An African Safari is a dream come true for many people who love both flora and fauna. However, Africa come be a harsh mistress. The continent can be extremely unforgiving of those who are not prepared for the wildlife safari experience. Nothing will ruin your safari quicker than being uncomfortable or in pain. And sometimes – depending on your destination injuries caused by not choosing the right wardrobe can actually lead to serious consequences.
So if you really want your safari to deliver amazing memories of seeing the mapogo lions, leopards, elephants, antelope and the fantastic African animals that will last a lifetime – you want those memories to be good rather than filled with pain and anguish what clothing should you be choosing?
First let’s get some general guidelines out of the way. If you are going on a walking safari try to get neutral colored clothing – it helps you blend into the bush and can contribute to getting up close and personal with the wildlife. Khaki and green are two popular choices. As an added bonus it does give you that warm and fuzzy feeling of actually living that authentic bush experience.
Also remember that the season when you are going on safari makes a lot of difference to your clothing choice. Many people believe that the word ‘Africa‘ is synonymous with blazing heat. Winter evenings in the bush can be distinctly chilly – make allowances.
The key to enjoying your African safari adventure is comfort. You needn’t purchase an entire new wardrobe of specialized that is impregnated with insecticide or has vents for cooling – most of that stuff is aimed at tourists – and is usually incredibly over prices.
The correct approach is to think layering. Try to stick with natural fibers – cotton is a great choice (but you can sweat – some people swear by man made synthetics which wick away moisture). So pack some lightweight T-shirts and a fleece jacket for those chilly early morning game drives.
Take some long sleeved shirts. The African sun can burn your skin to the crisp very quickly – a bad case of sunburn will ruin your safari experience. Added bonus – they keep the mosquitoes off your exposed skin in the evenings.
A great choice for trousers are the styles that allow you to zip off the lower leg portion. They are incredibly versatile. Take two pairs.
A raincoat or similar waterproof upper ware is essential if you are going to be visiting in the wet season. there are some great choices that roll or fold up into an incredibly small bundle that will not take up a lot of space and are ideal to carry around in a day pack.
Pack a a pair of pajama pants for comfort when you hit the pillow on those cooler nights.
Do not forget a hat with a brim. The classic ‘bush ranger’ type is perfect. You can go for synthetic – but many old Africa hands like to stick with the classic leather.
Now let’s talk shoes and socks. Again if you are going to be walking in the bush comfort is everything – and safety comes a close second. Get yourself a proper pair of hiking boots. Get the toughest that you can find. Standing on an Acacia thorn will not only ruin your game walk – it may ruin the entire safari experience. Thorns in Africa will go straight through the bottom of a pair of sneakers. And remember to wear them in before you embark on the safari – you don’t want to get blisters.
Socks. Again the choice between synthetic and natural material is a personal one – just make sure they’re thick and comfortable.
A bit of forethought and you should be all set to enjoy the African experience of a lifetime. Don’t forget the anti bug cream and the sunscreen.