Are you getting ready for a fun safari trip to Africa this season? Then, shopping for quality safari clothes should be at the top of your list.

In this article, we cover the US clothing brands that offer the best safari clothing items for the peak season. You'll also discover where these stores are located and what each clothing item will cost you.

Before buying safari clothes for this season, it's important to note that you're shopping for hot weather. But you shouldn't rule out the possibility of rainy days or cold weather. Many African countries experience rain even in the hot summer.

Keep reading to discover where to buy safari clothing items in the US.

What to Wear on an African Safari

Before deciding where to buy your clothes, you need to know what to buy first. That's why we will share the clothes you need to pack for your African Safari.

The essential clothing items you'll need on an African Safari are:

1. Long-sleeve shirts: Long-sleeve shirts are the best kind of tops to wear during the day  on an African Safari. Wearing tank tops and t-shirts outdoors exposes your skin to mosquitoes, which are quite common in Africa. Shirts with short or absent sleeves also puts you at risk of burning, under the harsh African sun.

When shopping for long-sleeve shirts,  avoid navy blue or black-colored shirts, as they tend to attract tsetse flies. White tops are also a no-no, because the dust blowing around the bush will give them a dirty brown color. 

Instead, choose shirts in earth tones (dark green, brown, khaki). Such colors make it easier to blend in with the surrounding landscape. 

2. Zip-up pants(cotton and cargo): 

The same rules for shirts applies with pants: No shorts or cut-off pants to avoid sunburns and mosquito bites, and sticking with earth-toned colors. 

Skip jeans or pants made out of heavy fabric. They tend to feel uncomfortable under the extreme Sahara heat. 

Zip-up pants are better than other types, because they allow you to get some breeze when the heat becomes too harsh.

3. Wide-brimmed hats: Most people know that you need to protect your face from the sun in an African Safari. However, they often make the mistake of wearing baseball caps. 

Although a baseball cap will hide your face, it will still leave your ears and the back of your neck open. You need a wide-brimmed hat to cover the entire skin on your head and neck. 

4. Long Pajamas: Many hot days in Africa have cool nights, even during the dry season. So, if you're thinking of wearing your slinky lingerie or your birthday suit as nightwear, change that thought. 

You are going to need long pajamas to help you sleep comfortably on chilly nights. 

5. Tank tops and shorts: You may experience hot nights occasionally. In such cases, you'll need to wear a tank top and shorts to bed. 
6. A scarf to shield your face from dust.
7. Several undershirts, especially if you are only bringing few clothes. 
8. Sunglasses
9. Sandals
10. A backpack
11. A shoulder bag to hold your camera
12. A bandana for windy weather
13. A windbreaker jacket
14. T-shirt
15.  A sweater

5 Best Safari Clothing Brands in the US

1.       Columbia Sportswear

 Columbia Sportswear is an affordable clothing brand that makes outfits for outdoor activities. The clothes and footwear designed by the company are appropriate for camping, fishing, and hiking in the summer. So, you should be able to wear it comfortably during your African Safari.

At Columbia Sportswear's physical and online stores, you can find safari clothes and boots for ladies, men, and kids. Hiking-related accessories like gloves, hats, and socks are also available at their shops.

Columbia Sportswear has physical stores in the following areas in the US:

• Miramar Beach, Florida
• Portland, Oregon
• Auburn, Washington
• Niagara Falls, New York
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Prices of Safari Clothes on Columbia Sportswear

Shipping and Return Policies for Columbia Sportswear

Return Policy for Physical Store

You can only return a product within 60 days of purchase. Returns by mail and defaced label items are not accepted.

If you return the item to the store with an original receipt, the company will reimburse you the amount left after removing the discounts. But if you bought the returned item with a gift card, you shall be refunded with a gift card.

If you can't find the original receipt when returning the item, you must submit your government-issued ID. In this case, the company refunds you a gift card worth the item's lowest price.

Return Policy for Online Purchase

You need an original invoice to return any clothing item purchased online. To be eligible for a refund, you must return the item within 60 days of buying it.

You can either mail the product to Columbia Sportswear's e-commerce returns department or any of their physical stores in the US. The company will refund your money in your original form of payment.

Pros of Columbia Sportswear

•  Columbia Sportswear's materials are lightweight and breathable.
•   Their outfits are comfortable.
•   Most clothes come with large pockets where you can store your accessories.

Cons of Columbia Sportswear

•   The material on their clothes stains easily.
•  Some outfits might be too large for small and average-sized people, even when ordered to size.
• Some clothes aren't waterproof.

Browse Columbia Sportswear's catalog

2.     REI

REI is another brand that offers high-quality safari clothes. Although this company is generally known as an outdoor retail clothing company, it also designs its own outfits for men, women, and children.

You can either order your REI clothing online or buy them from the brand's outlet stores. 

You'll find REI outlet stores in the following places in the US:

•  New York City, New York
• Chicago, Illinois
• Greensboro, North Carolina
• Manhattan Beach, California
• Lawrenceville, New Jersey

 Price for Safari Clothes at REI

Shipping and Return Policy at REI

If you aren't satisfied with your order, you can return it to the company within 90 days of the purchase date. REI extends this timeline to one year for Co-op members. As long as the item isn't dirty or damaged, REI will refund your payment.

You can return your REI product by mail or in person, irrespective of whether you bought the item online or offline.

Pros of REI

• REI boasts knowledgeable and friendly customer service officers.
• Their clothes are made of no-fade, highly durable materials
• The company processes refunds quickly

Cons of REI

• The pricing at REI is slightly higher than other stores.
•   Their clothes aren't always packaged properly
• They are notorious for canceling processed orders.

Browse REI's catalog

3.     Cabela's

Cabela's is a clothing store in the US known for selling high-quality outdoor clothes at competitive prices. Like other safari clothing brands listed here, the store offers online and offline sales.

Cabela's provides a wide variety of clothes suitable for safaris and other outdoor activities, so you can find the product that suits your needs. 

The company also offers a team of outdoor clothing experts who can advise you on how to choose the right clothes for your safari trip.

If you're looking for affordable safari clothes, Cabela's is the place to check. The company has a Sale and Clearance section that is always active. If you're lucky, you'll find a few safari clothes there.

Cabela's physical stores are available in the following places in the US:

• Cheektowaga, New York
• Hoffman Estates, Illinois
• Chesterfield, Michigan
• Hudson, Massachusetts
•  Hamburg, Pennsylvania

Prices of Safari Clothes at Cabela's

Cabela's Shipping and Return Policy

Cabela's provides free shipping for orders above $50.

If you discover an issue with your purchase, you can only return it to the company within 60 days of buying the items. Only those who provide a store receipt or invoice when returning the product will be refunded in cash.

 If you don't have a receipt, Cabela's will exchange your returned item with a gift card.

Pros of Cabela's

• Cabela's provides excellent customer service.
• They have many unique products.
•  The store offers great deals to its customers

Cons of Cabela's

• Several customers complain about canceled orders.
•  Some clothing items might be defective.
• They may deliver your orders late.

 Browse Cabela's catalog

4.    Backcountry

Backcountry is an American clothing retailer that provides suitable clothing for outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, hiking, and safaris. 

At Backcountry, you can find safari clothing items ranging from jackets, shirts, and pants to hiking boots and accessories.

Here are a few places where you can find physical Backcountry stores in the US;

•  Bellingham, Washington
• Boulder, Colorado
•  Palo Alto, California
• Des Moines, Iowa
•  Park City, Utah

Prices of Safari Clothes at Backcountry

Backcountry Shipping and Return Policy

You can return a product within 30 days after the purchase date. Backcountry will only accept the item if you haven't used, dirtied, or damaged it.

When returning a previously bought item, you must place it in its original packaging. 

You must also come with proof of purchase, which may be an order number, an electronic receipt, or a paper receipt. In addition, you'll have to pay at least $10 as return charges.

Backcountry will refund you in your original form of payment. If the company can't access your initial means of payment, you will receive the store's gift card.

All items purchased inside a physical store must be returned to the physical store. However, if you ordered your clothes online, you'll need to return the products by mail.

Pros of Backcountry

• Backcountry offers discounted sales frequently.
•  Their prices are affordable.
• Most of their clothing items are highly durable.

Cons of Backcountry

•  The company sometimes delivers orders later than expected
•  Backcountry charges you for returning items.
•  Their website often experiences glitches, especially during order placement.

Browse Backcountry's catalog

5.     Dick's Sporting Goods

 Dick's Sporting Goods is the largest retailer of sporting outfits in the US. 

The brand sells clothes and accessories for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and fishing. Many of these clothes are suitable for warm weather, making them the perfect outfits for an African Safari.

Search for Dick's Sporting Goods stores in these areas:

• Humble, Texas
• Union, New Jersey
• Daphne, Alabama
• Avon, Indiana
• Coral Springs, Florida

Price of Safari Clothes at Dick's Sorting Goods

Shipping and Return Policies for Dick's Sporting Goods

 It takes 2-5 days for Dick's Sporting Goods to ship your order to your delivery address. If the company fails to deliver your product to your address after five days, you'll need to wait 48 hours before reporting the issue to customer service.

When returning a product, you must provide a receipt, invoice, or government-issued ID (Driver's License, State ID, and US Passport). The returned product must be clean to be eligible for a refund. After confirming your eligibility, Dick's Sporting Goods will refund you using your initial payment method.

 Pros of Dick's Sporting Goods

•   The staff at the physical stores is friendly and helpful.
• Dick's Sporting Goods often compensate buyers when shipping issues occur.
•  The company ships online orders fast.

Cons of Dick's Sporting Goods

• Processing refunds takes several days.
• Their outfits are expensive.
• Prices fluctuate frequently.

 Browse Backcountry's catalog

Conclusion

All the brands we've mentioned above offer high-quality safari clothes. Browse their stores, and decide which clothes suit your needs and pocket. Once you've chosen and bought your clothes, you'll be ready to tour Africa. 

Eva Maro