In search of the perfect pair of safari? We’ve been on a countless number of safaris and visited lodges all over the African continent from South Africa to Kenya and literally everywhere in between. On our first trip, we showed up with a hodgepodge of clothes that were not suited for the bush and had all the wrong colors.
A good pair of Safari pants should be bought with activity in mind. If you’ll be doing bush walks while on your safari, light pants will be much more practical than a pair of shorts. Bottoms should also have a little give, new outdoor gear has synthetic materials built into to provide strength and give. So, when you’re hopping in and out the back of a safari vehicle your pants don’t rip.
Shorts also should not be feared. Most safaris are very easy-going affairs riding around in the back of the vehicle so the protection of long pants is not always necessary. Whatever you pack in your safari bag you should bear in mind the location, time of year, and activity level. Here are our recommendations for the best safari pants for both men and women.
The 20 Best Safari Pants
Mens Safari Pants
1.) prAna Brion Pant ($79)
These pants provide more stretch than most of the others on this list making them great for sitting in the back of a safari vehicle or on a bushwalk. They are made with nylon fabric with spandex material and have a quick-drying technology.
If there are one pair of pants I throw in my bag for any trip it’s the prAna Brion Pant. The pant is a blend of nylon and spandex that has great moisture and temperature management. They also look pretty good as everyday pants that can go anywhere in the Mud and Dark Khaki colors.
They’re a functional pant that is designed as a climbing pant so they have superb flexibility. Although, they’re flexible do not mistake them for being loose and sloppy looking.
These pants are what you want if you are after a slim fitting pant that can still accompany you to work or on a hike up the mountains when you are back at home. They also happen to be some of the best travel pants.
2.) Coalatree Trailhead Pants ($89)
Coalatree creates eco-focused outdoor apparel that we’re learning to love. As far as comfort these are among the best on this list and the only drawback is the price. They’re made out of a lightweight material that is a blend of Bluesign Nylon and spandex.
They’re super comfortable and the combination of nylon and spandex allows for them to stretch in any way that you can move. The drawstring makes for an easy adjustment and the spandex does a good job of hugging your hips.
The material is really what makes these safari pants as they feel robust, but move easily with the body. Our favorite pants we’ve tested, but they also cost a bit more. Just awesome pants, check out the reviews!
3.) Columbia Men’s Silver Ridge Convertible Pants ($60)
Whatever these pants lack in style they make up for in practicality. Made from a synthetic material they offer UV protection, convertible, and vented for comfort. The material is great for fighting moisture and dirt/dust when our in the bush.
Pants like these are particularly helpful if you’re gorilla trekking as the jungle is extremely humid with lots of low lying plants where protection is crucial. They’re also really affordable and it’s often possible to find a deal.
These pants are typical for Columbia gear decent quality far at an affordable price. You aren’t getting top of the line, but they also won’t break the bank.
4.) REI Co-op Sahara Roll-Up ($59)
REI is easily one of our favorite companies when it comes to outdoor and travel gear. They also make a large number of products that are of great value. For example, their Sahara Roll-Up Pants designed for adventure travel, or perfect safari pants.
The Sahara is definitely for a more active traveler on a trip to Africa or South America, and we love the Nylon blend with dual cargo pockets. The fit is still great as they’ve taken note of many of the manufacturers above and the general trend of more stylish pants.
You can even save weight in hot weather and avoid a belt as these pants have an adjustable waistband that can perfect their fit to your waist. Really we just love REI and they make some great clothes that they stand behind with a guarantee. In terms of weight, they’re lighter and cooler than the prAna Brion, but heavier than the Columbia Silver Ridge.
5.) KUHL Silencr Pants ($85)
I love the Kuhl brand. They make quality products that last years and these pants are no different. Great on safari or even a day at work back home these safari pants are both comfortable and professional. These softshell pants deliver technical performance yet look great.
The polyester pants use a thick fabric that stretches and moves with your body. These pants will get you through any bushwalk in Africa and won’t rip easily. They have reinforcements at the cuff and you can wear them with a nice pair of safari boots.
6.) Men’s 5.11 Tactical TacLite Pro Pant ($50)
5.11 specializes in tactical gear and makes some seriously great products. These pair of pants are comfortable, practical, tough, and look great. It ticks off every box for what I’m seeking in safari pants.
The fabric feels a bit stiffer than the prAna Brion above, but that lends to their durability. I loved these pants when we were in the bush on our own as they had padded knees, double stitching for strength, and plenty of pockets.
7.) Filson Oil Finish Single Tin Pants ($195)
These pants were built for the modern-day adventurer so they’re more than ready for an African safari. Thick canvas and brass fittings deliver unparalleled pants in terms of style and quality.
These water repellent pants are durable and made from an oil finish Tin Cloth. The heavy canvas is sewn together using a sharp-looking double seam.
They come with a slew of well thought out features that are sure to last a lifetime. If you’re looking for a gorgeous safari wardrobe Filson has a number of outdoor clothing options for the perfect look. Just be prepared to pay for a premium product with their outdoor wear, and a gorgeous pair of safari pants.
8.) Patagonia Men’s Quandary Pant ($79)
These are a great pair of safari pants from Patagonia. Made from a blend of recycled nylon and spandex for durability, comfort, and flex. The result is pants that are lightweight and quick drying. An added bonus is the DWR finish that helps bead and repel water while offering sun protection.
I really love these pants as they offer a lot of technical features yet look formal enough to wear to dinner. They also have a zippered pocket and provide a bit more warmth than the polyester pants on this list. Really nice when you’re on a chilly morning game drive during your safari.
9.) Mountain Hardwear AP Pant ($90)
These safari pants combine performance and style. Made from a blended canvas fabric they’re comfortable, durable, and move with your body. AP pants gain their strength from their durable material that makes for a great work pant or tough travel pant.
As with many of the pants on here, they have a nice slim cut that blends the line between dress pants and active pants that we love to see in safari pants. They’re also an awesome pant that remains really comfortable to wear on safari.
Then you have some different features here that will surely be appreciated such as hidden reflective elements that are exposed when the cuffs are rolled and safety zip pockets to secure your valuables. All of this makes for great safari pants. I also love that these pants use different materials as many of these pants are nylon/spandex blend.
10.) prAna Vaha Pants ($79)
I spend so much time traveling in these safari pants, and they’ve become one of my favorite pairs of pants ever. I now have a couple of pairs of the Vaha pants.
The prAna Vaha Pant is for Yoga and climbing, but I use them for anything these days. For safari, they’re great for a relaxed evening around camp or the lodge and can even double as pajamas.
Hemp and recycled polyester give breathability to the pants with quick-dry and odor-fighting qualities along with being a heck of an eco-friendly product. We’re pretty big fans of prAna so we highly recommend checking out some of their products. The women’s pant is the Summit pant and the men’s is the Vaha pant.
Womens Safari Pants
1.) prAna Women’s Halle Pant ($85)
These pants provide more stretch than most of the others on this list making them great for sitting in the back of a safari vehicle or on a bushwalk. They are made with nylon fabric with spandex material and have a quick-drying technology.
Similar to the men’s Brion the Halle is a blend of nylon and spandex that has great moisture and temperature management. They also look pretty good as everyday pants that can go anywhere in the Mud and Dark Khaki colors.
They’re a functional pant that is designed as a climbing pant so they have superb flexibility. Although, they’re flexible do not mistake them for being loose and sloppy looking.
These pants are what you want if you are after a slim fitting pant that can still accompany you to work or on a hike up the mountains when you are back at home. They also happen to be some of the best travel pants.
2.) Coalatree Trailhead Pants
Coalatree creates eco-focused outdoor apparel that we’re learning to love. As far as comfort these are among the best on this list and the only drawback is the price. They’re made out of a lightweight material that is a blend of Bluesign Nylon and spandex.
They’re super comfortable and the combination of nylon and spandex allows for them to stretch in any way that you can move. The drawstring makes for an easy adjustment and the spandex does a good job of hugging your hips.
The material is really what makes these safari pants as they feel robust, but move easily with the body. Our favorite pants we’ve tested, but they also cost a bit more. Just awesome pants, check out the reviews!
3.) Columbia Saturday Trail Pant ($60)
The design of these pants is almost a carbon copy of the prAna pants above. Tasha has tried both these pants and found that the prAna Halle pant fits her better, but she also has short legs. We’d recommend trying both pants out or looking at the color options and going with your preference.
Color options are of greater variety with the Saturday Trail Pant. However, you should expect all the same features such as roll-up Capri, security pocket, and a button fly.
These pants are great for traveling since they’re lightweight, look good, and versatile. Columbia clothes at a lower price point, so don’t expect the same quality you get from better brands.
4.) Outdoor Research Ferossi Pant ($80)
This is a close first for best safari pants, but its stylings make it much more a hiking/technical pant. When it comes to function in the outdoors it takes top marks and when I’m on safari it’s my go-to for hot-weather destinations. However, I find it’s too technical and outdoorsy looking to walk around more formal environments comfortably.
The pants are really lightweight but similar to a softshell pant with great water resistance and windbreaking capabilities. With that in mind, it keeps you warm in cool weather, but the breathability of the pants keeps you cool in hot weather. With a thin yet tough material, that packs down really small they eat up minimal room in luggage and they are the lightest pants on this list.
Similar to Stretch Zion the Ferossi has five pockets with two back, front, and one side pocket. The pockets are a bit smaller, but I do appreciate the horizontal zipper. These pants are great for the more adventurous traveler or ones who spend a lot of time outside.
5.) REI Co-op Trailsmith Pants ($69)
These rugged pants from REI have such a classic look to them they’re perfect for a stylish safari outfit. Made from a blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex they move freely, but the fabric feels thick and durable. That durability plays out in looks through the double layer reinforced knees that are great for performance and style.
They have a real retro look which I love. My only complaint is they’re a tad warm for hot weather and the pockets are little more than jeans ones. Either way, they’re a great pair of work and safari pants for women.
6.) The North Face Paramount II ($79)
These pants are built for hiking, climbing, and pretty much anything adventurous. They are made out of stretchy, DWR water-resistant fabric, providing durability. On top of that, they have UPF 30 sun protection which can be necessary if you are caught out in the hot African sun for too long.
I absolutely love that these pants either roll into a 3/4 length Capri fit or zipper off to a pair of 5-inch safari shorts. A nice feature as many convertible pants often zip off and look like long men’s shorts. Similar to most of the safari pants on this list, these aren’t just good for an African safari, they’ll keep you going in the mountains or even traveling through new cities as well.
7.) Royal Robbins Women’s Discovery Pencil Pant ($79)
The pants are nylon and are available in the right colors. They have a mesh waistband, a snap button, and deep pockets. This makes them the perfect safari pants.
The nylon blends keep you cool while protecting your skin from the elements and bugs common on a safari. The fit of these pants allows them to avoid that ugly baggy hiking pant look.
8.) Mountain Hardwear Dynama Capri Pant ($65)
These capris have an awesome stretch meant for rock climbing that translates into some super comfortable capris. They’re lightweight and the low waistband gives you a flattering figure.
It’s a good substitute if you’re not sure about wearing shorts as they cover your thighs, but feel light and cool. Altogether, these pants surprised me in terms of quality and comfort.
Since they’re made from Nylon they also bring plenty of technical qualities to the table like durability, comfort, and water resistance. They might not be your typical safari pant, but you will look and feel good in these pants.
9.) The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants ($70)
I literally live in loose free-flowing pants when I’m at the beach, but they are perfect for safari too. My new favorites are made by The North Face.
Their Aphrodite pants are made out of nylon and polyester while offering 50+ UPF protection. They are perfect for a laid back safari pant as they are lightweight and weigh nothing in a carry-on bag. Don’t count them out either as they’re a nice blend of technical hiking and laid back pants.
10.) KUHL Splash Roll-Up Pants ($85)
We love the Kuhl brand. They make quality products that last years and these pants are no different. These pants are great on a safari or even a day at work back home as these travel pants are both comfortable and professional.
Thanks to a durable cotton-blend fabric with just a small hint of nylon these pants will get you through any travel and remain comfortable. They have reinforcements at the cuff and you can wear them with a nice pair of boots or roll up with sandals or sneakers. Most importantly with a slim side pocket and straight leg cut these pants look great.
The Splash pant comes in a wide range of colors and features cargo pockets for a relaxed look that doesn’t feel too outdoorsy.
Tips for Picking the Best Safari Pants
Research Your Destination
Don’t think that you’re just going to Africa and it’s automatically going to be hot. The weather there can vary in extremes, so proper research beforehand is pivotal. It’s important to note the region you are going to and the time of year you are traveling. The two main seasons is dry and rainy season.
For example, if you’re heading to Southern Africa during their dry months, April to October, be prepared for cooler mornings and evenings. If you’re heading to East Africa around this same time, however, April to June, you’ll need to be prepared for much more humid and wet conditions. Read more in detail about how to plan a safari here.
So as you can see, there’s variation! Depending on where and when you go, there will be sharp differences in the temperatures ahead. We therefore highly recommend that you plan your pants selection accordingly.
Color Selection
The goal of the safari is to view wildlife, which in turn means that your goal is to not spook wildlife by wearing bright pink neon pants when trying to see them. So while you’re researching the weather at your destination, take a look at a few pictures and get a feel for nature’s colors in that area, and dress to match.
Khaki, dark green, beige, and grey are popular colors to wear on safari. If you don’t have the right color pants it’s not the worst thing in the world, but it may make you stand out.
Durability
A safari isn’t exactly the cushiest environment for clothes. You’ll be climbing in and out of cars, hitting the dusty trail on bumpy roads, and walking through the bush. It’s therefore important to make sure you opt for a pair of pants that are built with this kind of use in mind.
We recommend aiming for pants designed for hiking or backpacking when shopping. You’ll then be sure to find some of the most rugged and long-lasting materials on the market.
Moisture and Ventilation Control
As you know by now, the weather for your safari can potentially be very hot or very wet, or both! Depending on what you’re facing, keep an eye out for pants that will perform well in those environments.
In the case of a toasty trip, pants with built-in ventilation and moisture-wicking technology will perform best. These will wick any sweat away from your body to keep you nice and dry, and at the same time, the pants themselves will dry quickly to avoid becoming sodden.
But when the weather turns wet, a water-resistant finish will help keep rain from soaking in. You’ll typically see this listed as a ‘Durable Water Repellent (DWR).’ Lightweight, quick-drying material will also be a plus in this department for any moisture that happens to sneak through.
Versatility
A safari often doesn’t allow for a wide range of clothing options. You’ll find that one pair of pants will need to last you for every aspect of your day, from early morning at camp, to a day of wildlife viewing, to an evening back at camp or maybe even to dinner.
It’s therefore very helpful to find pants that embody the heavy-duty ruggedness of the trail, but can also be just as acceptable at a casual evening event with your safari buddies.
Where to Buy Safari Pants
We have found the best place to buy safari clothes is online. Amazon has great deals and prices and if you are an Amazon Prime member then two-day shipping is free. REI and Backcountry are also great outdoor companies to find a variety of safari clothes as well.
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 your safari for you. They made suggestions for camps and lodges then presented you with a large bill. Most of the industry still operates in this fashion.
However, Timbuktu is a new platform that allows you to select the lodges you’d like and see the pricing per day that way you can select the best itinerary for yourself. They will then contact the lodges and help you through booking your safari. With experts on staff, they can also provide suggestions and arrange the little details much like a travel agent.
Our Favorite Lodges in Africa
We’ve spent over a year on safari and tried out dozens of lodges and have visited nearly every park in Africa. While it’s impossible to say we’ve visited every lodge we’ve seen a fair amount. Check out our list of favorite lodges in Africa. Have you visited any yourself?
See more of our safari gear!
- The 15 Best Safari Shorts for Men and Women
- How to Pick a Great Safari Hat and Protect from the Sun
- The Best Safari Boots For Bush Walks
- The Ideal Women’s Safari Clothing Checklist
- Best Camera For Safari: What Camera Is Best For You?
- The 11 Best Binoculars for a Safari in Africa
- The Best Safari Vests to Take to Africa
- 10 African Safari Tips For First Timers
