Is it okay to wear shorts to safari?

The African summer, October to April, is quite hot so plan on wearing tee shirts, shorts, swimsuits and cargo pants. We recommend that you select lightweight and preferably neutral-colored materials. Sometimes in South Africa, the temperature rises to 30 degrees. This calls for hot weather safari clothing.



Yes, it is generally okay to wear shorts on a safari, but there are several practical and cultural caveats to keep in mind. During the day, particularly on morning and afternoon game drives in a vehicle, shorts are comfortable for the intense heat of the African savanna. However, many experienced safari-goers prefer long, zip-off trousers made of lightweight, breathable fabric. Long pants provide essential protection against tsetse flies, mosquitoes, and thorny brush if you are doing a walking safari. Color choice is more important than length; you should avoid bright colors (which startle animals), white (which gets dirty instantly), and dark blue or black (which attracts biting flies). Neutral tones like khaki, olive, and tan are the industry standard. Additionally, as soon as the sun goes down, the temperature can drop rapidly, and the risk of malaria-carrying mosquitoes increases, so most people change into long pants for dinner. If you are visiting more conservative rural communities near the parks, wearing very short shorts can be seen as culturally insensitive, so "Bermuda" length or capris are often a safer middle ground. Ultimately, comfort is king, but protection from the elements is a close second.

People Also Ask

Camouflage clothing is illegal in some African countries and bright colours, black, and white should be avoided unless around the lodge. Dark colours also tend to be more attractive to insects. Technical fabrics are also preferable over natural fibres for their comfort and performance in hot climates.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

3 pairs of trousers: Comfortable, fashionable, and easy to find in earthy colors, chino are the ideal safari pants. You can also consider cargo pants or culottes or even a pair of jeans. Just don't wear anything too tight. 3 pairs of shorts: As it gets hot in the afternoon, switching over to shorts is a good option.

MORE DETAILS

We don't recommend shorts because: You will sit in an air-conditioned jeep most of the time. So the shorts might be uncomfortable. If you get out of the jeep and try any sand activities like sand-boarding, you may end up getting sand in very uncomfortable places.

MORE DETAILS

What NOT to Wear on Safari. Dark colours attract Tsetse flies, so stay away from dark blue or black clothing – they have a painful bite! Now that you know what to wear, make sure you know how to pack. Most safari operators will ask that you only bring one suitcase, one overnight duffle bag, and one day pack.

MORE DETAILS

Colors: While on a safari it is better to somewhat blend with your surrounding, so focus on earthy neutral colors, rather than flashy colors and prints. Avoid navy blue and black colors, that attract mosquitos, and the Tsetse fly in particular.

MORE DETAILS

There's no need to go out and buy special pants for your safari — chinos, leggings, and shorts are all generally fine (though some experts advise against jeans because they're heavy to pack).

MORE DETAILS

The 'real' criteria is: Don't be too much attractive and always feel comfortable! You can wear any kind of shirts, t-shirts, shorts, leggings, even blue jeans if that's what you want!

MORE DETAILS

Toilet Stops on Safari This is one of the most common safari questions that we receive. Going to the bathroom while on safari is a little different from going at home. Actually, it's a lot different. Park entrances, picnic areas and lodges usually have bathrooms but on game drives and walks, you 'go' in the bush.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

It can get quite chilly during the evenings on safari, which is why we recommend always taking a warmer layer on safari. Take your fleece, jacket, and beanie or scarf along with you to dinner and stay snug and warm as you tell safari stories next to the fire.

MORE DETAILS

That's why clothing made from quick-dry fabrics will allow you to stay clean and comfortable throughout your safari vacation! Jeans might seem like the ultimate staple item, but denim is hard to dry and may attract pesky tsetse flies.

MORE DETAILS