What clothing essentials should I buy for a safari?

[SurreyisSunny]

Safari clothing

Me and my DS (who will be almost 8) are heading on a safari next summer. I know it’s early but I’m wondering if it’s worth buying any clothing essentials in the sales.

We will be doing game drives plus a couple nights on a houseboat

We have a 15kg weight limit so cannot overpack.

Mosquitoes love me!

I personally wear trousers (craghoppers) and have a light cotton long sleeved shirt to go over my t-shirt. A warm fleece as it can be chilly first thing. Hat. Sturdy shoes.

most camps you can get washing done and it comes back quick (not pants) so you can pack on that basis.

Wow that’s a tough situation, want coverup from those little buggers but also it could get pretty hot! 🥵

Ones that don't show the dirt. You will get covered in dust.

A couple of pairs of walking trousers from CragHopper or somewhere like that, long sleeved shirts, a wide brimmed hat and a snood to keep the dust out. Wear your walking boots or sturdy trainers on the plane to save on luggage space. The Safari lodges usually provide you with capes or blankets for early morning and late evening when it can be quite chilly but you should bring a couple of hoodies or sweaters as well. Everything in khaki or sand colours, Particularly if you will be on walking Safari as you need to blend in, rather than stand out from, the surroundings. Trousers which zip off into long shorts are useful and also save on space.

https://www.thesafaristore.com/en/

this pretty good for ideas. I got my kids some trousers from here. They have a suggested packing list which you can consider too

Zip off trousers from craghoppers - if you can find older styles on eBay or vinted, snap them up as they were more generously cut which is better in heat.

A light weight safari hat with a mosquito net - the ones where the net rolls up into the brim.

Whereabouts? And what sort of vehicles will you be in, or is it a walking safari?

Not shorts would be my immediate recommendation. You want to keep the insects and sun off your legs. Walking type trousers like Craghoppers in khaki or beige are good, or cotton cuffed ones, but not too thin because mosquitoes can bite you through fabric.

Long-sleeved tightly woven cotton shirts or tops. A sun hat with shade for the back of your neck. If you're going to be walking a lot you'll want some walking shoes or boots and proper socks, but if you're mostly driving then trainers would be fine. But still keep your ankles covered.

Also, check if your accommodation has mosquito nets over the beds and if kot, consider taking your own!

Agree with PP, it can get surprisingly cool at night.

Botswana & Zimbabwe

No walking safari; all drives plus the boat for 2 nights. Not sure what sort of vehicles but it’s a tour with others.

Everything must be khaki or they won’t let you go out.

Exactly. Mozzies literally love me. I think I help as repellent for others as they all head to me!

That’s why I need to buy stuff. My wardrobe is quite colourful

It’s been recommended to take thermals, not sure if that’s excessive?

What time of year?

It might be quite cool in the evenings so ake a jumper/fleece but cotton, trousers and cotton long sleeved shirts and comfy light walking shoes for the safari, plus a floppy hat, on Kariba swimsuit shorts and a t shirts and some flip-flops and socks and lots of sunscreen you will probably sleep on deck under nets. You probably already have suitable stuff.

Lake kariba?

thermals seems overkill but it will depend on the company you are going with.

Rohan do a great long sleeve shirt that is insect proof and light weight

No blue or black clothes. Nobody warned me. then I saw the blue and black tsetse fly traps were those colours to entice them in.

Yeah the drives are dawn and dusk usually which can be surprisingly chilly

I didn’t need thermals but definitely layers.

i had walking trousers and t shirts plus fleece. Sun hat.

As you are going in their winter there will be low mosquito numbers

will be an amazing trip

Rohan is great and has been recommended already also look at Odlo:

https://www.odlo.com/eu-en/p/essential-short-sleeve-shirt-554261.html?variantColor=20731

You want wicking clothing not cotton. They’re not cheap but they’re really comfortable in heat and wash and dry really quickly so you don’t need too much kit. That and a fleece.

Yikes, I have a lot of navy. I also understand no white.

so basically beige, grey or khaki of which I own zero!

Yes! You don’t need too much though

my safari clothes have been great in the heatwave!

I wore linen trousers I already had from white stuff (a green pair and a beige pair) and loose cotton tops. No one cared what colour we were wearing but it’s recommended not to wear dark colours that attract tsetse flies. And don’t wear anything white as it will never be that colour again!

Light, close weave layers in pale colours that you can wash by hand and dry out quickly. If you are likely to go on early or night drives you may want a base layer. Long sleeves and legs for evenings to avoid getting bitten. Maybe zip off leg trousers/shorts to save space. Large brimmed hat. Look for fabrics with upf/uv ratings. Outdoor shops and uniqlo, for example.