Colors and Clothes on Safari?
 

Sooo I have an easy question for all you Safari experts... All my reading suggests its best to wear light-colored and natural-colored clothing while on safari. I get the light reference (reflects the sun and less likely to attract flies) but natural colors? Surely everyone isn't dressed in khaki and tan all the time? What's wrong with wearing a little green, white, light blue, orange etc...?

Thank you!

Hi Viaggi
There are a couple of reasons for the advice though it is just advice rather than a hard and fast rule.

1) Blues tend to attract tsetse flies and, if you're going to a tsetse fly area, believe me, you don't want to attract them! Their bite hurts!

2) Assuming you're going to be in open safari vehicles, the advice against bright colours is because you seldom come across (large) blocks of bright colours in the natural environment and hence may potentially spook a nearby animal, thus ruining your own sighting. I don't know how likely this is - and indeed I'm sure there are many factors affecting it such as how habituated the animals in the area are to visitor vehicles. But it seems a fairly easy precaution to take just in case.

Even if you decide to limit your wardrobe you may well find other travellers don't bother.

Yes, a sea of tan and khaki, as they don't show dirt and dust as readily as light colors - yellow, while, etc. The blue as above, more in the navy family - avoid. As you can have laundry done at lodges/camps (either included in your per night rate or small fee), sticking with the neutrals for tops and bottoms and easily interchangeable = less decisions when going out on game drives with your eyes half-closed at 6:30am. Of course, if for dinner you prefer to get out of the tan-mode, you're welcome to do so. I sure do.

I was on a safari just this January and saw people in red, green, yellow... granted you could see them a mile away.

I saw people wearing just about anything and everything. It seemed like only the North Americans were dressed in safari khakis. The Europeans were dressed as if they were back at home.

We wore khaki, beige, browns, muted tones on reccomendation by the operator Wilderness Safari's -as above didn't want to scare the wildlife.

Others - also on our camping safari wore stripes, white and red and paterns - they stuck out like gnu's balls.

I can't say any animal reacted to the colour - but how would we know if we never saw them becasue they scarpered?

If natural colours are reccomended there is a reason - and besides we look grand walking our doggies in suburbs, 2 years later, wearing our khakis!

I guess the question is is it a fashion a parade or do you dress appropriately for the task at hand...

Cheers and we love wearing our safari clothes because it takes us back!
Jude

On advice of my travel agent I purchased "sale" (CHEAP) light, neutral colored clothes at Target, and other low price retailers. I plan on leaving it all behind; after 3 weeks of beige I will be sick of it; and the staff appreciates something they can't purchase to wear. That will leave room in my bag for gifts! I originally thought that may be "tacky" but on a recent trip to some islands I left a bit behind for housekeeping (and told them) and they were jumping up and down to have something for their kids to look cute in! (smaller sizes, not children's clothing!) Just an opportunity to give a bit. If they don't want it they will pass it on to someone who needs it. I certainly don't. Just a thought when packing all those neutrals you may not really like. Take something colorful to wear home with a case full of souveniers. D

Our guide prefers we wear shades of green/khaki because bright colors stand out a mile away. He has never mentioned frightening the game away; his main concern is attracting the attention of other drivers in the area. Explanation: Our driver uses his khaki colored vehicle, personal knowledge and tracking skills to give us the most up-close, exciting and *private* game viewing he can. Other drivers may also use radio skills and*vehicle* spotting to locate the action. The red or white shirt can easily be spotted in a natural environment. Once your vehicle is spotted, it isn’t long before your private moment with cheetah cubs is shared with five other vehicles.

I wear shades of neutral colored cotton clothing (never a matching outfit). I avoid cargo pants, the typical Tilley-style hat, the multi-pocket (and ill-fitting vest) and those shirts with the front pockets and epaulets. I like to wear more natural, easy and feminine clothing, rather than be dressed like my husband’s little brother. When on safari, ladies often comment that from one carry-on I can produce so many different wardrobe combinations. Safari photographs from the early 80’s show me in the typical gear; my socks pulled up over my trousers to prevent tick and mosquito invasion. What a laugh! I now dress comfortably, functionally and in a totally feminine style (and in neutral shades).

As somone living in Africa, all the locals laugh at the tourists coming in, all dressed in khakhi's, looking the same. You are not going out on a hunting trip, where you need to blend in with the vegetation. Your vehicle is going to spook animals away, rather than the colour of your clothes. Wear what you are comfortable in. We wear layers, as the mornings (depending on where you are) can be cool, as can the evenings.

Be an individual. You don't need hiking boots if you are in a vehicle all day. You need boots if you are going on a walking safari. You don't need camoflauged clothing. Most animals are colour blind any way. Why do most tourists wear a jacket, shirts or shorts with 300 pockets?

Be yourself, and be comfortable. Best of all, have lots of fun.

I paid $12 each for my pants at Costco and $10 for my fitted t-shirts...when I came home I pretty much threw everything away. After two weeks of crawling around in a safari vehicle and going through the bush, they were so dirty and ripped they were beyond saving. So I wouldn't spend a lot of money...and yes everyone at our camp was in khaki and tan.

One can wear more neutral colours without dressing in khaki safari clothes. I don't own any khaki and nothing that could be called safari style. Instead I have some general (light-weight fabric) travelling clothes - beige chinos and thin shirts - and then just selected elements from my normal wardrobe that are simply in more muted colours rather than bright vibrant ones.

This is the most interesting clothing thread yet.

&quot;<i>Why do most tourists wear a jacket, shirts or shorts with 300 pockets?</i>&quot; I wear a multi-pocket vest to carry as much as I can on the planes. Whatever is not with you can get lost and it has gotten lost in my experience.
But I leave my vest behind on the charter planes and game drives.

I'll give a different perspective that might work for some people.

Why not pick up some nice natural colored clothing built for outdoor function (not just fashion) and then use it for outdoor activities beyond Africa. A good safari shirt keeps the sun and bugs off my arms here in Colorado just as well as in Africa and at least here in the USA I see quite a bit of wildlife on foot when blending in may matter a little more. Instead of throwing away clothes not needed after a trip why not get out and enjoy the outdoors near your homes.

Having respect for wildlands (and those enjoying them) by looking to blend rather than disturb the aesthetic value is always in fashion!

Besides, I'd much rather be criticized for trying to blend in that called out as looking like gnu balls by Thembi::)

Roadwarriorafrica: I’ve been asked during cultural visits why all the women dress like the men? If only I spoke Maa, what insight I would gain from their observations of us. Last year a Maasai gentlemen visited the States. He asked why everyone on safari dressed the same when the stores clearly had so much to choose from. We visited Magellan's Travel Store; he thought everyone must buy from them because they carried safari clothing.

Kavey: Applaud your muted tone approach. Not packing “safari clothes” makes it easier to stop off in Europe too without having to pack a second suitcase.

Atravelynn: I had someone make a ¾ jacket for me with a button-out lining that contained lots of pockets (for that very situation…needed to get a few more pounds past carry-on inspectors). I use it on all long-haul trips.

PredatorBiologist: I personally think men have an easier time finding appropriate “outdoor” clothing than women.

Much of the women’s outdoor clothing in the States is sized for Juniors (not cut for a woman’s body), or it is targeted for women who hunt,or it’s made of the wrong fabric (for me).

We enjoy mostly mobile camping and walking safaris. My personal preference- cotton. Synthetics make a swishing noise when you walk (not good for sneaking up on game or trying to make a slow, silent retreat. Some synthetics hold body odor more than cotton (not scientific-just my experience). Our guides tell us that pressing of the clothing with a hot, hot camp iron is important to protect us from various pests that can lay eggs while the clothing is drying in the sun (I won’t describe this further). Synthetics won’t hold up to the hot iron treatment. The ripping sound velcro makes is not natural…I prefer buttons on everything. Also, I like trousers/skirts with a button closure rather than zipper. Buttons can easily be repaired on location, if a zipper malfunctions, then I can loose 50% of my wardrobe.

I don't stop off in Europe - I start here - I'm a Londoner! But, yes, your general point is what I was trying to make - unless your wardrobe is nothing BUT bright colours you don't need to buy specialist &quot;safari&quot; clothing for a safari holiday so much as the kind of (muted) items you would normally wear. I have only one or two items I might not wear much in the UK, the rest are standard wardrobe items.

Thank you for all the thoughts everyone. It is helpful to hear the various opinions from folks who have been there!

Just a small note birds, insects and primates (humans too) see in colour almost all other animals just see in grey and white (helps with night vision and movement detection). So colours and camo clothes only really annoy other humans who often mistake them for a gnu's balls !!

So if you are a conformist blend in if not then it really does not matter.

Gnu's balls has taken on a life of its own! :D

I also have a question for all you experts... I was told by someone to take a long safari skirt, for the purpose of privacy due to having no bushes to squat behind when out on a safari drive. Any comments on this??

Thanks!

Vicki

Skirts - yup, that's a very good idea, especially for bush potty calls.

You will find that local women rarely wear pants, specifically for this same reason. So unless you're good in the squat position, skirts are a great option; not obligatory, but certainly easier.

If no bushes, you can go behind the vehicle though that doesn't prevent another vehicle from pulling up next to yours :D

LL Bean has a good selection of wash and wear &quot;dirt&quot; colored and a green. There great ... and very importantly if you're flying between camps... light weight as well as uv etc.

I hate khaki and look like a dead trout when I wear it, so...

Wait, what was I saying? Oh yeah, for the colors I *have* to wear (out of one form of conformity or another), I choose heathered ones; they're already a bit faded and get dusty and thus become more faded. A heathered eggplant, a dusty rose, etc. Nothing too bright.

I'm in the cotton, no vest camp. But I'm willing to drive out to the hi-tek fabric, Rocco Vest camp and meet friends for sundowners. :D

Enjoy your trip.

There is enough privacy with rocks and bushes. I see very few skirts on game drives. Never on a walk. But as mentioned, I almost never see pants on local women.

I like the warmth of pants in the early am and at night. While bugs are not a problem, I prefer to reduce their access by wearing pants. Plus the zip-offs can turn into shorts if it gets real hot midday.

Since this thread seems to have been hijacked somewhat by a discussion of women squatting in the bush.... I have a weird question. Has anyone used those little &quot;urinelle&quot; things on safari? They seem to make sense for those among us with bad knees who can't squat, but I admit they seem pretty bizarre. Anyone used them? Any success? Thanks.

Beth

to Beth
There is a thread started in january- february called something like &quot; Bathrooms in the Bush&quot; or &quot;Bush loo&quot;
There are at least one hundred posts pertaining to this question.....yes, there are funnel- shaped disposables from Megellan, also a product called Freshette.....i took them both with me.......the one time that i needed it, I had not remembered to put it in my day bag......

you have to read the post on this site. Type in Bathrooms safari and it shows up around number 10 on the list. It is hysterical. Gets better and better yet...some good ideas for those who are in areas with long drives. Melitta coffee filter cones, with the ends snipped off were suggested as cheap alternative to other funnel contraptions. Read the thread...it is priceless.

and, as to squatting in the bush I have been appalled to see bringing toilet paper along recommended in some threads. While I won't comment on what you need to do in the bush, tatters of white toilet paper littering the wilderness is just awful. Pack it in, pack it out, or something to that effect.

I always have a roll of toilet paper in my photo bag, quite useful for many things. If you're using it for the original purpose, you just burn it after that.

It is amazing - is it not that we can hope to see akill, marvel at the scent marking of &quot;mammals&quot; on the savanna bushes and even whilst walking be interested in the scat of other animals but, when it comes to discussing human err, ummm, activities... we go red, get shy and and wonder what others are doing. good on you for asking!

This thread answered your questions, seriously... and it is a fun read (it is the thread spsand and momliz refer to immediately above.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34912962

You never leave used toilet paper or tissues behind after doing your business. Along with the paper/tissues you've packed you add a few sandwich size plastic bags for this purpose... then dispose of them in the vehicle trash or back at your room. You can also take individual packaged babywipes and use original package for the used wipe, again to be placed in the trash. Burning would be the last thing I'd do, or you can set the whole darn place ablaze.

Oh man, not my innocent colors and clothes thread degenerating into potty talk (glad there's another thread for that, which is hysterical btw)...

So since its back up, how about a quick poll on cotton vs. high-tech/quick dry (and why)?

Personally I am a huge fan of my high-tech/quick dry pants -- I've worn them all over the world.

The why -- lightweight, easy to pack, they dry overnight anywhere, easy to clean if spilled on, comfy and cool.

So which do you prefer?

sandi, burning is the easiest and quickest way, and this is how they handle it in southern Africa. Of course you don't go away while the paper is still burning. I've done this several times, during game drives or sundowner breaks, and it was always the recommended way told to me by my guides, all members of the top upmarket operators.

Because we primarily enjoy camping safaris, we pack cotton for the following reasons.

Safety: When sitting around campfires the winds can suddenly shift and sparks fly. Cotton is less likely to ignite or melt causing serious injury.

Good Health: Cotton clothing can be pressed with a hot iron to kill any eggs that may have been laid while laundry is drying in the sun. (I’ve also seen a number of people on safari with scorched marks, or melted holes, on their synthetic clothing from laundry services).

Quietness: When on a walking safari, cotton is quiet; synthetics make a swishing noise. (Noise is also picked up on video when people move about in the vehicle).

Comfort: Cotton breathes and does not wick moisture from the skin as quickly. It I rip clothing on a wait-a-bit thorn, I can easily repair it, not so easily done with synthetics. I pack a minimum of clothes, so each garment is fundamental on safari.

Thanks to all who directed me to the bathrooms in the bush thread. I don't know how I missed it before. Almost wet myself reading it....

Beth

Khakif,

I'm sure you didn't intend to make me laugh but the visual of synthetic fabric causing an uproar around a calm campfire has had me laughing all day.

Cheers,
Juliet

I hate to divert back from potty talk to colors but as mentioned before most mammals are thought not to see in color like we do and this is often used as a rationale not to worry about blending in with the environment. However, not all colors and patterns look the same to them, they still identify differences. Think about it, why do the predators have colors and patterns that allow them to blend for concealment? Why do potential prey species with defenses like skunks or coral snakes or honey badgers have bold patterns -- could these be a warning to other animals that an unpleasant experience awaits them. Most mammals may see in a grayscale but evolutionary development would seem to prove that color and pattern matter a good deal and when a person wears a bright color or bold pattern that is not typically seen in that environment the 'color blind' mammals are still going to see that object as something that is obvious and doesn't belong.

Many of the animals on safari are so habituated that they may well know and ignore it at this point but it is something to think about, especially if you are going to be walking or visiting areas where animals are not so heavily habituated.

Pred, so are you telling me I should stop wearing that lesser kudu suit I like to wear on safari? What about my oryx outfit?

:D

Take some photos of your favourite clothes and convert them to greyscale with Photoshop (or any other image program). That's the best way to illustrate what PredatorBiologist is talking about.

Juliet,

Laughter is good and yeah that “vision” is a hoot! But, not for the poor person leaping about. Many synthetics “melt” onto the skin causing painful and serious burns (even though the burn hole left by the cinder may be small). Not to mention the victim’s whooping calls can attract curious visitors …. &lt;grin&gt;.

Leely,

:)
How do you choose whether to be kudu or oryx?

Back to potty talk. I hope those costumes have conveniently located zippers for squatting.