What to Wear on Safari in South Africa?
What to Wear on Safari in South Africa?
What to Wear on Safari in South Africa? : A safari trip to South Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime and unforgettable experience. With a combination of wildlife, incredible sights, sounds and clouds, every moment of a South Africa safari is a feast for the sense and you will return home with forever lasting memories.
However, before you get on a plane for your South Africa Adventure, let’s talk about “what to wear on safari in South Africa”. What you wear might sound not as exciting as spotting wildlife in the savannah, but it is a crucial part of preparing for your journey. What to Pack for an wear on a safari in South Africa an make a huge difference in how comfortable and prepared you will feel.
Your South Africa Safari wardrobe will depend on a few things including the types of activities you will be doing (such as walking safaris, game drives or both), the time of the year you will be traveling and the climate of the region you are visiting. Seasons in South Africa can be quite diverse, so it is worth doing some researcher or inquire with an expert on the weather during the time of the year you are traveling.
To make it easy for you, here is the ultimate guide to what to wear on safari in South Africa.
Tips for what to wear on safari in South Africa
Natural fabrics
Natural fabrics like cotton and linen which are light, breathable are ideal to wear on safari in South Africa. The climate in South Africa can be hot and sticky, especially in the summer months, and breathable fabrics will ensure you are cool even when the temperature rises. There is nothing worse than being too hot while on a safari.
Linen shirts and cotton trousers are always favorites on your packing lists for South African Safari.
Neutral colors
Neutral tones like khaki, olive green, beige, grey and brown on safari are the recommended colors and for a good reason. These colors help you blend into the natural surroundings and avoid unwanted attention from wildlife. Whatever you do on a safari, avoid bright colors, including white, as well as dark colors like black, purple and navy blue which can attract insects in certain regions. Patterns are also a no.
As you pack for a safari, it is a good idea to stick as closely as possible to a neutral color palette no matter what activities you are doing. However it is particularly important if you plan to do a walking safari. When you are on a game drive, the wildlife tends to only notice the vehicle – a large, khaki colored animal if you will. However on a walking safari, you are much smaller and essentially more obvious to the animals. Therefore wearing neutral colors that help you blend into your surrounding is very important. As a bonus, the colors are also better at hiding the inevitable dust and dirt from the bush.
Layers
Throughout the day, South Africa experiences significant temperature changes that is why we always recommend taking plenty of layers with you to wear on a South Africa Safari. Mornings and evenings can be cold, but at midday, the temperatures can really up warm up. A lightweight, long-sleeved shirt over a T-shirt and a jacket or fleece later will allow you adapt as temperatures change. Then you can add or remove clothing as mood or temperature takes you.
Footwear
Foot wear is one of our most common questions about what to wear on a safari in South Africa. As you pack, it is tempting to pack a pair of shoes for every occasions, but on safari, less is always more. Stay away from the stilettos and heavy hiking boots as they will be completely unnecessary. Instead, opt for sturdy yet lightweight walking shoes for day time adventure. Most of the safari activities involve a certain level of walking and it is essential to have good support from shoes that you have worn before.
Also, we recommend packing a pair of sandals or flip flops to wear around your camp or lodge, these will come in handy during the siesta time, by the pool and in the evenings. If you would like to bring something extra, we recommend carrying plimsolls or other light trainers.
Lightweight rain jacket
The rainy season in South Africa varies depending on the region but unexpected showers can occur at most times of the year. We recommend taking a compact, waterproof jacket that can be easily kept in your bag. It will keep you dry if a rain shower catches you off guard but won’t up valuable packing space.
Accessories and bags
A small, neutral-colored backpack or crossbody bag is a great idea for taking your essentials with you on game drives and walking safaris in South Africa, such as binoculars, your camera, wildlife and bird guides, water and extra layers. Make sure it is compact enough not to be a hassle, however you certainly don’t want something big and bulky to carry around with you.
Hats and Sunglasses
The South African sun is intense, so a wide-brimmed hat offers excellent sun protection, shielding your face, neck and ear, and sunglass with UV protection are also important, polarized lenses are great for cutting through the glare, especially when spotting wildlife. A light weight scarf or bandana can also be useful to help shield you from the sun.
Sunscreen
This might not be a clothing item, but perhaps the most important thing to wear on safari in South Africa. A sunscreen with a high SPF (preferably between 30 and 50) to protect your skin from the harsh rays in the Southern Hemisphere is important. Often, camps and lodges will have sunscreen available for use, or a shop in which to buy some, but we would always recommend bringing your own to use at your convenience. It is definitely something you don’t want to be without.
What not to wear on safari in South Africa
When planning what to wear on safari in South Africa, it is just as important to know what no to pack. Bringing unsuitable items or over packing can weigh you down and detract from the fun of your South Africa Trip. To travel lighter and smarter, here is what to leave at home
Skip the formal clothing
Evening on safari are typically relaxed and most lodges embraces a smart – casual dress code. There is no need to pack formal attire unless you have a specific event planned. Keep your luggage practical and focused on versatile items that work for both daytime and evening. If you would like to feel a little smarter in the evenings, consider bringing a colorful scarf or pashmina as they will add some flair and at the same time keep you warm.
Stay away from heavy fabrics
When deciding what to wear on safari in South Africa, steer clear of thick, heavy materials like denim as they will only leave you feeling hot and uncomfortable, and will also take up far more space in your bag.
Don’t overpack
Almost all safari lodges have excellent laundry services that take around 24 hours to turnaround. Keep this in mind then packing and don’t be tempted to bring extra “just in cash” clothing.
Leave expensive jewelry home
South Africa safaris are about immersing yourself in the wilderness not showcasing your diamonds. Expensive or sentimental jewellery can easily get lost or damaged and isn’t practical in the bush. Stick to simple accessories like a durable water (waterproof more preferable) and a good-quality sunglasses.
What to wear on safari in South Africa by season
The temperature in South Africa can fluctuate wildly, both throughout the year but also in the same day. Here is a rough guide to what to expect in the different seasons,
Winter (June and August)
The saying that South Africa is always warm in winter month is a myth, as temperatures can drop sharply and the mornings and evenings are often particularly cool. The days can be beautifully warm and sunny and you may find yourself out and about in a T-shirt.
Therefore we advise packing plenty of layers that can be adapted to almost any temperature, as well as a warmer jacket and perhaps a hat, gloves and a scarf. But, there is no need to go overboard with lots of heavy, winter clothing as lodges and camps in South Africa often provide blankets for your morning game drives and sometimes even hot water bottles for the very chilly mornings.
Spring (September to November)
In the spring, the temperatures start to get a little warmer, although there can certainly be no guarantee of an exact time or date. As in the northern hemisphere, spring temperatures can be extremely variable with beautiful sunny days interspersed with colder, wetter days. If you are wonder what to wear on safari in South Africa in the Spring, it is good to be prepared for any eventuality; short-sleeve t-shirts and shorts as well as longer, warmer layers are advisable.
Summer (December to March)
Summer in South Africa begins in November and lasts until around February or March. This is the hottest time of the year and temperatures often soar into the 100s! if you are in the Greater Kruger area of South Africa, or in the Eastern Cape, you can also expect a certain amount of rain – wonderfully welcome sight when the temperatures are almost too hot to handle. For a summer safari, we recommend bringing lightweight, warm weather clothes (short sleeved t-shirts and shorts, shorts, and light trousers) with an additional rain or waterproof jacket. If you have specialist, quick-drying clothing, it is certainly worth packing.
Autumn (April & May)
Autumn brings very similar weather to spring, with some beautifully hot and balmy days, whilst others can be surprisingly cool. As ever, come prepared with plenty of layers and definitely something warmer for the mornings and evenings.
In conclusion: What to wear on safari in South Africa is all about creating the perfect balance between practically and comfort, but also embracing the spirit of adventure. By focusing on light weight, versatile clothing in neutral tones, choosing the right accessories for your activities and the climate, you will be prepared for every moment in the bush. Always remember to that the goal for packing right is to blend in with nature, stay comfortable and most important, make the most of every unforgettable moment in South Africa.
