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What do you wear on safari in the evenings?

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.



When on a safari in 2026, evening attire is all about layers and protection. Once the sun sets, temperatures in the bush can drop rapidly, even in tropical regions. It is best to wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers made of lightweight, breathable cotton or technical fabrics. This serves a dual purpose: it keeps you warm during the chilly evening game drive or around the campfire, and it provides a critical barrier against mosquitoes, which are most active at dusk. Stick to "safari colors" like khaki, olive, or tan to avoid attracting Tsetse flies (which like dark blues and blacks). For dinner at the lodge, most places are "safari chic," meaning you can stay in your clean daytime gear, but a fleece jacket, a light down vest, or a pashmina is highly recommended. Many travelers also pack a pair of closed-toe shoes or boots for the evening to protect their feet from insects and uneven terrain. Don't forget a warm beanie or scarf if you are on an open-air night drive, as the wind chill can be surprisingly biting.

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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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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.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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).

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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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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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Quite honestly, the animals don't care what colour clothing you decide to wear on safari. It is not necessary to purchase an entire wardrobe of khaki-themed safari clothing for your safari. And since you're not coming on safari to hunt or stalk the animals, you can leave your camouflage hunting outfit at home.

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