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On the savannah, stretchy trousers, jodhpurs, cargos, utility trousers, or soft drawstring trousers in khaki or earthy muted shades can be matched with T-shirts: “Those that contain polygiene are great,” says Marshall. Pack UPF40 Patagonia tops and long-sleeved linen shirts (that don’t require ironing and can be hand washed in cold water) in similar colors. “I love zip-off cargo trousers, which are shorts and trousers in one,” says Marshall.
Layers and jackets
Sunrise and sunset will demand a light, neutral-colored safari jacket as the temperature drops. A lightweight fleece or cashmere hoodie is handy for nippy moments, as is a thin puffer jacket or Primaloft jacket that scrunches up to nothing. Another safari maestro, Lisa Grainger, takes a thin water- and wind-proof jacket, which rolls into a ball for swifter travel.
Don’t forget your swimsuit if the lodges have pools. Bring extra undies. Grainger warns that many safari lodges often won’t wash them, so she always brings a little packet of laundry powder for an overnight wash and dry. And don’t overlook socks: Grainger recommends Smartwool socks, which are a stretch-blend of merino wool from New Zealand.
The savannah can handle a khaki safari suit, but when tracking chimpanzees or gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda, “the cliché of safari wear doesn’t work,” founder of Volcanoes Safaris Praveen Moman says. High-altitude forest—up to 9,000 feet—can be glaringly sunny or extremely, and suddenly, damp, requires different sorts of layers—moisture-wicking base layers, thin fleeces, rain jackets, and decent waterproof hiking boots with a grip (Marshall recommends Merrell’s range with Gore-Tex). “The weather can change, it can rain at any time, it can be cold, and it can be sunny,” says Moman. “The UV light at high altitude can be strong—so the right sun cream with a sun hat and sunglasses is essential. It’s also critical to have strong footwear that allows you to walk through mud and exposed roots, and gives you a grip in slush.”
Must-have safari accessories
Necessary accessories include a roomy but lightweight scarf as that can be draped over shoulders during game drives for sun or dust protection. This can also be used for coverage when a cool breeze sets in or wrapped around hair to protect it from dust. Alice Gully, co-owner of Aardvark Safari, is a fan of sarong-like wraparounds, ubiquitous on the Swahili coast of East Africa, especially Kenya. “These are the scarves that serve many purposes: If you are cold, a wrap on the beach, a makeshift towel, or something to mop up child-induced incidents. They also wash and dry quickly.”
