Safari clothing: 5 tried-and-tested tips you should keep in mind

Finding the right safari clothing is not difficult at all if you know which features you should look out for.

In this article you’ll find out ...

• our purchase recommendations for your safari outfit,
• what the climate conditions are like on safari and
• our 5 tips you should keep in mind when buying safari clothing.

Purchase recommendations for your safari outfit

When you’re preparing for a safari in Africa, there are various requirements that your safari outfit needs to meet. On the one hand it should protect you from malaria mosquitos and harmful UV radiation, on the other hand a small pack size is a crucial factor.

For this reason we’d like to introduce you to some tried-and-tested items of clothing that have proved very practical for us on safaris. Here are our recommendations for your safari outfit:

Tip no. 1: Windproof jacket

When you’re sitting in the safari vehicle early in the morning and the cold wind is blowing towards you, you need a windproof and warm jacket. The zip should reach up to your chin and close well around your neck area so that no cold air can get in and wearing a scarf is not necessary.

We have a jacket from Patagonia. One advantage of this jacket is its very small pack size. You can easily stow it in a rucksack and it doesn’t take up unnecessary space in your row of seats in the safari vehicle. The jacket is a real all-rounder and has been with us for several years now, so the purchase has really paid off.

Our recommendations for you:

Tip no. 2: Warming fleece jacket

Fleece jackets are super practical on safari because in cooler temperatures they insulate your body heat and at the same time have a convenient pack size. On a morning game drive, fleece jackets are also an additional insulating layer between your jacket and T-shirt. Thanks to the zip you can put the jacket on and take it off again quickly and easily at any time.

Fleece jackets come in different fabric weights. There is, for example, 100 and 200 fleece, which indicates the weight per square metre. The higher the number, the warmer the fleece jacket. We have a fleece jacket that is excellent for wearing underneath and as a light jacket on safaris.

Our recommendations for you:

Tip no. 3: Mosquito-proof safari shirt

For Africa, shirts that are breathable and made from a quick-drying fabric have proved their worth. There are also shirts that are treated with an active ingredient that repels mosquitos – perfect if you’re travelling in a malaria area.

We also recommend that you take a lightweight shirt with you that will protect you from mosquito bites and UV radiation on safari. It’s very advantageous if the material doesn’t stick uncomfortably to your skin in hot temperatures.

Our recommendations for you:

Tip no. 4: Trousers with zip-off legs

Trousers that offer protection against mosquito bites and UV radiation are also practical for safaris.

We recommend zip-off trousers where you can use a zip to turn the long legs into a pair of shorts. That way you don’t have to get changed a lot in front of other safari guests.

Our recommendations for you:

Tip no. 5: Lightweight walking shoes

For hot regions, lightweight walking shoes are ideal. The shoes should have a good sole that protects you from thorns lying on the ground. On a bush walk you should definitely wear sturdy shoes so that you’re protected from stinging insects.

In Africa we often see tourists with desert boots. The extra high shaft prevents, for example, grass seeds from getting in. Because of the high shaft, however, your feet can quickly get hot.

We like wearing sturdy walking shoes from Lowa because they are very comfortable on walks. For Africa we prefer the low-cut version because the shoe is very hard-wearing and not too warm.

Our recommendations for you:

Tip no. 6: Cooling socks

For hot temperatures we prefer to take comfortable socks made from a cooling material.

The socks also have a soft terry sole and don’t rub thanks to the flat seams. So you can wear these socks not only in Africa but also at home in everyday life.

Our recommendations for you:

Tip no. 7: Breathable headwear

You should definitely wear headwear when you go on a walking safari or when you’re travelling in a vehicle without a roof.

A hat should be breathable so that it doesn’t become uncomfortable to wear in the midday heat and should also provide sufficient UV protection. The safari hats from Stetson and Tilley meet both of these requirements. If you’re not a hat person – and we understand that well – then just wear a cap instead. That’s what we do :-)

Our recommendations for you:

Climate conditions on safari: temperature fluctuations and the right clothing

A safari in Africa offers a fascinating variety of wildlife sightings and breathtaking landscapes. However, it is important to take into account the particular climate conditions that can occur during a safari. Here are some important aspects you should keep in mind:

Temperature fluctuations

On safari you are exposed to strong temperature fluctuations. In the African winter temperatures can drop sharply in the mornings and evenings and in some regions even reach freezing point. This means that early in the morning you’ll be sitting in an open safari vehicle without windows and possibly without a fixed roof in cold temperatures.

In the late morning temperatures rise quickly and at midday can often reach over 30 degrees. While you’re more likely to feel cold in the morning, you’ll be more likely to sweat at midday.

Changing clothes

Because of the temperature fluctuations you will probably need to adjust your clothing over the course of the day. The thick jumper that kept you warm in the morning will be too warm during the day and the long trousers may stick uncomfortably to your legs.

The particular challenge is that on safari you’re often not alone in the vehicle and you therefore want to change your clothes quickly and easily. So it’s advisable to choose items of clothing that are not only suitable for the temperatures but are also easy to change.

Remember that your clothing not only affects your comfort but also how well you blend into the natural surroundings. This is important on a walking safari or bush walk so that you don’t disturb the animals and don’t stand out.

5 tips you should keep in mind when buying safari clothing

The demands on safari clothing are very varied. In addition to earthy tones it is also very practical if the clothing is functional.

Tip 1: Muted colours

The best thing to wear on safari is clothing in natural tones. This way you are perfectly adapted to your surroundings and blend into the African bush and savannah.

If you are travelling in a 4x4 vehicle, it is not quite as important which colours you wear. However, if you are on a walking safari, so on foot in the bush, colour choice is very important. In that case you should definitely stick to the colours of nature.

The best colours to wear on safari are: khaki, brown, beige or olive green.

Colours that are less suitable include bright colours such as pink, red and yellow.

You should also avoid dark colours such as black and blue as they attract mosquitoes. You should refrain from wearing camouflage clothing as in some African countries it is reserved for the military.

Tip 2: Packs down small

On safari it is very practical if your clothing packs down small. This is especially true for jackets or bulky fleece jumpers that you take off during the course of the day as the temperature rises. Clothing that packs down small is easy to stow in an open 4x4 vehicle.

In your luggage, clothing that packs down small is of course also an advantage. For example, if you are flying to a remote lodge in a typical bush plane (Cessna), then strict luggage limits apply.

Tip 3: Easy to change

Zip-off trousers are also practical for safaris. On these handy trousers you can simply unzip the long legs. This way you can easily turn a pair of long trousers into shorts. This means you don’t have to fully change in front of other safari guests.

Tip 4: Protection against mosquito bites (malaria)

We all know it – mosquitoes are annoying in summer even here in Europe. In Africa, however, mosquitoes can also transmit malaria. If you are not sufficiently protected on safari, in the worst case you can become infected with this tropical disease.

Impregnated clothing: There is special safari clothing whose fibres have a repellent (permethrin) worked into them that keeps mosquitoes away. These garments reduce the likelihood of being bitten by mosquitoes.

Penetration-resistant clothing: If you don’t want to use chemicals, you can also choose penetration-resistant clothing. These garments are made of a denser material that mosquitoes find difficult to bite through. The downside is that in high temperatures this clothing is usually not very breathable.

If you would like to know more about preventive measures against this tropical disease, you can read more in our Namibia malaria article.

Tip 5: Integrated UV protection

On a full-day safari or when hiking through the bush you will at least at times be exposed to intense sunlight. So it makes sense to think about how you can protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

The most effective UV protection is provided by tightly woven clothing. The finer the fibres are woven, the fewer UV rays can penetrate the fabric. We therefore opt for garments made from thin, fine merino wool, as these provide a high level of natural protection against UV rays.

We hope this article has been helpful and that you have found a suitable safari outfit for yourself. Now we wish you wonderful moments on your safari.