About Women's Safari Clothing
Women's safari clothing doesn't need to be drab. Our women’s safari apparel balances classic, feminine styling with technical fabric features to ensure you're safari-ready. In safari colors, every item has been safari-tested in Africa to ensure it performs. Get the best made-for-purpose insect repellent, UPF, wicking women’s safari clothing so you can look as good as you feel for every element of your safari.
What Features To Look For When Building a Women's Safari Outfit
- Pick Women's Safari Clothing in Neutral Colors. Choose clothing in shades of khaki, olive green, beige, and tan. By blending into the environment, you will enjoy better game viewing (and the color you choose is important when it comes to insects too).
- Cover Up For Sun Protection. While you should always wear a reliable sunscreen, one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from the sun is to cover up. In warm-weather climates, the fabric of your clothing makes a huge difference. Pick lightweight, breathable, technical fabric with built-in UPF50+ sun protection.
- Let Your Clothing Help With Insect Protection. The anti-insect finish on our BUGTech+ clothing adds an extra layer of defense against insects - without compromising the wicking and quick drying properties of the fabric. Always back up your insect protection efforts with a reliable bug spray.
- Look For Moisture Wicking Features. Wicking is a fabric's ability to move sweat away from the skin and the wicking and quick drying ability of our technical women's safari clothes assists with temperature regulation and keeping you cool.
- Dress In Layers. The trick to dressing for safari is to wear layers. This ensures you are prepared for changing conditions throughout the day - from fresh to freezing early-morning starts to the heat of midday.
- Choose Versatile Women's Safari Clothing Items. Strict luggage limitations on many safaris mean you'll need to pack light - and smart. Choosing quick-drying fabrics allows you to wash and wear while you are away, while long-sleeved safari shirts with roll-up sleeve tabs and convertible trousers gives you two garments in one.
- Pack a Wide-Brimmed Sun Hat. On the back of open game-viewers, on walking safaris, boat rides, or mokoro trips, it's not always possible to escape the sun on safari. Pack a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face and neck from the sun's harmful rays (and keep you looking safari styled at the same time).
- Always Pack a Warm Layer. It can get surprisingly cold on safari, which makes a good warm layer a top women's safari packing essential. Make sure you pack an outer layer including our women's sleeveless puffer.
- The Wise Accessorize. Simple accessories go a long way to improving comfort, protection, and style on safari. A knitted wool beanie, for example, provides that extra bit of warmth on chilly safari mornings. The Vintage Print Head&Neck Scarf is UPF50+ and windproof, with lots of different ways to wear it - a really useful addition to every day pack.
- Go Feet First Into Your Safari Adventure With the Right Footwear. If the opportunity to go on a bush walk comes up, take it! Whatever form your safari takes, make sure you have comfortable closed shoes for walking. Anti-blister socks are also an essential accessory to keep your feet cool and comfortable on every leg of your travels, while ankle gaiters keep your shoes debris free and protected.
- Mix and Match Technical Essentials with Comfortable Favorites. Balance your women's safari wardrobe with high-performance safari clothes and safari-suitable non-technical garments.
Women's Safari Clothing Packing List
Use the following women's safari clothing list as a safari packing list - and take a look at our comprehensive safari packing list for a more detailed safari packing checklist that includes essential accessories.
We have also included links to some of our best selling safari clothing products further down this page.
- 5x women's safari shirts. Choose long-sleeved safari shirts with built-in insect defense and UPF50+, with wicking and quick-drying properties - and mix and match with non-technical lightweight T-shirts.
- 3x women's safari pants and/or shorts. Anti-insect BUGTech zip-off pants are a top choice for versatility, with two garments in one so you can adapt to changing conditions throughout the day.
- 1x warm layer. Make sure you're adequately prepared for sometimes very cold conditions out in the bush. The Women's Packable Puffer Vest Jacket provides excellent insulation, with a water retardant finish.
- 1x wide-brimmed safari hat. A must for sun protection - especially when exposed to the sun on safari activities.
- 3x safari dresses/skorts.
- 5x blister-free socks. An essential for walking safaris and every day.
- 1x beanie and 1x scarf. A warm layer is a must-have for safari - and these warm-wear accessories will come in handy before the day heats up and during evenings on open game-viewers. The Vintage Print Head&Neck Tubular Scarf is great as a warm-weather crossover item, offering UPF50+ sun protection and a range of different ways to wear it.
- 2x women's shoes. Pack one pair of comfortable walking shoes and one pair of shoes to wear around camp.
- Sports bras. A sports bra is recommended for some areas. Whether you're in transit at higher speeds over bumpy roads or exploring the wilderness on bumpy tracks through the bush, get the support you need for comfort in all conditions.
- Essential accessories. Get your comprehensive safari packing list to ensure you pack handy accessories. Ankle gaiters are very practical for trekking and walking safaris, while gardening gloves are recommended for gorilla safaris.
- 6x women's safari shirts.
- 4x women's safari pants/shorts.
- 1x warm layer like a jacket or the puffer vest.
- 1x women's safari hat.
- 4x women's dresses or skorts.
- 7x blister-free, wicking socks.
- 1x beanie and 1x scarf in safari-suitable colors.
- 2x pairs of safari shoes - one pair of comfortable walking shoes and one pair of camp shoes.
- Sports bras. A sports bra is recommended for some areas. Whether you're in transit at higher speeds over bumpy roads or exploring the wilderness on bumpy tracks through the bush, get the support you need for comfort in all conditions.
- Essential accessories. Get your comprehensive safari packing list to ensure you pack handy accessories. Ankle gaiters are very practical for trekking and walking safaris, while gardening gloves are recommended for gorilla safaris.
- 2x non-safari shirts for travel and around camp.
The more time in Africa, the better. You must be very excited about such a long safari adventure.
We would usually recommend that customers look at the 14-day safari packing list to decide on what to pack for a longer safari, and then wash your clothing as you travel, but if your luggage weight allowance allows for packing heavier than please use the packing list below. You will still need to do some laundry as you travel.
- 9x women's safari shirts. Ensure long-sleeved sun protective and insect repellent safari shirts make it into your suitcase.
- 6x women's safari pants/shorts. We recommend convertible pants for versatility.
- 1x warm layer. Pack a women's safari jacket and/or puffer vest for warmth in cold conditions.
- 1x women's safari hat. Make sure you pack a wide-brimmed hat for all-round protection.
- 6x women's safari dresses/skorts.
- 10x blister-free socks for walking safaris.
- 1x safari beanie and 1x safari scarf as extra accessories for warmth.
- 2x women's safari shoes. 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes and one pair of camp shoes.
- Sports bras. A sports bra is recommended for some areas. Whether you're in transit at higher speeds over bumpy roads or exploring the wilderness on bumpy tracks through the bush, get the support you need for comfort in all conditions.
- Essential accessories. Get your comprehensive safari packing list to ensure you pack handy accessories. Ankle gaiters are very practical for trekking and walking safaris, while gardening gloves are recommended for gorilla safaris.
- 2x non-safari shirts for travel and around camp.
- 2x casual trousers/shorts.
- 1x swimming costume.
- 3x casual shirts/T-shirts.
- 5x underwear.
- 1x pyjamas.
- Waterproof safari jacket for the rainy season.
- 2x anti-chafe tights for walking and active safaris.
While it really is worth reading through our advice pages, we have developed a safari 'cheat' which answers this question very quickly and efficiently. Our founder, Steve, came up with the 3-2-1-1 safari packing rule for clothing. Very simply this says that as a basis for all safaris pack: 3x Long Sleeve Safari Shirts; 2x Safari Pants; 1x Hat; & 1x Warm Layer.
Pack this quick list of women's clothing essentials:
- Long-sleeved shirts and pants in neutral colors with anti-bug, sun protection, and wicking features.
- Non-technical T-shirts in safari-friendly colors.
- A wide-brimmed hat for style and sun protection.
- While a pair of sandals is good to have with you, make sure you wear closed shoes and anti-blister, moisture wicking socks.
The best women's safari clothing combines style with functionality. Nothing cramps your style like a bad sunburn or welts from bug bites - and dressing in classic safari style ensures you look the part while you explore Africa. Khaki is going to look great on you! Mix and match technical women’s safari clothing with non-technical T-shirts in neutral safari colors and top it off with a stylish wide-brimmed sun hat to keep - and look - cool on safari.
Yes, you can wear shorts on safari. The most important thing is to keep the weather in mind. Changing conditions during the day might mean you need extra warmth or to cover up from the sun, which makes convertible pants a good idea for versatility.
Also, consider cultural sensitivities, as well as the practicality of shorts for the day’s activities. For example, we recommend wearing long pants for bush walks for protection from ticks and the sun.
Night time around the lodge allows for a little more freedom in terms of color and style of clothing. This is the time to break out the 'Out of Africa' white shirt or dress. Bear in mind that it may get a little chilly during outdoor dining - and you should be prepared for insect protection. You may also walk back to your luxury tented accommodation along dirt paths with wildlife and so choosing suitable footwear is a consideration.
What To Avoid Wearing On Safari
- Camouflage - This is reserved for military personnel in some countries.
- White and Bright Colors - These colors stand out in the bush, which may attract the attention of wildlife and affect your game-viewing. White also gets dirty quickly on safari activities in dusty locations.
- Black and Dark Blue - These colors also stand out in the bush as above, but there is an insect-related reason for avoiding them too. These colors are known to attract tsetse flies, which have a painful bite.
- High Heels and Platforms - Uneven ground and these shoes aren't a great match.
- Perfume - We have read that strong perfumes can affect natural wildlife behavior. While we have not noticed this ourselves, it is worth taking note and wearing conservatively. You will also be in close proximity to others while on safari.
- Cotton -Many women's safari clothing advice pages include cotton as the fabric of choice for safari. Cotton provides relatively poor wicking performance and does not have the anti-insect and sun protective features of technical fabrics like BUGTech. The reason for this is that 100% cotton is a very a poor wicking material, which hinders temperature regulation and cooling.
Further Insight: What this means is that lightweight technical fabrics - and fabrics with added sun protective and insect repellent properties - are the best choice for moisture wicking, cooling, and protection on safari. They are also the best option for reducing wrinkling of your garments when you travel, and make them much faster to wash and dry too. The same can be said for some cotton blends, such as our T-Liteful Polycotton T-shirt material. With T-Liteful, we have blended a technical yarn (65%) with cotton (35%). The technical yarn vastly improves the wicking and anti-wrinkle characteristic of the fabric in comparison to a pure cotton fabric. This make T-Liteful t-shirts a way better option for safaris, the outdoors - and everyday living - than 100% cotton t-shirts.
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