What to Wear on an African Safari (Tips!)

Table of Contents

• What should you wear for safari in Africa?
• What other items do you need to take on safari in East Africa?
• What’s the best footwear for safari?
• Recap: What to wear on an African safari

If you’re wondering what to wear on an African safari, you’ve come to the right place!

Something that amazes me about living in Uganda is that tourists often feel the need to buy specific clothes to go on safari. As a result, so many visitors that arrive in East Africa for a safari are dressed in the same gear – khaki shirts and pants and some expensive hiking boots. 

I’d go as far as to say that it’s like a safari uniform, and for some reason, people assume that there is a dress code to adhere to before heading out into a national park for a safari! But let me share a secret with you – the animals don’t mind what you’re wearing! 

Okay, jokes aside, there are reasons why people turn to khakis for their safari outfit – they’re comfortable and loose-fitting, making them ideal for long and hot journeys across the savannah. But before you hop online and order the latest safari gear for your upcoming trip to East Africa, consider the following tips to save yourself some money! 

What should you wear for safari in Africa?

The best outfit for an African safari consists of loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. For some people, this might be khaki slacks and a button-down shirt, while for others, it might be a loose-fitting tee and some cargo pants or shorts.  

The key thing to remember about going on safari is that you spend the vast majority of your time inside a vehicle! As such, you don’t need to fork out for expensive gear that helps you look the part, and you certainly don’t need to buy a pair of hiking boots that cost several hundred dollars. 

Having been on more safaris in East Africa than I can remember, I typically dress in a tee shirt and shorts, and if I’m driving, I wear a pair of trainers (sneakers). If I’m not driving, I usually wear flip-flops (sandals) as I don’t want my feet to get too hot while sitting in the car for several hours. 

It’s also really helpful to have a hat of some description, as well as a pair of sunglasses to help you when it comes to sighting animals in the sun. 

Essentially, you don’t need to give your safari outfit a great deal of thought! Wear something that you know will be comfortable so you don’t grow tired of sitting in the vehicle for several hours while looking for animals. 

You should also prepare for the fact that the air conditioning might not be working in your vehicle, so the last thing you need is several layers! If you’re wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants, make sure they’re lightweight and breathable, as it gets super hot out on the savannah when you’re in a car. 

What other items do you need to take on safari in East Africa?

So, please don’t spend too much time worrying about what to wear on your upcoming African safari, and don’t feel the need to splash out on the latest outdoor gear from Patagonia or the North Face! Instead, wear something that is comfortable and loose-fitting so you don’t overheat during your trip. 

Now, there are also several items that can prove to be useful to you while on safari, so consider adding the following to your day pack: 

• Sunscreen: Something that I always forget to do before going on safari is to apply sunscreen. At the end of the day, my forearms are bright red and painful, given that I’ve been sitting in the direct sun all day! So, make sure you apply sunscreen and take some in your day pack with you for those in your party that forgets to apply it in the morning! 
• Insect repellent: The African savannah is teeming with life, and insects abound. While you won’t necessarily have to deal with mosquitos during the day, the likes of Tsetse flies, horse flies, and other potentially dangerous insects might make their way into your safari vehicle. So, spray your bear arms and legs with insect repellent before taking your seat so you don’t get any unwelcome bites of nips throughout the day! 
• Rain jacket: Although you will be in the car for the vast majority of your safari, there will be points in the day when you need to step outside (when nature calls, when you’re heading for lunch/supper, etc.). Depending on the time of year that you go on safari, you could get caught in an almighty downpour, so it’s helpful to equip yourself with a rain jacket, so you don’t get ringing wet when you leave the safety and comfort of your vehicle, albeit temporarily! 

While the above items aren’t necessarily essential, I always make sure I take them in my day pack, and given that they don’t take up a great deal of space, they’re helpful to have with you for the duration of your safari. 

What’s the best footwear for safari?

I’ve already mentioned that you don’t need to splash the cash on the latest outdoor gear before heading on safari, so I won’t repeat that here. But another thing to mention is that you should be sensible when choosing your safari footwear. 

Now, I’ve already mentioned that I wear flip-flops (sandals) when someone else is driving on safari. Why? Because I find them comfortable, and I don’t want my feet to overheat in the car, something that I hate during long trips on the road in Africa! 

However, when I’m driving, I always wear trainers (sneakers), as driving in flip-flops isn’t ideal. What’s more, I might need to get out of the car and replace a flat tire, which would be extremely difficult in a pair of flip-flops, particularly during the wet season! 

Lots of people who go on safari in Africa wear hiking boots. While you don’t need to wear them in East Africa, hiking boots are sturdy and helpful when you’re walking on difficult terrain. Of course, they’re a must-have if you’re planning to go gorilla trekking or something similar! 

But due to the fact that they take up a fair amount of space in your luggage, I wouldn’t pack a pair of hiking shoes solely to wear on a safari. As I’ve mentioned, you spend nearly all of your time inside the vehicle, so you don’t need to worry too much about your footwear. 

Without wanting to sound like a broken record, just wear something that is comfortable on your feet, as is the case with the clothes that you should choose when heading on your first African safari.

Recap: What to wear on an African safari

As I’ve explained throughout, you don’t need to wear anything special on an African safari, and you certainly don’t need to spend money on the latest outdoor gear from big and expensive brands (unless you want to, of course). 

Rather, you can use this simple checklist to help you plan what to wear on an African safari so you’re comfortable throughout the duration of your trip: 

• Light, loose-fitting clothes that are comfortable for traveling. 
• Comfortable footwear (flip flops, sneakers, and hiking boots can all work, depending on your preferences!). 
• A hat and sunglasses to improve your animal viewing experience. 
• Sunscreen – this is particularly important if you’re not wearing a long-sleeved top.
• Insect repellent to keep those pesky flies at bay. 
• A rain jacket in case there’s a sudden downpour when you’re heading for lunch or supper! 

So, as you can see, you don’t need to wear anything specific when heading for an African safari, and I would encourage you to choose your wardrobe based on comfort as opposed to anything else! 

If you’re planning to go birdwatching in Africa, you do need to think carefully about the clothes that you wear, as birds are scared of certain colors. Discover the ideal outfit for birding in East Africa here.