When you’re planning a safari to any destination in Africa, you have to also plan for what to wear. Regarding the activities you wish to do while visiting different landscapes, you should mind so much about the weather conditions and then bring suitable clothing. Safari regions like East and Central Africa experience equatorial climate with both dry and rainy seasons every year. Choosing to do your safari in a dry season for instance does not mean there will be no rainfall. That’s it is important for tourists to choose the right clothing with the help of our tips.
Dress in neutral colors
Most safari guides recommend wearing colors that blend with African wilderness environment. This is especially so when you’re going for game viewing, jungle trekking or nature walks. Most visitors wear khakis and neutral colors like green and olive not to scare away wildlife and increase chances of spotting animals. Absolutely wearing bright colors such as red you risk missing out some sightings since animals will notice and shy away into the bush.
Material to choose for your safari clothing
Cotton and sometimes hand-made fabrics tend to be durable as it with shirts and pants. Whichever you material you prefer to wear, the most important thing is to check the weather conditions. You can easily determine to bring quick drying materials if you were traveling during the rainy season. No need to worry about the dirty clothes, some lodges offer laundry services and you can tell them to wash for you.
For instance during dry seasons in Eastern Africa especially Kenya and Tanzania, light clothing is recommended for game viewing drives because the savannah is hot and dry.
In comparison to jungle safaris like gorilla trekking which takes place in tropical forests of Uganda, Rwanda and DRC, where a lot rainfall and wet weather require visitors to wear warm layers.
Protective safari clothing
If you never get sick of the hot African sun, then there’s something else worth to prepare for. Eastern Africa destinations have lots of harmful insects especially mosquitoes which cause malaria as well as other. Rainfall is also unpredictable regardless of the seasons.
It could be a rain jacket, scarf, sunglasses and hat, depending on weather conditions and type of activities. For instance during game drive safaris and nature walks in the bush, it is very vital to protect your skin. You many experience harmful insects or thorny bushes while on hiking safari. When you wear light weight long pants and long sleeved shirts that cover up your legs and arms, you’re better off and safe. You would only wear shorts when you’re off the bush.
Hat, scarf and sunglasses
Besides the insects, there’s also hot sunshine which comes with dust and wind. While hats are very helpful for sun protection, sunglasses too are useful during wind. Scarf also helps to keep your neck warm during cold weather in the tropical forested areas like central Africa. It is also used to wipe camera lenses.
Shoes to wear on a safari
Depending on the safari you’re doing, for instance adventures through the jungle such as gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking through thick forests require strong hiking boots. Try to get boots that can protect the ankle borne and are waterproof as well. However, if you were just visiting a city or beach, you may not put on the same foot wear.
To balance what to wear for different safaris, you don’t have to pack loads of shoes. You need at least a pair of boots and sandals to wear while at your lodge as well as relieve you from boots. The only exception of not putting off your hiking boots would be if you were camping in the middle of the national park.
Consider clothing that works in different environments
While on a safari, you’ll not spend all the time in the bush looking for animals. So you have got to pack variety of clothing options. Your feeling may be to wear short pants, vests or open shoes when you’re at the lodge. You may also want to visit cultural tourism sites and clothing you wear for that cultural trip cannot be same for jungle trekking.
Multipurpose
When packing for your safari, select items that serve many uses. This is especially if you’re adventuring into the wilderness and travelling around a lot than staying in one place. In that case let’s consider backpacks for outdoor adventures. They are much better and convenient to carry, toss around in vehicles or maneuver through crowded places than a suitcase would do.
Durability
Before you buy any of your travel clothing gears, it is important to select quality items if you’re going on an African safari for the first time. New clothing recommended for style and fashion but if you trust second hand clothes, they are suitable for activities like jungle treks. Also consider the notion that your clothing will not wear out or fade with a single wash only after one trip.
Pack light
Your main aim is to avoid heavy bags when you only pack useful items for your safari. some dirt free travelers do not like recycling clothes and the idea of packing light to them would mean leaving off essential clothing. But you know heavy bags can be a burden and inconveniencing. Before you select or buy items first consider how much weight and space they take.
