An African safari typically takes a long time and sufficient information in packing of personal items you’ll require is highly recommended. This will go a long way in ensuring you get the most out of your African adventure.
Depending on which time of the year of your tour is, the type of clothing to wear matters a lot. There are also other essential items to consider while packing to avoid unnecessary inconveniences during your travel in Africa.
In this article, I will be briefing you on the various clothes you will need during your African Safari travel adventure and on how to wear them at different places and time you travel as discussed below.
1. Comfortable Walking Shoes
Wearing closed and comfortable shoes is very vital if you are on walking safari. This will help you to avoid injuries on your feet while on your safari as you will be exposed to uneven grounds, wet areas, thorny places, and rugged landscapes.
Hiking boots are recommended while on hiking activities and on walking safaris. The boots are worn with hiking socks protecting the feet from the heat and other physical injuries. The hiking boots give you steady stepping on rocky areas protecting you from sliding. Lightweight sneakers are super comfortable and best on fine terrains.
Gaiters can also be worn from the bottom of the safari shoes while on dangerous areas inhabited with snakes. The equipment is made of snake-resistant material which prevents one from snake bites. Gaiters are also best in muddy terrain, watery areas and on snow. This will help one from the soil debris to come in contact with the skin.
2. Safari Trousers/Khakis
Long safari trousers cover your skin and protect it from injuries when exposed to the environment you are touring. There are many animals and harsh environmental conditions such as strong winds, hot sun, poisonous animals such as snakes and thorny bushes.
Khakis is the most common color worn by most safari travelers. It is light and does not absorb much of the heat from the sun and also the ground. It can be worn in insect inhabited areas to avoid attracting the insects around the place. Blue and black clothes are not allowed as they attract most insects which can lead to bites.
Long Trousers or pants are very useful while on your African safaris. There are places with thorny bushes, strong winds and hot areas that can affect one’s health. On strong winds the long trousers/khakis cover the body as it regulates the body temperature from varying too much. While in hot areas in Africa, the long and light trousers help you by preventing the skin from direct hot sun.
3. Safari Shirts
Safari shirts should be long sleeved to keep the skin covered always throughout the journey. There are various factors that can hinder your safari tours such as the cold, hot sun, thorny places and attack from the insects.
Many places in Africa experience harsh environmental conditions, while in cold areas long sleeved shirts that cover your body are recommended. This is to prevent you from catching any cold that will lead to coughing and wheezing. Many inland areas experience such cold conditions due to the breezes occurring in the lakes and oceans.
In a hot environment, wearing airy and long-sleeved shirts with a collar will keep the sun from affecting your skin directly. The hot direct sun causes sunburns on the skin during your African Safari.
4. Wide Brim Hat
Wearing a wide brim hat on safaris prevents the skin from skin burns, possible heat strokes and cuts. Most of Africa’s areas contain unfavorable conditions such as extreme heat and extreme cold that will hinder your safari travel.
The Wide brim hat should be worn on deserted areas and hot-tropical zones. There is extreme heat from the sun that leads to many complications on one’s health status. You need a hat in order to prevent sun from reaching the head, skin and the neck. It will help you feel cool and comfortable throughout the tour.
Some hats are waterproof to prevent one from being rained on and from the cold. Heavy rain and rainstorms may be experienced while on your safari. They can be acquired by buying around the local residents along the site you are visiting.
5. Safari Jacket
Safari Jackets help keep the body warm in the evening and morning hours. There are some places in Africa which experience climate change rapidly from being warm to cold and also encountering heavy rains in the process of touring.
When doing night travel, you are advised to wear a heavy jacket to cover your body from the cold. During night hours the temperatures in various places in Africa are low. This will affect one’s health by contracting diseases. Safari guides also offer blankets to the tourists to ensure they are kept warm during the night.
While in rainy areas, a waterproof jacket will be the best option. They are made of fabrics which keeps off as much water from reaching your body. Light jackets with air gaps are worn in hot areas to avoid unnecessary sweating during your travel.
6. Scarf/Snood
A Scarf is necessary during your safari travel to cover your neck, mouth and also nose from inhaling dust. Many places in Africa are deserted with dust all over and with extreme cold and wind which blow across the paths and bare lands.
During the night wear a scarf around your neck preventing the cold from reaching the skin. Temperatures drop when the sun sets in the evening making the place to experience cold. The equipment will keep off the coldness from reaching the skin. Wearing a scarf around the nose and mouth helps to prevent one from inhaling dust. During the day, the environment tends to have high temperatures which causes the land to dry causing dust.
Snoods are worn especially by the women in order to hold back their long hair whether in the morning or in the evening. It prevents the hair from getting dust. They are also used to prevent one from biting insects when traveling.