What to Wear on a Safari

Going on an African Safari is an epicadventure. In this post I’ll give you a rundown of how and what to pack (subject to your own personal taste), along with some good finds!

Pack light: Check with your tour operator, but a lot of flights to “the bush” are on small planes that have a weight limit. For Kenya, we are only allowed to bring 33 pounds with us on the plane.

Pack breathable: This goes hand in hand with packing light. The African sun is powerful, so pack clothes with good breathability so you don’t sweat through your clothes too quickly. Vuori makes great quality quick dry clothing that is perfect for hot weather.

Pack neutral colors: When out on a safari, the last thing you want to do is draw attention to yourself. This is why we see everyone in olive and tan tones. We are trying to get a glimpse of animals in their natural environment, so it’s best to blend in. These colors also hide dust well. White doesn’t, and black supposedly attracts annoying tsetse flies.

(Updated Nov 2023)

Hats

The Tilley Airflo Hat, which is super comfortable and also really versatile and you can crush it down without fear of ruining it. In fact the hat is guaranteed for life so long as you don’t lose it to an animal in the wild. It also has UPF 50+ sun protection and comes in sizes for men and women. The Panama Jack Safari Hat is also rugged and lightweight, perfect for adventuring.

Bailey has some really great Panama hats to choose from as well. These are a bit more stylish than the standard Safari hat.

 

Tops

Athletic or hiking gear serves best for being breathable, lightweight, and sometimes has UV protection. Below are some nice options for “the bush" (that’s what they call the expansive plains of Africa outside the cities). Remember to keep it neutral to avoid disrupting the animals who wouldn’t normally see hot pink out in the wilderness.

 

Pants

Stay lightweight and comfortable. Lightweight joggers or hiking pants are ideal. Yoga pants work too, they just might get a little hot pressed against your skin.

 

Shoes

Make your decision on shoes based on whether it’s a walking or Jeep Safari. For walking, obviously wear shoes that are comfortable, have good traction, and are broken in. You don’t want to end up a few days in with shoes that are incredibly uncomfortable. For the jeep excursion, you can get away with something a little more fashion forward if you prefer.

 

Bags

This duffel by Eddie Bauer only weighs 14 ounces, is the max size for carry-on at 45L, and is only $19.99. This backpack by Eddie Bauer matches and is also lightweight for anything you might want to bring for the daytime like your camera, binoculars, a scarf, sunscreen etc.

 

Camera Gear

If you want to capture some amazing shots of the animals you’ll need a good zoom lens. As far as a camera goes, you can just bring your iPhone but you may not get the epic up close shots you want. I personally rented a zoom lens for my Canon 5D Mark III. If you are going to use an iPhone it’s nice to have a lanyard, this way if you drop your phone it won’t go far, it is also easier to access when it’s hanging around your neck.

Other Items You’ll Need

Binoculars are key on a safari, but it’s hard to warrant the purchase when you don’t know when else you’d use them. These binoculars from Amazon are well-rated and relatively cheap. Don’t forget to bring some shades. Sunski makes sustainable sunglasses by turning scrap plastic into recycled frames. Yay for the planet!


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