What to wear on safari

For anyone going on safari for the first time, deciding on which clothes to take along can be a confusing business. So here’s some advice on a few of the things to think about.

Probably the most important factor in choosing what to pack is comfort. As the temperature can vary considerably at different times of the day, it’s a good idea to take a selection of long and short sleeves, and shorts/skirts and trousers. Layers that can be easily added or removed offer an effective way to adapt quickly to the changing conditions.

Neutral-coloured clothes and a sun hat are ideal safari attire

The colour of clothing is something over which many first-time visitors ruminate. In fact, most colours are acceptable out in the bush, and despite the typical image of people wearing khaki on safari, it’s not necessary to buy a whole new wardrobe in this shade just for your trip. That said, neutral colours such as browns and greens are preferable to white or bright shades, which can scare away the animals which you want to get close to. A definite no-no is camouflage, which it is illegal to wear in much of Africa.

A sunhat is invaluable for protecting your head from the Africa’s powerful overhead rays. One which is either tight-fitting or has an under-chin strap is advisable to prevent it from being blown off on journeys in open-topped 4x4 vehicles.

As for shoes, unless you’re climbing mountains while you’re here, specialist footwear shouldn’t be necessary. What’s important is that your shoes will be comfortable during long periods out in the bush.

Besides these practical considerations about clothing, you might also want to bring something a little smarter for the occasions when you’re not out on safari. So you might consider packing items you’d like to wear, for example, during evening meals on the hotel dates of your itinerary.

And remember that you don’t need to bring changes of clothes to last you the entire duration of your stay. When you book with a luxury safari organisers like Africa House, a laundry service is something you can expect while you’re here. So you can travel light, safe in the knowledge that your favourite outfit will be cleaned and ironed in preparation for another trip out in the wild – and leaving you to concentrate on enjoying the magic of Africa.