You might get a few raised eyebrows or smirks if you arrive on safari in the traditional safari clothes of the Hollywood style but essentially the modern versions of khaki safari clothing is very practical. Please make sure your leopard-skin hat band is not synthetic though but comes from your own leopard trophy! (Check with CITES first before travelling).

Essential Safari Clothing Guidelines…….

• Muted colours are best – khaki, olive green or brown are ideal. It is a good idea to check with your outfitter what the bush vegetation will be like when you hunt. For example, if it is very lush and green, a light khaki may not be the best idea. The rule of thumb is no bright colours or white in the bush.

• Camouflage outfits are not really suitable for African hunting just in case you get confused with the local police or militia who generally wear camo. The odd camo T-shirt will be OK but please draw the line at full combat gear. You will also not need to wear any luminous warning badges or stripes – with any luck you will be the only armed hunter on the block.

• Check all your safari clothes are made of natural fibres like cotton as they far more comfortable for sweating into and quiet when you are walking. There is the trend now to wear synthetic clothing based on the practicality of being washed and dried in 5 minutes flat. This is completely unnecessary as most outfitters offer a daily laundry service. If you insist on wearing these garments do not be surprised that your trousers return from the laundry with a melted hole in them because you had not warned the ironing person. Synthetic trousers especially, are also far too noisy while walking, making a gentle swish with each step.

• Make sure you are not going to be too distressed if your safari clothes suffers on your hunting trip. Don’t bring clothing that is too good to get torn by thorns, get permanently stained with mud, blood and other natural bush ‘stains’ or undergoes subtle and not so subtle colour changes due to the sun or the zealous utilization of bleach in the laundry.

• Consider treating your clothes with Permethrin to reduce insect bites. You can either do this yourself with the many Permethrin products available or buy ready-impregnated clothes from manufacturers like 'Buzz Off'.

Now for the clothing item details, starting from the top and working down……

Related topics:

• Safari Hats
- What makes an ideal hunting safari hat.
• Safari Shirts
- What to look for in a good safari shirt.
• Safari Jackets
- Do you need a classic safari jacket?
• Safari Trousers/Pants
- The long and the short of it.
• Underwear For Hunting
- Not a small consideration.
• Socks
- Functions of a good sock.
• Safari Boots/Shoes
- Characteristics of good hunting boots.
• Safari Accessories
- Scarves, sunglasses, belts etc.