African Safari Clothing: Rule #1
The number one rule when it comes to going on an African safari is to always remember to pack the right clothing for your trip.
You do not want to be on the plane and suddenly remember that you forgot to pack something very important. Safari tours tend to need specific things to enable you to fully enjoy yourself when you are out there. However you have to be able to balance out your essentials vs the non essentials so as to keep your luggage manageable. Just keep in mind that you want to enjoy your trip by having everything that you need, and not have a bag that is too heavy to carry around which reduces your mobility and affects your trip.
One thing you definitely can not leave out is your safari clothes. Your goal is of course to be comfortable but to also be protected at all times. This is why you must always make sure that all your shirts have long sleeves. These serve two purposes, the first is to provide protection against mosquitoes and the other is protection from the rays of the sun. You also want to pack a pair of long pants to go with the shirts, especially if your African safari is during the winter months.
African Safari Clothing: Rule #2
The number two rule is that your safari clothes should not attract animals and insects as much as possible.
You want to stay away from vibrant clothes that are most likely to attract animals to you. This will probably explain why you will find most safari clothes in what are called earth colors. These are the light browns, khakis, light greens as well as the tans. Do not pack any white or bright clothes. These may inhibit you from being able to get closer to the view animals or in sometimes they can attract bugs as well as insects to you. The other advantage of the earth colors is that you will keep cooler during the say as they usually do not trap as much heat.
African Safari Clothing: Rule #3
Rule number three is mobility. This too is very important.
Try to keep your luggage to a maximum of about 25 pounds as you will be involved in a lot of traveling that includes transfers from one small jeep to another. It would be wise to use waterproof material similar to the one used for duffel bags for your luggage. This will keep all your safari clothes and gear dry throughout your trip.
How many days of clothes should you pack for? Well most safari guides will advise you to only pack enough for two or three days. There are usually laundry facilities available on the camps and lodges you will be staying for you to do your laundry if you have to. If your trip is not just an African safari and includes visits to the city, you may want to pack one pair of city clothes for when you hit the bright city lights.
It would not be appropriate to step into a restaurant dressed in your safari clothing. It does not matter, where in the world you are, some dining establishments have dress codes that you should follow if you are planning on having a meal in there.
African Safari Clothing: Rule #4
The number 4 rule is bring only one safari vests for your trip.
Your safari vests, although it is treated as one of the traditional clothing pieces for African safaris, it is actually a very practical accessory. For most people who go on safari this is the first item, they go out shopping for. The funny thing is although it can become very handy, it is not a must that everyone on safari should have one of these.
It is very useful in many ways. For example, you can use your safari vest or jacket to carry the smaller things that you need will need during your tour for example, your Swiss knife, extra batteries and your digital camera. You can basically stuff anything else that fits into your vest pockets. Things like mosquito repellent, band aides, chewing gum or even tablets for headaches such as your extra strength Tylenol
They are built to be able to carry a lot of small things. This is why each vest will usually have about 8 to 10 pockets. This should be enough space to hold your small essentials that you would have otherwise been placed in the small backpack or sling on pouch. You will not have to worry about carrying that extra small bag, and even worse forgetting it or misplacing it somewhere.
You will notice that many photographers as well as other outdoor professions usually rely on safari vests when they need extra pockets too. Your vest will most likely be in one of the earth tones mentioned above and for the same reason as the rest of your other clothing.