What to wear on an Africa safari tour? What are the best clothes for a safari in Africa? A travel agent can arrange your African safari with relative ease, but there is one aspect that bothers the majority of safari visitors. What should I bring, and how many outfits will I need for a safari? What footwear should I bring or wear? The solution is really quite easy! Finding the appropriate safari attire is not too difficult. The first thing to keep in mind is that you should only carry 20 kilograms of luggage when visiting Africa for your safari tour. Basically, you need three safari shirts with short sleeves and three with long sleeves. Two shorts and three pants are required.
A comfortable, engaging, and unforgettable African safari trip depends on knowing what to wear. It’s important to pack the right clothes for your African safari tour so that you can prevent sunburn, insect bites, and other problems related to wearing the wrong clothes and instead savor your time in the great outdoors. The clothing you wear on your African safari tour should be appropriate for the adventure and activities you will be participating in. For example, if your interest is in mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, the clothing to wear in this activity differs from that of those who are going on a game drive in the Serengeti National Park, a hiking safari in Mount Kilimanjaro, or a beach vacation in Zanzibar Island.
WHAT SAFARI COLORS SHOULD YOU WEAR ON YOUR AFRICAN SAFARI TOUR? The focus should be entirely on your surroundings rather than on you if you want to get the most of your safari experience. Going neutral with your wardrobe is the best strategy for accomplishing this. Khaki is the ideal safari hue, followed by olive, tans, and browns. These work well with dirt. Bright safari attire may occasionally scare away the animals because it draws attention to you, the tourist, rather than the wildlife you are hoping to observe. So opt for items with muted colors. Color schemes that complement the African wilderness.
Wearing safari attire Tee shirts, long sleeve shirts, shorts, hiking boots, and sports socks should all be worn to keep things casual and comfortable and to avoid blisters. A lightweight fleece jacket, gloves, and sweaters are all you’ll need for the frigid weather. All of these ought to be in muted hues like khaki, olive, green, and brown. However, there are several neutral hues and styles you should avoid, like:
- No dark blue and/or black: Tsetse flies can be attracted by colors, and their bite is unpleasant. In East and Central Africa, this is typical. Tsetse flies aren’t a big problem in southern Africa.
- No, and very pale: White is pretty, but not appropriate for a safari. It is much preferable to save the white dress or shirt for supper. Since we’re in Africa, expect plenty of dust!
- No camouflage clothing: You should avoid wearing this style of clothing since, in the majority of African nations, it is associated with military.
WHAT SAFARI CLOTHING MATERIALS SHOULD YOU USE FOR YOUR AFRICAN SAFARI TOUR?
Now that you are aware of the proper safari attire and colors, the next consideration is the fabric of the clothing. Although you can try some of the latest man-made materials, some of which are more durable than cotton, simple cotton often works best for shirts and pants. It’s crucial to consider the weather and the time of year where you plan to travel. For instance, light safari attire is recommended in Tanzania during the dry season as opposed to Bwindi Impenetrable National park gorilla trekking, where it rains nearly every day.
AFRICAN SAFARI CLOTHES AND LAYERING
Africa has a wide range of climatic and weather conditions, from severely cold, icy nights to extremely scorching, dusty days. In these circumstances, layering is really practical. If you intend to go on early-morning game drives, layering should include at least one warm layer.
SHORTS OR LONG PANTS?
So far, we’ve talked about the types of safari clothing you’ll need, the colors they should be, and the materials they should be made of. The dilemma of “short or long?” or “only tees?” is another one that keeps the luggage open and barren. On an African safari, especially during the day, shorts and shirts are generally pleasant, although occasionally during game drives and quick bush walks you might wish you had wrapped yourself a little more. Therefore, breathable clothing in neutral tones like cream, khaki, Chinos, or grey is ideal for game drives and walking safari. Save your shorts for the daytime since at night you’ll want to cover up to prevent mosquito bites, especially in locations where malaria is a problem. It is recommended to wear a Rogue Long Sleeve Shirt in Safari Light Brown.
WHAT ABOUT SHOES OR FOOTWEAR?
Safari footwear: It’s important to understand the requirements of the safari you’re taking. For instance, going on a walking safari in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda or Botswana won’t be the same as going gorilla trekking through a dense rain forest in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. For each safari location you want to visit, we have put together a list of safari shoes. You don’t need to bring a large variety of shoes on your safari in Africa. Just a pair of casual dress shoes and a pair of hiking boots will do. To give your feet a respite from the boots, add a pair of sandals.
HAT AND SCARF?
Even though it may not be necessary, any hat or cap is always preferable to nothing, especially in the tropics. A hat will shield you from the heat and keep the dust out of your hair while it’s windy, dusty, and hot out. For women, you can also use it to keep your hair out of your face. Even though it may be small and appear fragile, a scarf can be very useful. When strong wind gusts are present, you can use it to wipe dust off yourself or your camera lens, hold your hat in place, and, if it’s a little thick, it can also keep you warm.
SAFARI SUNGLASSES
On an African safari, you want to be able to see everything, but the glare from the African sun can occasionally make that impossible. Protect your eyes by carrying sunglasses. Get a pair of polarized sunglasses so you can see interesting wild animals even when the sun is shining the brightest.
WHAT ABOUT SWIMWEAR?
Yes, swimsuits may be required. Before you pack, find out if your hotel or inn has a swimming pool or is close to a beach. After a hot and exhausting day of Mountain gorilla trekking or game viewing, a swim would be the ideal way to unwind.
WHAT SHOULD MEN WEAR ON AN AFRICAN SAFARI?
Preparing for a safari? The majority of males would find an African wildlife tour to be exciting. People from all walks of life should be able to take advantage of this experience, not just the wealthy and well-known or travel writers, but also the banker who needs a break from his job and the store owner on vacation with his family. There are so many adrenaline-pumping sports available on African safaris, like kayaking, bungee jumping, white water rafting, snorkeling, and wildlife game drives. Every man can find something to appreciate in Africa. What does a man need to pack on an African safari? Is the question at hand.
When buying or packing safari clothing for men, keep in mind light fabrics, neutral colors, functionality, and comfort. With those, you can never go wrong. Cotton and some synthetic textiles manufactured by humans are airy and cozy. Avoid using bright colors. You can choose from neutral colors like brown, khaki, and tan. So that you don’t scare the animals away, neutral colors might help you fit in with the surroundings. Please avoid wearing camouflage clothing; doing so could result in arrest and put an end to your wonderful holiday. You must carefully consider your undergarments as well, What to wear on an Africa safari tour?
Reusing clothing while traveling is inevitable because you need to keep your luggage minimal. However, the lightweight luggage will make switching between lodges simple for you. You might be able to get your clothes washed and pressed at the lodges if they offer laundry services. Try buying online if you don’t have time to visit real stores. Everything you require is still available in the proper sizes, colors, and materials at reasonable costs.
Shoes and boots
Many people forget to carry shoes while they are preparing for a safari in Africa. Not just males, but many people assume that any pair of shoes will do. No, a pair of shoes won’t do for a safari just anywhere. You can only travel in your casual walking shoes up to the area around the lodge where you’ll be staying. The rough terrain of Africa calls for durable, comfortable, and long-lasting hiking footwear that won’t hurt your feet. It’s incredibly simple for something as unimportant as a pair of shoes to sabotage your African adventure. Therefore, we strongly advise that you get safari-style shoes for your trip. Purchase a pair of high-quality, ideally waterproof, ankle-protecting shoes or boots. Any good pair of sneakers will also do.
SAFARI ACCESSORIES FOR MEN
(Hats, vests, jackets, and sunglasses): It is vital to bring a safari jacket for times like these since, even in the summer season, it may get very chilly in the morning and late in the evening in many parts of Africa. You need multipurpose jackets with a variety of pockets and neutral hues. Your modest safari gear, such as a camera, a pair of binoculars, a guidebook, etc., can be safely transported with these. On the game drives, safari jackets are very necessary.
Africa occasionally experiences intense heat, so you may need to take precautions to stay safe. A safari hat with a wide brim will be useful in this situation. It will shade your eyes from the sun’s brightness and enable you to observe animals at a distance in addition to shielding you from the heat. To secure the hat firmly on your head, you might require a chin strap. A waterproof hat would be much better because it would protect you from the sun and the rain. Even with the African sun glaring at its worst or best, depending on how you look at it, you will be prepared to enjoy a day of wildlife viewing or gorilla tracking if you add a great pair of sunglasses to your accessories.
AFRICAN SAFARI CLOTHES FOR WOMEN
An African safari tour is ideal for you if you’re looking for excitement and novel encounters. You may experience nature in its most untamed state and get as near as you reasonably can to otherwise terrifying and dangerous animals like lions, leopards, and elephants in wildlife game reserves and when trekking with gorillas. Undoubtedly, it is a thrilling experience, What to wear on an Africa safari tour?
Such an adventure must be enjoyed in comfort. And clothes are among the most fundamental items that make people comfortable. For a successful and enjoyable safari, you must wear appropriate, comfortable clothing. When on an African safari, seemingly insignificant aspects like fabric and color become very important. The color of your blouse or other clothing—whether it has sleeves or not—could easily make the difference between seeing a gorilla and scaring it into hiding. For this trip, you should pack less and travel light because women typically enjoy shopping and packing for vacations.
Planning and packing: The proper clothing, cozy footwear, including boots and sandals, sunglasses, hats, and other accessories are essential items to buy and carry.
WHAT COLORS TO WEAR ON SAFARI IN AFRICA
The only thing to keep in mind when choosing safari colors is that neutral hues work best. You do not want to miss out on amazing animal sightings on your safari just because the animals were scared off by your brightly colored clothing. Stick to khakis, browns, olives, and greens for your clothing because they blend in with the surroundings and will prevent you from standing out or appearing odd. Bright colors will undoubtedly detract from your safari experience because they attract insects. We do not recommend dressing in camouflage. Your enjoyable safari can come to a miserable end if you are mistaken for a hunter and imprisoned, What to wear on an Africa safari tour?
When purchasing clothing for women, opt for breathable materials like cotton. Every traveler and visitor wants to be comfortable, and cotton absorbs heat to keep you cozy. We all like to save money and find good deals, yet expensive clothing is typically of higher quality and durability. You are suggested to use wrinkle-free clothing because you will likely not have time to iron your clothes every day while on a safari game drive because you will be moving about a lot. Please remember to pack as light as possible, What to wear on an Africa safari tour?
AFRICAN SAFARI CLOTHING FOR COOLER AND WETTER WEATHER
You’ll undoubtedly need a jacket or windbreaker of some sort. Africa doesn’t typically experience exceptionally low temperatures, but at night, it may get a little chilly in some places. This is particularly true if you’re traveling to desert or mountainous areas. For those going to Namibia, for instance, the nighttime temperatures can drop quite a bit. You must wear something waterproof if you’re going on a gorilla trekking expedition or into the Okavango Delta.
TRAVEL LIGHT
One excursion where you simply need to carry the necessities is an African safari. Additional luggage will only be a nuisance and ruin your trip to Africa. Bring the necessary clothing, such as pants, shorts, t-shirts, sleeping bags, and shoes, as well as a sweater, jacket, or shawl to keep you warm when it gets cold. When on safari, recycling clothing is something to put up with, especially for ladies who find it difficult. Although jewelry is not required, you can purchase some African jewelry to bring back with you.
Since the weather in Africa is so erratic, loose clothing is an excellent idea because it can be worn in both cold and warm climates. Instead of hoping to locate what you need once you are at your location, it is preferable to shop for the bush beforehand. You might not have time to shop, or you might not succeed in finding what you need, What to wear on an Africa safari tour?
A second dress or set of clothing can be packed in your luggage or backpack in case you occasionally eat at a nearby hotel. Consider wearing slim-fitting clothes, capris, gingham prints, tunics, polo shirts, embroidered safari shirts from Africa, pullovers, chambray, and blazers, and avoid leaving your wallet in the hotel. In case you need to spend money on additional drinks. For the evening, some plaid and funnel cakes could be appropriate. Other African packing list in summary includes:
- Insect repellent
- hats and gloves
- travel bags
- equipment cases
- sun glasses
- sunscreen
- water bottles
- torches
- batteries
- binoculars
AFRICAN SAFARI DESTINATIONS WORTH VISITING
As you make travel arrangements to Africa, we advise visiting the Serengeti National Park in East Africa to witness the annual great wildebeest migration. Other attractions worth visiting for wildlife viewing in East Africa includes the Ngorongoro crater, Lake Manyara National Park, Maasai mara national reserve, Queen Elizabeth national park etc. The Maasai, Datoga and Hadzabe are the ideal cultural tours. Visit the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda for walking safaris and treks, and climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Visit the Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert, and Kruger National Park in South Africa to look for predators and the big five animals. A mind-soothing and mind-renewing experience that can be had in Africa is a safari.
Other Africa Travel Accessories includes:
- Belts
- Polos
- Sweatshirts
- Leggings for an evening walk
- Hoodies and cardigans
- Bras
- Joggers
- Scarves
- V-neck for cold weather
- Sleepwear or nightwear
- Loungewear
- Denim Shirt
Conclusion: Africa is the best safari continent to visit, especially if you’re interested in wildlife safaris, hiking tours, cultural tours, and watersports adventures. Africa has everything for everyone on every budget. You can opt to unwind on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar Island after your mountain gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda and Uganda, or just after your Mount Kilimanjaro climbing and game drive in the Serengeti national park. Above all, your packing list will determine the kind of safari experience you will have in Africa, and, to say the least, the better your packing list, the more enjoyment you will have, and vice versa. So make sure you pack wisely and correctly to ensure you have an unforgettable African safari experience. Contact us at Focus East Africa Tours for any questions about the packing list for Africa or for planning and organizing your safari tour.
