What to wear on a safari to Africa

Deciding what to wear on safari is easier said than done. However, bringing the right clothing and personal items on your Tanzania safari not only keeps you safe and comfortable, but also increases your pleasure of the many adventurous activities available during your safaris. It is indeed a serious affair in Africa. Here are the Important Considerations When Packing for a Tanzania Safari

Look for comfort and ease, both men and women can look stylish on a safari, and yet stay comfortable. We wholeheartedly recommend to pick clothes that are breathable, in neutral colors and that can adapt to the changing temperatures throughout the day.

Driving around the bush all day in an open car, you are bound to get covered in dust. T-shirts, pants and whatever else you may be wearing will get dirty and dusty. So, it’s important to bring items that can be easily hand washed and that are quick dry. Cotton is by far the best material, as well as technical one that dries in no time.

Layers are key, there is a common misconception that all of Africa is warm, if not even hot, throughout the day and night, and year-round. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Game drives are usually timed to follow the lifestyle of animals. This means that the typical safari will have two game drives per day: one starting soon after sunrise, before the animals find a hiding spot from the afternoon heat; and one in the late afternoon with some private game reserves allowing drives to linger on a bit after dark. Thus, wearing layers is essential.

A good packing list for Africa will include plenty of cotton shirts to wear during the day, and a few sweaters and a light jacket to wear in the early morning hours and in the evenings. We also recommend bringing a scarf, a hat and gloves.

Picking the right colors is important, when on a game drive, you are expected to blend in with the bush as much as possible. Wear neutral colors, such as khaki, beige, taupe or grey. Black and dark blue are thought to attract the African tse tse flies, whereas predators identify red with wounded animals. With the amount of dust in the bush, white is hardly recommended as it gets dirty very easily.

Pack a wide-brimmed hat, you will be out in the sun for long hours of the day and a good wide-brimmed hat is an essential. Hats are a fantastic way to protect your head and face from the sun in an open-top safari vehicle and they have the added benefit of reducing glare for better game viewing

Pack light, luggage restrictions on internal flights means that packing lightweight safari clothing is key. The bonus is the lighter the clothing, the more you can pack in.

Comfortable shoes, at the very least, take your best walking shoes and a pair of sandals or flip-flops (thongs).

Combat trousers are perfect with plenty of pockets to store your camera, sunscreen, and binoculars

A light jacket or fleece is great for an extra layer of warmth in case you need it. Fleece is great because it dries quickly too

Comfortable trainers are suitable for most safaris, even walking safaris. You can expect to be climbing in and out of the safari vehicle frequently and some light walking around the bush

Sunglasses should be worn to block out harmful rays and polarized glasses will cut through the glare to make sure you don’t miss a thing

Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit if your lodge has a pool

For your evening meal, light colors are recommended so as to not attract mosquitoes. Linen trousers are the perfect way to look smart, stay cool, and prevent mosquito bites

Consider the type of safari

Picking what to wear on safari doesn’t mean being a fashion victim or mocking Maryl Streep in Out of Africa. But being dressed for the occasion and being comfortable, fresh during the day and warm at night is important. Pack up what to wear depending on the type of a safari. If it’s hiking Kilimanjaro, you might well pack some clothing that will keep you warm, if it’s a wildlife safari, pack the ones that will allow you adapt to local conditions.