Many African safaris take place in malaria zones. So avoiding mozzie bites is of great importance. Another insect you really don't want biting you is the tsetse fly, which transmits the bacterial disease that causes sleeping sickness. They're attracted by the colour blue, so avoid wearing blue on safari.

No, pale blue (and all shades of blue) is generally discouraged on safari, especially in East Africa. The primary reason is that blue is a known magnet for tsetse flies, which are prevalent in many game reserves and national parks. These flies are attracted to dark and vibrant colors, but blue in particular mimics the visual signature they use to find hosts; in fact, many tsetse fly traps used by rangers are actually large sheets of blue fabric. Tsetse fly bites are not only painful and prone to swelling, but in some regions, they can also transmit African Sleeping Sickness. Additionally, pale blue stands out significantly against the natural khaki, brown, and olive tones of the African bush, making you more visible to wildlife and potentially causing them to be more skittish or avoid your vehicle. For the best experience in 2026, experts recommend sticking to neutral earth tones like tan, sage green, and light grey. These colors help you blend in, keep you cool by reflecting sunlight, and—most importantly—do not attract the local insect population.