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What clothes are suitable for a safari?

What to wear on safari
  • Linen shirts. These will become your new best friend. ...
  • Utility trousers. 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. ...
  • Tank tops. ...
  • Bag. ...
  • Overshirt. ...
  • Sunglasses. ...
  • Hat. ...
  • Walking boots.




The standard "uniform" for a safari in 2026 focuses on layering and neutral earth tones, such as khaki, beige, olive, and sand. These colors serve a dual purpose: they help you blend into the savanna to avoid startling wildlife and, more practically, they don't show the inevitable dust as much as dark or bright colors. You should avoid bright colors like red or yellow, which can agitate animals, and avoid dark blue and black, which are known to attract Tsetse flies. Camouflage is strictly forbidden and even illegal in many African countries, as it is reserved for the military. Because temperatures fluctuate wildly between crisp, open-vehicle morning drives and blazing afternoon heat, zip-off "convertible" trousers and lightweight, long-sleeved shirts with UV protection are highly recommended. Don't forget a wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap, polarized sunglasses, and a warm fleece or "puffer" jacket for those surprisingly chilly evening game drives that occur after the sun goes down.

People Also Ask

Safaris are casual, so bringing fancy items to wear to dinner is unnecessary. Still, I like to change into something a little nicer for the evening. Because it was chilly and I was trying to avoid bug bites, I always wore long pants in the evening, typically pairing those with a long-sleeved shirt and my sweater wrap.

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Leggings and yoga pants are especially popular on safari because they're lightweight and comfortable, especially if you're going to be sitting in a Jeep all day. If you anticipate being cold, a fleece-lined pair is good to have too.

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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.

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That's right – no flushing toilet, no toilet seat and no toilet paper! You will be 'going to the loo' behind the nearest bush. What to expect on safari? Well, ladies, it is a good idea to carry tissues and a small bag to deposit them in until you can dispose of them back at camp (and a hand sanitizer too).

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WHAT NOT TO PACK
  • Several countries in East Africa have banned single-use plastic bags (this includes customary plastic duty-free bags). ...
  • Camouflage clothing is not recommended for travel in southern African countries. ...
  • Drones are prohibited at most camps.
  • Many camps cannot support electricity for hair dryers.


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If you are travelling to an area with tsetse flies, this attracts the dreaded fly – an insect with a painful bite – so much so that fly traps are made from blue and black fabric. Can you wear white on safari? White stands out more than any other colour in the African bush and so isn't suitable for safari activities.

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– Days on safari are generally hot. In the mornings and evenings, long-sleeved shirts and slacks are better and will also protect you from mosquitoes. For those sensitive to the sun, a loose cotton shirt is a good bet during the day, as is sunscreen.

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The best safari clothing is lightweight, but also has built-in ripstop for added strength. 5. Stay fresh: As we all prefer to smell fresh, select clothing that uses an anti-microbial or anti-bacterial fabric. This also means that you will be able to wear the same clothing for longer and so pack less and travel lighter.

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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.

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Here are some of our real-life tips and things to remember when packing: The best colours to wear are the dominant colours found in nature such as khaki, beige, light brown and olive green.

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