Post Last updated on November 1, 2024
“What should I wear on my safari?”
Without a doubt, one of the most commonly asked questions we receive is about what to wear while on safari.
This needn’t be something that keeps you up at night, as there is, quite simply, not a single predetermined way of dressing while on safari. This isn’t school and there isn’t a safari uniform that everybody is required to adhere to – although sometimes it might seem like it.
What you wear should above all be comfortable and practical – with style points a distant third. There are however some guidelines that we ask you to keep in mind, so here are a few points from the team at Safari Frank:
Do I need specialised ‘safari clothes?’
When you picture people on a safari, most have the same kind of image in mind – lots of khaki, preferably with more pockets than you really know what to do with.
This is certainly not a prerequisite, it just so happens that khaki blends into the local environment very well and when you are out on safari a lot of pockets can come in handy.
If you have items like these, great, bring them along, if not, don’t feel like you need to rush down to the local shopping centre looking for ‘safari clothes’. Simply choose some clothes you already have that are casual, lightweight, light-colored, and breathable.
What clothes do you recommend for a safari?
Head
- A wide-brimmed hat, especially when going on a walking safari
- A beanie for early mornings on the safari vehicle
- Sunglasses
- A light scarf or a “buff” for your neck
Upper body
- A fleece for those nippy early mornings before sunrise
- A light t-shirt or button-down-shirt (khaki-colored when going on a bushwalk / on a safari vehicle any colour is fine. We recommend sticking to lighter colours instead of darks because of the relentless African sun)
- A light rain jacket
- Gloves (depending on the season)
Lower body
- Khaki shorts with lots of pockets
- Long pants – that’s trousers for some of you out there – made from light fabric which is especially good for bushwalks in the summertime through long grass
- Light walking shoes
- Flip-Flops
- Belt (for pocket knife & camera-capture-clips)
- Breathable socks, half-long
What colours can I wear on safari?
When you’re in the process of hurling clothes into that bag for the trip, you might linger on the items with a brighter colour.
Colour is great, but please bear in mind that while on safari it’s best to wear beige, greens, and browns, so as not to stick out like a sore thumb and potentially scare off the animals you are so desperate to see. Black and dark blue should also be avoided because they not only stand out while on safari but they are also known to attract the dreaded tsetse flies – little monsters with a big bite.
What you wear back at the lodge and while you’re travelling is completely up to you, but if you’re here for the animals – as we think most people are – blending in is the name of the game.
It’s also important to note that camouflage clothing is an absolute no-go. In certain African countries, it’s actually illegal to wear camouflage on safari, as it’s commonly associated with soldiers.
What about the different seasons?
Africa tends to experience two distinctive seasons, one rainy and one dry, and depending on when you’re travelling, the season will probably influence your choice of clothes – though perhaps not as much as you’d think.
Going on safari during the rainy season will of course mean more rain than in the dry season, but you’ll probably also have plenty of time with temperatures that are higher than you are used to.
To put it simply, if you’re visiting during the rainy season come prepared for both the dry and the wet, while if you’re coming to Africa during the dry season, you’ll certainly remain drier, but it’s always a good idea to bring some waterproofs along also.
In terms of temperature, the two seasons on average see a difference of between 5℃ and 15℃ depending on where you are in Africa. To make things a little more complicated, the rainy season is usually the hotter period, while the dry season can get pretty chilly at night.
What shoes should I take on safari?
Light walking shoes are always preferable when you’re out on safari. Anything too big and clunky and your feet won’t be able to breathe enough in the high temperatures, while they should be versatile enough to be used on the African terrain.
It probably goes without saying, but what the hell, anything with a heel or that is uncomfortable on your feet for long periods should probably be avoided. Save the formal footwear for the lodge and make sure while you’re out on safari you have something lightweight, dependable, and above all comfortable on your feet.
What accessories should I bring?
While it would be impossible to list absolutely everything that you might need on a safari, here’s a good list to get you started.
- Binoculars (we recommend a magnification of at least 38/8)
- Pocket Knife
- Camera & Lenses
- Camera Capture Clips (we use Peak Design)
- Camel Bag or reusable steel bottle
- Kikoi (buy at an African local market – great to wet on a hot day for a nice cooling effect!)
- Maasai blanket (buy at an African local market)
- Sunscreen
- Insect-repellent
- Little water-spray-bottle. We call this our “bush aircon” – great to use during drives if you need a little refresher
What about water bottles?
Nowadays, with most people much more ecologically minded than a decade ago, most lodges and camps will supply reusable water bottles for you to keep. Clean drinking water is usually kept in big containers close by and you can refill your bottles anytime you like.
So a) you don’t need to buy your own before the trip, but b) please be mindful about it, if you already have a reusable bottle, consider not taking another one each time someone offers you one.
We hope this will help you a little bit to start with. When making a booking with us, you will receive a detailed packing list, and, rest assured, the SAFARI FRANK-team will gladly assist you with any questions you might have concerning luggage.
