Can you wear white trainers on safari?

White stands out more than any other colour in the African bush and so isn't suitable for safari activities.



While you "can" wear them, it is strongly discouraged for several practical and safety reasons. First, the African bush is incredibly dusty and often muddy; pure white trainers will likely be permanently stained within the first hour of a game drive. Second, white is a "high-contrast" color that stands out sharply against the natural browns and greens of the savanna, which can make you more visible to wildlife and potentially startle them—especially during walking safaris where blending in is a safety requirement. In 2026, safari experts recommend neutral, earth-toned footwear in shades like tan, olive, or khaki. Furthermore, white can attract certain insects, such as tsetse flies, which are drawn to high-contrast and bright colors. For a high-value safari experience, stick to "safari-chic" neutrals to ensure you remain as unobtrusive as possible in the animals' natural habitat.

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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.

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Choose Neutral Colors Avoid bright colors, which can attract unwanted attention from animals and make it more difficult to blend in with your surroundings. Stick to earth tones like khaki, light grey, light blue, and olive green. The good news is these colors all hide dirt pretty well and safaris can get quite dusty.

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We've put together a short guideline on dressing for the best safari experience. This is pretty straight forward. Khaki, olive, tan, brown and earthy greens tend to be your best bets. The idea is to blend into the bush so that wildlife is undisturbed, and you can view them in their natural habitat.

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Shorts and shirts are quite comfortable on a safari especially during the day, but sometimes during the game drives and short walks in the bushes you might wish you had covered up a little more. So light weight pants in light colors like cream,khaki and Chinos or grey are good for the game drives and walks.

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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.

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Sandals or Birkenstocks When the end of the day rolls around, and you need to give your feet a break, a pair of sandals, Birkenstocks, or thongs will offer your toes and heels a much-needed airing out.

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Khaki, olive, tan, brown and earthy greens tend to be your best bets. The idea is to blend into the bush so that wildlife is undisturbed, and you can view them in their natural habitat. Blue is the least favorable color, as it's most visible to the animals and can spook them.

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Always wear natural and pale-colored clothing on African safaris. Avoid white or any brightly colored fabric, including patterned or striped material. Black is also not good because it's not suitable for hot, sunny days. Neutral tones, such as brown, beige, pale blue, or green are the best.

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A great staple for any safari trip, a good pair of hardy utility trousers in a lightweight fabric such as linen or canvas will see you through any trip. Look for options is khaki green or tan to pair with everything, and with big cargo pockets – always in style, and surprisingly handy.

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It also looks great - although, for really hot weather, we would always recommend only wearing a lightweight, long-sleeved safari shirt as they offer the best performance and protection.

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Safari clothing should be comfortable and casual—suffice it to say, any fine jewellery should be left at home.

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