safari night dress

Best Women’s Safari Clothing for Africa Overland Travel

Africa Packing Lists , Packing Lists , Travel Packing Lists

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Planning a safari or overland tour through one of Africa’s incredible game parks? This is the best womens safari clothing for your trip. Read our complete guide to find out exactly what to wear on safari!

Women Safari Clothing

Table of contents.

An African safari is one of the most exciting trips you can take as a traveler. Roughing it in the wilderness surrounded by the Big 5 is truly a thrilling experience. There are several things to keep in mind when you choose safari clothing for this type of adventure.

How should I dress for an African safari?

The focus of your safari attire should be on comfortable safari clothing in neutral colors and light fabrics. If it’s not something you would feel comfortable wearing something on an overnight flight, it’s best to keep it out of your safari gear.

Safari clothes for Africa should be relaxed, so you can enjoy the experience to the fullest. The drive time on overland trips can vary anywhere from 6 to 12 hours each day. Making comfort key on those long-haul journeys — the distances in Africa are massive!

Expect your safari clothing to be covered in dust and keep in mind that you won’t have much time to do laundry. Your safari clothes should feature synthetic fabrics that are hard wearing, quick-dry, easy to wash, and won’t show dirt or dust.

What to Wear on Safari

When it comes to options for what to wear on an African safari, womens travel brands tend to feature technical fabrics focusing primarily on khaki and olive colors. But unless you’re planning to live in the bush or are taking a Gorilla trekking trip to the jungle, it’s likely that this type of clothing isn’t necessary.

The majority of Africa safari tours will see you viewing animals within the confines of a vehicle, whether a giant overland truck or 4×4 car. This means that the khaki safari shirt or safari pants that you purchased will tragically go to waste.

Safari Clothing Essentials Packing Guide: An Overview

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of your clothing options, let’s take a look at an overall view of what your safari gear for your travel capsule wardrobe should consist of. Here’s a quick snapshot of the amount of what should be on your bag when you’re planning what to wear on an African safari.

TFG Recommended Clothing List

4 sleeveless or short-sleeve tops 2 long-sleeve tops 1 dress or skirt 4 pants 1 shorts 1 windbreaker jacket 1 fleece or warm jacket 1 swimsuit 3 bras (sports bras are recommended) 3 socks 7-10 underwear 1 jacket 1 scarf 1 sunglasses

TFG Recommended Shoe List

1 pair comfortable sneakers 1 pair flip-flops

What is the Best Women Safari Clothing?

Whether you’re looking for what to wear on safari in Kenya or are camping in the Serengeti, you need the best of the best when it comes to your safari clothing. Our selections offer you a nice range of safari pants, tops, dresses, and even safari jackets. That way you can be confident and comfortable on your jaunt in Africa!

Best of all? You can avoid the head-to-toe khaki safari outfits that somehow became the must-have on an African safari. Here are some realistic clothing pieces you’ll love carting along with you:

Shop Sizes XS-3X: Eddie Bauer Resolution T-Shirt 

Best Safari Shirts for Women

As you plan what safari clothes to pack, make sure to bring a variety of tops and include sleeveless tanks, short sleeve tees, and long sleeves that you can layer!

The best safari shirts for the day time and warm weather are sleeveless or short sleeved breathable, moisture wicking tees in neutral colors.

For really hot days or to layer underneath warm items if cold, add a couple of casual tees. These also will be beneficial for those long safari travel days (read more on this in the Pants section below).

Stay cool with these moisture wicking shirts !

Shop Sizes XS-XL: Icebreaker Merino Standard 175 Everyday Short Sleeve

Merino wool tops are some of the best safari shirts because they are both practical and can be re-worn without washing. This is particularly important on longer safari trips when you won’t have access to laundry for extended periods of time.

However, If you plan to hand wash your merino wool tops you’ll have to wait until you spend two or more nights in one location to allow time for the clothes to dry. This is why either quick-dry or long-lasting items are the best as safari clothes.

While merino wool is more expensive, you can get away with bringing just a few tops and then re-wearing them every few days. This is key for packing light!

Merino wool Icebreaker tops like these have a higher price point but are excellent for safari trips because they’re practical and you can rewear them (for weeks) without washing.

Learn more about how to hand wash while traveling !

Shop Sizes XS-XL: Icebreaker Merino Women’s Siren Tank

If you are traveling in hot weather, you might prefer a sleeveless top like the Icebreaker Merino Women’s Siren Tank  one pictured above (perfect safari shirt). Like the short sleeve tops, the ideal fabrics are from performance brands with quick dry 100% cotton, merino wool, or synthetics.

Shop Sizes XS-XXL: Columbia Cades Cape Tank

If you’re looking for a sleeveless safari shirt that’s less body hugging, then one like the Columbia shown here is perfect.

A sleeveless top not only helps to keep you cool on your safari days, but it can also be dressed up when you’re visiting the city! Pair it with a cute skirt and you have an instant evening outfit. Double-duty top!

Plus, it also looks the part of an African safari shirt!

Shop Sizes XS-3X: Columbia Quick Dry Sun UV Protection Convertible Long Sleeve

For the sunny days you’ll want to bring one light but practical womens long sleeve safari shirt to protect you from the sun’s beating rays. This will be a piece you’ll want to re-wear, so we advise choosing a quick dry fabric so that when you wash it, it will dry relatively quickly!

The dark khaki convertible womens long sleeve safari shirt (pictured above) is not only quick dry, but it’s specifically designed for UV protection. Plus, with it being convertible you can make the sleeves longer and shorter based on your preference.

Shop Sizes XS-3X: Columbia Silver Ridge Lite Long Sleeve

Can you wear grey on safari? Grey is a great color choice for safari clothes along with other medium to dark neutral colors like khaki. These colors are good choices due to the fact that your clothes are likely to collect a lot of dust, especially the ones you use for the outer layers, and the darker neutral colors are able of masking it.

Shop Sizes XS-3X: Woolx Remi Long Sleeve T-Shirt

When you’re planning what to wear on a safari, make sure to bring at least one warm long sleeve or thermal top . You should also include a long-sleeve blouse you can use to cover you from the winter sun and to wear in the cities.

Depending on the time of year you’re headed on your safari and the region in Africa that you’re going to, you might need to add a few extra long sleeve tops to your safari wardrobe to layer at night. It can get pretty cold!

Safari Packing Tip : You’ll want to keep your safari attire as light as possible. To keep your packing light, make sure to include six to eight safari shirts. Any more and you’ll be overpacking!

Best Safari Pants for Women

When you are actually on a safari, you are much more likely to be going inside of a vehicle — walking safaris aren’t the norm. Being inside a vehicle allows for the undisturbed observation of the wildlife in a natural setting. Perfect for safari adventurers!

Of course, it’s best not to assume. So if you aren’t sure that you’ll be in a vehicle, double-check with your tour operator (if you have one).

Shop Sizes XXS-XXL: Zella Live In High Waist Leggings

It might surprise (and excite you) to find out that some of the best pants for safari are leggings. Seriously! This is specifically the case when you are taking a driving safari tour, NOT if you are getting out of the vehicle and walking in the bush.

Leggings are the perfect safari pants choice for comfort. Avoid choosing thick fabrics that will take too long to dry if you are hand washing them.

Leggings are also great for travel days. If you’re looking for leggings to take on your safari, TFG readers voted for the best leggings for women , so you’re bound to find a pair you like! We also really love these leggings from Zella (which are also available in plus size ).

Leggings are the most comfortable, packabe safari pants. So they’re definitely a good choice to wear on safari. While you can easily wear a pair of black leggings when you’re inside the vehicle, you might want to consider a lighter color to wear outdoors by the campfire (you’ll thank us later).

Safari Packing Tip : Make sure to choose a legging color that you can easily re-wear in-between washes!

Shop Sizes 02-20: Scuba High-Rise  Pant

If leggings aren’t your thing, a good alternative is casual joggers. Lululemon — a much-loved brand by yogis and travelers alike — makes a great pair of chic joggers which are great safari pants. They also make some pretty nice leggings too! 

The travel-friendly fabric in these safari pants makes them easy to clean and de-wrinkle. Plus, with four-way stretch and a drawstring waist, you can wear them comfortably on the longest of overland safari rides!

Shop Sizes 2-16:  Amazon  |  REI  |  Columbia  |  Zappos

When you first think about what to wear on African safari, you might imagine an outfit consisting of a khaki button down shirt and convertible trousers. But generally speaking, convertible pants are not a necessary item to add to your safari attire (unless they make you comfortable and confident, that is).

We recommend a modern-yet-functional pair of travel pants like Saturday Trail Pants by Columbia . Not only are these safari pants versatile, but more importantly they’re comfortable! They also pack light, dry quickly and don’t stain easily — what more are you looking for in your safari pants?

As an added bonus, they have a stretchy pull-up waist band that’s sitting down for long periods of time. It’s also easy to remove for quick bathrooms stops on an overland trip.

Here are 16 best hiking pants for women that are lightweight and practical!

Shop Sizes 0-16: prAna Halle Pant

If you’re looking for both more traditional and budget-friendly safari pants, these prAna travel pants are for you! Both safari pants are ideal for walking safari tours or trips that will incorporate both extensive time outdoors and inside a vehicle.

If you are going to be trekking through the bushes, we highly recommend making technical womens safari clothing part of your wardrobe.

When you’re planning on what to wear on safari, make sure you always pack a pair of safari shorts! Safari shorts are casual and easy-to-wear on hot days.

You might also want to consider including a breezy long skirt or sarong. Both make it easier to “pop a squat” on the side of the road without baring it all to your tour mates!

Travel Tip : There aren’t usually bathrooms along the long roads, and stops are typically infrequent.

Shop Sizes 26-40: Levi’s Classic Straight Jeans

Can you wear jeans on safari? Jeans are a must, especially if you’re traveling in the winter! Sometimes the best women’s safari clothing isn’t necessarily the most technical travel gear. Jeans are not only practical, but they’ll provide you with warmth disguise dirt, and also give you a bit of style if you make a top in a major city like Cape Town!

But make sure not to hand wash your jeans! They’ll take way too long to dry. Denim is practical because you can re-wear it constantly without washing it. Denim designers make them specifically for multiple uses, and it’s one of the main reasons that modern travelers pack jeans. Jeans are a must-have when it comes to what to wear on safari !

You’ll also want to have a comfortable pair of pants that you can wear around the campsite at night.

Safari Packing Tip : Make sure you’re packing light. You should need no more than 5 pairs of safari pants.

Best Safari Dresses

Shop Sizes XS-3X: Columbia Sportswear Freezer III Dress

A dress may sound like the exact opposite of safari clothing. But, it’s always good to have at least one dress that you can sport on the beach in Zanzibar or wear out to a nice dinner at Victoria Falls.

The best safari dress is a little black dress that you can dress up for restaurants or a fun night out in the city. This one by Columbia features wicking, cooling, and sun protection fabric. Plus it’s available in sizes up to 3XL.

Shop Sizes S-3X: Riviera Sun Tie Dye Summer Dress

When it’s hot, a loose and lightweight safari dress is also ideal for those long overland trips. In fact, dresses are more practical than pants — especially when you need to stop on the side of the road for a quick bathroom break in the bush along with your fellow tour mates!

When it comes to picking the best safari dress, choose something both versatile and comfortable. When it comes to choosing what to wear on safari, you’ll want a dress that can be worn on the beach and doubled for dinner and night on the town!

Shop Sizes XS-3X: WEACZZYLoose Trapeze Dress

If you aren’t a person that’s comfortable in dresses, you simply don’t like them or you’re going to be traveling when it’s colder, a long tunic top that covers your backside cans also do the trick for those safari roadside bathroom stops.

Long tunic tops can be versatile just like a safari dress — you can wear it in the camp after a shower, on the beach over your bathing suit, loosely over a comfy pair of safari pants or tick it into your shorts for a cute but casual safari outfit!

Shop: ToBeInStyle Strapless Dress

REALLY IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIP : WHEN PLANNING WHAT TO WEAR ON SAFARI, AVOID ROMPERS. ESPECIALLY ON AN OVERLAND TRIP FOR TRAVEL DAYS . YOU DON’T WANT TO HAVE TO PULL OFF YOUR ENTIRE ROMPER TO USE THE BATHROOM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NOT COOL .

If you’re something that has the same comfy and lightweight feel as a romper, opt for a strapless sundress like the ToBeInSty Strapless (seen above). You can wear it as a safari dress during the day for those long safari travel days or layer it over your leggings if it gets cold outside.

A strapless dress can also be worn as a safari skirt. Simply pair it with a cute top and dress it up with some jewelry that you find at a local shop during your travels!

Remember to avoid choosing bright colors on a safari so you don’t draw attention away from the safari (or frighten away any animals!). But if you pack bright colors in your safari wardrobe, you can wear them on travel days when you’re not on a game drive.

If you’re looking for maximum versatility, one of these convertible travel dresses might be perfect for your safari attire!

Best Safari Clothing for Cold Weather

Silk Undershirts  |  Silk Thermal Pants

Contrary to what you might think, it does get cold in Africa. That means that layering your safari clothes is key to surviving those cold African days. We’ve previously written about how to layer for cold weather , we’d highly recommend you take a peek before you start packing!

Regional climates in Africa vary throughout the season, so be prepared to encounter both hot and cold temperature. Make sure you always check the weather forecast before you go so you’re dressed right!

If you happen to be traveling during the cold season, from May to August, you might want to consider packing a set of thermals for women  with your safari clothes so you can stay warm. You can wear them up to two weeks (or longer) without having to wash them!

Safari Packing Tip : For maximum warmth, pack one set of merino wool thermals. Especially if you’re camping in the winter!

Best Women’s Jacket for Safari

Shop Sizes XS-3X: Columbia Womens Arcadia II Rain Jacket

As you’re preparing your safari clothing checklist, make sure you pack a good jacket for safari. The roof and windows of some safari vehicles are open as you drive around the parks. With those open windows it can get quite chilly both at dawn and during night drives.

When you’re looking for the best jackets for safari, you should look for a good, quality jacket that can also serve as a windbreaker. You’re sure to feel a chill in the air with an open window first thing in the morning!

Shop Sizes XS-3X: Columbia Full Zip Fleece Jacket

A travel fleece or rain jacket for safari are most needed when you’re doing an African overland trip that crosses various countries. When deciding what to wear on safari, make sure you don’t underestimate how cold it could get in Africa on your trip!

While it might be hot and sunny during the day, when the temperature drops at night you’ll be glad you packed a rain jacket and fleece in your safari clothes. TFG has a list of the best windproof jackets and fleece jackets for your travels.

When you’re packing your safari wardrobe, make sure you pack both a windproof jacket and a merino wool or fleece jacket for safari clothes.

Shop Sizes XS-3X: Columbia Switchback Jacket

Remember to choose neutral tones for your safari clothing. This is especially the case for items that are highly visible such as your jacket for safari.

Trust me on this one. If you’re head is hanging out of a vehicle at 5:30am, you’ll feel the crisp morning air and wish you had a warm jacket — it happened to me!

Shop Sizes XS-XXL: Style & Co Safari Jacket

For a stylish jacket for safari option that you can wear as part of your safari outfit, the Style & Co Safari Jacket is both chic and practical. When it comes to choosing a jacket for safari that’s neutral, easy-to-clean and will hide the dust, go for the grey, khaki, or olive green color!

Best Safari Shoes

Merrell Moab 3 Vent Hiking Shoe

Now that you’re packed and ready with your safari clothing, it’s time to plan your safari shoes! This is probably going to be much easier than you think!

We recommend taking only two pairs of shoes. When it comes to picking those safari shoes, go with a pair of sneakers and flip flops (for camps, shower, and beaches). Your sneakers should be something comfortable you can wear on the truck, for occasional safari walks, and at the campsite at night if it’s cold.

However, if your safari itinerary includes walking safaris, you’ll need substantial sturdy safari shoes. For multi-day treks through the jungle, you’ll want to bring sturdy hiking boots . But for the occasional day trip, regular all-terrain sneakers or hiking shoes will work as safari shoes.

Ideally, you’ll want your safari shoes to be waterproof and easy to clean in case they get muddy or otherwise dirty.

FitFlop Iqushion Super-Ergonomic Flip-Flops

Flip-flops may seem like a random item to add to this safari packing list. But it’s nice to air out your toes if you’ve had them in sneakers all day. Flip-flops are also great safari shoes as they’re convenient to wear in camp showers. And don’t forget about the beach!

Not a big fan of flip-flops? Try one of these slip-on beach sandals as your second pair of safari shoes instead. Throw in a pair of cute ankle boots or stylish slip ons if you’re traveling in Cape Town .

But make sure not to add too many shoes to your safari wardrobe!

Best Safari Socks

Darn Tough Crew Socks

Whether you need to pair your socks with safari boots or sneakers, make sure they are moisture wicking socks ! This is particularly important so you can keep your sock numbers down.

I know we’ve mentioned merino wool a lot, but just as with the rest of our suggested safari clothing, merino wool socks are perfect to pair with your safari shoes because you can rewear them multiple times without having to wash them.

Signature Trail Sock

Several TFG readers agreed that Kirkland’s merino wool socks are a great pick to add to your safari wardrobe. One reader says, “I wash them in cold water and hang them to air dry, but they have held up really well and keep my feet warm, too.”

If you’re camping, you can bring a pair of Kirkland socks (like the ones shown above) to keep your feet warm at night. If you choose dark colors or prints they won’t show the dust as easily.

Best Bras and Underwear for Safari

Panache Underwire Sports Bra

Last but not least for your safari travel checklist, make sure to pack a good sports bra for the bumpy journey! Vehicles in Kenya, and other countries, often cover all terrains including deeply rutted roads and huge potholes.

Make your ride more tolerable by wearing a sports bra whenever you are being transported. Also, take some motion sickness meds beforehand if you are prone to car sickness.

Icebreaker Bikini

Also, quick dry travel underwear helps you easily do laundry without having to wait ages for it to dry!

Because you may be moving locations every night, you won’t have much time to wash your safari clothing, so it’s best if you bring fast drying fabrics or clothing you can re-wear easily.

Safari Travel Tip: Most of the time, you’ll be popping a squat on the side of the road, so a female urinary device or even a flowy skirt might be helpful if you’re not crazy about the idea of flashing your goods. Don’t forget your antibacterial hand wipes!

Other Safari Gear

UPF 50+ Sun Protection Quick Dry Baseball Cap

TFG has a great post on what to pack for African safari tours that we’d highly encourage you to check out so you know what other safari gear you’re going to need on your trip!

To go along with your safari clothing choices, you’ll need a few accessories.

Hats are great because they can help shield you from the sun and hide unwashed hair. But while hats are a definite must, but that doesn’t mean they have to be unattractive.

When it comes to your hair, you will want to keep it covered and pulled back in a ponytail or bun so it doesn’t get tangled in the wind and full of dirt from the road. We have a few suggestions for some hair accessories that will help keep high maintenance hair on the down low during your safari tour.

Compass Rose Secret Bra Wallet

Sunglasses are also a must-have, they offer shade and protection from the sun which is really important considering how close to the equator you’re going to be! A few other safari necessary accessories include a bathing suit and scarf.

Don’t be a target for unwanted attention. When you choose what to wear on safari, make sure you don’t dress too flashy or showy. Make sure you don’t bring any of your expensive jewelry and leave your designer handbags at home (or another safe place).

Finally, conceal the majority of your money and extra credit cards for extra safety. This bra wallet is a great way to do that!

We’ve got some great anti-theft tips for you so you can protect your valuables during your safari travels.

Essential Packing List for Safari

Osprey Fairpoint 55L

Which luggage should I choose for safari?

When it comes to choosing luggage for safari, check out the Osprey Fairpoint 55L . It’s kind of perfection.

I found it easier to lug a soft bag than a suitcase, as everyone’s gear gets piled up under the truck. I personally use it with the Compass Rose packing cubes to stay organized and fit in everything!

Don’t worry so much about the baggage weight. My bag never goes over 30 lbs using the guidelines suggested on the site. If you aim to pack light, you shouldn’t be overpacking!

Compass Rose Travel Packing Cubes

Should I use packing cubes on safari?

Yes! You should definitely use packing cubes on safari. Packing cubes will help keep you organized, keep your bag light, and help you avoid over packing.

Watch this video to learn how to pack light thanks to packing cubes!

pStyle Urinary Device

What should I pack for toiletries on safari?

When it comes to what you need to pack for toiletries on safari, there are a few things you’re definitely going to need.

You definitely will want to have a female urinary device , because the only bathroom breaks you get are in the bush. Finding adequate coverage can be a challenge, so you might also need to get comfortable with flashing your bum at other women on the trip!

You’ll want to bring a travel towel so that it can dry quickly when you’re constantly on the go. You should also pack any prescriptions you might need along with mosquito repellent … don’t forget that! And while it’s not exactly a toiletry, you’ll want a collapsible water bottle , too!

If you’re going to go the carry-on only route, make sure you cut back on your toiletries. It’ll help with TSA if you put all of your liquids in a Ziploc bag, following the 3-1-1 rule !

Learn all about packing toiletries with this guide !

Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bag

What should I take for a purse on safari?

You’ll want to choose a bag that can fit into your carry-on when it comes to the perfect purse for safari. TFG recommends taking a crossbody travel purse with anti-theft features like the Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bag bag or other similar purse.

See our picks for the best anti-theft purses for travel .

Lewis N. Clark Deluxe Neck Stash

What anti-theft accessories do I need on safari?

We recommend you make sure your purse is built for security. Other great anti-theft accessories for safari might include a secret bra wallet , neck wallet , or even a money belt.

Read about popular anti-theft accessories !

International Travel Adapter

What electronics do I need on safari?

A headlamp will be a lifesaver when it comes to camping at night during your safari.

A few other things that might come in handy include a travel adapter , portable battery charger , and your headphones . Plus, if you’re planning on taking any pictures, you’re going to need your camera and gear!

Printable Travel Checklist

Don’t forget to download the TFG Printable Travel Checklist

The Dos and Don’ts of Safari Clothing Packing

Packing for your African safari can seem overwhelming, so let’s finish off by going over our main dos and don’ts when it comes to getting together your safari gear and planning your safari attire!

What should you not wear on safari?

What you shouldn’t wear for an African safari depends highly on the actual trip type that you’re participating in. An overland trip that touches on a variety of countries is going to mean different must-haves from a short safari to Kruger Park that’s smack in the middle of a longer trip.

If your African safari trip is long, you’re going to want to focus on making comfortable, practical safari clothing a priority. But if you’re headed on a short three-day trip, you can definitely get by with wearing regular clothes.

But for both trips, we highly recommend that you DO NOT wear a romper on a safari — three days, seven days or otherwise. We know that we’ve mentioned this before, but it’s such an important note that we want to talk about it in a little more detail!

When you’re on an overland safari trip, it’s common place to simply pull over on the side of the road to go to the bathroom — in public — as there really aren’t bathrooms along the way. The reason why we stress that you shouldn’t wear rompers is due to the fact that going to bathroom in a romper means taking all of your clothes off to go to the bathroom.

While you might be able to find a somewhat “discreet” spot in the pushes to pop a squat, you’ll still be pulling off your entire romper in public and it’s much harder to attempt to conceal the top and bottom half of your body at the same time. It’s much easier to focus on covering your backside.

We know you’ll thank us for this advice later!

What colors should you wear on safari?

As exciting as it is to experience nature in its rawest form, you don’t have to immerse yourself to the extent that your safari clothing completely blends in with the foliage and desert itself. We can leave that for the Hollywood movies!

With that in mind, the best colors for safari clothes include:

• Olive green

A tip for picking the best color for your safari clothing is to go with colors that are inspired by nature. Measure your clothes with the image above, if they’re in the same tone, intensity and relatively the same color they’re good to go. You’re looking to blend in, but you don’t have to look like Crocodile Dundee or wear full tactical gear!

What color should you not wear on safari?

If you’ve done your safari clothing due diligence, chances are you’ve come across something that tells you not to wear bright colors. It seems like a strange request, but it’s recommended that you choose neutral colors because you don’t want the animals to see you — if they do they might be scared off!

Stick to neutral colors but avoid white because your safari clothes are bound to get very dirty, especially if you’re camping, and white will show it all!

Can you wear black on safari?

Wearing black on safari is not recommended. Black clothing attracts mosquitoes, and you’ll want to avoid that as much as possible to keep your trip its most enjoyable!

If you do end up bringing some black pieces, keep them to a minimum and opt for lightweight fabrics wherever possible!

What are your tips on choosing the best womens safari clothing? Share and comment below!

For more Africa packing lists, please read:

• What to Pack for Safari: South Africa to Zimbabwe
• What to Pack for Africa: Safari and Beaches
• Africa Travel Packing Tips
• 10 Essential You Absolutely Need for Safari

Suggested Travel Resource:

• Lonely Planet Tanzania
• Lonely Planet South Africa
• Lonely Planet Africa on a Budget

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63 comments.

I’m going on a safari next week, and the packing list looks like it would be a lifesaver, but I’m getting an error that the page is unavailable when I click on it. Anything I’m missing? Thanks!!

Hi Amy, I am so sorry about this. Please can you email us at [email protected] so we can send it over to you.

Have a wonderful time on your Safari!

On August 2, 2022, Just got back from South Africa; Cape Town, Cape Winelands, then off to safari at Kruger; Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe; Botswana, Okavango Delta! It was a great 12-women trip, Women, Wine and Wild. I researched and looked at this site for everything from suitcases, carry-ons, cross-body bags, packing, lists of clothes, shoes, jackets, underpinnings, toiletries, hats, scarves, etc.; for varying types of travel, city, winelands, safaris, and Travel Fashion Girl came through on all fronts – I was ordering things left and right even in the last few days and got it all together and had the most wonderful trip. I may have taken a little too much, but I really used most everything I brought so it all worked out. But as they say, less is more; I wouldn’t bother even with a little heel for dinners out if it’s only a few night in a city. I wouldn’t take as many pants as those can be interchangeable pretty easily, especially if you bring a few blouses/tops. For chilly mornings or evenings, a lightweight puffer jacket was perfect. And scarves are perfect to help mix it all up and really be able to wear the same things with different scarves. TFG is an amazing place to go for everything travel; I love it!

Just got back from our 3 week honeymoon on safari in Kenya and Tanzania including a week in Zanzibar – these packing lists from TFG were so helpful for knowing what to expect and helping to minimize how much luggage to bring. Definitely recommend carry on backpack for this trip to fit in the small trunks of the land cruisers and for small airplanes (we took one with only 12 seats!)

This recommended packing list was just what I needed for a 10-day safari in Tanzania.Thank you 🙏

Someone recommended we take soft travel bags to fit onto the small airplanes which I would NOT do again. Due to their weight, it made the grueling trek through airports a painful experience 😣 Instead, we would have preferred rolling, carry-on luggage. My two-cents, but unless you travel lightly, soft bags aren’t the way to go for this type of trip. Anyone else?

Thank you for sharing your own feedback with us Tracy, this is really helpful to know. Hope you had an incredible time!

It was an incredible time, thanks Alex! Would love to go again 😀

Loved this packing list! I only went on a two day safari but this was immensely helpful with helping me choose the right clothes to pack for a conference plus my safari outing.

We’re just back from a Safari in Zimbabwe , Botswana and Zambia And I found previous posts on Safari clothing on this site invaluable! And def no all in ones ! We stopped for loo breaks whenever needed and took it in turns to go round to the back of the truck so it was totally private and discreet! I took very thin summer dresses for the middle of the days and was really glad of these . And we definitely needed warm things for early morning … I had a cashmere snood I was so thankful for … I could pull it up over the back of my head . Also silk gloves ! And it was the best holiday we have ever had !

Thank you so much Julia, so glad we were able to help you with your packing. And thank you for sharing your packing insights with us, these are all super helpful.

So pleased to hear you had such an amazing time!

Just came back from a trip that included: Capetown; The Winelands; Vic Falls; Chobie game drive in Botswana; self drive through Kruger; and a luxury resort/safari game drive; — oh yeah and we had a two day stop over in Doha (!) So we had temps that ranged from 50-65 degrees in Capetown/Winelands; 55-85 in Kruger, and 98-112 degrees in Doha (!)

So one big thing to consider is that the weather is vastly different depending where you go: Capetown in July is Winter, which is chilly and drizzly, can be windy and stormy, BUT because it’s their winter, it was the best time to go on Safari on the other side of South Africa, which was Great Kruger National Park, so just remember, your season might not be their season. Best safari pants I brought was North Face Hybrid Yoga/cargo pants in olive — stretchy, quick dry, had tons of pockets, but felt like leggings. Also the lululemon “Smooth Departure” packable rain coat. Ultra light, and looks good while on safari or in the city. Lastly, even if you go during a “light bug” season, I would recommend at least one Insect Shield SPF long sleeve top (that can be also rolled up) and at least two pairs of their socks. Long sleeve shirts that have SPF can keep you cooler than a t-shirt because the African sun is HOT!! And even if you come from a sunny state (Like CA, as I do) your arms can get really get burnt. Also, a first layer underlayer (for cold) can do double duty. I wore it over my bathing suit while I was going into Devil’s Pool (Victoria Falls), and it really saved me because the water was COLD!! Because it was dry-wicking, it dried almost immediately. Also, just a note: our safari guides would NOT have recommended wearing that bright turquoise jacket that’s pictured in the photo (especially on a walking safari) — maybe it was more “neutral” looking in real life?

Hi Victoria, thank you for sharing your trip report with us and all your great travel tips! This is really helpful. Hope you had an incredible time on your trip! ?

Thank you for the advice! I am looking to travel to Togo, Africa at the end of January 2020 for roughly 2 months. I think the best take away for me I hadn’t really considered is laundry and drying time! I tend to get hot, sweat a lot and very easily. I will let you know how it goes!

Hi Mari, so pleased you found this atricle helpful. Looking forward to reading how you get on. Have the most incredible time! ?

Hello, we are going to Ezulwini Lodges in the middle of March. I have struggled over what to wear and what essentials I should take. I have loved reading all of your comments over the years and am finally taking a 7 night trip there. We are also going to spend 2 night in Maritime Bushveld Estates. Any thoughts on attire?

Hi Jody, thank you for your lovely comment, so pleased you enjoy reading our blog!! 🙂 For other tips to help with your packing for your safari, have a read of this article: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-african-safari-tours/ You may also find this article interesting, its about how one TFG reader packed carryon for her African safari and how she also was able to keep the weight to below 10lb: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/safari-packing-list/ Also our readers have the best advice and tips, so I have gone ahead and posted your question on TFG’s facebook page. Keep your eyes out for our readers replies from Wednesday: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl/ Hope this helps. Have an incredible trip!!

Hi Jody, here is the FB thread with our readers replies to your question: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl/posts/2240284559328533 Hope this helps! 🙂

Thanks so much for sharing this Alex! It’s really helpful . Well, I’m going to Tazania in mid of December. Plan a week in there, there are 2 days will be soft hinking with group. Any tip of packing for specific December weather. Please advise! Thanks in advance,Tracy

What shades of blue need to be avoided? Just dark blue or also aquamarine/baby blue and royal blue? How about lavender? Thx!

thank you for this very inclusive list. I appreciate all the work and effort to provide this resource.

YES it gets COLD, even in summer! Keep in mind that some local flights out into the bush have a weight limit on luggage so double check on this- they’re strict! Also, some safari’s do laundry daily so that helps cut down on what you need. I survived a 2 week trip with 2 pairs of leggings, 1 hiking pant from Athleta (cute!), 1 pr of shorts, 5 shirts, (mix of button ups, tanks and athletic type t’s) a fleece and a windbreaker. Don’t overdo the shoes either! One pair of sneaker types and one pair of sandals is fine!

Great tips Megan, thanks!

Great article! Having lived in Africa for the past nine years, I might also advise against wearing shorts. Most of Africa is significantly more conservative than many Western countries, and the only people I ever see in shorts are the tourists and, at times, wearing anything cut above the knee can attract unwanted attention from males- an unfortunate but true reality

Hi Emily, thank you so much for your comment! Thank you for sharing your travel advice 🙂

Hi Alex, Emily’s comment about shorts also might include strappy tank tops and leggings. Your comment about wearing sports bras was right on. Safari trucks have lousy shocks and you will be bounced around. A scarf is useful for keeping dust out of you eyes and mouth.

This really helped me on my recent trip to Kenya and Tanzania. Thank you! 😊

Love your posts! What kind of shoes do you recommend? Are light nike trainers enough or do you need sturdier shoes that are waterproof? I am going on an overlanding trip to South Africa, Namibia and Botswana in July, not to many walking safaris scheduled. Thanks!

I found my regular cross trainers worked well as we only had one walking safari. A few more tips here: https://travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-african-safari-tours/

We are going to Tanzania Zambia staying in lodge accommodation at the end of November,we are on the older side but are fairly fit. What clothes should I take..?we have a black tie do to attend in Zambia.I like clothes with sleeves

Try this: https://travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-kenya-and-tanzania/ and https://travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-africa-serengeti-zanzibar/

We are going to Cape Town for 4 days then winery for 4 days, safari for 5 then victoria falls. Will it look silly if I wear kaftans for dinners? And what about days for shopping and touring in towns? I can’t imagine having only a carry on and not a variety of clothing.

If you’d normally wear kaftans to dinners at home then you should wear them while you’re traveling too 🙂

No blue clothing, as it (like black) attracts mosquitos. Bring decent underwear, something you won’t be embarrassed for camp staff to wash by hand, as I found one fellow doing. You’ll wear the long-sleeve shirt in the jeep during the afternoon so you don’t get sunburned. Unless you’ll hike, closed-toe sandals are good for everything. I wore clogs for the plane and around camp. Glad I brought a fleece jacket for cold mornings. I brought older clothing and left it. In Tanzania, I left sneakers with a camp staffer who was extremely grateful, even though they were one size too big for him. To my safari driver went my bathing suit and robe (someone will wear them), fleece jacket, and old Tevas. I suggest a headlamp, which you may need (tents and hotels were short on light).

Thanks for your feedback Emmy, great tips!

I would add one trash bag to the packing list. In the morning game drive on our last day of the safari, it rained cats and dogs on us, and we got soaked (we all had rain ponchos on but they didn’t help much). Thankfully, someone had trash bags to spare, so we could put the wet clothes in the bag and put in the luggage without everything else getting damp.

That’s a really great tip Midori! thanks for sharing!

Is there a printable safari packing list so I can have it with me shopping, in my closet and when I am actually packing? Thanks

No printable option, maybe take screenshots of this post to help? Happy travels!

I have been to Tanzania (with way too many clothes) and am heading back to Africa for a trip to Cape Town, Namibia, and Victoria Falls. Your packing list suggestions are very helpful as I tend to grossly over pack! Thank you!!!

Thanks for reading Cathy! Sounds like you have an incredible trip planned! We are happy that you have found the packing suggestions helpful! Less stuff is less stress! Happy travels!

Great tips! What size bag did you pack? We’re going mid-July for 3 weeks, and will be spending several days on Mauritius at the end of our trip, so I’ll need to take a few things to dress up a bit.

Hi Cynthia, glad you like the post! This was before I traveled carryon only so I had a 65L backpack. However, I was on a round-the-world trip and had been traveling for nine months before I got to Africa.

Currently, I would never travel with anything larger than a 22″ or 46L suitcase since that’s what I use on my long-term travels now 😉 All the luggage styles Ive used throughout the years can be found here: https://travelfashiongirl.com/best-osprey-backpacks/

This post will help you downsize your suitcase as much as possible: https://travelfashiongirl.com/10-step-packing-guides/10-step-guide-to-packing-in-one-suitcase-for-any-trip/

You can find more tips here: https://travelfashiongirl.com/africa-packing-lists/

Have a great trip!

Can you tell me the name of the hiking shoe in the above pic? Thanks

Hi Jennifer, the shoe is the Merell Calia found here http://amzn.to/1Abb4Js

For more ideas, please take a look at: https://travelfashiongirl.com/best-hiking-boots-for-women/

Could you tell me what brand of hiking shoe is shown above? Thanks

Just got back from an Africa safari, and here is my recommendations: 1.) Take Sunscreen! I burned one half of my face sitting in the safari vehicle one day…so I switched sides to burn evenly the next. 2.) A hat would help combat problem #1. 3.) Don’t waste space on hair dryers or makeup etc. No one in the bush cares. 🙂 Bring soap, shampoo, toothpaste and call it done. 4.) I only brought hiking tennis shoes. I longed for a pair of flip flops on the long days in a car. 5.) It can get quite chilly at night. Bring long pants for sleeping if you are staying in a tented camp. I was on my honeymoon so pajama’s wasn’t a top priority when packing…wish it had been! Lol! 6.) Bring a clean outfit for the plane ride home and put it aside. Coming out of the bush after a week of bucket showers you feel dirty enough. 7.) Last and most important: Don’t pack anything that resembles food in a tented camp. I had a granola bar in my bag and we had a honey badger break into our tent while we were gone. It ate the granola bar, chewed up all my underwear, and then took a big poop in my husbands suit case!

Great tips Kate, thank you! Hope you had an amazing experience 🙂

At least one knee length skirt or dress is a must if you are going to be exploring outside of the parks at all. A sarong also goes a long way and I have a nice knit hat I alway bring along in the winter. Also, the first time I traveled to Tanzania I made the mistake of thinking I would only need camping gear and spent the whole time wishing I had a cute top with me. I highly recommend bringing an outfit you can wear to dinner or a club. Overall, great tips! Thanks!

Great add! Thanks 🙂

Thank you so much for this post! I have been searching everywhere for something like it and it’s perfect! I’m off to fashionable Dubai & Iran after overlanding in Africa, so I’m trying to figure out a way to keep my suitcase light AND have enough clothes that are fashionable and practical! I reckon a few colourful scarves may be the way to go, and one long black skirt as well as the above.

That sounds about right! You can always buy a few new things upon arrival. This post might also be helpful: http:/travelfashiongirl.com/how-to-dress-for-conservative-countries-modest-clothing-essentials/

I am not sure if you have already gone trekking or not, but I might consider changing your black skirt to tan, beige, grey or even light pink. I spent two years in and out of Dubai and Afghanistan….you will constantly be trying to clean your black skirt, the sand is more like a talcum powder and sticks to everything, also the dark colours are hot! You will definitely want something feminine/girlie though and the scarves are an excellent idea! Have a wonderful time! 🙂

great tips!

I love all your posts! One question, do the outfits go in addition to what you will be wearing or do you wear one of the outfits in the photos? Thanks!

Hi Catherine! Sorry, which outfits specifically? Thanks for commenting 🙂

I think she means are the clothes pictured above ALL of the clothes for the trip, as in, are the clothes that you would be wearing on the way there and back included in the picture.

yes they are

As always, love, love, love the lists! In all parts of Africa, it’s best to always err on the side of modesty and cameo prints should always be avoided. On safari, it would be worth spending the extra money for clothing that is sunscreen rated/treated with bug repellent.

Thanks Vanessa!

Love that you show a sports bra – those African roads can be amazingly bumpy!!

Yes and painful without support! Ouch!

I always bring gloves with me when I’m in Africa. The morning game drives are always cold.

Oooh that’s true! Forgot that one…thanks for the reminder 🙂

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The best safari dresses & jumpsuits to wear on an african safari.

If you’re heading out on safari and want to look stylish, this guide will help you choose the dresses and jumpsuits for your adventure. As you prepare for an unforgettable journey through the wilds of Africa, it’s essential to prioritise comfort, functionality and practicality when deciding how to dress. 

In this post, we’ll list the best safari dresses and jumpsuits on the market today that will make sure you are stylish, comfy and fully ready for your safari adventure. We’ll explore the essential factors to consider to help you find the perfect dress or jumpsuit for your African safari.

Rufiji Safari Shirt Dress

If you’re looking for a classic shirt dress for your safari, the Rufiji MaraTech shirt dress is it! Designed with adventure in mind, this dress combines functionality with an elegant safari look, while the lightweight fabric offers moisture-wicking properties and built-in SPF50+ sun protection. It’s also fitted with anti-bacterial technology, which keeps both you and the dress fresh between washes. That’s a definite win when you’re out and about in the bush! With roll-up sleeve tabs, two chest pockets and a flattering feminine cut, the dress effortlessly combines style and utility making it ideal for a safari dress.

Tentree Oversized Shirt Dress

If ethics and sustainability are important factors in your safari packing list , I cannot wait to introduce you to the Oversized Shirt Dress from Tentree. It is ethically made in China and designed in Canada, reflecting the brand’s commitment to responsible manufacturing. This versatile dress is an ideal addition to your safari luggage and perfect for year-round wear, offering a polished look that is both stylish and sustainable. Made from TENCEL, a naturally resilient fabric sourced from sustainably-managed forests, it ensures comfort and gentle care for your skin. The dress features an open collar, hi-low hem and buttoned cuffs for a chic touch, as well as my absolute favourite feature – pockets! It combines functionality with fashion, so the perfect dress for a safari.

Tentree Cyprus Dress

Another ethically made product from Tentree, the Cypress Dress is ready to elevate your safari style. This halterneck summer dress is perfect for embracing the spirit of adventure. Crafted from plant-based fabric, it offers a lightweight and casual feel while being gentle on the skin. The dress features a keyhole back with a necktie, an elastic waistband and convenient hand pockets. Its versatile design allows you to pair it with sandals or sneakers for an effortlessly chic look. Experience both comfort and flair with the Cypress Dress and make a statement on your safari journey.

Tentree Blakeney Jumpsuit

Take your safari style to the next level with the Blakely Jumpsuit . This lightweight Tencel jumpsuit is a sustainable and effortless choice for your next adventure. With its crossover v-neck and front hook and eye closure, it offers a stylish yet secure fit. The elasticated waist with a drawcord ensures comfort and a flattering silhouette, while the hand pockets add practicality. Made from fabric sourced from sustainably-managed forests, this jumpsuit is both resilient and gentle on the skin. Embrace convenience and eco-consciousness with the Blakely Jumpsuit and make a positive impact while exploring the wild.

Craghoppers Nosilife Pro Dress

Gear up for your safari adventure with the Nosilife Pro Dress in classic khaki green. This versatile travel dress is the perfect companion for hot-climate explorations. Its lightweight stretch construction allows for unrestricted movement, while the NosiLife anti-insect treatment keeps biting bugs at bay. With features like odour control patches, a zipped security pocket, and drying loops, this dress combines functionality with style. Made with sustainability in mind, it offers both comfort and peace of mind. Don’t miss out on this agile and insect-resistant dress for your next safari expedition.

Craghoppers Nosilife Savannah Dress

Prepare for your safari in style with the Nosilife Savannah Dress in a variety of muted colours, perfect for the African bush. This classic tropical adventure dress has been reimagined with modern fabric technology. Its button-through design, belted waist and large pockets give it a timeless look, while the quick-drying, anti-insect and sun-protective ottoman fabric make it perfect for hot climates. The dress features a sun-protective collar, roll-up sleeves, drying loops and a modesty button for added convenience. Make sure you match with a safari hat for extra protection. With its practicality, comfort and stylish appeal, this dress is a must-have for your safari.

Craghoppers Nosibotanical Nicolet Dress

Get ready for your safari in ultimate style with the Nosibotanical Nicolet Dress . This shift-style travel dress is not only fashionable but also functional. Made from a soft linen-and-cotton twill fabric, it features lace trim, an elasticated waist and pintuck detail, as well as 5 handy pockets. With the added benefit of the naturally derived NosiBotanical anti-insect treatment, you can ward off biting insects while staying cool and comfortable. The dress also comes with a zipped security pocket for your essentials. Don’t miss out on this chic and practical dress for your safari adventure.

Ayacucho Goa Shirt Dress

​Get ready for your safari adventure with the Ayacucho Goa Shirt Dress . This comfortable and versatile dress is perfect for walks, everyday use, and travel. Made from a blend of hemp, viscose, and spandex, it offers a soft and breathable feel on the skin. The dress features multiple handy pockets for your essentials and comes with a waist belt for a flattering fit. With its lightweight and breathable design, it’s ideal for warmer days in the sun.

Barbour Amelda Jumpsuit

Elevate your safari style with the Barbour Amelda Jumpsuit . Crafted from a breathable cotton and linen blend fabric, this jumpsuit is perfect for wearing on safari, but also for leisurely strolls in the sun or simply enjoying the local cafes and bars. It features stitched utility pockets for your essentials, a self-tie fabric belt and mock horn button fastenings for added style. The lightweight and sleeveless design ensures comfort in warm weather.

Royal Robbins Spotless Evolution Dress

Experience the ultimate comfort and style on your African safari with the Royal Robbins Spotless Evolution Dress . This sustainable dress combines two fabrics to provide a perfect fit, breathability, and stretch performance. Featuring innovative Spotless HeiQ Stain Away technology, this dress repels stains effortlessly, making it ideal for outdoor adventures. It dries quickly, keeping you cool and comfortable, and its moisture-wicking properties ensure you stay dry even in hot climates. The adjustable waist and dropped short sleeves add a touch of versatility and practicality.

Vintage Safari Summer Dress

Experience the adventure in style with this Vintage Safari Summer Dress . Crafted with a perfect blend of cotton and polyamide, this dress offers both comfort and durability for your safari escapades. The belted design accentuates your figure while the short sleeves and polo collar provide a classic touch. With its functional pocket and button-down feature, it’s not only fashionable but also practical for carrying your essentials on the go. Handmade in Istanbul, Turkey, renowned for its high-quality textiles, this dress embodies the spirit of adventure and the craftsmanship of experienced artists. This minimalist and affordable safari dress combines style and functionality seamlessly. Get ready to explore the wild with confidence and make your safari truly unforgettable!

Safari Dress

Another perfect dress for your safari adventure is this one by RenateRoseLV , a contemporary and full-length dress that combines military and safari styles. Made from 100% soft natural washed linen, this dress offers comfort, breathability, and durability. With its snap button, side pockets, breast pockets, and adjustable waist, it provides both functionality and style. Whether you prefer to wear it alone or layer it with a top and pants, this dress is suitable for both young girls and older ladies. Its elegant and minimal design ensures that you feel feminine and beautifully dressed while enjoying maximum comfort.

Choosing the right attire for your next safari adventure can greatly enhance your comfort, style and overall experience. By opting for lightweight and breathable fabrics, such as cotton or linen, and selecting versatile safari dresses and jumpsuits, you’ll not only blend in with the natural surroundings but also stay cool and protected throughout the journey. 

With these top picks in mind, you’ll be ready to embark on your safari with style, confidence and comfort. Happy exploring!

Anna is the founder of Really Wildlife. She's a 30-something lover of wildlife travel, vegetables and listening to the Lion King soundtrack on full blast.

Safari Outfit Ideas to Pack When You Finally Take That Dream Trip

By Mara Balagtas and Andrea Whittle

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Packing for a safari is a science: You need to be prepared for changing temperatures, high sun, and plenty of dust, as well as cocktail hour and a dip in the pool—and all of your safari outfits, plus toiletries and gear, have to fit in a soft-sided duffel with a strict weight limit. We polled our resident experts and trusted specialists for safari outfit ideas, whether you're staying in a luxe tented camp on the Okavango Delta in Botwsana or traversing the Sabi Sands game reserve in South Africa . Note that most safari outfitters will provide travelers with an itemized packing list, so check with yours about specifics (as well as any vaccines or medications you might need) before you go.

Getting there

Most safari camps are only accessible by small propeller planes, which don’t allow hard-sided luggage. Pack everything in soft duffels that can be easily tossed into the back of the plane or the back of a Land Rover (weight limits are strict, too, so make sure you check with the outfitter before you go). Our advice: bring along some low-tech entertainment and have your camera handy for the views. Go Pro's Hero 9 has built-in tech to help keep any footage you shoot looking steady, making it perfect for bumpy rides.

On a game drive

Specialists disagree on the details, but you’re generally advised to avoid red and white clothing (as well as anything Day-Glo) while on game drives because it can attract insects or make you more visible to certain animals. Instead, go for clothing in shades of khaki, brown, and olive, which help you to blend in with the environment and hide dust and dirt, and pair it with some sneakers with a decent tread (on most safaris, you don’t need serious hiking boots). You’ll also want to pack plenty of layers since it can be chilly in the early morning, and blazing hot a few hours later. Don't forget a hat to help keep your skin protected under the harsh midday sun.

Around camp

You’ll want casual, cozy clothes to wear while you’re lounging around camp in between your daily excursions. A durable sandal with some grip will work just fine, and don’t forget a bathing suit —many lodges or tented camps have gorgeous pools.

Safari chic dinner

Some travelers like to have a more dressed-up option for cocktail hour and dinner back at camp—think flowy, breezy dresses, flats that can withstand a little dust, and a warm scarf to wrap yourself up in. Jumpsuits are a great option since it eliminates having to pack both tops and bottoms for evenings. In terms of accessories, leave any really blingy jewelry at home and opt for a more simple, pared down look.

Women's outdoor safari skorts & safari dresses

Styled for Africa, made for everyday wear. Enjoy your next outdoor or adventure without compromising on femininity with our safari-styled dresses and skorts. From dinner and drinks, to climbing up and down hills, or in and out of game drive vehicles, experience freedom of movement in chic, classic designs.

• Safari Clothing
• Womens Dresses & Skorts
• Boys & Girls
• Trousers & Shorts
• Jackets & Fleeces
• Safari Hats
• Beanies & Scarves
• Dresses & Skorts x
• Shoes & Boots
• Socks & Ankle Gaiters
• Holdalls & Duffle Bags
• Weekenders & Carry-ons
• Backpacks, Satchels & Small Bags
• Toiletry Bags for Travel
• Totes & Champagne Coolers
• Business bags
• Luggage Trolley
• Pannier Bags
• Pet Feeders
• Locks & Scales
• Gift Vouchers
• Books & Maps
• Multi-tools
• Insect Repellent
• Torches (flashlights)
• Straps & Mounts
• Trophy Cameras
• Binocular Photography
• Cleaning Kits
• Essential Accessories
• Travel Essentials
• Travel Adaptors
• Evenings, Outdoor & Travel Clothing
• Outdoor, Travel & More
• Safe drinking water
• Rufiji™
• Mara&Meru™

Technologies

• Sun Protection
• Anti-bacterial
• Wicking & QuickDry
• MaraTech™
• Feminine cut

Womens Safari Dresses & Skorts Read our Womens Safari Dresses & Skorts Advice Guide

• Pack a women's safari dress and a pair of women's safari skorts to add variety to your wardrobe.
• Ensure that you select women's safari dresses and skorts which are made in safari-suitable colours.
• A women's safari dress can also be very versatile when worn with tights, as a longer shirt, or tucked into your safari trousers.
• Women's safari skorts - which are a combination of shorts and a skirt, with the shorts inside the skorts - are great for safaris in 4x4s as you are able to climb on to and off of the game drive vehicle without worrying about your underwear showing.
• While, by their design, both safari dresses and safari skorts do allow for a good flow of air around the body to keep you cool, it is still worth looking for styles made in technical fabrics simply as they are usually lighter, easier to pack, and perform better in the heat.

Pack any combination of women's safari dresses & skorts to get the following totals: Up to 4-day safari: x 1 to 2; Up to 8-day safari: x 2 to 3; Up to 12-day safari: x 3 to 4

Women's Serengeti Safari sKorts with Stretch in Savannah

Women's serengeti safari skorts with stretch in forest, women's rufiji™ maratech™ safari skorts in serengeti stone, women's rufiji™ maratech™ safari skorts in okavango olive, mara&meru™ all day casual safari dress in safari forest green.

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Dressing for Safari Evenings: A Guide to Stylish and Comfortable Attire After Sunset

When you’re on a safari adventure, one of the most important factors to consider is your attire. While dressing appropriately for daytime excursions is essential, it is equally important to be prepared for the evenings – from sundowners to sleeptime. The right safari clothing for evenings will help you balance comfort, warmth, and style, allowing you to enjoy your experience to the fullest.

In this guide, we will cover various aspects of dressing for safari evenings, including temperature changes, essential clothing items, smart casual style, practical footwear, accessories, and evening activities. We will also share some handy packing tips to ensure you are well-equipped for your African adventure.

Safari clothing for evenings – why it matters

During your safari trip, you will likely experience a wide range of activities, from thrilling game drives to relaxing dinners at the lodge. As the sun sets and the temperature begins to drop, it’s crucial to have suitable clothing that keeps you warm and comfortable, while also allowing you to blend in with the stylish safari atmosphere. Read on for valuable advice on how to dress for safari evenings, and make the most of your unforgettable African experience .

Temperature Changes in the Evening

After the sun sets on the African plains, the temperature can drop quite significantly. This is particularly true in areas with high elevation, such as the East African highlands, where temperatures can be much cooler than in the lower-altitude regions. The dramatic temperature changes can catch many travellers off guard, leading to discomfort during evening activities.

It’s essential to be prepared for these temperature fluctuations by packing the appropriate clothing. Warm layers are crucial for staying comfortable during the cooler hours of the evening. As the temperature may vary throughout your trip, it’s a good idea to pack versatile clothing items that can be easily layered or removed as needed.

Essential Evening Clothing Items

When choosing your evening safari attire, there are several key clothing items that you should include in your wardrobe. These essentials will ensure that you stay warm, comfortable, and stylish throughout the evening.

• Warm jackets or fleece: A warm jacket or fleece is an indispensable item for safari evenings. Look for materials that are both insulating and breathable, such as merino wool or lightweight fleece. These materials will keep you warm without causing you to overheat. Some popular examples of suitable jackets include the North Face thermoball jacket , the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket , or the Columbia Omni Heat Insulated Puffer Jacket .
• Long trousers for extra coverage: As temperatures drop in the evenings, it’s important to protect your legs from the cold. Long trousers made from materials such as lightweight, breathable cotton or moisture-wicking synthetics can help keep you warm and comfortable. My safari trousers of choice for both night and day are Craghoppers Nosilife Trousers , but the Columbia Men’s Silver Ridge 2 Convertible Hiking Trousers are good too if you can’t by Craghoppers where you live. It happens, unfortunately.
• Light layers for versatility: To adapt to changing temperatures, it’s essential to have light layers that can be easily added or removed. Thin, long-sleeved shirts, lightweight sweaters, or vests made from moisture-wicking, quick-drying materials can help you maintain an ideal body temperature. A popular example of a versatile layering piece is the Smartwool Merino 150 Base Layer Top .

Smart Casual Style for Lodges and Dining

When it comes to safari lodges and dining experiences, it’s important to strike the right balance between comfort and style. Most lodges and camps have a smart casual dress code for evening meals, which means that you should look polished without being overly formal. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your personal style while still adhering to the safari dress code.

Examples of appropriate smart casual clothing for safari evenings include collared shirts, tailored trousers, and smart yet comfortable shoes. Women can opt for stylish blouses, tunics, or lightweight dresses, while men can choose from casual button-up shirts or polo shirts. To maintain a polished appearance, it’s best to avoid overly casual items like shorts, flip-flops, or sportswear.

Achieving a refined look for safari evenings doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. By selecting a few key pieces that can be easily mixed and matched, you can create a variety of stylish outfits without overpacking. For instance, a neutral-coloured collared shirt can be paired with different trousers, while a versatile dress can be dressed up with a scarf or shawl for added flair. The key is to prioritise clothing items that are both fashionable and functional, ensuring that you look and feel your best throughout your safari adventure.

In the next sections, we will discuss practical footwear and accessories for safari evenings, as well as the importance of dressing appropriately for evening activities. Additionally, we’ll provide useful packing tips to help you prepare for your trip, making it an unforgettable experience.

Practical Footwear

When it comes to footwear for safari evenings, comfort and protection are key considerations. Opting for closed-toe shoes or boots ensures that your feet are well-protected from potential hazards, such as insects, thorns, or uneven terrain. Materials such as leather, suede, or sturdy synthetics are advisable for their durability and comfort. Look for footwear with features like good arch support, cushioned insoles, and non-slip soles to provide stability and comfort throughout the evening. Some examples of suitable shoes include hiking boots, ankle boots, or durable closed-toe sandals.

In addition to selecting appropriate shoes, investing in warm socks is essential for keeping your feet cosy and insulated as temperatures drop after sunset. Opt for socks made from materials like wool, which provide natural warmth and moisture-wicking properties, or synthetic blends designed for thermal insulation. Not only will warm socks keep your feet comfortable, but they’ll also help prevent blisters and provide extra cushioning.

Accessories for the Evening

Safari evenings present the perfect opportunity to accessorise and add a touch of personal style to your outfit. Scarves and shawls are versatile options that not only elevate your look but also provide added warmth and comfort when temperatures cool down. Consider materials like cashmere, wool, or lightweight blends that drape elegantly and retain warmth. These accessories can be draped over your shoulders, looped around your neck, or used to cover your head for additional protection against the evening chill.

A stylish hat is another accessory that can add a touch of flair to your evening attire while also providing practical benefits. Choose a hat made from materials like felt, wool, or straw that offer both style and insulation. Examples include a fedora, trilby, or even a wide-brimmed hat for a more dramatic statement. Select a hat that complements your outfit and showcases your personal style.

Evening Safari Activities

As you enjoy your safari adventure, you may have the opportunity to participate in a variety of evening activities, such as nighttime game drives, bush dinners, or walking safaris. Dressing appropriately for these events is crucial to ensure your comfort and enjoyment. For nighttime game drives, remember to layer up, as temperatures can drop significantly once the sun sets. Opt for warm clothing items like jackets, fleeces, and scarves to protect against the cold, and choose comfortable, practical footwear for the best experience.

For bush dinners or walking safaris, you’ll want to strike a balance between comfort and style. Opt for smart casual attire that allows for easy movement and adaptability to the environment. Remember to bring along any necessary accessories, such as a hat or scarf, for added warmth and protection.

Packing Tips for Evening Attire

When packing for your safari, consider the following tips to make the most of your evening attire:

• Mix and match outfits: Select versatile clothing items that can be easily combined to create a variety of different looks. This will save space in your luggage while ensuring you have enough outfit options for each evening.
• Focus on compact, lightweight items: Choose clothing and accessories that pack down small and don’t take up much space in your luggage. This will make it easier to stay within any weight limits and ensure you have room for any souvenirs you might pick up during your trip.

In summary, dressing appropriately for safari evenings is essential for both your comfort and enjoyment. By considering factors like temperature changes, essential clothing items, smart casual style, practical footwear, accessories, and evening activities, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your African adventure. By following these tips and packing efficiently, you’ll be ready to enjoy the magical experience of evenings on safari

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What to Wear On a Safari: Safari Outfit Ideas & Inspo

As I attempted to pack for my trip to Kenya a few years ago, I was STRESSED. I read every. single. article. available online, but I never really found one that gave specific enough suggestions for what to wear on safari—which is why, when I got back, I knew I obviously had to create my own guide with PLENTY of cute safari outfit ideas.

This post primarily focuses on what clothes to wear on safari for women, but I’ve also included a few photos of what my husband wore, just in case you need outfit ideas for men as well!

Below, I’ll give you specific examples about what clothes what to pack for a safari in the following categories: – jackets – pants – tops – footwear – accessories – insect repellent wipes – sunscreen – sunglasses – nighttime outfits – carry-on luggage and duffel bags – what to pack in the bag you take with you on your game drives

Also: if you haven’t read my secrets to surviving a long-haul flight and my suggestions for comfy travel outfits , I’d recommend checking it out before your trip!

Consider this the only guide you will ever need to pack for a safari. ENJOY!

Scroll to the bottom for safari outfit inspo based on the looks I wore on my own trip.

WHAT TO WEAR ON SAFARI:

Most people will tell you to avoid navy blue or black clothing on safari, since dark colors attract tsetse flies (an insect native to tropical Africa.)

You’re better off with neutrals, like green, khaki, white, or light blue—especially because it gets hot. I’d recommend cute khaki trousers , lightweight lounge pants , breathable joggers , light sweats , or even leggings (but remember to avoid black.)

Also remember you’ll be sitting in whatever you wear for hours on end, so make sure you’re comfortable in whatever you choose.

One thing I read over and over again was the importance of layering. And it’s true: in the mornings and after sun down, the temperatures get fairly chilly, and you’ll want to be bundled up—but during the day, it gets oppressively hot.

The best advice I can give you is to start with a base layer (like a t-shirt or tank top ), then add a second layer (like a button-up shirt or light sweater), and finally, top it with a jacket or puffer vest + scarf.

Madewell Denim Button-Up Shirt

Rails Gauze Button Down

Free People  Daydream Button Down

I also LOOOOVE jumpsuits and would have totally brought some on my own trip if I had thought of it. They’re just so easy to throw on and they’re super comfortable. Find a few good picks below!

Just stumbled upon this chic AF jumpsuit and I’m in LOVE!

Abercrombie & Fitch   Utility Jumpsuit

Monrow Crepe Jumpsuit

Treasure & Bond  Utility Jumpsuit

This part is pretty simple—get yourself a cute field jacket or puffer vest that you’ll actually wear again.

J.Crew  Quilted Field Jacket

J.Crew  Lightweight Jacket

Bernardo  Quilted Puffer Vest

J.Crew  Downtown Field Jacket

Here are similar options to what I wore, which you can click to shop:

This will depend on the type of safari you’re doing, but in my experience, hard core hiking boots (which I initially thought I needed) would have been totally unnecessary.

For the most part, you’ll be spending your game drives inside the vehicle and doing very little walking, so my advice is to wear whatever you’re most comfortable in.

Boots or high-top sneakers are great because they’ll cover your ankles, but I honestly saw one girl wearing sandals—and she was fine. (I wouldn’t wear sandals because of all the dirt/dust/insects, but you get the point.)

DUFFEL BAGS

Most safaris have strict weight restrictions on baggage because of the size of the plane you take into the desert. (More deets on that in my Safari 101 masterpost !) These duffels all fit way more than you’d expect and will meet the requirements.

WHAT TO WEAR AT NIGHT DURING SAFARI

This was one of the things I was most confused about. Do people dress up for dinner? Is it cold? What aesthetic should I be going for?

The answer: pretty much anything goes. Sanctuary Olonana , where I stayed, is considered on the “fancier” end, but there definitely wasn’t a dress code.

Some nights I wore a casual dress with a scarf, other nights I wore jeans and a blouse, and one night we decided to go straight to dinner from a drive, which meant I showed up in my safari clothes.

I wouldn’t buy anything special to wear at night—just work with what you have.

ACCESSORIES

Temperatures tend to fluctuate dramatically on safari, so layers—and scarves—are key.

Plus, if you find yourself engulfed in a dust storm, you’ll be grateful to have something to cover your face. I’d recommend something warm for the morning, and a lighter alternative during the day and at night.

I wore a heavier blanket scarf (similar to the below) over my shoulders in the mornings and late at night, and a lighter silk scarf by Cuyana wrapped around my neck during the day.

Treasure & Bond Knit Blanket Wrap 

Madewell  Bandana Scarf

This bandana scarf is IDEAL for safari — plus it’s under $40 and is a light color.

These deet wipes were a godsent. Super easy to toss into your bag, and unlike a large can of insect repellent, they barely took up any room.

Bonus: they come in a resealable packet. These are the exact ones I bought, and I only got bit once.

I wouldn’t have survived without this genius brush-on sunscreen , which I kept in my bag during game-drives and re-applied constantly.

Because most of your time is spent driving through dust and dirt, the idea of putting liquid sunscreen on felt kind of gross to me. This little brush was the perfection solution.

I’m a huge fan of Ray Ban aviators, but more recently I bought these $15 dupes on Amazon and I’ve been LIVING in them. If you’re the kind of person who constantly misplaces your sunglasses – I would highly, highly recommend.

MOISTURIZING SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

After a few days of being in the desert, my hair literally felt like straw. Luckily I’m a PSYCHO and anticipated that the arid climate would require a super hydrating shampoo and conditioner, so I packed the travel-sized version of this super moisturizing Briogeo shampoo and conditioner.

My husband and I both wore our hats every single day. Having the sun beat down on you for hours can be a killer, plus, you KNOW how I feel about wrinkles. Don’t be a dummy. Bring a hat.

This one from Madewell is PERFECT. Had I seen it before my trip, it’s definitely what I would have bought.

PACKING CUBES

Set of 7 packing cube s, $21

Space is often limited on the small charter flights to the Masai Mara and other Kenya safari destinations, which means that every inch counts.

Packing cubes were a game changer for me. They not only keep your belongings neatly organized, but they also compress items to help maximize space. (Another one of my top space-saving travel hacks ? Use contact lens cases to store liquids like foundation and moisturizer. It frees up SO much room in your toiletry bag .)

Calpak and Stoney Clover both make great ones, or you can find them on places like Amazon (the ones I linked here are perfect and reasonably priced .)

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU ON GAME DRIVES

• Blanket scarf
• Hairbrush (the wind really does a number on your hair & you obviously want to look FRESH for pics)
• Lipbalm/Chapstick
• External battery & charging cord
• Bottle of water
• Powder sunscreen (to reapply during the day)
• Fanny pack (perfect for storing your must-haves)
• Jacket (for early in the morning and after the sun went down)
• Hand sanitizer or wet wipes

SAFARI OUTFIT IDEAS:

Going on a beach vacation as well? Check out my Beach Vacation Packing List here .

Hope you found this helpful! Questions? Comments? Concerns? Drop a comment below or, as always, slide into my DMs .

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Awesome list! Bravo 🙂

Hi, any recommendations on bag recommendations to bring game drives?

Lindsay Silberman

honestly I just brought a small tote! Usually you’ll be able to keep it in between your feet or there will be a place to store it in the jeep

Love! What is the brand of the floral scarf you had?

Would love to know too! Melissa- did you find a similar one?

Whats the brand of boots your wearing in the pictures? thank you

Loved this guide, going on our first safari and this was golden 😍

What is the shirt you’re wearing that ties, and the pants that you’re wearing with them and also the jumpsuit? love all of them. thanks!

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What To Wear On Safari

What clothes to pack for your safari.

The type of safari clothing you decide to pack for your safari will depend on a number of things, including the destination, time of year and what type of safari you’re going on. However, there are a number of universal principles when it comes to deciding what to wear on safari.

Click below to go straight to the most relevant section, or scroll down to read the full safari clothing article:

Safari wear basics | Safari shirts  | Trousers | Footwear | Safari hats  | What not to wear

Safari wear basics

What’s the best colour to wear on safari.

The basic rule of suitable colours for safari clothes is to go neutral . When trying to spot wildlife you’ll have the best chance if you blend in as much as possible with your surroundings, and bright colours will make you conspicuous to animals – particularly if you’re on a walking safari .

Ideal colours for safari wear are natural, such as:

• Light Browns

Whilst any other neutral colours are fine too, there are a number of colours you should definitely make sure you don’t wear on safari wear:

Camouflage clothing is a big no-no, and in some African countries it’s actually illegal , so leave the camouflage safari clothing at home!

White and very pale coloured clothes show up the dust, so are best kept for evening wear.

Dark blue and black colours attract insects and mosquitos, which can carry malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever – some of the most serious health risks you might encounter on safari.

Ideal safari clothing material

The ideal material for safari clothing is something that’s lightweight & breathable and makes minimal noise whilst you’re moving. Simple cotton works best for safari shirts and trousers, though there are increasing numbers of quality modern man-made materials that work just as well as cotton and are even more durable.

Think layers for safari wear

Packing lightweight safari wear has the benefit of enabling you to layer up or down according to need. Africa is a continent of extremes – it can be extremely cold through the night into the early morning and swelteringly hot by the middle of the day.

As such it’s a good idea to take multiple layers of safari clothing so you can add and remove layers as required – including at least one warm layer like a sweatshirt, fleece, or safari jacket . This is particularly important if you’re going to be doing any early morning safaris in an open-sided vehicle (though your lodge will likely provide blankets for early morning game drives).

What to wear on safari – the essentials

When it comes to safari clothing less is more, and most camps and lodges have same-day laundry services, so bear this in mind before packing a huge suitcase full of safari clothes! At a minimum you will need:

Safari shirts

A few comfortable long-sleeved shirts and long-sleeved t-shirts. Long-sleeved safari shirts have the advantage of offering protection from the sun and insects, but also being able to roll the sleeves up if it gets too hot.

Shirts with a collar to protect the neck from the harsh sun are advisable, as are shirts with pockets to store your bits and pieces (see our article on top things to take on safari if you’re after useful things to fill your pockets with!).

Our favourite men’s safari shirts:

[amazon box=”B07427LJG9,B00EO32DCW,B06XD5V6D9″ grid=”3″]

Our favourite women’s safari shirts:

[amazon box=”B0868LGBCY,B07115T7MB,B07M8BCYYK” grid=”3″]

Trousers & shorts

A pair of comfortable long trousers or two, and a pair of shorts. Combat style trousers and shorts are ideal safari gear as they have several pockets, great for storing compact binoculars, suncream, camera etc.

Long trousers have the benefit of keeping you warm and protecting you from the sun in the day and mosquito bites on evening and night game drives. Here are some good safari trouser options:

[amazon box=”B01D60XBVK,B08DTW3F7W,B00DQ5244G” grid=”3″]

The type of footwear required to wear on safari really depends on what type of safari you’re planning. For a standard game drive or self-drive safaris , special safari footwear isn’t necessary. You’ll be climbing in and out of safari jeeps and maybe a little walking around the bush, so comfortable trainers will work fine.

For more specialist safaris such as gorilla trekking  you’ll be trudging through thick, uneven rainforest, so rugged Gortex boots are ideal. For any kind of walking safari, it’s advisable to have some sort of hiking boots that cover your ankles – for protection from both bush and snakes. It’s also worth considering a small investment in some hiking specialist insoles to provide extra comfort.

[amazon box=”B0779Q9G9B,B081P5WBQV,B01HFPP89A” grid=”3″]

Whilst not essential safari wear, any hat or cap is better than none at all. It will give you protection from the sun, and also shield your eyes from the glare – meaning potentially better wildlife spotting opportunities. The ideal hat is a wide-brimmed safari hat to offer maximum protection.

Read our take here on the very best safari hats , or check out these great options from Amazon:

[amazon box=”B06XH2JSK7,B072J5JS25,B07K447FF5″ grid=”3″]

The African sun can offer a surprising amount of harsh glare, so you won’t want to forget sunglasses as part of your safari attire. A pair of polarized wrap-around sunglasses will give you protection from both the glare and the dust that’s a feature of many game drives, meaning more chance of spotting that hiding leopard!

Evening wear

When considering evening safari wear, bear in mind that the days of jackets and ties at the dinner table are long gone. Most safari lodges have relaxed dress codes for dinner so there’s no need to take any formal safari clothes with you.

You’ll want to wash and change after a hard and dusty day’s game viewing, but a pair of jeans or trousers and a long-sleeved shirt will suffice, perhaps along with a warm fleece or safari jacket to ward off the night-time chill. Light colours are recommended for evenings so you don’t attract mosquitoes.

Be sure to check out whether your lodge has a swimming pool and if so, don’t forget to pack some safari-chic swimwear. A dip between game drives during the middle of the day is a great way to contemplate your wildlife viewings (past and future!) whilst working the tan.

What not to wear on safari

The above information should give you a good overview of what safari clothes to take with you, but just in case you’re still in any doubt, here’s a list of the clothes you should absolutely not take with you on safari:

A camouflage safari outfit .  In a number of African countries, you can actually be arrested for wearing army-style camouflage clothes that could be confused with military wear. Best to avoid at all costs.

Overly thick fleeces and jackets . Temperatures on safari change depending on the time of day, where you are, and what altitude you’re at… so layered clothing is ideal to add or remove as the temperature requires.

Heavy walking boots . Unless you’re planning to do some serious hiking a pair of trainers will do for walking around camp and hopping in and out of your jeep.

Black and blue clothing . East Africa is home to the tsetse fly which is attracted to dark colors and packs a nasty bite – best avoided by wearing lighter colours.

Bright clothing. Don’t draw attention to yourself if you want the best chance of spotting wildlife .

Tuxedos & ballgowns. Yes, people do! Most safari lodges have a very relaxed dress code for dinner, and whilst you will want to wash and change after a hard day game viewing you won’t need to dress over-formally for any evening activities.

And one last ‘don’t do’ tip for packing your safari wear:

Packing it all in one large suitcase . Limit the risk of all of your luggage going missing or being stolen on the flight by packing some essentials – and one safari outfit – in your hand luggage.

Hawaiian shirts are a classic no-no as safari clothing

Have you been on safari lately and have some tips on what to wear on safari? Please let us know by getting involved in the comments section below!

Have a sneak preview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glO-rRsPBIo&feature=youtu.be All authentic gear – made close to the Kruger National PArk in South Africa – available here in the UK

We are travelling to South Africa to do a safari adjacent to the Krugar. Is that right that Camouflage is completely no allowed? Only I have just purc hased Shorts and a Hat. Please advise

Hi Colleen, as far as I’m aware there are no restrictions on camflage wear in South Africa, so you should be fine. That said, to be sure you should drop your safari lodge a line as they may have their own rules.

This is suitable for safaris! http://www.cafepress.com/guaxinim/9341456

Do you consider light to medium gray to be ok for colors

Hi Aggie, medium grey is a good colour for safari clothes, so long as it’s not too dark and not too light!

I would be interested in specific suggestions of brands to check out for women’s safari wear. Thanks, Barbara

An item I found extremely useful for gamedrives in open vehicles during winter is my large olive rain poncho. It works fine as a wind spiele and easily fits over the extra set of blankets you might wrap around you.

Excellent idea Birgit, I’ve never used a poncho, but I’d imagine they’re ideal for game drives – lightweight, and quick and easy to get on and off according to the weather.

Sounds like a great idea Birgit. We’ve been on a few high-end safaris where they’ve provided ponchos on bad weather game drives… but taking your own means you’ll be sure to stay dry!

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Safari basics

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What to Wear on Safari – Africa Travel Inside and Out

Written By: The Planet D

Travel Gear

Updated On: February 8, 2024

We’re going to Africa in August and can’t wait to go back on Safari.  We’ve been lucky enough to go on African Safaris in Kenya , Tanzania, South Africa and Botswana. 

Dave and I have learned a lot about dressing right for safaris around the world and here are our tips and tricks for what to wear on safari in Africa.  When watching the  Indiana Jones or The Mummy movies , I loved the way that everyone dressed for the part. They looked like adventurers. And when going on safari we want to look like an adventurer too.

Table of Contents

What to Wear on Safari 

Disclosure: We use Amazon affiliate links in this post 

A safari is definitely a grand adventure. B ut dressing right isn’t only for looks, there are practical reasons people carefully choose what to wear on safari . From keeping cool, to blending in, your khakis will be put to the test on the African plains and within the lodge.

• Dave is wearing a Tilly hat buy it on Amazon now
• Deb’s hat is a Bugs Away Exofficio adventure hat: Get yours on Amazon now

Watch the video here! How to Prepare and Pack for an African Safari

Other Safari articles you may like:

Kenya in Photos Born Free Foundation  Kenya’s Incredible Lake Nakuru Amboseli Kenya’s Royal Court

1. Dress in Neutral Colours

Wonder why everyone dresses in khakis when going on safari? Well, it’s because you want to blend in with your environment. Especially if you’re going on a walking safari. Chances are, if you book a multi-day safari, you will be walking at one point or another. We’ve even ridden horses on safari .

The more you blend in with your surroundings the better chances you have of not disturbing the wildlife. Here is what we are wearing in our photograph.

• Columbia short sleeved Safari Shirt
• Columbia short sleeved moisture wick plaid shirt
• Royal Robbins Light Expedition Shirt
• Exofficio Bugs Away Mariogold Shirt

Going on Safari: Don’t Miss Kenya’s Incredible Lake Nakuru

2. Cover-Up!

When going on safari, it’s important to protect your skin from the elements.  We’ve faced immense heat while on safari in Africa and South East Asia . Although your first instinct may be to wear shorts and a T-shirt, you are better off wearing long sleeves and long pants that are lightweight and breathable.

Staying covered up not only protects you from the sun, it also keeps the bugs away. You have a better chance of not being bitten by mosquitoes if you are covered from head to toe. There are even clothes out there that have UV protection and repel insects, BugsAway Products are good.

Light colours will also help keep the bugs at bay. They are attracted to dark colours (probably because they blend in with the dark) so keep with the beige, light green and khaki colours to scare off tsetse flies and mosquitoes.

3. Safari Shirts

I prefer button down tops made of microfibre material. Flowing fabrics can be cooler in the stifling heat than bare skin. Having a collar will protect the back of your neck from the sun and long sleeves will keep your arms from burning.

4. Safari Pants

A lot of people don’t like the look of convertible pants , but the zip off options are perfect for a safari. Many times on safari you’ll be going out at the crack of dawn. Mornings can be quite cool in the jungle or on the Savanna so having the option to take layers off when the weather warms is important.

I start the morning in pants and then as the temperature rises, I can zip off the bottoms and turn my pants into instant shorts. Once again, make sure the safari pants are lightweight and breathable. You don’t want anything like denim or heavy fabrics.

5. Safari Shoes

Lightweight hiking shoes are a great option for safaris. Even when staying in the most luxurious lodges, you’ll be in the middle of nature.

For the ladies bring a pair of nice travel slippers for eating in the lodge and flip flops are always a good option as well for bumming around camp.

If you are actually camping, Crocs or similar shoes are another good choice because you can wear socks with them and they slip on and off easily.

Men should also have a smart pair of shoes for the lodge. It’s not imperative, but it is nice to change out of your hiking shoes after a long day on safari.

We just returned from a safari in Tanzania and found that our  Keen whisper sandals  (for  men us this link ) worked great. Our feet were cool in the truck but our toes were closed to keep our feet safe from bumps and bruises.

Let’s take a short break and watch our Big Five Safari in Kenya!

6. Safari Hats

I’m a fan of wearing hats on safari. Even while inside a covered safari vehicle, a hat is needed. The sun seems to come in from all directions. A hat helps keep the sun off your face which, if you are like me, burns easily.

It also keeps the sun out of your eyes so you can watch the wildlife more easily. When choosing a hat, get one that has a brim all the way round. This gives added shade for your neck, ears and nose.

We found a buff to be invaluable . Sometimes at dusk the bugs can be relentless. A buff can pull up over your neck and nose. Now that you are covered from head to toe you are ready for anything.

You can even go on Safari in Canada – Read our Algonquin Moose Safari

8. Safari Vest

We don’t normally wear a safari vest, but we do think they are a good idea. If you don’t want to carry a large bag on safari, a vest is a great way to pack all your gear. Safari vests have several pockets where you can store extra batteries, cameras and even sunscreen and lip balm.

Check out this mesh safari vest on Amazon

You may know what to wear on a regular safari, but what about a horse safari?

10. At the lodge

Don’t worry about bringing formal clothing while on safari. Even the most luxurious of lodges don’t expect you to dress up at night. Light neutral clothing is all you need.

I would keep the same rules for dinner as I do for safari. Wear long pants and shirts to stay warm and keep the bugs away. I like to dress things up a bit with a silk scarf and Dave likes to wear a crisp button-down shirt.

It does cool off a lot in the evening on safari in Africa, so a fleece sweater or extra layers is a good choice. You can dress in smart casual wear, but don’t worry about breaking out the Donna Karan or Stella McCartney. A nice pair of trousers and a stylish shirt will do the trick.

I’m a fan of long skirts with sandals when on safari. It’s flowing yet comfortable. We’re always fans of sarongs. I love walking around in a sarong or bringing it to the pool. I find it is even a great coverup from sun if I feel too hot.

Check out Dave’s camera gear at the Complete Travel Photography Gear Guide

9. Sunglasses

The sun can be harsh on the African plains. Sunglasses are a must. I recommend bringing two pairs. We’ve had a pair of sunglasses break while on safari before and we were glad to have a backup pair.

We’re big fans of Switch Sunglasses because we can quickly and easily switch out our lenses depending on the type of day. Lenses can change to darker for very bright days, lenses for overcast days and even low light.

Dave has RX sunglasses that are prescription so he can spot wildlife even with his sunglasses on. He has a very light prescription so he doesn’t need glasses all the time, but it’s great to have prescription sunglasses to see everything crisp and clear.

Now that you know what to wear on safari, check out a Masai Mara Safari .

Make sure to pack all your prescription medications and extra as you’ll be in very remote places. Have a good stocked first aid kit with the usual suspects but also think about having a few extra items like

• after sun lotion,
• bugs spray,
• allergy medication , (you never know what you might be allergic to out there)
• Tylenol or Advil
• A good moisturizer is a must. It is really dry on the African Savannah and facial and body moisture will come in handy.

So there you have it. Hopefully when you go on your next wildlife safari, you’ll not only look good but feel great! Follow these rules and you will be the smartest looking adventurer in the lodge.

Want to know what to wear for travels and not just what to wear on safari? Check out our ultimate packing list. 

• Safari in Kenya – The Masai Mara
• On Safari in Tanzania – The Ultimate Wildlife Experience
• Africa Big 5 Safari, A Photograph is Way Better than a Stupid Trophy
• 12 Awesome Things to do in South Africa

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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23 thoughts on “What to Wear on Safari – Africa Travel Inside and Out”

Nice article! and a well informed blog thank you for sharing!

Very informative. Thanks. 🙂 🙂

Thank you for the awesome article.

Your information is very well detailed. I have just finished booking my south African safari and found a good list from your website.

Just wondering why you say “you are better off wearing long sleeves and long pants” but in every photo you’re wearing short sleeves?

And I thought that wearing khaki when in Africa is just a trend, when it’s actually an important part of safety precautions :)!!! Thanks for illuminating me, and maybe even saving my life, since I don’t follow trends but plan to go to Africa. By the way has someone been in Nigeria? I’ve read that there are several reasons why Nigeria is the best travel destination https://blog.asaptickets.com/destinations/10-facts-why-to-visit-nigeria/ . Would like to here some other responses to decide which African country to visit.

Love this and your web site . You guys are so inspiring. I just started mine and can only work real hard to achieve this in my life 🙂 Bravo to my fellow canadians from another canadian. Keep up the great work !!

Great post! I also love the pictures! You really need to pack your clothes well when going on a safari trip. Better to be prepared!

Good call on the first aid kit, I really need to get a small kit together to take on my international trips. Especially off the beaten path ones far from easy medical care.

Thanks for such a great and useful list. It helps a lot while planning for Safari Trip. Great Read for everyone.

Outstanding list thank you so much for wonderful sharing to travel the safe and secure safari trip nice tips thanks.

Great list guys. Going on safari looks amazing, I love hiking and know very well about the importance of being prepared and with the right clothes! When I climbed a volcano in Chile I had a very different list but equally had to give it lots of thought. Thanks for sharing!

Amazing post, many many thanks to providing for valuable information

Good Information. Ver Helpful and Amazing pictures

Amazing !!! I loved your Blog very helpful for people visiting first time to World Safari, Thank You for providing all the minute details like where to go, what to do,hotels, food, flights, what to wear etc. This will give a idea to every one. people can save money by booking the tour by themselves rather then providing commission to some travel agencies

Amazing Post! thanks for the sharing..

i jst love jungle safari. The article is great it help me in chitwan safari. Thanks for this article .

Awesome! Have a great time in Chitwan. Hope you see some rhinos!

Ha, such a great article. Thank you for all the tips. I am planning on going on a safai next year.

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks and have a great time on your safari.

Safari in the Masai mara in kenya is very Awesome experience…..Thanks for this awesome article. .

From my many walking safaris in the Masai Mara in Kenya… Sneakers should have hard rubber as thorns penetrate soft rubber easily. Soft rubber sneakers, open-toed sandals or even slippers are fine for the safari vehicle.

Amazing post, Dave and Deb! You guys provide great detailed information and great pictures too! You just gained me as a follower! Cheers

Jungle safari is most adventures for everyone, It is most exciting for everyone. I really appreciate this article. I never thing about how to wear safari traveling, Its really awesome for me and for all getting new and exciting information. its really nice for everyone.

What to Wear on Safari

AFRICA TRAVEL

Stylish outfits for an African safari adventure, using versatile basics

There may be affiliate links within this post that provide me with a commission, at no cost to you. More information at: Privacy & Disclosure .

 When I booked a dream trip to Africa , the thought of planning what to wear on safari was daunting. It was my first trip to Africa and I’d be flying between safari camps in Botswana on little bush planes. That meant strict luggage limits; I had no choice but to pack light.    

In the past, I’ve traveled light by creating capsule wardrobes — picking clothes in colors that mix and match to create many outfits, but fit in a small bag. I decided to use the same approach for my African safari attire to create simple safari style.

What to Wear on an African Safari

African Safari Outfits - Creating a Capsule Wardrobe

My safari was a 6-day adventure in Botswana and I visited in March, toward the end of the Southern Africa summer, also known as green season. At this time of year, the nights weren’t as cold as during winter, but still chilly. And daytime temps went as high as 100 Fahrenheit! So I had to dress for both hot and chilly temps. 

If you’re like me, the 5:30 am wake-up for the morning game drive will feel very early. You’ll want getting dressed to be as simple as possible. So  I chose a palette of neutrals — green, tan, beige and brown. That made it quick and east to get dressed; everything worked with everything else. My only patterned piece was a little scarf.

Deciding what to pack was also dictated by luggage limits — mine was 20 kg. In East Africa the weight limit can be as low as 15 kg; check luggage limits with your safari outfitter. Also, luggage should be a soft-sided bag. More on that below. 

TIP: Bring a daypack – it allows you to pack away your warm layer when temps rise. I also kept sunscreen, bug spray, camera, binoculars, and a water bottle in my pack.

An African Safari Packing List

A safari packing list will vary depending on the destination and time of year. East Africa is closer to the equator, so it is warmer year-round, while temperatures vary more widely in Southern Africa where their winter brings cold nights. 

In Botswana in March mornings were cold and we did have some rain so I was grateful for my layers: a cotton utility jacket, a raincoat, a light puffer jacket and a wool scarf-wrap. 

The length of your trip is less of an issue as most safari lodges have laundry facilities. Inquire about laundry access with your travel agent or safari outfitter. I had laundry done once on my safari.

This safari attire packing list  may be more than you need. But it covers everything you may want. You can tailor it to your trip.

• 2 pants (green and beige)
• 1 short utility-style dress
• 1 one-piece shorts romper
• 1 long-sleeved linen shirt
• 1 short-sleeved shirt
• 2 tank tops (beige & white)
• Cotton Utility Jacket
• Light puffer coat
• Swimsuit & Cover-Up
• Socks & underwear
• 1 accent scarf
• 1 light wool scarf wrap
• 1 wide-brim hat
• Camera Equipment

What Shoes to pack for a Safari

For footwear I took two pairs: a pair of boots and sandals. I wasn’t sure about my decision to go with boots instead of runners but it was the right call. We had beautiful sunny days but also heavy rain and mud. Sandals were ideal for hot afternoons (up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and I wore them on game drives a couple of afternoons. Sunglasses, a hat, and a daypack were my other safari essentials.

Is There a Safari Dress Code?

Helpful Guidelines for Safari Style

• Although game lodges don’t tend to have official dress codes, many lodges prohibit any clothing with a camouflage pattern. Also, avoid blue as it can attract tsetse flies.
• Neutrals are ideal — they are easy to mix, match, and you’ll blend with the landscape.
• Bright colors can scare animals away, so leave it to the zebras and giraffes to make the design statement.
• With temperatures fluctuating dramatically, you will need layers, including warm layers. This is more the case in Southern Africa in winter. I brought a down jacket and I needed it. Don’t think Africa will only be hot.
• Safari lodges typically have rain ponchos for all guests, but I suggest you bring your own lightweight raincoat. It’s a convenient layer to have.
• Bring long pants! They are ideal for early morning drives and to protect against bugs. I also wore pants to dinner. 
• Some vehicles have open tops so you will want a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. A chin strap is helpful to keep hats from blowing off.
• Most safari lodges have a swimming pool, so bring a swimsuit and coverup.
• There is no need to bring anything fancy for evenings as African safari lodges tend to be casual. That said, it’s nice to change out of what you’ve worn all day.
• Suggested safari footwear: Boots or closed-toe shoes for protecting your feet, and sandals for when it’s hot.

African Safari Outfits- Daytime

During my 6-days on safari, I wore pants and at least two layers on top for the morning game drive then changed into shorts in the afternoon when temps jumped into the high 90’s Fahrenheit. Especially if you are lounging in a swimsuit during your downtime, count on the possibility you’ll change a few times during the day.

For this reason, I traveled with packing cubes which I loved. They act like drawers to keep things organized, which is especially helpful if you stay at multiple game lodges, as I did. You won’t have to unpack and pack up everything with each new lodge.  

What to Wear on Safari in Evenings

Safaris are casual, so bringing fancy items to wear to dinner is unnecessary. Still, I like to change into something a little nicer for the evening. Because it was chilly and I was trying to avoid bug bites, I always wore long pants in the evening, typically pairing those with a long-sleeved shirt and my sweater wrap. I also had a cute linen utility jacket that I wore to dinner. I simply added a necklace to jazz up my outfit.

Everything I brought had to work well with multiple pieces. A long-sleeved cashmere sweater would also be a nice option for the evening, especially if you are on safari in the Southern Africa winter. 

African Safari Wardrobe: Start With What You Have

My number one tip for creating any capsule wardrobe is to try everything on ahead of time. That’s the only way to know what works with what. And start with what you already have. With the pieces I already had in my closet, I bought just a few new items for my safari wardrobe. Below, I include all the key clothing items I brought. If they are no longer available, I’ve listed something similar from a brand I own, even if I don’t have that exact piece. 

I try to focus on brands that are striving toward sustainability and I prefer to buy clothes that will last and I’ll enjoy for years to come. Because I travel often, things need to hold up well and easily mix and match in capsule wardrobes. I focus on well-made essentials rather than trendy items. I’d rather spend a little more and purchase less.

Pants to Wear on Safari

I recommend choosing two neutral-colored pants for a safari wardrobe — tan, brown and khaki green are all great choices. I brought three pairs of pants and in hindsight, could have managed with two, especially given I had access to laundry services. 

I took quick-dry travel pants from Athleta which I love (pictured above). They are very lightweight and don’t wrinkle — ideal when it was hot, but I wanted my legs covered.  Mine are from a few years ago; the Endless High Rise Pant in green and the Brooklyn Utility Pants in tan are most similar to mine.

You could also go with a cotton utility pant such as the Utility Barrel Pant by Everlane. The cocoa color would be a great safari pant. Or the Refined Utility Pant by Banana Republic. 

Safari Shorts

Because it was so hot in the afternoons, I was grateful to have packed shorts. I wore them on an afternoon game drive and lounging around the safari lodge between outings — relaxing on my verandah or taking photos. Mine are several years old. Comfort is crucial on safari, as you sit for long periods in the jeep. I suggest the Trekkie North Bermuda Short ; it’s a great mid-length and lightweight. I love that it has zippered pockets. Available in sizes 0-24.

If you prefer a shorter style look at the Easy Short by Everlane  or the European Linen Shorts by Quince. 

One-Piece Romper

A one-piece romper seems like the perfect safari style —easy and cool. I found mine in South Africa just before I left for Botswana and I was glad I bought it. It was great for hot weather lightweight and I could keep the waist loosely tied to allow air flow.

My style is a small brand I had never heard of, but here are similar options: Athleta’s Brooklyn Utility Romper, the  Short Jumpsuit in Cotton Twill by Alex Mill, or Anthropologie’s Kit Utility Romper. And for a splurge, and classic Out of Africa vibes, look at Frame’s Utility Short Jumpsuit in Khaki Tan .

You could choose this instead of the shorts if you want to pack one less item.  

Safari Style Shirtdress

Yes, I could have gotten by without this shirtdress, but it was nice to have. I wore it on two very hot travel days in Africa. And its classic safari style was nice for the photos we took while enjoying our sundowners. (Sundowners are a highlight of any day on safari; a classic refreshment such as a gin and tonic is enjoyed while marveling at the beauty of the landscape, and reflecting on the day’s adventures.)

Mine is from Banana Republic; I’d had it for a while. I am trying to support more diverse brands that prioritize responsible manufacturing, and Banana Republic isn’t there yet. But they do an excellent job of safari style. This similar style, the  Twill Utility Shirtdress , captures the same look that says I take exploring seriously. J.Crew Factory has a nice option in olive green, the Utility Mini Dress. 

Long-sleeved Shirt

A lightweight long-sleeved shirt is a cornerstone of your African safari outfits; either cotton or linen work well.  I wore mine day and night, on its own and layered. I chose a dark brown linen shirt, but a khaki green or tan would also be the perfect safari staple.  

This is a classic piece you will wear again and again, not just on safari. You may well already have one in your closet. If you don’t, mine is by the Gap, similar to this Linen Boyfriend Shirt.  For an investment piece, I love the Britt Linen Shirts at J. McLaughlin.

For a budget-friendly option look at the Quince European Linen . I own it in white and it’s great quality.The “washed olive” color would be great for a safari. Everlane’s Relaxed Linen Shirt . is another mid-priced option. 

Short-sleeved Shirt

Some people will say to avoid wearing white on safari as it can appear bright and startling to animals. And this is good advice. But I already owned a short-sleeved utility shirt in white, so I decided to bring it rather than buy another one. Mine is a few years old but any comfortable cotton short-sleeved shirt will work well to create your safari outfits. This one is similar and comes in a lovely green: Loft Utility Dolman Shirt.   Quince’s Vintage Wash Tencel Camp Shirt comes in several colors, and is lightweight and wrinkle resistant — great for travel. 

Safari Style Utility Jacket

I bought my linen utility jacket fifteen years ago, but it had sat quietly at the back of my closet for the last ten. I rediscovered it w hen I went through everything I had that might be considered safari attire.

That’s why I always recommend looking through your closet, before you buy anything. You may find some gems, which allows you to invest in a few quality pieces, instead of having to spread your budget across an entirely new wardrobe.

I love utility jackets — they can be styled with jeans, trousers, and skirts, and work long after you return home from your safari. 

My current favorite is this one from Quince, The Chore Jacket. It’s lightweight and only $60. The colors tobacco or olive would both work really well for safari style.

L.L. Bean has a nice selection of women’s jackets that could work for African safari outfits. In particular, you might consider the BeanFlex Short Utility Jacket .

Another cute option would be a bomber-style jacket.

Lightweight Wool Scarf/Wrap

A wool wrap is one of my favorite travel essentials. Even if I am going somewhere warm, you never know when you might need a layer on a chilly evening, or in air conditioning. And they are perfect to carry on the plane which is usually, brrrr. Mine is several years old, but this wardrobe staple is available from many brands at various price points. 

I love the Mongolian Cashmere Wrap by Quince and it’s well-priced. I own their cashmere crewneck sweater and the quality is great. It comes in eight colors.  J. Crew also has a nice option (and it often goes on sale) the  Cashmere Wool-Blend Poncho.

Rain Jacket

I’d say a rain jacket is not entirely necessary because safari lodges will have ponchos available for your use, as I mentioned. That said, I was happy that I brought a rain jacket. It was the perfect lightweight layer on an early morning walking safari (pictured above) and was less cumbersome than a poncho.

My raincoat was light enough to keep in my daypack, so I had it if needed. Mine is by Sierra Designs and several years old. This RainOut Sutro Trench by Athleta is similar. I own many Athleta pieces and am a huge fan of this brand!

For a cute bomber style I suggest Athleta’s Jetset Bomber in grey.

Wide-Brimmed Hat

I both own and wear many hats 😉 but I did purchase a new hat to wear on safari. I chose the Laguna Drover Hat   from Tommy Bahama. (The brand is Kooringle of Australia.) It was perfect. Our safari jeeps always had a roof that offered some sun protection, but note that this is not always the case.  Because I was using a large DSLR camera, a slightly smaller brim was more practical. Technically this is a men’s hat, but the smaller of the two sizes (M/L) fit perfectly. Tommy Bahama has a great online selection of women’s hats .

If you wear corrective lenses, I recommend investing in prescription sunglasses for your African safari. Not having to put my contact lenses in at 5 am was a dream.  My go-to for prescription glasses is Warby Parker and the style I purchased is The Beale , in the color Rosemary Crystal — a very pretty green.

My prescription sunglasses are single-vision, but you can also get them with progressive lenses. And all their sunglasses can be purchased without a prescription as well.

If you don’t have a Warby Parker near you, the website has virtual try-on technology using your computer camera, or you can order several pairs online to be shipped to you, and decide which you like. I own three pairs of prescription glasses from Warby Parker, two eyeglasses, and now my “safari sunglasses”. I highly recommend them — great quality products and service.

Boots for an African Safari

I almost didn’t bring these boots and they turned out to be the most essential thing I wore in Africa. Keeping my feet protected and dry was crucial. We had rain, and lots of mud. If I had been wearing runners they would have been a mess. My boots are the Betsy by Born, purchased last year. As of now they are sold out but I will watch for a similar style by them.

Meanwhile here are some great options: I love the rich caramel color of the Frye Veronica boot available at Nordstrom. A classic and chic safari style by a heritage brand.

And you can never go wrong with a pair of Blundstones; they have a nice safari style boot with a substantial sole — Blundstone Lace-Up Boots.

My sandals are by Nisolo, they are the Go-To Flatform Sandal in almond and come in several other colors. They were perfect to wear on safari — comfy and lightweight to pack. And I liked that the platform kept my feet a little elevated from the ground. They work equally well with shorts and a sundress. Note, these run small, I sized up half a size. 

Nisolo is an environmentally conscious brand and a Certified B Corp. Their artisanal shoemakers in Peru are paid a living wage. 

Soft-Sided Luggage for Safari

For my safari, I borrowed a soft-sided bag that dates to the 80’s; I can’t even find the brand. But I own another travel bag by Eagle Creek and it’s terrific, so I can recommend them if you need soft-sided luggage. The Eagle Creek No Matter What Duffle would be great for a safari; it’s lightweight and water-resistant. Choose between the 60 and 90-liter capacity, depending on your weight limit and how much you intend to bring. Available in several colors.

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And just like that, we are all packed for an African safari. Well, at least we have a better idea what to wear on safari  — from there, packing should be a snap. I hope you have a truly magical time on your African adventure, or embracing safari style at home — almost as fun!  You might enjoy reading about my Botswana Safari Adventure in  Leroo La Tau Safari Lodge . 

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8 Responses

Thank you SO much for this post, it was exactly what I was looking for! I’m a solo 52yo Aussie living in Canada & heading to Kenya in Jan 2025 (meeting up with a group of strangers for the safari) & so I’m trying to learn as much as I can & prep. So thank! Especially for giving links too, makes life so much easier.

Now I will also read some of your other content.

Hi there! Thanks so much for reading. Have an incredible trip to Kenya!

Love your safari style! I’m going on safari in Kenya/Tanzania in late June/July 2024 and this was extremely helpful. The visuals and recommendations are great.

Thanks Dani. Have an incredble trip to East Africa!!

I love your safari style! Thank you for all of the helpful tips! I am going on two day trip safari’s in Kenya. I wanted to ask if you have a recommendation of a crossbody bag to bring on my day trips. I’m not sure how much stuff I will need to bring for the day. Also which jacket would I bring for the day. I see you packed a few different ones for your trip.

Hi Krystal. How exciting! Kenya will be incredible. I used a small backpack as my day bag as I wanted it to hold a coat, hat, suscreen and jacket. As for what coat it depended on time of day. Mornings were cold so I brought my down-filled jacket. It was a lightweight one that packed up in a small bag, but was quite warm. In the afternoon I brought my raincoat in my bag (just in case as it was rainy season) and I usually wore my light cotton utility jacket with a tee underneath in case I got hot. With most safaris, you go back to the lodge midday to relax, so you can change your clothes and your jacket. For example, I always wore long pants in the morning but wore shorts in the warmer afternoon. Hope that helps ! Have a marvelous trip!

Hi Susan. I stumbled upon you and so glad I did! Thank you for all the info and detail and putting in the links for some of the items, really helps understand what you are recommending. Going in August, Kenya/Tanzania, so will be hotter than your trip. Trying to decide if Bludstones still needed (?) or if a hiking shoe/sneaker type could work since won’t be too muddy. And, you are brave in dresses and shorts! I am already anticipating all the bug bites coming my way!

Hi Jackie. Yes, bug spray is necessary although I didn’t find it too bad. I would definitely bring shorts to change in to between game drives. Based on what you are saying I think a sturdy sneaker with a good sole or hiking shoes will be fine. Have an incredible trip to East Africa!

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What to Wear on Safari Evenings

An African Safari is one of the most exciting things you will ever get to do. Even I who have lived in Kenya all my  Life get excited when going on game drives in any of Kenya’s game reserves. When preparing to go for a safari, you will see a lot of information advising you on the colors that you should wear during the day. however, I searched and did not find a lot of information on what you are supposed to wear in the evenings of your safari.  I did some digging on online forums and my own personal experience and here’s what I found to be the best advice for what you should wear on safari evenings.

The kinds of clothes you wear on a safari evening will depend on where you’ll be dining that night. If it’s going to be in an open place where bugs can easily gain access to you should avoid clothes that expose your legs and arms. In this setting as well, you should avoid white and yellow since insects are attracted to these colors. On the other hand, if the place you will be dining at is closed up and there are no bugs that can gain access into the area you can wear whatever you like. In this article, I’m going to break down what you should wear on a safari evening and specify what ladies, gentlemen, and children should wear.

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How the type of venue affects how you will dress on safari evenings.

the type of venue you will be seated in will greatly influence the kind of dressing that will be most appropriate. The two distinctions in the venues that are set outside and those that are indoors.

Dining areas that are outdoor may provide a cool breeze and a view of the animals in the game park but they come with their own sets of challenges the greatest of which is that there are a lot of bugs in Africa and they tend to get attracted to light. When dining outside you will have to deal with the night bugs like beetles moths and other strange insects that get attracted to where you seated since there is an abundance of light in an area that is generally very dark.

For this reason, in this type of setting, not very advisable to wear bright clothing or items of clothing that expose the legs and arms. This is because they will be exposed to mosquitoes and other insects. There is nothing quite as jolting as an insect that is going up your leg.

the other hand, in enclosed venues bugs, are not a big issue and so you’ll have greater freedom to wear what you want. These areas also generally have even ground and so allow you to wear heels and wedges.

Clothing to avoid on Safari Evenings

When going on Safari evening dinners and entertainment, there are a number of dressing options that you need to avoid.

Yellow clothes

Avoid wearing white orange and yellow since they attract insects. this is especially the case if you are going to be dining outside.

Dresses and shorts

if your dining area is going to be outdoor do not wear dresses or skirts because your legs will be exposed and this will be easy prey for mosquitoes

You also want to avoid open shoes and sandals because of the mosquitoes

Very high heels

To keep the rugged and African feel most hotels do not keep very smooth floors. This means that you will have a hard time walking and dancing in the evening if you wear very high heels

Colors you should wear on Safari evenings

There are no media restrictions to the kinds of colors you should wear the only general rule you should keep his avoiding colors that would easily attract insects. These include white orange and yellow.

The evenings are not formal events and you generally do not want to wear a suit and tie to these so look for something casual and casual colors would do in this case.

Safari Evenings Dressing suggestions for women

the following suggestions are going to depend on the kind of dining area you’re going to be in and since you may not be completely sure of each dining area in the places you’ll visit my advice that you have a good mix of the following.

The floors of most tourist hotels in Africa are not smooth. You may struggle you wear heels

Jeans or khakis long pants

These will help you avoid getting bitten by mosquitos on the legs

Long-sleeved top

This will help prevent you from being bitten.

Light shawl

The nights can get a bit chilly in the cold seasons. A shawl is sufficient to keep you warm.

Safari Evenings Dressing suggestions for men

Men generally have it easier in this though the same rules apply: if you’re going to be spending a lot of time outside, protect yourself from mosquitoes by covering up your legs and arms. Here are my suggestions for what you should pack for the evenings on your safari.

• Long pants (jeans or khakis)
• Long-sleeved shirt or T-shirt
• Closed shoes (avoid sandals)
• A light jacket or sweater for when it gets chilly.

A word About Safari Laundry Services

Most of the accommodation you will use will have laundry services either at a cost or free depending on your package.

The laundry in Africa is usually sun-dried and this means that how fast do you get your foundry will depend on the weather conditions. make sure to carry extra clothes to ensure that you do not get inconvenienced eve with clothes haven’t dry and by the time you need to wear them.

In addition to this African laundry services generally, do not clean underwear which is boxers panties and bras. This is generally because of culture with most laundry attendants being men and not wanting to wash women’s underwear due to cultural misgivings. This, therefore, means that you will have to clean your own underwear or carry large amounts and dispose of them as you go.

Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Antony Njoroge

Hi, I'm Antony & I'm from Kenya. I love traveling around Kenya when I get off from work and this website is a great way for me to share my local knowledge and tips that will help you travel well in East Africa. Having lived in East Africa my whole life, I share my personal experiences and knowledge with the goal of helping you optimize your East African Safari and make it an unforgettable expereince.

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How to Dress for a Safari

Last Updated: December 12, 2021

This article was co-authored by Kalee Hewlett . Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’ This article has been viewed 23,465 times.

When you go on a safari, you'll be spending a lot of time outside, whether you're walking through brush, hiking, or riding in the back of a vehicle. You won't have much time or opportunity to change your clothes, so it's important to dress appropriately. Choose colors that match your surroundings and also don't attract bugs. You should also choose your clothing based on where in Africa you'll be. Quality clothing might be a little more expensive, but it's worth the investment.

Choosing Colors

• Sticking to these colors also helps to hide dirt. Your clothes will likely get dirty as you hike through brush or travel along dusty roads, and if your wardrobe is made up of mostly browns, tans, or khaki, the dirt will be hidden better. [2] X Research source

Dressing Based on Your Safari Destination

Selecting Quality Clothing

Choosing Accessories

• Companies like Columbia have these types of headbands.

Expert Q&A

• Stick to packing casual clothes. Even if you're staying in the highest-rated safari lodges or hotels in Africa, the code is still pretty casual. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Try not to over pack. Make sure you pack enough underwear and socks to last you the trip, but you really only need a few shirts and 1 or 2 pairs of pants and 1 or 2 pairs of shorts. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ http://www.africatouroperators.org/clothing/what-to-wear-on-a-safari
• ↑ https://theworldpursuit.com/safari-clothes-what-to-wear/
• ↑ https://www.micato.com/blog/expert-safari-packing-tips/
• ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/luxury-south-africa-holidays/10602107/travel-tips-what-to-wear-on-safari.html

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