Safari Pants

Page Updated: Jan 2024

When choosing your safari pants or trousers for African hunting, go for comfort above all and you might like the advice meted out by Henry Astbury Leveson when dressing your lower half for African hunting...

"In Equatorial Africa, during the intense heat of the day, I generally wore a kilt and flannel shirt, boots and gaiters, which dress I found cooler and less liable to gall than trousers. Many good sportsmen prefer the kilt to any other dress, on account of the freedom and play it allows the limbs". From the book 'Wrinkles: Or Hints To Sportsmen And Travellers On Dress, Equipment And Camp Life' by Henry Astbury Leveson or 'The Old Shekarry' (1874)

Choosing Good Safari Pants

• More than anything, your safari pants need to be comfortable for hunting Africa. You will lots of time walking and sitting in a bumpy hunting truck so loose-fitting pants are a must, especially in the crotch area.
• Preferably lightweight cotton or hi-tech synthetic material that is wicks moisture away and is quiet when walking. Safari pants fabric needs to be light for the heat but needs to be tough enough not to rip when leopard crawling or hunting through dense thorn bush.
• Pants made with insect repellent impregnated synthetic fabric might be useful especially in the evenings when mosquitoes are at their worse. If you want cotton pants that are insect repellent, you will need to spray them yourself with permethrin.
• Extra cooling features include zip-off legs which create shorts. Zip-off legs sound quite a good idea until you try to zip them on again while still wearing them!
• Long trousers or shorts? Most hunters prefer to hunt in long trousers which offer better protection against thorns, insects and the sun. Shorts are obviously cooler and quieter to walk in.
• Pockets - better to have a button closure rather than velcro which can be noisy to use.
• Try to minimise other optional features like cargo-pants loops or flares as you will just get caught up on branches and thorns.
• Really wide-legged, baggy pants are not really unsuitable for hunting in Africa - go for more narrow-legs but not too tight.
• Khaki, green, brown colours rather than white or any bright colour

Recommended Safari Pants For Men

Here is a selection of pants which are ideal for different African safari conditions - some very rugged for thick and thorny conditions, some light weight, insect repellent pants and some convertible pants. Any pants that are made of synthetic material are liable to melt under a hot iron so tell the camp ironing person before leaving them in the dirty laundry pile. Read more on clothes ironing on safari.

***NEW*** These stretch cotton twill pants are rugged yet comfortable with 5 pockets. They have metal rivets to ensure the front pockets won’t rip and the back pockets have hidden twill reinforcements. Buy Now

These cotton twill pants offer allover stretch and an soft inner waistband. They are quick-drying, breathable and water-repellent. If you out in the bush at night you can roll up the hems to reveal reflective interior side seams for added visibility. There is a hidden secure zip pocket inside the right back pocket. Buy Now

These waterproof and windproof pants are lightweight and noiseless effective stalking. They come with adjustable hook-and-loop bands and waterstop barriers at the leg openings provide a comfortable, secure fit while locking out moisture. Buy Now

These men's classic upland pants will work well for hunting in the thorny African bush. They are made of puncture and snag resistant fabric, particularly reinforced at the thigh, knee and shin. They also stretch to give flexibility of movement. They have two hand pockets and dual-zippered back pockets, belt loops and a boot snap tab acting as a built-in gaiter that also keeps the leg cuff from riding up. Buy Now

These lightweight, yet durable, chinos are made of a blend of cotton, nylon and spandex for long-lasting comfort. They have a stretch waistband and secure pockets. Buy Now

***NEW*** These classic chinos are made of a cotton/nylon/lycra blend with stretch for easy movement. They come with a hidden secure zip pocket at sideseam and under right back pocket. Buy Now

These cotton twill khaki pants are more substantial than ordinary khakis, so they hold up longer. They are prewashed for the soft, broken-in fit and come with plain front styling, interior button tab, locker loop to hang them and prevent wrinkling and a cotton waistband. Buy Now

Wrangler RIGGS Men's Ranger pants are made of 100% cotton ripstop fabric. They have button closure, reinforced knees, roomy side cargo pockets with flaps and a zip fly with button. Buy Now

These 5.11 men's Stryke pants with Flex-Tac are made from two-way mechanical stretch fabric, with a fully gusseted crotch, self-adjusting tunnel waistband and articulated knees. Built to last, these pants feature 12 pockets, including double-deep reinforced cargo pockets and front pockets. Buy Now

These durable, quick-wicking convertible pants feature built-in sun protection and plentiful storage making them the perfect choice for active days in warm weather. Buy Now

These Carhartt's pants are made of 100% cotton ripstop fabric. There's rugged, double-front construction plus the added durability of cordura-lined front-ledge and back pockets. Carry what you need in two large cargo pockets with flaps and snap closures, as well as multiple utility pockets. Buy Now

More Safari Clothes For Men

• Safari Hats
• Safari Shirts
• Safari Jackets
• Safari Vests
• Safari Pants
• Safari Shorts
• Underwear For Hunting
• Hunting Socks
• Safari Boots/Shoes
• Insect Repellent Pants

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