What do people actually wear on safari?

The best safari clothing colours are therefore shades of khaki, greens, and browns as these are the colours most prevalent in the wilds, wilderness, and back-country of Africa.



On a safari in 2026, the key to clothing is layering and neutral colors. Most people wear "earth tones" such as khaki, beige, olive green, and brown; these colors help you blend into the environment and, more importantly, do not attract biting insects like tsetse flies (which are attracted to blue and black) or disturb the animals. You should avoid bright colors like white (which gets dusty immediately) and camouflage patterns (which are illegal for civilians in several African countries). Because temperatures can swing from 10°C (50°F) during a 5:30 AM game drive to 30°C (86°F) by noon, most travelers wear lightweight, moisture-wicking long-sleeved shirts and convertible zip-off pants. A wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap, a lightweight windbreaker or fleece, and sturdy closed-toe walking shoes are essential. Even if you stay in a vehicle, the morning wind and dust make a scarf or "buff" a highly practical accessory.

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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.

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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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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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Do: Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes. Comfortable trail shoes, sturdy sneakers or even lightweight hiking boots are your best bet for a safari trip.

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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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Blue and black Black and blue stand out in the bush, but there is another reason to avoid wearing these colours on safari. 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.

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We were in luxury tented camps and they do put a nice hot water bottle in your bed at night which is great! A t-shirt and sweat pants with a pair of socks is all you need,in a regular season the temperature is not nothing a nice thick blanket cant handle...Enjoy Hakuna matata.

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Wearing white increases your visibility to wildlife, while bright colours, particularly red, can frighten animals.

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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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To answer the “can you wear perfume on safari?” question that crops up now and then, we would say no. Any strongly scented perfume, hairspray or body spray are likely to ward off animals due to their unfamiliar scents.

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You should pack a pair of comfortable closed shoes. The African bush has a lot of rugged terrain, so you need sensible, worn-in shoes that are suitable for walking around in dusty, muddy, or rocky places. After a long day in your safari boots, you'll also need a pair of sandals or slip-on shoes to wear around the camp.

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Closed toes are preferable when you're out and about. Open toe sandals or sturdy flip flops are sometimes a good option if you are in a vehicle-based safari. A hat – the sun can be fierce, so protect yourself with a lightweight hat.

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You don't need to bring a large variety of shoes on your safari in Africa. Just a pair of casual dress shoes and a pair of hiking boots will do. To give your feet a respite from the boots, add a pair of sandals.

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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.

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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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– 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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