The first thing you may be thinking is, why safari clothing? What makes it different?
First, it’s tailored to the outdoor conditions common on safaris.
Second, all of the pockets on African safari clothing can be very useful when you carry gear around, especially if you’re out to take photos and/or videos to document this incredible adventure travel experience.
Sometimes you may be out in the elements for hours on end as you wait to spy some incredible wildlife, and you’re going to enjoy the experience a lot more if you’re comfortable.
This brief guide to African safari clothing will help you to do that as you watch for majestic lions, elegant giraffes, stately elephants and all of the other amazing wildlife you’ll see while on safari in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa or another African location.
So what kind of safari clothing should you be thinking about while preparing for your expedition to Africa?
Keep this in mind: Chances are you’re going to be out in some hot weather and maybe walking through some rugged country while out in the bush, so you need to protect your skin from head to toe. That means you need to cover up as much as you can.
In General
Wear lightweight safari clothing made with natural fibers that breathe. You do not want to take clothing with synthetic fabrics. The same general rules here apply to both men and women, but feel free to accessorize differently.
Do bring some extra safari clothing for colder weather. You may be surprised how much the temperatures can drop at night, so think layers.
Three comfortable outfits (shirts, pants, underwear) are often recommended for a safari, but check with your guide and ask for their recommendation based on the number of days of your safari, seasonal weather conditions and the type of safari you choose.
You may want to dress differently if you’re going to be trudging through the bush as opposed to sitting in a vehicle the whole time.
Wear neutral colors like khaki, brown and olive.
Bright colors, like red, draw attention to you and are not good for viewing wildlife. They may even scare off some of the animals you want to see.
White (and pale colors in general) can also draw attention and they will show all of the dirt you run into on your safari, so stay away from them as well. And some claim that blues and blacks attract certain nasty insects that like to bite, so you may also want to stay away from these colors.
Do not bring camouflage colored safari clothing. You may get mistaken for the military and that, my friend, could ruin your whole safari.
Here’s your list of essential African safari clothes.
Safari hat
The safari hat is the key to protection from the sun. You’ll want it to be gas permeable to release the heat from your head and it should have a wide enough brim so that your neck and face are protected even when the sun gets low.
Look for a hat with an absorbent band on the inside to catch your sweat and make sure it’s waterproof to keep you a little drier should you run into an unexpected rainstorm.
Long safari trousers
You’re going to need long safari pants for full protection against sunburn, mosquito bites at night and getting scraped up in the bush. You might also want to bring some safari short pants for those hot African afternoons. Just make sure you stay in the shade or put on plenty of sunscreen.
Here’s a great tip for you. Find long safari pants that are convertible to shorts. They’ll have zippers about half way down the leg that allow you to remove the bottoms. They’re the perfect solution for any safari weather conditions.
Long sleeved shirts
The long sleeved safari shirts follow the same principles as the trousers. You need them for protection from the sun and from getting scraped up when out walking in the bush. Do take a short sleeved shirt, or two, if you like, or just take loose fitting long sleeved shirts that you can roll up past your elbows.
Safari jacket (or safari vest)
Safari jackets are great for the evenings and at night when it can get pretty chilly, or for the cooler times of the year. An alternative for when it’s hot is the safari vest. The great thing about both of these garments is that they have plenty of pockets, which is great when you need to carry gear (like photography equipment).
A couple of points to wrap things up
Think lightweight when packing: Safari clothing made from lightweight fabrics, lightweight safari walking shoes or boots (no heavy boots unless they are necessary for a walking tour) and don’t over pack. You don’t want to be hauling heavy luggage through the bush.
And leave your jewelry at home. It will just get in the way, and it doesn’t impress the wild animals anyway, so why bother.