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What not to wear on African safari?

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.



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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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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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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.

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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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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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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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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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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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I recommend choosing two neutral-colored pants for a safari wardrobe — beige, tan, and khaki green are all great choices.

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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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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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– 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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Safari clothing should be comfortable and casual—suffice it to say, any fine jewellery should be left at home.

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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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Bug repellents containing DEET (30% or less DEET recommended) are the most effective against tsetses. The fine-mesh bug screens on all nyumba camp tents will keep out those pesky flies, but remember to always keep your tent zipped!

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