras

The roads are BUMPY, so if your girls are bigger than a small C, you will need a sports bra. You can use any sport bra, but if you are in the market for super cute and high quality ones, I love and recommend alo's sport bras.

Jackets

Morning and nights can get a bit chilly, and you will want to wear a jacket on your early game drives. is perfect. It comes in different colors and it's also water repellent. It makes the perfect travel jacket! other jackets as well. They make great quality pieces at a affordable price. Besides a parka, I recommend packing a ultra lighweight jacket for the early games. It can get chilly in the early morning. Check out the PUFFTECH Compact Jacket UNIQLO that super lightweight and packable. I have them in different colors.

Jumpsuits

I love a nice jumpsuit! For those days when you don’t want to overthink about your outfit - like when you are getting ready at 5 am - just wear a jumpsuit. I lived in them on my safari trip. At night, I pair it with a scarf to dress it up a bit.

Flats

Bring a pair of nicer flats that you can wear around the lodge. Although you may walk around in flip-flops, flats will be nice when you want to dress up a little. I packed a pair of Old Navy flats that were super comfortable and lightweight.

Boots

Unless you are doing a bush walk, you don't necessarily need a pair of boots and any close-toed shoes will do. But I found it convenient to wear a pair of boots as I ended up walking on gravel and dirt roads. They also protected my ankles - where most insects like to bite. And it matches all my outfits. are super cute and it's worth the investment becasue you won't want to takem off. Just make sure you wear them on your bush flight so you are not adding extra weight.

Breathable and Comfortable Clothing

Pack lightweight and breathable clothing for the hot afternoons. Although you may be tempted to wear nothing in the hot temperatures, I found it better to wear loose pants as it works as a barrier against the sun and insects. If you are planning to wear short or sleeveless top, make sure to apply sunscreen and insect repellent.

Sunglasses

It's bright in the desert! So pack a pair of sunnies.

Day Bag

You will need a day bag to bring all your essentials on your game drives. I brought my Gatta Bag Camera Bag to keep all my camera essentials.

Sun Hat

DO NOT underestimate the sun! This one from Amazon is super cute or also this Sunset Hat.

Swimsuit

If your lodge has a pool, bring your swimsuit! Get a refreshing splash during your downtime in between game drives.

Flip-Flops

I always pack a pair of flip-flops wherever I travel as I use them to walk around the room or by the pool. I love the Old Navy flip-flops - they are comfortable, affordable, and cute!

Scarf

For when it gets cold at night or when you would like to look more put together for dinner. I couldn't find my exact one but I love these ones from & Other Stories.

Other Safari Necessities

Medicine kit

I always travel with a medicine kit that I've put together because you never know what can happen. In some countries, ibuprofen may not be available over the counter, or you may have a hard time finding what you need because of language barrier (speaking from experience), so it’s best to bring your own - especially in the African bush. My medicine kit includes:

Ibuprofen
Band-Aid
Neosporin
Antihistamine
Antiacid
Laxative
Malaria Pills - Contact your doctor to get all the proper vaccinations + Malaria pills for your trip.

Insect Repellent

Whether you are taking the malaria pills or got vaccinated, is never too safe to bring an insect repellent. Most people recommend bringing one that has at least 30% DEET. I bought this Insect repellent DEET 100 from Amazon. I used it every day all over my body before putting clothes on. Make sure to apply it everywhere as mosquitos can still bite you on a surface (the size of a dime) where you did not apply the repellent.

Sunscreen

Oh, don't be fooled into thinking that you will be in a car and not get any sun exposure. The sun is strong, so make sure to pack a good sunscreen! I'm currently loving this Round Lab - Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen. It's SPF 50+ PA++++, super lightweight, moisturising, and absorbs quickly into skin without leaving a white cast. Also keep a stick sunscreen with you to re-apply.

SD Cards

Make sure to pack a few SD Cards. You will need them!

Voltage Adapter

The standard voltage in the US is 120 V, that means that you will need a converter/adapter for your appliances. Some electronics may be compatible if it's labeled 'INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz'.

Camera

Don't forget to pack your camera! If you want to capture amazing photos, your phone won't cut it, so you may have to up your game with a Mirrorless camera or DSLR. But whatever camera you decide to take, make sure you know how to use it. I brought my trusty Sony 7a II mirrorless camera. Tip: Set your camera to Continuous Shooting or Burst Mode (if it has it) - you can take several photos in quick succession by pressing the shutter button or holding it down. Depending on how fast your camera is, you can take 5-10 frames per second. It's handy for capturing fast moving animals.

Camera Bag

Roads are very bumpy so you will want to keep your camera gear safe in a camera bag. I brough my GATTA Christie camera backpack which fits my Sony 7aII with a big lens attached, a prime lens, and a few accessories. The camera bag is small enough to fit in my personal bag, but big enough to fit all my camera essentials.

Lenses

For the best African safari photography, you will need at least a 200mm zoom lens. If you are not planning on buying an expensive zoom lens, you can rent one instead. For my Kenya and Tanzania safari trip, I rented the Sony G-Master 70-200 mm F4 from Lens Rentals. It was much more affordable than buying a new lens. I also brought my 35 mm F2.8 for landscape shots.

Kindle

Between game drives, you will have some downtime - perfect time to catch up on some reading! The Kindle is ideal as it doesn't take up much space and is lightweight. I bring mine everywhere.

Laptop

A laptop is not necessary if you are traveling for pleasure and can disconnect from the world. But if you still have to do some work while abroad (like me) pack your laptop. And if you are a photographer, you can also use your computer to back up your photos. I brought my Macbook Air which is very lightweight.

Binocular

You may get lucky if you get close to some animals, but most likely a few of them will be far away. Bring a binocular to spot them!

Things you won't need

Tripod I wanted to bring my tripod for night shoots, but even my super lightweight tripod was too heavy and had to take it out to meet the 15 Kg limit. Night shots would have been nice, but you won’t need a tripod to photograph animals.

Soft-Shell Bag

Like I mentioned on my Everything You Need To Know Before a Safari post, a soft-shell bag is highly recommended (and required in some airlines) when traveling on a bush plane - as the luggage storage tends to be small and uneven. Hard-shell suitcase makes it difficult to fit all the luggage, especially during high season. It's very light, spacious, and incredibly durable - I didn't mind if people threw it around. to keep everything organized.

Table: Sample Packing List for a 7-Day Safari

Clothing Item	Quantity	Notes
Neutral-colored T-shirts	4-5	Cotton or linen
Long-sleeved shirts	2-3	For sun and insect protection
Lightweight trousers	2	Convertible to shorts
Shorts	1	Optional, depending on climate and insect presence
Fleece jacket	1	For cold mornings and evenings
Rain jacket	1	Packable
Comfortable walking shoes	1 pair	Closed-toe
Hat	1	Wide-brimmed for sun protection
Socks and underwear	7 pairs each	Check laundry availability
Pajamas	1 set	Lightweight