WHAT TO WEAR ON SAFARI
How to look effortlessly stylish, and be genuinely prepared, from the Maasai Mara to the Celestial Mountains of Kyrgyzstan.
Half the fun of heading out on safari is in the planning of your outfits. The riders who look the most effortless are usually the most prepared, the ones whose clothing looks and feels good on day six, whose phone is charged, and who slept comfortably under canvas the night before. This is our complete edit: the brands we wear, the kit we never travel without, and the small tricks that keep you looking put-together a long way from anywhere.
The Golden Rules
Wear natural colours and loose-fitting clothing that keeps you cool and lets you mount easily. Blue attracts flies, so leave the Canadian tuxedo at home, and save the bright pinks and reds for the ski-field. Buy layers of quality clothing and you'll stay dry, warm and looking the part and in the mountains and cool in hot climates.
Breeches & Trousers
While the trend for riding trousers these days is lycra leggings, we love the classic look and the ease of movement loose breeches give a rider. They can be hard to come by though traditional Argentinian bombachas or breeches from PC Racewear will give you the look. When in the mountains outdoor trousers will serve you better than riding trousers in variable weather. In the desert, linen trousers give you pockets, a cool, loose fit, and are comfortable to wear on the plane, on transfer days and on city tours. This dual purpose cuts down your overall luggage weight.
Shirts
A loose shirt with a high collar keeps the sun off and keeps you looking put-together when cantering beside the giraffe in the Mara or crossing the Jhelum river in Pakistan. Even in the heat, always go long-sleeved to protect your skin.
"Gilets make you feel put-together more than anything else. The pockets hold your phone, camera, GoPro, battery pack, kitchen sink… well, almost."The Edit
Gilets & Outer Layers
Layering is key, and a gilet is the perfect second layer. Our timeless favourites:
Wet Weather Gear
There's no such thing as bad weather on safari, just bad clothing. You will ride out in almost every weather scenario so please do come prepared.
Bags & Packing
Hardshell cases don't work on safari as they are awkward, bulky and Cessna connections often cap you at 15-20kg. Camp staff perform miracles packing everyone's luggage and the full camps into the back of a single Land Rover. This is only possible if guests bring soft luggage. Pack light - everything should have a dual purpose or be able to be worn multiple times - pack inside dry bags for easy transfer to saddle bags and organisation, and compress everything to reduce bulk and keep your horse happy on pack trips.
Stay Charged
Many safaris are far away from charge points. Bring high wattage, high storage battery banks to keep your phone charged so you can still listen to a downloaded audio book or podcast as you go to sleep and take photos for the entirety of your holiday. On longer stays bring a solar panel and take advantage of sunny lunch breaks to charge your phone and camera.
Sleep Well When Camping
If camping it's important that you have kit that will allow you to sleep in cold conditions. When lying in your sleeping bag your bodyweight crushes the down below you making it redundant for keeping you warm. This is why your sleeping mat is such an important piece of kit as it prevents the cold from the ground drawing into your body. If your sleeping bag or quilt doesn't have a comfort rating at the lowest forecast temperature on your trip you will feel cold and wake up. The same is true of lying on a mat that isn't thick or insulated enough. A mat with an R value of 4+ is required to keep the cold from affecting you from the ground. Once you have a good mat an Ultralight quilt that hikers love to pack for thru-hikes can be the most comfortable option. They are lightweight, pack small, and open at the back to allow normal movement when sleeping where a mummy sleeping bag can be very restrictive. We will always tell you what gear your safari uses and whether it will be a good idea to invest and bring your own.