What to wear on safari in Africa? The best African safari clothes

Knowing what to wear on safari in Africa is key to a comfortable and enjoyable experience. It's important to pack the right clothes for safaris so that you can prevent sunburn and insect bites and savour your time in the great outdoors. 

The clothing you wear on safari depends on the type of adventure you embark on. You might choose an Africa Overland Tour, traversing different landscapes in a safari vehicle and camping at night. 

Or you may prefer a family-friendly African safari, for example in Namibia. Some of you may opt for a semi-luxury safari in South Africa’s Kruger Park or Serengeti Park in Tanzania. The type of safari you go on, and the place you visit, will influence your safari wardrobe.

African safari clothes: best tops and trousers

There are, however, certain things to keep in mind regardless of the type of safari you go on. Lightweight long-sleeved shirts are an absolute must. They will protect you from the sun and prevent insect bites. 

Similarly, long trousers or slacks are better than shorts or skirts. As you’ll probably spend some time walking in the bush, long trousers will protect you from insects and thorns. In some regions, tsetse flies or ticks hang around in the long grass. When you walk past, they can leap onto you, so it is best to cover your skin in a thin layer of fabric! 

Best shoes to wear on safari in Africa

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. There's no need for any high heels or platform shoes. Definitely do not bring your favourite pair of sneakers as they will not go home in the same condition as when you arrived!

African safari clothing for cooler & wet weather

You'll definitely need some kind of jacket or windbreaker. While the temperatures in Africa don’t tend to drop very low, in some areas it may be cooler at night. This is especially the case if you're heading to desert areas or mountainous regions. 

For those travelling to Namibia, for example, the temperatures at night can drop quite a lot. For those heading off on a Gorilla Trekking adventure or into the Okavango Delta, you'll definitely need something waterproof to wear.

Wear neutral-coloured safari clothes

So now that we've covered the style and type of clothing, the next thing to consider is the colour. Always wear natural and pale-coloured clothing on African safaris. Avoid white or any brightly coloured fabric, including patterned or striped material. Black is also not good because it's not suitable for hot, sunny days. Neutral tones, such as brown, beige, pale blue, or green are the best.

Don’t overpack for your safari in Africa

If you are heading on an Overland Africa Tour adventure, then you'll need to pack light. On our African safaris, we recommend you take a backpack with just the essentials. Check out our easy guide to packing for a safari in Africa, for a more comprehensive list of other essential items.