What to Wear on a Safari: With a Downloadable Packing List
I’ve been on four safaris in 3 different countries. But I’ll never forget trying to figure out what to wear on a safari for my first safari trip. I’ve never found more conflicting packing advice. When you add in the luggage limits, it becomes even more stressful.
I consulted locals and looked at Google images to see what people wore on a safari. I spent waaay too much time looking at what to pack and online shopping for what I wanted to take.
This is my packing list now that I’ve been on a few safaris. I researched and experienced the mistakes, so you don’t have to! It’s not as stressful as a search makes it seem.
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What to Wear on Safari: The Quick Version
This is the list I’ve perfected on my safaris.
One thing to note is that I want good pictures, but I’ve found that I’m not usually in them. This is especially true on a safari.
So, I don’t pack a million things for the perfect Instagram pictures. If that’s you, welcome! If you want perfect IG outfit inspiration, you’ll probably like someone else’s list more than mine.
- 2 Pairs Lightweight Pants
- 2 Pairs of Shorts
- 2 Lightweight Tshirts
- 2 Tank tops
- 1 Fleece or Flannel
- 1 Long-sleeve linen or t-shirt
- 1 Dress or jumpsuit for dinner
- Swimsuit + Coverup
- PJs
- Underwear + Socks
- Rain Coat
- Small Puffer (if you need it)
Do I Need the Steortypical Safari Outfits?
There is a lot of misinformation floating around the internet that makes packing for a safari more stressful than it needs to be.
One important point: don’t pack camo. It’s illegal in some African countries for anyone outside of the military to wear camo. This isn’t true of all countries, but I’ve found there is a different expectation of camo in other nations than we sometimes have in the US.
But you don’t need the stereotypical safari khaki cargo pants, big boots, and utility shirt. When I was researching, I asked a South African friend about it. She said, “Please don’t. Only the tourists do that. You don’t need to.”
That was a relief. Stick with the neutrals in your wardrobe already or things that you’ll wear again.
Wearing neutral-colored clothing isn’t an absolute must, but there are situations where you need to. Most of the time, you’re in a big safari jeep. So, the animals are going to notice the jeep before your outfit.
But if you’re going on a walking safari, like the ones in Kruger National Park, you need dark, neutral clothing. Grey, olive green, and navy are great options. It doesn’t need to be safari-specific, though. Most people were in sweats.
Light blue and white aren’t good options for this. I learned that the hard way.
Dark blue and black are known to attract tsetse flies. I’ve never had a problem with them, but I may have gotten lucky. So, avoid black if you try to avoid the flies.
What to Wear on Safari: The Clothes
- Lightweight pants. I love my Prana Pants. They are in neutral colors anyway, but they are great for hiking, safaris, and any outdoor adventure. Plus, they’re lighter than denim.
- Shorts. I love my Prana shorts for the same reason I love the pants. I also take athletic shorts with me for days when I want to be a little more comfortable. Maxi skirts are another good option.
- Lightweight and layerable t-shirts. I’ve tried fitted and flowy and the flowy styles are more comfortable for me.
- Lightweight and layerable tank tops. Athletic tank tops are a good option, too.
- A long-sleeved flannel or fleece. My partner loves his fleece for safari, but I’ve found that a flannel jacket works well for me.
- Take a lightweight puffer jacket if the mornings or evenings will be cold. Many operators will provide blankets if needed, but having a lightweight coat can be nice, too. Mine is several years old, but this one is similar.
- A lightweight linen shirt is perfect for protecting you from the sun and wind while staying cool. Mine is from Quince, but this one is similar.
- Most people don’t dress up for dinner since you usually eat dinner right after a game drive. You can take a dress for dinner, just in case. It can also be a great photo dress if you wear it for a game drive or photos around the property you’re staying at.
- Take a raincoat if you’re traveling during the rainy season. It also serves as a windbreaker on more relaxed game drives! This one is my favorite.
- Pajamas
- Underwear and socks. I love my Exofficio underwear for travel. They’re easy to launder in the sink in the room if I need to. Pack some warmer socks and some cooler socks so you can change based on the weather.
- Take a swimsuit and cover-up if your property has a pool or a spa you may use.
- Bring a lightweight puffer jacket if the weather is cool enough for you to need it. Mine is several years old, but this one is similar.
Laundry Services on Safari
Many safari lodges offer a laundry service that’s included or very cheap.
Check with your operator about the options at your lodges.
If you can get some of your clothes cleaned during your trip, it will make packing light much easier!
What to Wear on Safari: The Shoes List
You don’t need many shoes for a safari because you don’t walk much. After going, it makes sense, but I didn’t think about how much of a safari was sitting in a vehicle.
Take one pair of sandals for warm game drives and around the property during warm afternoons.
I’ve worn my Chacos in the past, and I think my Birkenstocks would’ve been a good option, too.
If you’re going on a safari during the rainy season, consider taking a waterproof boot, especially if you’re going on any walking safaris. A hiking boot is fine.
Otherwise, any athletic sneaker will be good enough.
A Few Other Things to Bring
Be sure to bring a hat and sunglasses.
I don’t wear hats for several reasons: blunt-cut bangs, for one, and they hurt my head and ears. So, I bring good hair ties and clips. If you bring a hat, make sure it has a tie to keep it on. The safari vehicles move quickly, and you don’t want to lose it!
A lightweight scarf also helps me protect my neck from the sun if the safari vehicle doesn’t have a top.
Goodr sunglasses are my new favorites. I have a small head, so I love that they make their sizes clear. Plus, they’re so affordable that I don’t care at all about traveling with them.
Things to Think About As You Pack
Most safari parks are remote, so you may have to travel on a small plane to get there.
There are strict luggage limits on these flights. If you’re a chronic over-packer, you’ll want to pack carefully for your safari trip.
I love a capsule wardrobe for life in general, but it’s also my go-to for packing.
The basic principle for a travel capsule wardrobe is that everything you take needs to have multiple wear options. So, bring things that match each other and items that travel well.
That shirt that only goes with one pair of pants is not the best option.
Do a first pack with everything you think you need to take. Then, go back through and ask yourself how easy it will be to wear the items in your pile.
- Can I sit in it for the long hours of a safari drive?
- Can I add/remove layers as the temperature changes during the day?
- Can I wear this in multiple ways?
- Is it easy to wash if I need it laundered while I’m away?
Do I Need to Pack in a Soft-sided Suitcase?
Yes, you probably do. Again, since many safari outfits are pretty remote, soft-sided luggage is a common requirement for the little flights.
It may not always be a requirement. So, ask your tour operator to be sure.
This is the soft-sided suitcase I use for most of my travels, and it worked well on my safari flights. It’s super durable and easy to manage.
I’ve also used this Patagonia bag before. My family jokingly called it the magic bag because I kept pulling more from it. It really is like a black hole!
Packing cubes make it easier to stay organized. I prefer the compression packing cubes like these.
No matter what bag you use, watch your weight to ensure you meet the requirements.
What to Wear on Safari Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful
Deciding what to wear on safari can be stressful. But it doesn’t need to be.
Pack what you’ll feel comfortable in. That can be cute dresses or the athleisure you already have at home.
The safari experiences I’ve had are my favorite trips from 10 years of traveling, and it wasn’t because of my outfits! You’ll have an amazing time no matter what you’re wearing, so don’t overthink it!
