If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve just booked a safari — or you’re seriously thinking about it — and the packing part is starting to feel overwhelming. I get it. When I booked my South Africa trip last year, I spent an embarrassing amount of time googling “what to wear on safari” and getting wildly different answers. Some blogs made it sound like you needed a full khaki uniform. Others were weirdly vague.
So here’s my honest, no-fluff guide based on what I actually packed, what I actually wore, and what I wish I’d known before I went.
Layers, Layers, Layers
This is the single most important thing I can tell you. On safari, you typically do two game drives a day — one in the early morning around 6am and one in the afternoon around 3pm. These drives can last anywhere from three to four hours, and the temperature swings are wild.
That 6am drive? It’s cold. Like, properly cold. You’re sitting in an open vehicle, there’s wind whipping past you, and the sun hasn’t come up yet. I was genuinely shivering on a couple of mornings. Then a few hours later, the sun comes out and suddenly you’re peeling off every layer you put on.
The afternoon is the reverse — you head out in the warmth and by the time you’re driving back at sunset, that chill is creeping right back in.
My formula was simple: a light long-sleeve base layer, a vest or gilet over the top, and a jacket I could tie around my waist or stuff in my bag when it warmed up. Don’t overthink it — just make sure you can add and remove easily without making a scene in the back of the vehicle.
Stick to Neutral Colours
Leave anything bright at home. No hot pinks, no electric blues, no loud patterns. You want to blend into the landscape, not announce yourself to every animal within a kilometre radius. Think khaki, olive, beige, tan, dusty rose, sage green, brown — anything earthy and muted.
The bonus of packing all neutrals? Everything goes with everything, which makes getting dressed at 5am in the dark incredibly easy. You can literally grab anything from your bag and it’ll work.
You Need Two Hats
A cap for the game drives — something that sits snug on your head and won’t go anywhere — and a wider brim hat for walking around the lodge or any downtime in the sun.
Here’s the tip that will save you: get at least one with a chin strap or string. I know it doesn’t look the most glamorous, but when you’re in an open vehicle with wind in your face and you’re craning your neck to look up at a giraffe, the last thing you want is your hat flying off into the bush. Strap it on and forget about it. You’ll thank me.
Ditch the Denim
I know jeans are a lot of people’s go-to travel pant, but safari is not the time. Denim is heavy, it doesn’t breathe, it takes forever to dry if it gets damp, and after sitting in a vehicle for four hours you’ll be so uncomfortable.
Go for linen shorts, lightweight cargo pants, or those quick-dry travel pants instead. Pair them with breathable tees, tank tops, and a good vest. You want comfort and airflow above everything else. You’re sitting for long stretches, you’re in the heat for part of the day, and you want to feel relaxed — not restricted.
Linen is honestly the fabric of the safari gods. It breathes, it looks good, and it dries fast. Pack as much of it as you can.
Footwear Actually Matters
Please don’t show up in sandals or slides. You’re in the wild — there are thorns, insects, uneven terrain, and all sorts of things you don’t want anywhere near your toes.
Sneakers are the minimum. Walking boots are even better, especially if you’re doing any bush walks. Some people go for higher boots for extra peace of mind, and honestly I don’t blame them.
Whatever you bring, make sure they’re already broken in. I cannot stress this enough. Brand new boots on a safari trip is a recipe for blisters and misery. Wear them around the house for a couple of weeks before you go.
Sunscreen Is Non-Negotiable
This one sounds obvious but people genuinely forget — or underestimate how intense the sun is. You’re often at altitude, you’re outdoors for hours at a time, and that UV is relentless.
SPF 50, reapply every couple of hours, and don’t forget the spots people always miss: your ears, the back of your neck, your hands, and your lips (bring a lip balm with SPF). You will burn in places you didn’t know could burn. Trust me on this one.
Pack Something Nice for Dinner
Here’s the thing nobody really talks about — the evenings on safari are genuinely special. A lot of lodges do beautiful dinners, sometimes outdoors under the stars, sometimes around a boma fire with lanterns everywhere. It’s an experience in itself.
You don’t need to pack a cocktail dress or anything over the top. But having one outfit that makes you feel put-together goes a long way. A clean linen set, a flowy dress, a nice top with your best pants — something that makes you feel like you’re having an experience, not just surviving one. The evenings are honestly part of the magic and you’ll want to match the energy.
Get Your Bag Setup Right
Last but definitely not least — bring a good backpack or day bag that you can grab and go for every game drive. You’ll be packing it with sunscreen, water, your extra layers, binoculars, snacks, maybe a guidebook. It needs to be functional and easy to access without rummaging.
If you’re into photography like me, this becomes even more important. I had a tonne of camera gear with me — multiple lenses, spare batteries, memory cards — and I was constantly swapping lenses because one minute you’re shooting a wide landscape and the next there’s a leopard sitting ten metres away. I ended up using a basket-style setup where I could see all my gear at a glance and grab what I needed without any fumbling. It was a game changer.
Whatever system works for you, the key is being able to access everything quickly and quietly. You really don’t want to be the person rustling through a noisy zip-up bag while everyone else is holding their breath watching a lion.
The Short Version
If you take nothing else away from this post, here’s the cheat sheet:
Layer up for temperature swings. Wear neutral, earthy colours. Bring two hats (one with a strap). Skip the denim and go linen. Wear proper closed-toe shoes that are already broken in. Slather on the sunscreen. Pack something nice for evenings. And sort your day bag so you’re not the noisy one on the game drive.
That’s it. That’s everything I wish someone had told me before I went. If you have any questions or want to know anything else about my South Africa trip, send me a DM — I’m happy to help.
Happy packing x
