Safari Clothing Tips: How to Stay Safe and Comfortable
Did you know that climbing Mount Kenya, the second-highest African mountain, takes anywhere from three to seven days? That is one serious commitment to make!
Embarking on the journey of an African safari or climbing a mountain like Mount Kenya is something that requires a lot of research and preparation. One important thing is deciding what safari clothing to pack.
This is not an easy trip so making sure to prepare with clothes that will keep you safe and comfortable is a must! Keep reading to learn about the right safari attire to pack for your next adventure.
It’s Important to Blend Into Your Environment
The first rule for what to take on a safari is clothes that blend with your environment. This should include neutral colors like khaki, brown, and green.
Dark colors like blues and blacks should be avoided because they attract insects and bright colors like red make you visible to the wild animals usually encountered on safari. Your clothes are also bound to get some dirt and dust on them, so opting for neutral colors is a good choice as these tend to hide dirt and grime better.
Always Cover and Protect Your Body
While out in any natural environment, it’s important to protect your skin and body. On a safari, especially later in the day, the sun and heat can be brutal! Covering your skin will actually protect it more than wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
Clothes that cover your skin will protect you from the sun’s rays and from the bugs and mosquitos too. Exposing your skin to the elements encountered on a safari could cause allergic reactions as well, so it’s always best to cover up as much as possible.
You Need Layers for the Changing Temperatures
When most people think of what a safari would be like, they probably envision desert, sand, and extreme heat. The truth is that while the afternoon hours can get incredibly hot, the weather in the mornings can get cold.
While covering your legs and arms works to protect you from insects and other natural elements, it will also help with the early morning weather. Packing a jacket or sweater in your safari clothes is important when preparing for your trip.
The Right Shirt Makes All the Difference
Packing the right clothes for a safari trip is partially personal preference but there are some better options to make the trip as comfortable as possible. Shirts that fit the skin loosely are best because sweaty fabric stuck to your skin is not fun for anyone.
A shirt with a collar is a good idea because it provides added protection for the back of the neck, covering it from the harsh sun. Long sleeves are also best to protect from the sun’s harmful rays and other elements that might irritate your skin.
Bring the Appropriate Pants for the Trip
While thinking about what to wear on a safari, it’s always ideal to pack long pants to cover and protect your legs. Convertible pants, however, are also a great option to think about. They can be worn long early in the day and then the bottoms can be zipped off in case you need some time to cool off.
When packing your clothes for a safari, always pay attention to the fabric in them. It’s important to take things that feel light and that breath to provide the most comfort, cotton is a perfect fabric to choose.
Cotton shirts and pants will help you feel as light as possible during harsh weather. Try to avoid any fabrics that weigh you down and cause discomfort, denim is a big no!
Footwear for the Path Ahead
You can’t plan for a safari trip without thinking about the shoes you’ll be wearing. Hiking boots are a great option, a sturdy sneaker works too. The most important thing is that the shoes feel comfortable and offer support for your feet.
One important thing to remember if you buy new shoes before your trip, don’t forget to break them in some time before leaving!
Protection for Your Head
When putting together your safari outfits, never forget the hats. Wearing hats while on safari helps protect your face and eyes from the sun, so adding one to your list of essentials is a must. A hat with a full brim is the best choice to protect the back of your neck from the sun as well.
Safari Vests to Keep Your Hands Free
The worst thing about being out on a safari is feeling weighed down by a bag full of stuff. While some people prefer a bag, for those who don’t a safari vest is a great alternative!
The vest’s multiple pockets are great for storing everything you need like some hand sanitizer to clean your hands, sunscreen to reapply when needed, and some extra batteries for your camera. This will not only give you easy access to your things but will free up your hands so you’ll be able to focus on capturing some great pictures of your safari adventure!
Can’t Forget About the Sunglasses
When coming up with some safari outfit ideas you can’t forget to include the sunglasses. While you might think that any old sunglasses work, make sure to take a pair with polarized lenses to protect your eyes from UV rays.
Safari Clothing Tips to Make Your Next Trip a Breeze
Taking a safari trip should be an adventure of a lifetime! Making sure your trip is comfortable and enjoyable starts with knowing what safari clothing to take with you. We hope this blog helped inform you on the best options.
Please check out some of our other blogs to learn about more safari outfits tips and contact us with any of your questions about booking an unforgettable African safari!