What Makes the Ideal Safari Trousers?

The main functions of your safari pants are to protect your skin from the sun, biting insects and thorns in the bush. On top of this pockets will help you store books, cameras or binoculars.

Colour
As with most of the clothing that you should wear in the bush, you want the colours to blend in with the enviroment, so look for Beige, Brown, Green and Khaki coloured trousers. My advice is to always stay clear of camouflage prints as in some African countries it is illegal to wear it if you are a civilian.

Material
I find that a cotton material works best for me, depending on the thickness used they can be surprisingly cool and still protect your legs not only from the hot African sun, but also from biting insects like mosquitoes especially in the evenings. These days you can also find many trousers made from new man made materials, specifically designed to keep you cool that also work excellently. I would however just make sure that when you walk they don’t make too much of the canvas type rubbing noise which could scare away potential animal sightings especially on walking safaris.

Ruggedness
There is always a balance between your trousers not making you too hot when you wear them and being tough enough to survive walking through a thorny bush whilst on a walking safari. Even if you don’t plan on walking through the bush your trousers must be tough enough for travel.

Pockets
Again depending on the type of safari you are on pockets are either nice to have or almost essential. If you are going to be in a game drive vehicle for most of the time, extra pockets are nice to have. If however you are going to be going on camping and walking safaris, extra pockets to carry things like compact cameras, binoculars, bird books or even pocket knives are really important.

Cargo Pants
Cargo style trousers are ideal as they have all the qualities we are looking for. For more take a look at this article specifically about Mens Cargo Pants for safaris or take a look at what is available to buy on-line below:

Kariban – Mens Safari Trousers Available in Beige, Navy and Black – I would definitly go for the beige colour. Elasticated waist with zip fly and button. Adjustable clip belt. Two front pockets. Two back pockets, one zip, one tear release. Left leg zip pocket. Right leg multi-pocket, two tear release sections and one zip section. Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Mens Cargo Trousers for Safaris The Carhartt Men’s Canvas Cargo Pants on the left are ideal, made from 100% cotton and feature large side cargo pockets but if they are not quite your style, Amazon have a huge range of cargo pants ideal for safaris, take a look at the links below: Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Mens Combat Trousers ideal for Safaris The Soul Cal Miami Combat Pants on the left are ideal, bringing you cool, casual wear with a hint of luxury. If they are not quite your style, Amazon have a huge range of combat pants ideal for safaris, take a look at the links below: Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

For more, take a look at this page on Safari Clothing Advice, that includes Men’s and Women’s Safari Wear

If you still do not feel comfortable travelling to an area that has malaria, but still want to go on a safari holiday, there are plenty of places that can offer you the wildest splendor that Africa has to offer, without the fear of Malaria.South Africa has some of the best safari locations that are in so called malaria free areas, so here are a few ideas for you:

Malaria Free Safaris in South Africa.

Madikwe Private Game Reserve
Madikwe is famous for its excellent sightings of African wild dogs. I was lucky enough to have visited Madikwe a few years back, when I was still studying to become a safari guide and we did indeed have some excellent wild dog sightings. On top of this Madikwe is a true malaria free Big 5 safari destination. Many reserves claim to have all of the Big 5, but only have White Rhinos, instead of the much more feared and endangered Black Rhino. Madikwe Game Reserve has both and I was lucky enough to have seen both on my trip to the reserve.

The views on Madikwe Game Reserve are also stunning, the reserve is located right on the Botswana border, and covers a vast 75,000 hectares and only about three hours’ drive from Johannesburg and the international airport.

I think that the combination of the stunning bush scenery, high concentrations of wildlife especially the predators, luxury lodges, fully qualified game rangers and all within easy reach of Johannesburg International airport make the Madikwe Game Reserve one of the best Malaria free reserves in South Africa, if not the whole of Africa and I would highly recommend a safari at Madikwe.

Welgevonden Private game Reserve
The very difficult to pronounce 34 000 hectare Welgevonden Game reserve in the Waterberg region of South Africa’s northern Limpopo province is another excellent malaria free option for a safari. I must admit to having a soft spot for this reserve as I have worked on Welgevonden as a field guide, although not a true Big 5 reserve (it does not have the black rhino) It more than makes up with it by having a large population of white rhinos as well as elephant, lion and buffalo. There are the elusive leopards on the reserve, but are not often seen.

Welgevonden means ‘well found’ and I can promise you that you will not be disappointed by the stunning scenery of the sometimes rather mountainous surroundings that can make for spectacular game drives.

In total Welgevonden is home to over 50 different mammals and boasts one of the largest populations of white rhino on a private reserve anywhere in Africa. On top of the usual suspects of Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Lions, Elephants and Buffalo, there are rare and unusual species too, such as brown hyena, aardwolf and aardvark which are all best seen at night. At one end of the reserve you will find grassy plains that wouldnt look out of place in Kenya’s Masai Mara. Here you’ll find many antelope species, from the largest eland to the majestic Kudu as well as cheetah, lion and leopard who are always close by. The diversity of habitat on Welgevonden enables such a wide range of wildlife including over 300 bird species, including rare blue cranes.

Welgevonden is only a two hour drive from Johannesburg and is a malaria free safari location that I would highly recommend.

Below is a video of photos that were taken by myself or a few of my guests whilst I was working at Shidzidzi & Nungubane Lodges on the Welgevonden Game reserve.