What to wear on a horseback safari: tips from a traveller

Heading on a horseback safari? Lucky you – it’s definitely high up on many horsey bucket lists! I took a gap year following university and, as part of that, did a three-month safari placement in South Africa. Once you’ve decided you’re going on a horseback safari trip, I know one of your first questions will be what to wear.

Here’s a list of the essentials you’ll need to pack for the riding parts of the holiday. I’ve included some specific suggestions of items I was grateful I took with me, plus some things I wish I’d thought of or known about before I went.

What to wear on a horseback safari

• Riding hat
• Riding boots
• Tops
• Legwear
• Gloves
• Socks
• Other handy accessories

Riding hat

The most important thing you’ll need to wear on a horseback safari is a correctly fitted riding hat. To ensure that you’re covered by your insurance you’ll need one that’s up to standard.

If you’re looking to get a new one especially for your trip, consider a helmet that is lightweight and well ventilated as you’ll be in the saddle for long periods of time in the heat. A wide peak may also offer additional protection from the sun. The Uvex Exxential II (which you can view here) would be a popular choice for this type of riding.

Footwear

You’ll want something really comfy as it’s likely you’ll be spending a long time in the saddle. Even though your best long riding boots probably fit like a glove, it would be best to leave these at home and invest in an alternative for your trip so that they’re not damaged when you’re riding through the bush.

Short boots and chaps are a good option. Many riders who ride long distances prefer riding boots that are more similar in style to trainers or walking boots – and the bonus of these is they’ll double up for any walking activities you might go on too. The Ariat Terrain boots (which you can view here) tick all these boxes and are waterproof, too. If you’d prefer a more sporty style that you can wear with half chaps, I’d look at the Ariat Ascent short boots and matching half chaps.

Tops

While the weather is usually good throughout the day, it’s likely you’ll have early starts and it can be quite chilly before the sun comes up. A technical long-sleeved shirt is perfect for offering a bit of warmth in the morning and keeping the sun off your skin later in the day – with technical materials you won’t get too hot even with sleeves and the Ariat VentTek shirt (which you can view here) is a great example.

If you’d like a short-sleeved option, a short-sleeved base layer or polo shirt will be good as long as they’re of the technical type in order to help keep you cool. Where possible opt for bush colours (think beige or khaki) to blend in, or lighter colours, which don’t absorb heat and are less likely to attract flies.

I’d also suggest taking a warmer zip-up top, particularly if your trip is in the cooler winter months between May and August. A zip-up layer is easier to take off in the saddle – and you can do so without removing your hat.

Legwear

A pair of the best riding tights or leggings would make the perfect choice for horseback safari. They’re lightweight and comfortable, so are ideal for spending hours in the saddle in the sunshine.

Gloves

If you prefer to ride in gloves then you’ll benefit from a pair of the best summer riding gloves for your trip. You could opt for a pair that has wicking properties or mesh sections – and you can even find gloves that allow you to tan the back of your hands to avoid tan lines. You’ll definitely want a pair with touchscreen compatible fingers if you’re planning to take photos on your phone.

Socks

It’s going to be hot, so you’ll appreciate breathable and wicking riding socks more than you realise. Don’t be tempted to take an everyday pair of socks because you’ll end up with wet and sweaty feet.

Cap

There will likely be breaks for breakfast, lunch and other refreshments and you’ll want to give your head a moment to breathe. If you’re like me, you’ll want to hide your hat hair, so a cap that can attach to your saddle is the perfect solution. More importantly, a cap will also keep the sun off your head, which will help prevent heat stroke.

Riding hat camera

You can, of course, take a phone or digital camera with you to document your trip, but if you’d like to keep both hands on the reins, it would be worth checking out one of the best riding hat cameras. The Cambox V4 Pro is super-lightweight, and discreet so won’t stand out in your photos, while the Techalogic DC2-Pro has a really long battery life.

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