Safari Jackets

If you are shopping for a new safari jacket we can help you choose the right one to fit for function, style and budget.

A Spot Of Safari Jacket History

Safari jackets or bush jackets were garments originally designed only for the purpose of going on safari in the African bush. Nowadays the style has been adapted for many other activities such as photography and fishing.

Popularized by turn-of-the-20th-century Anglo African adventurers, safari-style jackets were engineered for comfort and function.

A traditional bush jacket is commonly a lightweight cotton drill or poplin jacket, usually khaki in colour, with a self-belt, often with epaulettes and four or more expandable bellows pockets. Safari jackets have been worn as mainstream casual clothing since the 1950s. They are particularly popular with photographers, as their many pockets allow a convenient way to carry film, lenses, flashes, and other photographic equipment.

The traditional safari jacket was often worn with nothing on underneath, rather like a shirt, with a dapper neckerchief to mop up the sweat.

This long-established jacket style has been largely superseded by fleeces for cold weather wear, the hunter (or his tracker) carrying a day bag, rather than using pockets for all his immediate requirements in the field. Nowadays safari jackets or fleeces are just worn on chilly mornings on the back of the truck or on chilly evenings around the campfire. Most hunters take them off and leave them in the truck before going off on foot, despite the cold, because they are only an extra thing to carry when it gets hot later.

Essential Safari Jackets Guidelines

Comfortable, lightweight and unrestrictive construction for possibly many hours of wear.
Made of natural or hi-tech fabric that will be sweat absorbent and quiet if wearing it while stalking.
Cooling features possibly vents and mesh but warm enough on cold mornings.
Optional zip-off long sleeves to convert to a vest.
Pockets - better to have buttons rather than velcro which can be noisy. Too many pockets can be a disadvantage for hunting if you can't remember where you put something and have to rummage through all 21 pockets to find it.
Other optional features - cartridge loops, shoulder padding for shooting.
Khaki, green, brown colours rather than white or any bright colour.

Recommended Safari Jackets For Men

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(Click on images for full details & colour options)

This overshirt comes in a weight that's worthy of being worn as a jacket. It is made from a substantial herringbone weave fabric that's been prewashed. It has two oversized bellow pockets with button-through flaps, a straight hem, spread collar and two-button adjustable cuffs. Buy Now

This jacket has cotton/polyamide blend shell which protects from light rain and wind. It is lined in an orange colour and comes with a metal, two-way zip on the front, handwarmer pockets, covered placket, snap closures and brass-finished hardware. Buy Now

The Zambezi safari jacket is back at last. It comes with a two-button closure, one chest and two lower pockets, leather trim details, partial lining with power mesh for airflow and two interior zip pockets. Buy Now

This safari jacket has contrasting leather under the collar and plenty of elbow room with seaming on the arms that allows for a patched elbow and articulation. The pleated chest pockets are slightly angled with a single-button closure on each. The lower patch pockets have a double-button on either side of the closure. Double-button closure on the cuff to adjust to the way you want to wear it. Buy Now

***NEW*** This men's cotton canvas jacket is lined with a microfleece vest for warmth. It has ample pocket space, including an interior zippered pocket. Saddle stitching reduces bulk and 5-panel sleeves increase range of motion. Buy Now

This lightweight jacket is loaded with pockets inside and out. The durable ripstop cotton fabric won't weigh you down. It is half mesh-lined for breathability with underarm grommets for cooling airflow. Buy Now

***NEW*** This jacket has a zip-out, removable liner to handle changes in the temperature, while the water-resistant shell handles changes in the forecast. You can customize it as you like with the removable genuine leather collar, adjustable cuffs, and interior drawcord at the waist. It comes with leather buttonholes and plenty of pockets to carry your gear. Buy Now

This French terry sweatshirt jacket is soft, warm and will gently fade over time. Comes with woven fabric trims at the zip, pockets, inside collar and elbow patches. Zipped lower pockets and pleated upper pocket with button-through flap. Buy Now

This fleece jacket is warm, windproof, and water-resistant. It is fully lined with a windproof fabric, the wool blend is treated to help shed rain and dries quickly. Full-zip front for easy on-and-off and paneled sides for easy mobility. Buy Now

This full-zip fleece jacket is made of pure cotton softness which is enhanced by sunwashing - a process that leaves it faded for a worn-in look. It has angled handwarmer pockets, ribbed collar, cuffs and hem. Buy Now

The BugsAway Ventana jacket is the perfect lightweight jacket for evenings or outings when bugs are prevalent. Insect Shield technology keeps bugs away and prevents potential insect-borne disease from ticks and mosquitoes. Ventilated fabric allows complete air circulation. Adjustable peripheral vision hood with drawcord, elastic binding at the cuffs and forward rolled shoulder seams for abrasion resistance. Zippered security pockets. Buy Now

This Shooter's Fleece Jacket is quick-drying with tough waterproof fabric at the shoulders which stretches for mobility. It also adds a light layer of recoil protection. It comes with a chest pocket and handwarmer pockets. Buy Now

Khaki convertible safari jacket and vest is made of stonewashed cotton and comes with a mesh lining, 19 Pockets a vented back, adjustable waist belt and zip front with snap closure. Buy Now

This convertible jacket is constructed from water repellent and quick drying fabric. Zip off the sleeves to quickly convert this jacket to a vest. It comes with cooling mesh lining, full zip with snap storm flap, double entry cargo pocket with hook & loop secure flaps, hook & loop drop in back pocket, zipped chest pocket and adjustable cuffs. Buy Now

This jacket has a microfleece-lined collar, zip-off sleeves to convert from jacket to vest, 10 pockets, security zip chest pockets and hand pockets and ddjustable cuffs and elastic cinch cord at hem. Buy Now

This Tag safari jacket for men is lightweight and designed for layering when on an African safari. It provides ample storage with two buttoned chest pockets above two larger dual buttoned cargo pockets at the waist. Roll-up tabs secure sleeves and the belted waist allows for expansion and maximum flexibility. Functional shoulder epaulettes secure strapped devices such as a camera or binoculars. Buy Now

***NEW*** This durable jacket has a densely woven 'Ventile' cotton shell making it weatherproof with breathability. Unlike synthetics, this jacket is nearly soundless in the field. It has two lower bellows pockets with button-flap closures and side-entry handwarmers, zip front with wind flap, adjustable cuffs and bi-swing back for ease of movement. Buy Now

This Mac-In-A-Sac is a packable waterproof jacket that is lightweight and folds away into a small convenient bag. Ideal for for taking in your daypack while hunting or bush walking. Buy Now

***NEW*** This packable waterproof rain jacket is indispensable lightweight outerwear. The waterproof, breathable nylon shell protects from wind and water, while adjustable cuffs and a drawcord waist seal out the elements. Other details include a fully adjustable hood, waterproof zippers and a single chest pocket. Buy Now