Planning a safari trip to Africa? Wondering what to wear to blend in with the landscape while staying comfortable? Here’s your comprehensive guide to packing the perfect safari wardrobe, ensuring you’re prepared for everything from early morning game drives to relaxing evenings at the lodge. This guide will delve into the essentials of safari wear, including safari clothes for women and men, offering insights on packing smartly for your journey.
Understanding the Essentials
When embarking on a safari, selecting the right safari clothes is crucial for comfort, sun protection, and enhancing the overall experience. Choosing the right safari gear is not just about fashion; it's about functionality, protection, and comfort.
Luggage Considerations
If you are taking a bush flight, you will be limited in what you can bring as most of them only allow 33 lbs (15 kgs) of luggage, including your personal bag (and yes, they will weight them). It's important to pack the right things to keep you comfortable during your African safari so you can focus on the important things - like spotting elusive wildlife and enjoying one of the most exciting adventures you’ll ever go on.
Like I mentioned on the 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.
Tip: I don't recommend going for a bag that has more than 65L capacity as you can endup overpacking.
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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.
Color Palette and Fabric Choices
"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. Also, pick a fabric that is breathable like cotton, rayon, or linen.
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.
Is there a reason almost every African safari guide I know with wears neutral colors when on safari in the bush? Turns out there are numerous reasons for this color choice. First, wearing green, tan, khaki, and brown colors blend in well with the environment so you don’t disturb the wildlife…or your fellow photographers (you know…the guy that always stands in the shot wearing neon orange!). Second, bugs don’t seem to be as attracted to these colors.
Do wear:
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- 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.
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.
What to Pack for AFRICAN SAFARI - Men & Women's Packing List
Clothing Essentials for Your Safari
Here is a comprehensive list of clothing items to consider for your safari, ensuring you are prepared for varying conditions and activities.
Tops
I normally pack a combination of short and long sleeved shirts. I really like long sleeve shirts for sun and bug protection, and i just roll up the sleeves if I need to cool down.
- Long Sleeve Blouse: Great for layering, and offers more sun protection.
- Short-sleeved Shirt: Comfortable and versatile for warmer conditions.
- Tank Tops: Useful for layering in hot weather.
Bottoms
Same with pants…I’ll bring long pants, but a few pairs will have zip off bottoms to turn them into shorts.
- Pants: Choose two neutral-colored pants for a safari wardrobe - tan, brown and khaki green are all great choices.
- Shorts: Loose shorts are definitely the way to go.
- Cargo Shorts: Practical for carrying essentials during game drives.
Outerwear
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!
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- Utility Jacket: I highly recommend bringing a thicker jacket for colder mornings and evenings.
- Fleece Jacket: Don’t forget a super warm, and comfortable, jacket for sunrise or nighttime drives. If you are a “cold” person, meaning you’re always cold, I would highly recommend bringing a down jacket for extra warmth on the early morning drives!
- Rain Jacket: I’d say a rain jacket is not entirely necessary; safari lodges will have ponchos as mentioned. That said, I was happy that I brought one.
Dresses and 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.
- Maxi or Midi Dress: A longer dress with breathable fabric is great when you’re sitting for long periods of time.
- Jumpsuit: You can’t go wrong with a jumpsuit, especially with sleeves!
- One-Piece Romper: A one-piece romper equals easy safari style on a hot day.
Swimwear
If your lodge has a pool, bring your swimsuit! Get a refreshing splash during your downtime in between game drives.
- Swimsuit: Essential for enjoying pool facilities during downtime.
- Cover-Up: For modesty and sun protection around the pool area.
Footwear
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.
- Boots: You only need one pair of shoes… and by shoes I mean boots. You’ll need to wear boots any time you’re out of your lodging area to avoid stepping on anything - including critters.
- Sandals: 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.
- 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.
Accessories
Hats are critical in Africa, both for sun and bug protection. There are lots of choices, and many are SPF (sunscreen) and bug repellant treated.
- Sun Hat: You’ll definitely need a wide-brim hat to protect you from the rays.
- Light Scarf: I pack a scarf on every trip but you’ll want one on safaris.
- Sunglasses: It's bright in the desert! So pack a pair of sunnies.
Additional Essentials
Beyond clothing, certain items are crucial for a comfortable and safe safari experience. It’s important to pack the right things to keep you comfortable during your African safari so you can focus on the important things - like spotting elusive wildlife and enjoying one of the most exciting adventures you’ll ever go on.
Personal Care and Health
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
Electronics and Photography
- 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.
- SD Cards: Make sure to pack a few SD Cards. You will need them!
- Adapter: The standard voltage in the US is 120 V, that means that you will need a converter/adapter for your appliances.
- Binoculars: 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!
What lens should I pack for an African Safari? 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.
Miscellaneous
- Day Bag: You will need a day bag to bring all your essentials on your game drives.
- 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.
Safari Packing Checklist
Packing smart for your safari is an art that balances between minimalism and preparedness, considering the strict luggage limits and the adventurous nature of the journey.
Capsule Wardrobe: Include versatile pieces such as performance pants, canvas shorts, utility-style dresses, and layering options like a cotton utility jacket and a light puffer coat.
Accessories: Don’t forget a wide-brim hat for sun protection, sunglasses, and quality boots for rugged terrain.
Here’s a handy checklist to ensure you don’t leave behind any essentials:
| Category | Item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Tops | Long-sleeved shirts | 2-3 |
| Short-sleeved shirts | 3-4 | |
| Tank tops | 2 | |
| Bottoms | Long pants | 2 |
| Shorts | 1-2 | |
| Outerwear | Utility jacket | 1 |
| Fleece jacket | 1 | |
| Rain jacket | 1 | |
| Dresses/Jumpsuits | Maxi/midi dress | 1 |
| Jumpsuit | 1 | |
| Swimwear | Swimsuit | 1 |
| Cover-up | 1 | |
| Footwear | Boots | 1 |
| Sandals | 1 | |
| Accessories | Sun hat | 1 |
| Scarf | 1-2 | |
| Sunglasses | 1 | |
| Health & Safety | Sunscreen | 1 |
| Insect repellent | 1 | |
| Medicine kit | 1 | |
| Electronics | Camera | 1 |
| SD cards | 2-3 | |
| Adapter | 1 | |
| Miscellaneous | Binoculars | 1 |
| Day bag | 1 | |
| Kindle | 1 |
With this guide, you’re now well-equipped to pack for your African safari, ensuring you stay comfortable, protected, and stylish throughout your adventure. Remember to prioritize function over fashion, and choose versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to suit various conditions. Enjoy your safari!
