What to Wear on Tanzania Safari: Expert Safari Clothing Advice & Tips

WHAT TO WEAR ON TANZANIA SAFARI – EXPERT SAFARI CLOTHING ADVICE AND TOP TIPS

Wondering about what to wear on Tanzania safari? Before going for a safari a little bit of research and forward planning on what to pack and selecting the right safari clothing for your trip can save you from a lot of trouble later during the course of the tour and you can be rest assured to enjoy the experience unperturbed.

No Tanzania safari holiday would be complete without the right clothing. Safari clothing will not just help you look and feel the part but of course also has a number of practical benefits from protecting you from the blistering African sun to keeping you cool and dry through to avoiding unnecessary contact with insect pests.

We have put together a guide on safari clothing advice, what to wear while on safari in Tanzania, we cover both safari clothing for men and safari clothing for women in this section.

So what’s the Best Clothes for Safari?

There may be a need to drop down some of the clothes which you might need during normal travelling. These might include a lot of clothes. The basic guideline to packing for a safari is that one needs to carry stuff that is essential to this kind of journey and keep the stuff as light as possible.

Type of safari clothes to pack: Of all the stuff packed in your travel bag, clothing is the most essential during the safari travel. In such a situation it is always advisable to carry clothes which are comfortable and cover your body parts completely. They should be able to protect you from the sun, dust, and also mosquitoes, and other insects.

What color should you wear on safari in Tanzania?

The next important point to consider in the selection of clothing is related to the color. It is always advisable to wear clothes which are light shades namely green, brown, tan or khaki. These colors provide a camouflaging effect in the forest and cannot be easily spotted by the wild animals. Moreover, light colors trap less heat during the day and hence you can feel comfortable.

What color should you not wear on safari in Tanzania?

One must avoid wearing bright-white colored clothes as they tend to draw attention and may sometimes scare away wildlife.

• To be on the safe side while on safari, avoid wearing black and dark blue clothes that are known to attract tsetse flies.
• Army camouflage or military clothing or hats are forbidden in Tanzania for wear by persons who are not members of the military, so please leave these at home.

What to Wear on a Safari During the Day

During the day while on safari, it is recommended that you wear casual, comfortable, and loose-fitting clothing. Be prepared for daily highs ranging from the mid 70’s to the mid 80’s.

Dark and bright colors attract insects as well as the strong equatorial sun during the day. Additionally, bright colors may distract animals.

Lighter and more natural colors such as khaki, brown, beige, and green should be worn during the day.
Shorts or cotton pants and lightweight cotton tops or T-shirts work well during the day with either sandals or comfortable walking shoes.

You may also wish to bring a swimsuit as some of the lodges have pools.

What to Wear on Safari Evening

During the evenings, be prepared for nightly lows ranging in the 50’s and 60’s. However, some parts of the country such as the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater can get significantly colder during the night and early mornings so you will need to wear layers on early morning game drives as the floor of the Crater can be 20 degrees warmer.

From dusk to dawn, it is recommended that you protect yourself from mosquitoes by wearing pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks, and shoes where necessary.

There is little or no opportunity or necessity for fashion while on safari. However, you may wish to bring one outfit for a special night out. Even the more luxury lodges allow casual clothing while dining, etc.

Lastly, you should pack a fleece or sweater for cool evenings/early mornings. You may also wish to bring a lightweight and waterproof jacket or windbreaker.

During the nights, the color of your clothing is irrelevant.

A LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFARI CLOTHING TO PACK

• Comfortable walking shoes and also a pair of sandals or flip flops if you chose
• Casual, comfortable, and loose-fitting clothing in khaki, brown, beige, and green colors made of natural fabrics such as cotton
• Light cotton tops, T-shirts, and cotton shorts
• Long-sleeved cotton shirts/blouses and light long cotton pants to protect yourself from mosquitoes
• One fleece or sweater for cool evenings/early mornings
• One Swimsuit
• One outfit for a special night out if you choose
• Cotton socks and underwear
• Pajamas
• Hat or bandana or scarf
• Heavy sweater, gloves, and toque if traveling in the cold season (June – August)
• Optional: lightweight and waterproof jacket/windbreaker