What to Wear on a Safari

Layers

You think "safari" and visions of sunny, hot days dance in your head. But most game drives will take place in the very early hours of the morning, right after dawn, and in the late afternoon just before sunset. So even if the forecast for the day is 100 degrees, the mornings may still be chilly. Patricia Borrageiro, Lodge Manager at Lion Sands Game Reserve, gives the following advice:

"Although you may be here during winter or summer, think three climates in a day. So layers are the key. Afternoons are the hottest so when departing on your safari you will need hats, sunscreen, and a long sleeve or wrap for sun protection and also for when the sun goes down for a little warmth. Winter days are shorter, and morning drives can be very chilly so pack beanies and scarves (we provide blankets and hot water bottles).

Something that easily converts, like shirts that go from long sleeve to short sleeve, are a great choice if you're packing light, as they do double-duty. I emphasize that you want something that will easily convert because I saw a lot of people wearing zip-off pants on my safari, but it's tough to convert them from pants to shorts while in an enclosed, moving vehicle (and there are definitely no changing rooms on safari). A lightweight rain jacket that packs up into itself is also a good idea, as it will provide just enough warmth on chilly mornings and comes in handy in case of sudden downpours.

(Photo: Lanbaosi)

Neutral Colors

Ms. Borrageiro also recommends you avoid wearing bright clothing: "Color-wise, earth tones are best, as you will blend in with your surroundings and not disturb the animals (there really was a reason all those old time Safari photos show them in khaki.)"

I wore ExOfficio's Akamai pant in white on my safari, and they kept me surprisingly cool thanks to the color and super-lightweight fabric. Plus, they were stylish enough that I could wear them on cooler nights once I left the safari for the city.

Tami Fairweather at ExOfficio recommends choosing items in neutral shades: "Lighter colors are always better in sun-soaked environments to help cut-down radiant heat."

(Photo: Bugsaway)

Sturdy Shoes

A safari sounds pretty physically easy, right? You're just sitting in a car, so why not wear flip flops? You'll actually be getting out of the vehicle at least once on every game drive—sometimes it's just to stretch your legs and have a morning coffee break, but other times, you'll get the chance to go on a walk off-the-beaten path with your guide. You'll want to be prepared, so pack comfortable sneakers that can trek over African bush without damage to you or your shoes.

I wore a sturdier shoe than was necessary (a waterproof hiking boot), only because I was hiking Table Mountain later in the trip and didn't want to pack both hiking shoes and sneakers. Still, the hiking boots were comfortable, great on bush walks, and protected my feet and ankles from bugs, so I don't regret wearing them, even if I looked a little overdressed.

(Photo: Vasque)

Sun Protection

The African sun is very strong, and you'll have no cover from it on most game drives, which take place in the open bush. Sunscreen is great, but I noticed that all of the guides and trackers (who spend most of their days outside in the hot sun) tend to wear lightweight, full-coverage shirts and pants instead of worrying about reapplying cream. I wore Craghoppers' Insect Shield Clara Pants, which have a SolarShield fabric with UPF 40+ protection, as well as a NosiLife treatment, which provides up to 90 percent protection from biting bugs.

For a shirt, I liked this Halo shirt by ExOfficio because of its UPF 30+ protection and built-in ventilation system in the back, which let in plenty of air and kept us from getting too sweaty in long sleeves.

(Photo: ExOfficio)

A Hat

I wore sunscreen but totally neglected my scalp by not rocking a hat—and paid for it with a top-of-head sunburn. Don't be like me: Wear a hat on safari. Be sure to choose a close-fitting hat, such as a baseball cap, that will stay securely on your head. The safari vehicles go pretty fast, and the wind can easily tear a floppy hat right off you (and send it directly into the face of the person behind you, which happened to me, probably as a reminder from the universe that I should be wearing a hat).

This Bugsaway Cape Hat offers additional SPF 30 protection, an insect repellent, and is quick-drying, so it's great for safari. Or, opt for something with a chin cord, to keep your hat on in windy conditions.

(Photo: ExOfficio)

Bug-Protective Clothing

No matter where you're on safari, you'll likely not only see awesome animals, but way more bugs than you want to. Bites in many safari areas can be more than just an itchy nuisance—they could carry malaria or other serious diseases, so you want to protect yourself as much as possible (but you probably also don't want to drown yourself in a toxic bug spray cloud every hour either).

ExOfficio has a great BugsAway line of clothing treated with Insect Shield (an odorless repellent that lasts for up to 70 washes). I tested the Akamai and Sandfly pants and emerged bite-free on my legs.

(Photo: ExOfficio)

Polarized Sunglasses

I'm a big fan of $5 sunglasses bought from street vendors, mainly because I tend to lose or break them often. However, before my safari trip, I decided to splurge on a pair of polarized sunglasses, and I'm glad I did. The sun can really be merciless in safari environments, and polarized lenses reduce glare more than non-polarized lenses.

(Photo: zeroUV)

Longer Shorts

Most safaris are conducted in open-top game vehicles. The car's black seats combined with hot sun, make for very hot seats. To prevent burning your skin when you sit, make sure your shorts are long enough to cover your thighs when you're sitting down. The Insect Shield Clara Shorts from Craghoppers offer full coverage, plus built-in insect shield protection. I liked that they rolled up easily when I wasn't sitting during a game drive.

More from SmarterTravel:

• What Not To Wear When Traveling (And What To Actually Wear)
• Nine Things Not to Wear on a Plane
• What Not to Wear in the Airport Security Line

Caroline Morse recently went on safari in South Africa. Follow her on Instagram @travelwithcaroline and on Twitter @CarolineMorse1 for lots of cute animal pictures from the trip.

Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product.

(Photo: Craghoppers)