We’re in Namibia. The breeze rustles through the acacia leaves. A leopard raises her ears and the hair on her back stands on end. But she won’t break her gaze. A zebra is grazing just a few meters away from her. She is surprisingly big. From our off-road vehicle, we watch, in a solemn silence and shivering with anticipation as we witness this suspenseful moment in person.
At a safari, one must adapt to the rigor of the nature that surrounds us from all sides, where animals live. The clothes you bring must be chosen carefully and follow a set a rules.
1. Neutral colours
Greens, bege, browns, kaqi… Whether it’s about clothes, footwear or your backpack, earthy colours that easily mix with the landscape are ideal.
And here’s a tip for you: white can be considered to be too bright a colour. It’s relatively easy to spot in the middle of the savanna, so it’ll draw too much attention.
2. Light and breathable materials
It’s best to wear long sleeves to protect your skin from the sun and mosquitos. So, cotton, hemp and linen are some examples of excellent materials to get some protection from the heat and to keep cool. Besides, these fabrics will dry quickly if they get wet.
Even so, it can be cold at night and cool at dawn, when animals are at its most active. For this reason, pack extra layers to warm up and keep a light backpack during the safari. It will be easier to add or remove layers to adapt to the different temperatures.
Look for materials that don’t make any noise, so as not to attract attention or distract the animals.
3. Comfortable sneakers
There just isn’t room for impractical shoes in a safari. In order to step in and out of the vehicle or to take a hike, sneakers allow for indispensable dexterity and comfort. Não há espaço para sapatos pouco práticos num safari. Unless you are instructed otherwise, hiking boots are usually unnecessarily heavy and take too much space.
The neutral colour rule applies to footwear also: green, brown and kaqi is the best choice.
4. Hats aplenty
A hat, again in earthy colours, is the perfect accessory to protect your head and eyes from the sun. There are different models to choose from, but our suggestion is the typical safari hat made of cloth, which can easily be folded up and kept in your backpack.
5. Sunglasses and sunscreen
Protect your eyes from the gleaming light and your skin from solar rays. Do keep an eye on your glasses and your bottle so you don’t lose them and add litter to the park.
To recap, what not to wear to a safari:
– White
– Dark colours
– Bright colours or contrasting patterns
– Too many clothes or accessories
– Heavy materials
– Uncomfortable shoes or clunky boots
Above all, enjoy and take in this once in a lifetime experience. For any more questions, tips and inspiration, get in touch with Start Adventure and follow us on social media so as not to miss any updates.
Have your safari with Start Adventure and create beautiful experiences.