10 BEST SAFARI DRESS OPTIONS FOR YOUR AFRICAN SAFARI
10 BEST SAFARI
DRESS OPTIONS FOR YOUR AFRICAN SAFARI
Wearing
a dress in Africa is a must! Don’t be the girl who only goes on safari in khaki
pants and a long sleeve top. Safari dresses are a thing and can really dress up
your African safari. With the right safari style, dress one can be just as
comfortable in shorts and a safari shirt.
The Best Safari Dresses for Africa
Rosie Utility Short Romper
Title
Nine is one of my favorite women’s apparel companies, so I was extremely
excited when I found this short utility romper. The romper is stylish, durable,
and perfect for a safari in the savannah. I love the pockets and comfort.
My
favorite dresses that look nice, but are still made for active women are made
by prAna. I’ve traveled all over with their Skypath dress and can attest to its
durability. The Skypath is perfect for safari because it has a built-in bra, so
you don’t have to worry about getting your bras dirty or sweaty while on
safari.
The
flattering cut has the perfect stretch so it fits most women’s shapes. It is a
nice blend of style, comfort, and practicality. I love this dress as it’s
perfect to wear on a hot day in the back of a game vehicle.
REI Co-Op Sun Up Shirt Dress
This
lightweight and stylish safari dress is a great choice. The REI Co-op Sun Up
dress will keep you cool in the sun with lightweight, fast-drying fabric. It’s
also great as it will dry overnight after a quick wash along the in your
washbasin.
The
outer layer of fabric is treated with (DWR) which is great if you get caught in
a rainstorm. The zippered pocket is also great for sticking a small sunblock
tube or lip balm. The color choices and patterns are also super cute and feel
appropriate in the bush or running errands around town.
Patagonia Fleetwith Romper
We
love Patagonia and love that their always looking to reduce their impact and
improve the supply line. The Fleetwith is Bluesign certified and super
comfortable. While the Fleetwith is available as a dress we prefer the romper
best. It’s so comfortable, fits just about anyone, and is so practical when
active or moving around. With the romper, you can easily feel comfortable on a
bush flight, in the back of the game viewer, or on a bush walk.
The
one-piece romper is made from a 91% recycled polyester/9% spandex blend and
moves with your body, resists wrinkles, and dries quickly. The romper and dress
make for great safari wear and they are so versatile you may end up living in
them at home. It’s a slam dunk in our books for eco-conscious travelers.
Scotch & Soda Safari Dress
This
fashion-forward dress from Scotch & Soda delivers everything we could want
in terms of style. The classic off-white look, cuffs, and buttons down the
front are sure to feel right at home on a safari.
It’s
made from a lightweight material called Tencel that is eco-friendly and
operates in a closed-loop system. That soft material is very lightweight and
breathes super easy so you’re comfortable and cool in the African sun.
Arc’teryx Cala Dress
I
love Arc’teryx products and this dress is no exception. With UPF 45 sun
protection this dress is great for safari with two hand pockets, and even a
hidden zippered security pocket.
This
dress is made out of polyester fabric meaning it is quick to dry and doesn’t
wrinkle easily. What I love about this dress is how sophisticated it looks on
safari. Perfect to have on while drinking a sundowner or at dinner.
PrAna Perry Midi Dress
Made
out of Lenzing modal fabric to keep you breathable while being friendly to the
environment the perry midi dress is one of the only safari dresses on this list
that is mid-length.
Its
waistband keeps the dress well fitted and stylish while keeping you cool on
those super hot African days. You can’t see it from the photo but there are
also two side pockets to stash away goods or just keep your hands in while
relaxed
Damsel In A Dress Fia Safari Dress
Another
button-down dress that is inspired by classic safari wear. It’s created from a
cotton blend that allows you to remain cool and comfortable with a quality
look. The style is lined and the cut falls just below the knee. This is
definitely for the more fashionable safari-goers and has a pretty slim cut.
Mountain Hardwear Railay Stretch Dress
This
Mountain Hardwear dress is the perfect casual dress for safari. It’s made out
of 85% nylon and 15% elastane meaning it’s lightweight, durable, and
water-resistant. The back is mesh so it’s very breathable for any African bush
walks.
Marmot Josie Safari Dress
The
Marmot Jose is made out of 95% nylon and 5% elastane and is lightweight, and
extremely easy to pack up. The dress is airy and quick drying, exactly what you
need for adventures out in Africa. My favorite thing about this dress is that
it protects from the sun with UPF 50 blocking harmful rays.
What Makes A Great Safari Dress?
Versatility
You’ll
want to pack light. The days are often busy so multiple wardrobe changes aren’t
really in the mix. Solid clothes that are casual, yet stylish enough to wear to
dinner in a lodge over a five-course meal. Versatility can include the right
material, fit, and functionality.
Durability
This
one is key. Africa can be hard on clothes even on a short trip. Climbing in and
out of a safari vehicle can easily rip a weak pair safari dress. Look for
clothes for Africa that stretch a little.
You
also have a lot of dust and sun exposure. If you’re involved in conservation
efforts, on a walking safari, or spending anytime outside of a game vehicle you
need some decent safari clothes that will hold up the elements. The best way is
often to stick with solid name brands like I’ve mentioned here or to shop in
your local store.
Material
A
good safari dress needs to be tailored to handle harsh environments. Bonus for
materials that are lightweight, quick dry, sun resistant, and bug resistant.
With a safari, you’ve come to see nature and that’s just what you will
encounter. So, your clothing needs to be well suited to the environments of
Africa.
Manmade
materials such as nylon or polyester are great options as they are excellent at
moisture management and protection. The only material we’re not massive fans of
is cotton, but it’s often the softest and warmest material with great value. I
always read the tags and materials on outdoor apparel before I make a purchase
and consider it’s intended purpose.