An African safari is a dream trip for many, especially photographers, and the last thing you want to worry about is your clothes. To ensure you have a comfortable, safe, and unforgettable experience, it’s essential to pack the right attire. This guide provides comprehensive advice on what to wear on an African safari, covering everything from color choices to essential items.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Safari Clothing
Choosing the correct safari clothing will add to your enjoyment of your safari. It's one of the first questions you will ask once you have booked your safari. Unfortunately, there are many people and blogs who think they know what makes for great safari clothing, but actually have very little idea about what works and what doesn't work well to improve your safari experience. At the end of the day, getting the best advice and packing the correct safari clothing will add to your enjoyment of your safari.
The safari clothing rule of thumb: Dress in layers for all activities & wear shades of the African bush - khaki, browns, and greens. Follow our safari clothing advice and you'll be comfortable, cool, protected, and assured that the safari clothing you pack is 100% safari suitable. Learn what safari clothing to pack - and what clothing not to pack - for your safari.
To get more insight into this list, please simply scroll down this page to where we elaborate further - and/or download our free packing list.
Top 10 Tips for Selecting Safari Clothing
For the short answer as to what safari clothing to pack for your safari, we have created our "Top 10 tips for selecting safari clothing". For the long answer, please scroll down below the "top tips" as we go into detail about each key aspect for picking what safari clothing to take with you.
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- Dress in layers for all activities, with a warm layer essential in the mornings and evenings.
- Pack a warm layer: Even in mid-summer, it gets cold on the back of an open 4x4.
- Pack a dry layer: When it rains in Africa, it tends to pour. If travelling during the rainy season, take a truly waterproof layer.
- Pack light: Luggage restrictions on internal flights means that packing lightweight safari clothing is key.
Choosing the Right Colors and Fabrics
Color Matters
Safari clothing which is made from neutral and naturally-toned colours is the order of the day in deciding what safari clothing to pack for your safari. The best safari clothing colours are therefore shades of khaki, greens, and browns as these are the colours most prevalent in the wilds, wilderness, and back-country of Africa. On the other end of the scale, the worst safari clothing colours are without doubt white and black and lighter shades of natural colours such as very light stone which appear as white when in sunlight.
It isn't by chance that animals such as impala and Thompson's gazelle have white rumps to make following one another through the bush easier to do - white really stands out. Which brings us to the core question here: "why is the choice of colour for safari clothing so important?"
You spend a good amount of money going on safari not to watch animals watching you and reacting to you, but rather to view animals behaving - well - as naturally as animals should do. The aim of any safari is therefore to blend in as much as possible so that you do not disturb the wildlife you are viewing. This ensures that you are able to watch animals behaving naturally and not reacting to you, running away, or charging towards you.
Staying as unseen as possible is so important that, in high-level guide walking safari training, the trainee guide fails or passes based on whether or not they are able to use the wind, cover, and terrain to view high profile herbivores (elephant, rhino, buffalo) without one of the herd seeing the trainee guide and the evaluators. To achieve this, colour of clothing and the ability to blend in is very important.
As illustrated by the split image on this page, white is the most conspicuous colour on safari for safari clothing and you will be seen by African wildlife from a mile away. It quite simply stands out the most against the muted brown and green tones of Africa. This is most true while walking on safari - an activity we highly recommend - where remaining as undetected as possible is key to watching natural behaviour.
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Also, please do not pack safari clothing that is blue or black in colour. Black is second only to white in how clearly it stands out in the bush, but there is another reason why black and blue safari clothing should not be worn: tsetse flies. If you are travelling to an area with tsetse flies, please note that the flies - which are the equivalent of tiny fighter jets and deliver a very painful bite with their proboscis - are attracted to blue and black.
For the majority of African countries, please do not pack camouflage safari clothing as camouflage safari clothing is illegal attire for civilians and this law may be strictly enforced. In conclusion, all the safari clothing stocked by The Safari Store is handpicked to be made from safari-suitable colours - and are the ideal colours for safari travel.
As an aside, some travellers have asked why safari clothing colour is such an issue when African tribesmen - for example, the Maasai - wear bright colours in the bush. The answer is simple: their main aim us to be as visible as possible as they are herdsmen who are trying to protect their livestock from predators such as lion, hyena, and cheetah. The bright colours ensure that any roaming predator sees them before attacking their herds and are dissuaded from doing so. The herdsmen want to be seen in African bush.
For the best game-viewing experience, you - on the other hand - do not. The right side of the image above shows why the worst safari clothing colour to wear on safari is white - simply as you stick out like a beacon in the African bush. The left side shows that the best colours to wear on safari are shades of Africa's neutral and natural tones which blend in with the browns, greens, and khakis of the African bush. This makes you harder for wildlife to see.
Fabric Choices
Includes more detailed information for each safari clothing product type. We have spent years studying and understanding how yarns - the building block of any fabric - work and affect the engineering of any garment, including safari clothing. These studies have lead us to develop and field test fabrics of all types, with only the cream of the crop making it into our range of safari clothing. Here we tell you what we have learnt about the differences between fabrics made from man-made yarn and those made from natural yarns such as cotton and the impact that should have on your choice of safari clothing.
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To start, we have to say that safari clothing made from cotton is, of course, fine to wear on safari, but it will never perform as well as modern man-made fabrics which offer a much higher level of outdoor performance. To illustrate this point, we often use the example of the typewriter versus the computer. This too is the case with man-made fabrics - they are simply able to do so much more than natural fabrics. One of the key indicators of performance for safari clothing is the ability of the fabric to keep you cool through the hotter midday and afternoon hours of the day. Here, man-made fabrics win hands down.
Your body keeps cool by perspiring - which, of course, is no secret. In itself, the act of perspiring does not keep you cool, but it is the movement of sweat away from the skin which keeps you cool. The faster the rate of evaporation from the skin, the faster you are kept cool. In fabric, this movement of water is referred to as wicking. It does not crease as badly and releases creases much faster than cotton when hung up or ironed. It also only requires a cool iron to release the water in the fabric, which in turn releases the creases. This explains how steam irons work too. They inject moisture into the fabric and then wick the moisture out of the fabric at a very high speed, releasing the creases. This also explains why you will often see dark sweat patches under the arms and down the back of a person wearing a cotton garment which last for a long time.
There have also been tremendous advances made in the finishes which we are able to add to man-made fabrics.
- Keep bugs at bay: Get added defence by selecting clothing that offers a built-in anti-insect treatment. Insist on seeing proof that the built-in insect defence has been proven to work by asking to see the laboratory test results.
- Protect your skin: The African sun can be harsh, even during winter. Opt for clothing that offers protection from the sun. This will be shown as a UPF rating.
- Stay fresh: As we all prefer to smell fresh, select clothing that uses an anti-microbial or anti-bacterial fabric. This also means that you will be able to wear the same clothing for longer and so pack less and travel lighter.
Essential Safari Clothing Items
Here's a detailed list of essential clothing items to pack for your African safari:
- Shirts: Pack a combination of short and long-sleeved shirts. Long sleeves provide sun and bug protection, and you can roll them up to cool down.
- Pants: Bring long pants, with a few pairs having zip-off bottoms to convert them into shorts.
- Hats: Hats are critical for sun and bug protection. Choose options with SPF (sunscreen) and bug repellent treatments.
- Jackets and Fleeces: For all safaris, pack a jacket or fleece, and a beanie and scarf for the African winter.
- Waterproof Layer: A waterproof layer is essential if traveling over the rainy season.
The 5 Basics of a Good Safari Outfit
No matter where or when you go on a safari, these are the five principles we suggest you use to guide your safari wardrobe:
- Wear long sleeves and pants: Long pants and long-sleeved tops keep your skin covered and so protect you from the cold and wind, sun, and insect bites. While many places in Africa can get really hot, remember that some can also get downright chilly! This is especially true of many inland places when you're out on safari early in the morning or at night. Long pants are especially useful if you're going on a walking safari or a game drive where you're allowed to sometimes exit the vehicle. This is because they help to protect your legs from being scratched or bitten. Long pants help protect your legs from becoming scratched or bitten
- Choose neutral and earthy colours: The idea on a safari is that you spot wild animals - not that they spot you. So you want to blend in with the environment as much as possible to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself. This is especially true for cycling or walking safaris, where there's the chance to get really close to certain animals. Avoid camouflage clothing, as some African nations reserve that for the military. But good colour choices include earthy tones and neutrals like brown, khaki and grey. You probably want to avoid white, cream and other light colours as they'll show up any dust and dirt. Black isn't great for keeping you cool, and blue can actually attract tsetse flies! We recommend you not wear white clothes on a safari drive as the roads can be really dusty
- Wear closed shoes: Closed shoes are especially important if you're going on one of the kinds of safari where you get out of the vehicle, like on a walking safari. The ground can be uneven, thorny, and there are snakes and other critters - so please protect your feet. Good, worn-in hiking boots, worn with hiking socks, are best for walking safaris. Some even like to wear gaiters on safari walks to ensure they won't suffer a snake bite.
- Bring a proper sunhat: You need to wear a sunhat on safari in order to prevent burning and also possibly heatstroke. A hat with a full brim is far better than a sports cap as it protects the back of your neck in addition to your face. A crown-less peak or visor isn't a great idea as your head can burn badly, especially if you have a parting or some hair thinning or balding. Safari vehicles vary widely, but often you're highly exposed to the sun and elements
- Avoid strong perfume or cologne: You don't want the wildlife to move away from you because they're bothered by your foreign-smelling perfume or cologne. Rather let the animals - and your fellow safari-goers - enjoy the smell of the great outdoors. (That said, please don't refrain from applying your morning deodorant - nobody is advocating for that!)
Additional Tips for Packing
- Pack Light: Luggage restrictions on internal flights mean that packing lightweight safari clothing is key.
- Soft-Sided Bags: Pack your safari clothing and gear into a bag which is soft and squashable.
- Day Bag: You will need a day bag to bring all your essentials on your game drives.
Protection from the Elements
Protection from the Cold
Game drives often happen early in the morning and around sundown, as this is a good time to see the animals since they like to move about and hunt in the cooler parts of the day. Depending on your location and the time of the year, these morning and evening game drives can be chilly, even downright cold.
On morning and evening game drives you want to wear:
- A warm fleece
- Long pants
- Socks and closed shoes
If you're doing a rare night-time safari, then the cold can be an even more pressing issue. Don't be surprised if your safari guide hands out blankets.
Some parks allow night-time safaris, which are very special but can also be really cold!
Convertible pants are a great safari clothing choice as you can remove the lower legs when you get hot. We recommend stashing a rainproof jacket in your backpack or the vehicle - even if it's a hot, cloudless day - just to be safe. The weather can turn, and you don't want the cold or wet ruining your adventure.
If you're driving in an open vehicle, a rainproof jacket is also a good idea
Protection from Heat and Sunburn
Many African safaris take place in really hot regions, and the sun can be strong. Humidity can also be intense. It's vital that you cover up to avoid sunburn. And this goes for cloudy days too - you can 100% burn even through cloud cover.
When you go an African safari, you want to protect yourself from the heat and sunburn by wearing:
- A loose-fitting, long-sleeved top (you can always roll up the sleeves if you get too hot)
- A wide-brimmed hat that covers your face and neck (even better is a hat made from material specially designed to protect you from UV rays)
These two know their stuff - brimmed hats, shades, and earth-coloured clothes that keep their skin covered up
We recommend still wearing closed shoes even if doing a midday safari drive. This will protect your feet from sunburn. But if you do choose sandals, please be sure to put sunscreen on your feet - folks often forget to protect the skin on the top of their feet.
Apart from protecting your skin, be sure to combat the heat by bringing along plenty of water, especially in humid regions where one sweats a lot. Note that you want a sunscreen that protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. Many African safaris take place near to the Equator, where the sun is fierce. So protect your exposed skin with a quality sunblock. And don't forget the backs of your hands!
Sunglasses are also a great asset on an African safari.
You should wear sunblock on both cloudless and cloudy days
Protection from Insects
When going on an African safari, the one kind of wildlife you're not interested in meeting: the local insects. Your safari wardrobe needs to bear these critters in mind not only from a comfort point of view, but also from a safety one.
One of the key reasons for recommending long-sleeved tops, long pants and closed shoes is that they protect you from insect bites. And while some insect bites are just a nuisance, we especially have mosquitoes in mind. Many African safaris take place in malaria zones. So avoiding mozzie bites is of great importance.
Map showing the general reach of malaria in Africa, with popular safari destination Tanzania identified
Another insect you really don't want biting you is the tsetse fly, which transmits the bacterial disease that causes sleeping sickness. They're attracted by the colour blue, so avoid wearing blue on safari. Bright blue in particular is alluring to them.
Avoid blue clothing while on safari in Africa, as this colour attracts tsetse flies.
The three primary ways to avoid insect bites while out on safari are:
- Covering up
- Using an insect repellent (lotion or spray on)
- Taking anti-malaria medication
At night, you should ideally also sleep under a mosquito net. Any establishment worth their salt will have these as standard in bedrooms. But it could be worth checking up on this before you book your accommodation.
Packing List Essentials
Here’s a list of essentials to consider when packing for your safari:
- Personal Bag: A small bag for essentials like your camera, charger, cables, and other personal items.
- Camera Gear: A mirrorless camera or DSLR is recommended for capturing amazing photos.
- Binoculars: Essential for spotting animals from a distance.
- Sunscreen: High SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA and UVB rays.
- Insect Repellent: A repellent with at least 30% DEET is recommended.
- Medicine Kit: Include essentials like ibuprofen, band-aids, antihistamines, and any necessary prescription medications.
- Adapters: If traveling from the US, you may need a converter/adapter for your appliances.
What NOT to Wear on Safari
Avoid the following when choosing your safari attire:
- Bright Colors and Busy Patterns: These can scare off wildlife.
- Camouflage Pattern: Illegal in some countries for civilians.
- Dark Colors: Attract tsetse flies.
- White Clothing: Shows dirt and dust easily.
- Formal Wear: Not necessary as most lodges have a relaxed dress code.
Additional Considerations
- Laundry Services: Most luxury lodges offer complimentary laundry services, so pack accordingly.
- Comfortable Footwear: Unless you are doing a bush walk, any close-toed shoes will do.
- Accessories: Sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and a scarf are essential.
Brands to Consider
Here are some recommended brands for safari clothing:
- Prana: Known for their comfortable and versatile travel clothes, especially the Stretch Zion Pants II.
- Royal Robbins: Their Men’s Bug Barrier Active Traveler Zip N Go pants are lightweight and insect-repellent.
- ExOfficio: Offers a range of travel clothing, including shirts and pants in their BugsAway collection.
- Patagonia: Known for high-quality outdoor clothing suitable for various conditions.
🦁 What to Pack for Your First Safari! Essential Safari Packing List & Review 🌍🎒
By following this guide, you can ensure that you are well-prepared for your African safari, with the right clothing to keep you comfortable, protected, and ready to enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.
| Clothing Item | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Long-Sleeved Shirts | Sun and bug protection | Lightweight, breathable fabric |
| Convertible Pants | Versatility for varying temperatures | Zip-off bottoms for shorts |
| Wide-Brimmed Hat | Sun protection | SPF-treated, lightweight |
| Fleece Jacket | Warmth in cool mornings/evenings | Packable, lightweight |
| Closed-Toe Shoes | Protection from terrain and insects | Comfortable hiking boots |
| Neutral Colors | Blending with the environment | Khaki, brown, green |
