What to Wear on Safari

Safari clothing isn't about looking the part; it's about being comfortable through a day that swings from a freezing dawn drive to a baking afternoon, and about not standing out to the wildlife. Get the colours, fabrics and layers right and you barely think about what you're wearing. Get them wrong and you're either shivering, sunburnt or swatting tsetse flies. This guide covers the practical rules that experienced safari-goers follow: which colours to choose and avoid, why layering matters so much, and how to dress for drives, walks and camp. None of it requires expensive specialist gear — just sensible choices you can pull from clothing you may already own.

Key things to know

• ➜Choose neutral, earthy colours that blend in and hide dust
• ➜Avoid black and dark blue in tsetse-fly country
• ➜Dress in layers for cold dawns and hot afternoons
• ➜Long sleeves and trousers protect against sun and insects
• ➜Comfortable, closed shoes beat sandals for drives and walks
• ➜Skip bright colours, strong perfume and camouflage prints

Colours and fabrics

Neutral, earthy colours are the safari standard for good reason: khaki, olive, tan, brown and grey blend into the bush, don't spook wary animals and, crucially, hide the fine red dust that gets into everything. White looks smart but shows dirt instantly, and bright colours can make you more conspicuous to wildlife.

Two colours to actively avoid are dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies whose bites are painful — a real consideration in some woodland areas. Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics such as cotton and technical blends that dry quickly, and favour clothes that wash and re-wear easily, since dust and laundry are daily facts of safari life.

• ➜Best: khaki, olive, tan, brown, grey
• ➜Avoid: black and dark blue (tsetse flies), bright colours, white
• ➜Choose breathable, quick-drying fabrics
• ➜Skip camouflage — it's illegal or frowned on in some countries

Layering for the safari day

The safari day is defined by temperature swings. A game drive that starts before dawn can be genuinely cold, even near the equator, then climb to real heat by mid-morning. The answer is layers you can shed as the sun rises: a base layer, a warm fleece and a windproof top for the open vehicle, over lightweight long-sleeved shirt and trousers.

By midday you'll be down to that light base and reaching for sun protection. A warm hat and even gloves are welcome on cold dawns; a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses become essential later. Keep the warm layers within reach on every drive rather than in your bag — the wind chill in a moving open vehicle catches out almost every first-timer.

Drives, walks and camp

For game drives, comfort and warmth in layers are the priorities, with closed shoes to keep dust and the odd biting insect off your feet. On walking safaris, step it up: sturdy closed walking shoes or light boots, long trousers against grass and thorns, and muted colours are usually required for both safety and camouflage.

Around camp, anything comfortable and casual works — most camps are relaxed, and there's no need to dress up. A swimsuit for the pool, something warm for chilly evenings around the fire, and a change of clean clothes for dinner are plenty. Save the space and weight for the layers and gear that actually make your days in the bush better.

• ➜Game drives: layers plus closed shoes
• ➜Walks: sturdy shoes, long trousers, muted colours
• ➜Camp: relaxed and casual, plus a warm layer for evenings
• ➜A swimsuit for midday pool breaks

References & further reading

1. Sinclair, A. R. E., et al. (Eds.) (2015). Serengeti IV. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
2. Estes, R. D. (2012). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals. Berkeley: University of California Press.
3. Kingdon, J. (2015). The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals (2nd ed.). London: Bloomsbury.
4. IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Version 2024-1. www.iucnredlist.org.