What To Wear On Safari In South Africa – Practical And Minimal Guide

UPDATED FEB 2020. Before I packed my bags for South Africa I read a lot of blogs on what to wear on safari. To be honest, most of the guides I read seem a bit impractical and focused more towards an audience who want to dress up for Instagram shots instead of practical packers like myself. So, here we are. I’ve written this guide for the people who like to pack somewhat practical and minimalistic. I hope it will help you get ready for your trip.

What To Wear On Safari In South Africa – Practical And Minimal Guide

Disclaimer

There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.

The basics

Location: Amakhala Game Reserve, South Africa

Time of visit: September (chilly & windy in the morning and evenings, warm during the day)

Where to stay: Bukela Game Lodge

If you are visiting at a different time of year, amend the packing guide as needed.

For example, if you visit in winter, you’ll want to add a beanie, heavier jacket, and thicker shirts.

If you visit in the rainy season you might want to add a waterproof jacket.

What to wear on safari in South Africa

Undershirt layer

The key for what to wear on safari is layers.

The temperature changes quite quickly and if it changes while you’re out on a game drive, you want to be able to drop or add a layer so you’re not either sweating or freezing.

Packing a long sleeve undershirt is a good base layer option. I used one for my 4-night stay, you’ll probably want to pack a second one if you stay longer than that.

Shirts

During my stay, I wore some basic long sleeve flannel shirt from H&M and a Disney T-shirt that I found a few days before I left for only $5 so I couldn’t not get it right?!

Again, if you visit in winter you would want something heavier than this like a sweater.

Singlet/tank top (optional)

If you are very sensitive to cold, I’d add a singlet underneath your undershirt layer for the game drives, especially if it’s particularly windy or you will be doing night drives.

I wore these three chest layers with a jacket for most of the game drives because I get chills just thinking about a cool breeze but if you’re a bit heartier than me, then two layers with a jacket will probably do.

Leggings

I took a pair of gym leggings to put under my jeans on the game drives. Any basic pair will do. Thermal leggings would also be a great option if you have them.

Pants

From looking at the ‘gram, you would think that you have to dress up like that bad guy from the original Jumanji movie to go on a safari but realistically, you can wear basic pants or jeans.

I’m a jeans kinda gal and wore my Levis high rise skinny jeans for all my game drives, with leggings underneath, and they were fine and dandy.

Jacket

I picked up a light jacket from H&M (I can’t find the exact brand on Amazon but the one linked is similar) and it worked a treat.

Again, it’s all about the layering, so on the game drives I’d definitely have that jacket on, then back at breakfast, I could take it off.

Swimsuit

During the day it can get quite warm.

If you are staying at a place like Bukela Lodge, the perfect recipe for the downtime between safaris is a drink by the pool, while watching the monkeys play in the trees around you and soaking up some rays in your swimsuit.

I also really love this swimsuit.

Cover up

Pack a cover-up or beach dress, or something light you feel comfortable in to walk to and from the pool, or lounge on your private balcony.

I found my at Target but there are a lot of cute ones on Amazon.

Light dress

For during the day and lounging around the lodge, a light maxi dress is always a great option!

What to wear on safari in South Africa – shoes

Comfortable sneakers

I looked up a lot of blogs about what to wear on safari before I went on mine and they all said to pack boots. I thought, boots? Why?

I think it’s just to look trendy.

You’ll be in a jeep for your game drives so boots are pretty much unnecessary (unless you get super cold feet then, by all means, pack some boots).

I wore my old faithful black Nike sneakers and they were all I needed.

It’s worth noting that if you plan to do a lot of bushwalking, or will be visiting a place where the risk of Malaria is high, you should probably take boots. For the Amakhala Game Reserve, sneakers are enough for game drive shoes.

Sandals

It’s good to pack a light pair of sandals to walk to and from the pool.

What camera gear & electronics to pack for safari

Camera

I used my trusty Sony Alpha A6000 as always and can highly recommend it. I think it’s such a great camera for solo female travelers because it’s so compact and it takes really awesome photos and videos.

Zoom lens

I used a fixed 35mm lens for the photos I took around the lodge and a 55-210mm lens for the game drives.

If you’re really looking to get some nice animal photos, then I definitely recommend getting that zoom lens for the game drives.

If you just want some photos as memories, then whatever camera you have will be ok.

This is a good bundle for the camera and zoom lens and this bundle has those as well as extra accessories.

Travel Tip: If you won’t be bringing a zoom lens with you, I suggest packing a small pair of binoculars with you. One of the travel-friendly kinds that you can wear around your neck will be all you need and allow you to see the animals that stay further away or like to hide.

If you like selfies

Of course, if you like selfies, a GoPro is a great investment and solo travelers best friend.

Since you are in close quarters with others on game drives, the Shorty Pole is a great option for this trip.

It’ll be short enough to not get in others space on the Jeep but extends to a tripod for when you’re at the lodge.

Portable charger

If you want to make the most of your game drives, I would definitely pack a portable charger so that you can charge your camera in the room, then charge your phone or GoPro (smaller items) during meals.

It’ll help save a bit of time and they also come in handy on your travel days if you have long layovers.

What baggage to pack for a safari trip in South Africa

For the travel days

I use my Patagonia duffel bag which I swear by and highly recommend it!

I could fit the 4 nights worth of clothes with my blogging and vlogging gear and had heaps of room to spare so going carry on was easy.

For the game drives

You don’t really need to bring anything on the game drives, just your phone, camera and maybe a water bottle.

Remember that you’ll be out for a few hours on the bumpy terrain so if you have a sensitive bladder maybe go easy on the liquids!

So either a small handbag or small backpack would suffice.

Travel Journal

There’s no better way to immortalize your adventures than with a travel journal.

Pick up a copy of the cute, lightweight one I created to document your experience & support my blog in the process.

Other guides for planning a visit to South Africa

• Glamping In South Africa – Tips For Planning Your Stay At Bukela Lodge
• Amakhala Game Reserve – Where Your African Safari Dreams Come True

I hope to have helped to make your trip planning a little easier by sharing this practical guide for what to wear on Safari in South Africa.

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