Safari Outfit Ideas for Women • What To Wear On Safari

I know how to create a fantastic safari outfit for women after a year in Africa. Of course, it was not always this way, and on my first safari, I had no idea what to wear for the trip. Despite the high price tag and the fact it is often a holiday for the rich and famous, a safari is a very low-key affair. A safari is all about nature and wildlife, a sharp departure from our daily lives.

I want to be comfortable and protected in the bush, so smart clothing choices are essential. A few versatile and practical items are all you need to style the perfect safari outfit. This can even be done reasonably cheaply and still look stylish.

Here are my favorite items for making the perfect safari outfit, from safari dresses to safari pants. For ideas on men’s safari outfits, head to our other post.

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Safari Shirts

I recommend you pack at least a few safari shirts for your trip. Ensure at least one is a long-sleeved shirt, as it protects against pesky mosquitos (malaria). A technical synthetic shirt can look excellent and practical. Cotton gets dirty fast and weighs more, so go with synthetics or wool unless you like stinky/oily clothes. You hear the word layers a lot, but the vast majority of the days are very hot. Many arid climates are famous for safaris, and you can see pretty cool evenings and mornings.

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Everlane Linen Shirt

MSRP – $85 | Material – Linen

I like to pack a technical long-sleeve shirt for a safari, but it’s tough to beat a classic shirt from a classic material like linen. It looks and feels excellent; there is no better summer shirt. Best of all, the material remains practical as the linen has anti-microbial properties and fights against odor.

Pair a linen shirt with sandals, shorts, chinos, jeans, or boots. It will always work. Linen shirts are versatile clothing that looks good for both sexes and works at the beach, museum, archaeological site, or safari. It’s a classic style for women’s safari clothes.

It’s tough to find decent linen shirts online, but I love the quality and value of Everlane’s linen shirts. You can often score a deal, so if you stain or snag the shirt, it won’t end the world. Amazon makes some cheap linen shirts, but like most things from the company, they’re poor quality.

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Columbia Tamiami II

MSRP: $50 | Material: Ripstop Polyester

The Columbia Tamiami II Shirt is a great safari shirt with various features for a comfortable outdoor experience. With its blend of Omni-Wick moisture management and antimicrobial treatment, this shirt is perfect for hot and humid climates, actively breathing and wicking away moisture for fast evaporation.

The vented back panels and front pockets provide additional ventilation, making it a comfortable choice for long days out in the sun. It provides reliable UV protection with its Omni-Shade UPF 40. The roll-up sleeves are thoughtful design features that add to the shirt’s versatility. I also appreciate that women get practical clothing with five pockets.

While this shirt’s loose cut and outdoor style may not appeal to everyone, its practical features make it an excellent option for those seeking an affordable, well-designed safari shirt. It’s not the most stylish shirt in the world, but for around $50, it’s an excellent value.

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Unbound Merino Wool V-Neck

MSRP – $85 | Material – Merino Wool

Pair a t-shirt with great pants and boots for an effortless safari look. Our favorite women’s t-shirt for safari and travel is the Unbound Wool V-neck. A merino wool shirt is a worthy investment and one of the best travel clothes for any trip. Despite the price, we’ve already transitioned much of our wardrobe to the material. Wools shirts stay fresh longer and do an excellent job at temperature management. Best of all, the heavier fabric looks better.

Cotton shirts often take one or two wears to feel oily and heavy, while wool shirts last for days. I’ve tested a lot of wool shirts out, and my favorite for travel so far is from Unbound Merino. Their shirts are a perfect weight, and the material is soft and durable. I prefer their v-neck cut for a slightly more feminine shape.

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Tank Top

When thinking about what to wear on safari, a few comfortable tank tops and shirts are a must-have, whether for game drives or downtime! They’re perfect for the hot Africa day (which you will have!) and can be worn under a blouse or alone with a skirt or capris. It’s always a good idea to pack solid colors that can pair with everything.

We recommend you pick up new ones if they’re a little old before your trip. That way, they look fresh and aren’t pilling. The ones in some of these photos are just simple ones off Amazon and super comfortable.

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Safari Vest For Women

A vest is a must-have item for layering on a safari. I always bring at least one vest on my trips to Africa as it’s a fantastic accessory, and more pockets never hurt! So, pack a vest for your next safari and add a touch of sophistication to your wardrobe! It’s one of the best style accessories for a safari outfit.

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Orvis Pack and Go Vest

MSRP – $129 | Material -Recycled Polyester

Orvis designs some of our favorite items for stylish outdoor wear — perfect for safari wear. The vest’s weight has a nice balance. It can be worn independently in warm weather or as an outer layer for cooler days.

It’s pretty lightweight and can fold down into an included stuff sack. A waist cinch and multiple pockets also deliver the practicality and features I want in a vest. As a bonus, the polyester material used is Bluesign® certified and dries out quickly.

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Safari Pants

Regarding safari outfits for women, pants are a crucial component. Although I typically avoid wearing pants in hot weather, they feel more appropriate on safari. Not only do they offer better protection against insects, but they also provide coverage against the elements. I suggest packing at least two pairs of safari pants for a typical trip, to avoid doing laundry.

I’ve had the KUHL Freeflex pants for three years without issue. It’s almost impossible to stain them, and they are water-resistant. Plus, they roll up into capris when it’s hot. They look pretty decent, too, especially when you pair them with a linen shirt.

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KUHL Freeflex Pants

MSRP – $109 | Material – Enduro Fabric / Freeflex

Kuhl’s ENDURO™ blend fabric in their Freeflex Roll-Up pants is a testament to their commitment to quality and durability. I prefer the comfort of lightweight synthetic pants as most safaris occur in hot weather. These safari pants are lightweight and super comfortable. For outdoor pants, these are surprisingly comfortable.

Not only does the fabric feel soft against the skin, but it has also proven to be resistant to wear and tear after repeated use. The double-stitching and metal buttons are just a few of the high-end details that set these pants apart. The Freeflex Roll-Up pants convert to capris and feature six functional pockets and an internal drawstring. It all makes the perfect combination for women who want practicality and comfort.

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REI Co-op Trailsmith Pants

MSRP – $69 | Material – Cotton/Poly

The REI Co-op Trailsmith Pants are the ultimate choice for safari pants that combine style, comfort, and durability. I love that REI took the traditional style of outdoor wear and made these joggers with cuffed ankles. It makes for cute and super functional pants.

With a blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex fabric, these pants wick away moisture and stretch to provide a comfortable fit. The double-layer fabric reinforcements at the knees and thighs offer added durability, making these pants ideal for outdoor adventures.

For added convenience, these pants feature a range of pockets, including jeans-style coin, hand, and back pockets, a drop-in tool pocket at the side, and a pencil pocket at the thigh. It adds a cool utilitarian look to the joggers, and they’re super functional, too! I love these pants!

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Safari Shorts

It gets HOT in Africa, especially in the middle of the day. I recommend bringing at least one pair of safari shorts to stay cool – plus, they look great and will add to your women’s safari outfit. I prefer a nice pair of shorts that are practical yet stylish.

I suggest pants as protection against mosquitos, but they usually come out in the evenings and at night. I wear shorts for morning game drives and daytime activities. When it comes to afternoons and sundowners, I switch to pants.

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prAna Women’s Elle Shorts

MSRP – $59 | Material – Nylon/Elastane

The prAna Elle Shorts are ideal for women seeking comfort and versatility on their safari adventure. The shorts blend organic cotton and spandex for excellent breathability and stretch. The result is a super comfortable pair of shorts that look great. As prAna generally strives for sustainable materials, the cotton is Fair Trade Certified and organic.

The Elle Shorts also offer stylish design features such as detail stitching at the front waistband, seaming at the front legs, and side seam slit detail. The shorts also feature front and back patch pockets with edge bands, making them a functional and fashionable choice for safari. With a mid-rise, fitted design and available in 3″ and 5″ inseam options, the prAna Elle Shorts are the perfect addition to any adventurous woman’s wardrobe.

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The North Face Aphrodite Motion Shorts

MSRP – $45 | Material – Nylon/Elastane

The North Face Aphrodite Motion Shorts are perfect for safaris and other adventures. They’re made with a soft herringbone fabric that stretches for mobility and has water-repellent, sweat-wicking, and sun-protecting properties.

The shorts come in various colors, including khaki, and have a comfortable waistband, hand pockets, and a secure zip pocket. The shorts are also adjustable thanks to a stretch drawcord. Get ready for any outdoor adventure with these shorts!

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Lululemon Cinchable Waist Shorts

Some of my favorite safari shorts for women area easily the Lululemon Cinchable Waist Shorts. They are in plenty safari photos as I wear them all the time. They are comfortable and look great in any setting.

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Safari Dress

A safari dress or romper is excellent because they are a one-piece safari outfit for ladies. I like to bring a few dresses on safari as they’re comfortable. You’re not all that active on safari, so it’s not an issue. Plus, a dress is much cooler than pants. Small tip: rompers are super cute, but using the bathroom in the bush can be inconvenient. I’d stick to wearing them around camp or the lodge.

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Scotch & Soda Safari Dress

MSRP – $165 | Material -Tencel

This fashion-forward safari dress from Scotch & Soda delivers everything I want in style. The classic off-white look, cuffs, and buttons down the front will feel right at home on a safari.

It’s made from a lightweight material called Tencel that is eco-friendly and operates in a closed-loop system. That soft material is light and breathes easily, so you’re comfortable and cool in the African sun. Be warned, this is a super popular item from the brand, and they regularly sell out, so we often recommend the Allegra K in replacement.

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Patagonia Fleetwith Romper

MSRP – $129 | Material -Recycled Polyester/Spandex

I love Patagonia and its brand ethos around sustainability. The Patagonia Fleetwith Romper is Bluesign certified and super comfortable. While the Fleetwith is available as a dress, I prefer the romper best. It’s comfortable, fits just about anyone, and is practical when active or moving around. With the romper, you can easily feel comfortable on a bush flight, in the back of a game viewer, or on a bush walk.

The one-piece romper is made from a 91% recycled polyester/9% spandex blend, moves with your body, resists wrinkles, and quickly dries. The romper and dress make for excellent safari wear, and they are so versatile you may end up living in them at home. It’s a slam dunk in our books for safari clothes for women.

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Swimsuit

I always carry a spare bathing suit, even on a safari. Plenty of great beach lodges make for a beautiful and relaxing end to a busy safari. That doesn’t include the many safari lodges and hotels with a pool. We’ve even taken impromptu dips in the various rivers and natural springs. Consider a swimsuit a necessity when it comes to safari clothes for women.

One of the best brands of swimsuits I’ve found is Londre. They make amazing swimsuits that fit as nicely as they look. Many of their pieces are stylish yet supportive. You are warned you will love them! You can read about the best hotels in Zanzibar or Diani Beach!

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Women’s Safari Jacket

No matter what season you go on safari, you should at least bring a jacket (maybe even a down jacket) just in case it gets cold (which it probably will). However, I recommend a nice safari jacket if you want something more stylish for warmth and photos. The jackets below provide some warmth but are light enough for mild days. If it’s frigid, you’ll want something warmer.

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Barbour Beadnell Jacket

MSRP – $385 | Material – Waxed Canvas

The Classic Beadnell jacket by Barbour is the one you’ll reach for every season of the year. Its waxed cotton exterior looks gorgeous and highly functional as it supplies wind and water resistance. A cozy tartan lining is soft against the skin and supplies light warmth in cool climates. It provides a lot of versatility as the jacket works for a wide range of destinations and daily life.

The jacket is also highly functional with two snap button bellow pockets, handwarmer pockets, and one interior breast pocket. We also appreciate the women’s fit that keeps a nice shape that is done with front and back panels. The one downside is it’s too warm for hot destinations, but it is ready to tackle any cool weather.

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prAna Sancho Jacket

MSRP – $140 | Material – Cotton / Elastane

We love the prAna Sancho Jacket as it’s lovely and super comfortable. We love the organic cotton material and the excellent fit. It achieves its nice shape with a slightly boxy cut and an internal waist draw cord. It feels like an essential jacket as the rugged style is perfect in the bush or city. However, it’s not all rugged, as the touch of elastane gives the jacket excellent stretch and performance.

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Safari Shoes

You’ll be sitting in a car for most of your African safari. I wear sandals often unless I go on a bush walk, where good shoes or boots are a must. You don’t want to have to run from a buffalo in the wrong shoes (joking)! I suggest bringing at least one pair of durable sandals and one good pair of safari boots.

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Sandals

You won’t want to live in safari boots. Good sandals are great for comfort on long travel days and under the hot African sun, like in Namibia or Egypt. Like the locals, we spend 90% of our time in a pair of sandals when traveling around Africa. We only use our boots on bush walks, long hikes, and dirty streets.

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Blundstone Chelsea Boots

MSRP – $210 | Material – Leather

Blundstones are our go-to travel boots and make excellent safari boots. This boot is stylish, functional, and practical for any travel adventure. While it’s not a “technical” boot, it handles moderate hikes and terrain impressively. Style is strong, with a wide range of leather finishes to match your taste.

As they use premium leather, they require some upkeep with leather treatment to ensure longevity and water resistance. The Blundstone Chelsea Boot is a solid go-to for any stylish and practical safari adventure. We love these boots!

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Merrell Women’s Moab 3

MSRP – $120 | Material – Leather

If you’re in the market for hiking boots, the Merrell Moab 3 Boots are a popular choice. They’re made of leather, textile, and synthetic materials and are comfortable straight out of the box. Plus, with Merrell’s expertise in hiking boots, you can rest assured that your feet will be in good hands for long-distance walks.

I have owned several pairs of Moabs and can attest to their quality over the years. However, one thing to remember is that these boots are less specialized. While they are comfortable immediately, the soles are soft, making them less ideal for avid hikers. However, for everyone else, Merrell Moabs is a solid choice for comfortable safari boots that won’t disappoint.

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Women’s Safari Hat

You don’t want your skin ruined from the harsh African sun; a hat is essential to every woman’s safari outfit. A safari hat is not just about fashion but functions as it keeps the sun off your face. Since the equator splits Africa, expect intense UV rays. No accessory is better suited or more fashionable than a safari hat—it feels right and never out of place.

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Tilley LTM6 Airflo Hat

Tilley has long been famed for its sun protection hats. They’ve seen the world over and had more than a few adventures. It holds its shape, and the material has a stylish look. What sets Tilley apart is that they guarantee their hats for life against wear and tear.

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Scala All-Season Crushable Hat

Oh my, I love this safari hat for women. The wool felt makes for an all-around great-looking stylish safari hat. The style is similar to a fedora with a very Western vibe. It looks great, and the price point isn’t bad, either.

The best part is that the material still allows you to crush the hat to fit inside your luggage for such a good-looking one. No one wants to wear an outdoor hat home on a 15-hour flight. It snaps right back into shape once you take it out of your bag!

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Women’s Safari Bag

You’ll need a good safari bag to carry and pack all these safari clothes. If you’re going on safari, you may take a bush flight or two. I recommend packing light, as most small planes severely limit baggage weight. We have been on flights where we are only allowed 15 kg a person, and some flights allow 25 kg. Make sure only to pack what you need.

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Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag

The Patagonia Black Hole bag is a staple for adventure travel and one of the best safari bags. The bag can pack small when empty and easily fits in a suitcase. It was also easy to stuff and organize, thanks to the large U-shaped zipper and two mesh pockets on the top flap. It’s also super lightweight, an essential aspect of strict weight allowances on bush planes.

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Nomatic Travel Bag

The Nomatic Travel Bag is a good travel bag for short trips. It’s a bag built around the premise of one-bag travel, with all the features you need for a seamless safari. However, all those features can make the bag a little clunky and difficult to pack effectively. The bag’s exterior tarpaulin material on the top panel provides water and abrasion resistance.

At 40L, the bag is best suited for 3-5 day one bag trips or can support a suitcase for extended journeys. Its sleek design and intelligent features make it an excellent fit for everyone, from business travelers to backpackers.

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Safari Accessories

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Smith Lowdown 2 Sunglasses

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Buff Headwear

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Grayl GeoPress Purifier Water Bottle

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Nikon Monarch 5 8×42

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General Tips On Packing for Safari

Here are a few things to remember before you go on a shopping spree for your safari outfit.

• Be sure to note what time of year you are traveling to Africa. The rainy season in Southern Africa varies significantly from the rainy season in Eastern Africa. A rain jacket is essential if you are traveling during the rainy season.
• I like to travel around Africa with clothes made from synthetic materials, linen or hemp, as they dry fast and fight stains. You’re often faced with very humid climates, and it’s easy for clothes to get funky.
• Dark shades of blue attract the dreaded tsetse fly, found throughout parts of Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and other general pockets of Africa. So it’s best to try and avoid this color.
• You’ll be able to find local clothing in many villages on the side of the road. The most common wear is a type of Batik print for women. You’ve seen those vibrant women before! It’s Asian in origin, but it’s hugely popular throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and easy to find everywhere.
• If you need new shirts or pants, big cities are your best bet for Western-style clothing. You can find lovely gift shops outside a few tourist hot spots.
• You’ll always be able to find local women who will wash your clothes for you. For a small fee, they will hand wash, hang dry, and often iron your clothing for an affordable price. It’s a great way to support local families, as women can do the work at home. I highly recommend seeking them out. We do so by asking our accommodation staff for recommendations. Many times it was one of their close relatives who did it for us.
• Many high-end safari lodges will wash your clothes for free.
• Most safari lodges will have shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and bug spray, so there is no need to bring those items.

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Color Choice & Camouflage

A safari outfit should blend in with the environment. You should wear beige, green, and brown colored clothes. They are the staple colors of safari wear because they blend into the environment and can provide a better game-viewing experience.

While wearing, bright colors such as red are said to scare off animals and make you stand out. This may or may not be true. Only the animals know for sure. Of course, the Maasai Warriors in Kenya and Tanzania have been wearing red for centuries!

That being said, neutral colors do a great job of hiding dirt and dust, which will be plenty of on a drive or walk through the bush. White clothes aren’t going to stay white very long, and dark colors are believed to attract tsetse flies. Trust us; you do not want to become familiar with tsetse flies! For example, wearing long pants and greens is advised when gorilla trekking. When on foot, wearing colors that blend well into the environment and a good pair of safari boots is always recommended.

We love greens, beige, and khaki just as much as the next wannabe, Merryl Streep, in Out of Africa. However, you will spend a lot of time in a car on game drives in Africa. Wearing these colors helps you blend in and not bake your body under the hot African sun, but in the end, colors don’t matter.

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Book A Safari in Africa

Traditionally if you wanted to book a safari, you’d have to go to a travel agent and have them book it for you. However, Timbuktu is a new platform allowing you to select the lodges you’d like and see the pricing per day. You can choose the best itinerary for yourself. They will then contact the lodges and help you by booking your safari. Experts on staff can also provide suggestions and arrange the little details like a travel agent.

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