It’s time to plan and act—embrace Africa and she will sink her claws into you and never let you go. But what on Earth to wear?

From South Africa’s Kruger National Park to the Eden of Botswana’s Okavango Delta to the vast plains of the Serengeti, travelers are ditching lockdowns and are, instead, choosing to socially distance in some of the world’s wildest and remote locations. Africa is opening and the world seems to be stretching and awakening from an extended hangover…and safari is just what the doctor ordered.

Perhaps the best part of any safari is simply dreaming and planning it, imagining, for instance, the sounds and mystery of the African night: Hippos chuckling in a nearby pool, lion roars thundering in the distance, elephants feeding in the sausage trees next to your tent—their stomach rumbles audible as the symphony of the African nightshift tunes up shortly after sundown.

For the first-time visitor to Africa, witnessing the great game herds as they have roamed for eons is to step back in time before our place atop the food chain was secured. It’s also the perfect escape from a world full of division and turmoil. Look into the eyes of an elephant or lion and you will see that they care not of the struggles of man. As Karen von Blixen wrote, “Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.”

Thus, it’s time to plan and act—embrace Africa and she will sink her claws into you and never let you go.

But what on Earth to wear?

Courteney Selous Boots…the quintessential African footwear

The Courteney Boot Company opened in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in 1992, the brainchild of John Austin Rice, a long-time British shoemaker. The boots have become as iconic as their namesake, Frederick Courteney Selous, the intrepid British explorer and recipient of the Founder’s Medal of the Royal Geographical Society. Selous is a name found across much of southern Africa—big shoes to fill, indeed.

Courteney boots are unique in their design and style but blend gameskin leather with soles that allow you to move in comfort and stealth throughout the African bush. My personal favorites are the Selous model made of buffalo leather, which is so comfortable that one wonders why the bovines are always so ornery. My favorite description of a Cape buffalo came from my old friend and long-time Sports Illustrated writer Bob Jones who summed up the beasts’ demeanor simply, “They’re as mean as a half-ton hemorrhoid.”

The Selous has been worn by rangers, safari guides, researchers and others who wanted to make sure they could out-run others in their party for decades. Buffalo leather also absorbs and releases moisture, which makes it ideal for both summer’s heat and winter’s cold…and if you get too close to one and wet yourself. Buffalo hide also does not stretch yet becomes more supple with time. Want to know the hide is authentically Cape buffalo? Just look for the scars in the leather, most likely a lion’s autograph.

Buy them at African Sporting Creations, a company that has assembled a collection of some of the most interesting, useful, and ingenious products for the modern traveler and sportsman.

Westley Richards Explora Deluxe Rucksack and Safari Trousers…the brand that has been delivering premium for more than 200 years

Continuing a buffalo theme, this heirloom rucksack comes from one of the most famous names in the premium firearms world. Westley Richards of Birmingham, England, has been hand-crafting exquisite shotguns and rifles since 1812 and their name is associated with some of the greatest African expeditions ever. Lord only knows how many lives their rifles have saved from vindictive buffalo and rogue hippos over the last centuries.

The Explora Deluxe Rucksack is an updated variation on a very successful design that is the result of years of adventures around the globe. With luxury leather and suede straps, key hanging loop and fully lined in a combination of traditional Westley Richards Scroll printed fabric, this is perhaps the world’s most distinctive and handsome travel bag. The Explora is handcrafted in the Westley Richards workshops, it’s lightweight yet strong and easily totes all your essentials for a day in the African bush…in style.

 

 

Arc’teryx Palisade Pants and Elaho Shirts…technically speaking, this is an umatched shirt-pant combo for any safari

Climbers, explorers and expeditionary fans across the globe have long known of this company founded in 1989 out of a climber’s basement in British Columbia. The company is named for the 140-million-year-old creature, the Archaeopteryx, its fossil remains serving as the brand’s logo. Why the Archaeopteryx, you ask? Because the creature made an evolutionary leap forward to escape the horizontal world of dinosaurs and developed feathers for flight.

Wear Arc’teryx clothing and you will appreciate the reference—the clothing is truly light as a feather. In the crowded field of technical wear, Arc’teryx (the company) made its own giant leap to surpass the competitive set in both design and materials. I’ve worn their apparel while climbing in search of mountain goats and Dall sheep in Alaska and while hiking across the Kalahari. If there is better fitting, more comfortable or tougher field gear on the market I have yet to discover it. The reason for that is their steadfast focus on materials, design and construction.

The Palisade Pant is the ultimate durable trail pant made from breathable, quick-dry TerraTex stretch nylon, a fancy name for a super tough material that wears like silk. The same can be said for the Elaho shirt that is uber lightweight, stylish and incredibly functional. Layer it under a vest in the cool African mornings and wear it by itself in the heat of the day…the perfect choice for travel to most of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Mammoth Molar Skinner Knife…get in touch with your inner caveman

You may think you already have a knife but that’s because you haven’t seen the Mammoth Molar Skinner from African Sporting Creations. Made by artisan Arno Bernard Jr. of South Africa exclusively for African Sporting Creations, these knives are one-of-a-kind collectibles that are both stunning and practical. The handle of each knife is made of mammoth molar as the name implies, a beautiful piece of usable, hand-crafted artwork to pass down for generations.

As Mors Kochanski once wrote, “The knife is the balance point for survival in the bush. Without it, you have to stay on the move. With it, you create the opportunity to rest.” Don’t be fooled by the beauty of these knives for they are built for serious users—the blades are made of Bohler N690 surgical stainless steel and bolster is 303 stainless steel. A hand-made ostrich leather sheath also comes with each knife…the company doesn’t say if their knives were used to skin the ostriches for the sheaths.

Riton 5 Primal HD Binoculars…get up-close and personal while staying out of harm’s way

The never-ending search for the perfect binocular for safari might have ended with Riton’s (pronounced right-on) new 5 Primal HD Binoculars. This model is lightweight, compact, and brilliantly clear—ideal whether you’re admiring Africa’s plethora of colorful bird species or an elephant wandering through the nearby bush.

This model features a magnesium alloy frame for uber toughness while being exceptionally lightweight. Because of the premium HD glass used in the Primal, the view is vividly sharp and can be used all day without eye fatigue.

Founded in 2013 by former law enforcement and military veteran Brady Speth and his wife Carrie, Riton has quickly won an ever-growing fan-base outdoor enthusiasts who cherish quality optics from North America to Africa and all parts in between.

Filson Hyder Quilted Jac Shirt…a shirt and jacket just had a baby

To anyone who has ever spent a day on a steelhead stream in the Pacific Northwest, in a Midwest duck blind or hiking the South Dakota prairie for pheasants, the name Filson is synonymous with best-in-class. They’ve been making truly exceptional, rugged gear when America was more an idea than a nation. The people who built much of this republic, in fact, wore Filson while they did it.

Now you’re probably thinking: Why would I take a Filson product meant for chilly climes to hot, sunny Africa? Because Africa is a big place and with that comes a lot of daily weather extremes. I’ll never forget hunting greywing francolin (a partridge-like bird) on the Eastern Cape of South Africa. We awoke to snow and high winds, which instantly transported me mentally to eastern Montana…in January. It was perhaps the coldest outdoor adventure of my life.

I would have paid triple for a Hyder Quilted Jac Shirt that day. It’s a warm and versatile hybrid that combines the successful features of many classic Filson products. The shell fabric is built with lightweight cotton that’s treated with a dry-hand feel wax which makes it water repellent and virtually windproof. Wear it during the cool African mornings and, as the day warms, roll it up and stow it in your Westley Richards Explora Deluxe Rucksack. If you don’t have the Hyder, well, you don’t know Jac Shirt.

Madison Creek Shelby Vest…all the vest you’ll ever need in Africa

Madison Creek is a Georgia company that has quickly won fans among the avid outdoor set, for their designs, color schemes and the functionality of their vests and jackets make them an easy choice. Depending where you’re traveling in Africa, there are two typical colors that blend well—khaki in the grasslands and olive-green in the bush.

This vest is lightweight but remarkably warm, which is especially nice when sitting on the back of an open Land Cruiser game viewing during the cool early morning hours—when animals are most active. It’s made of 100 percent nylon, so it’s water and wind resistant and is an ideal layering piece.

Avedon & Colby Signature Safari Bush Jacket and Field Shirt…the go-to tandem for any safari

The protagonist of any African film—John Wayne in Hatari, Clint Eastwood in White Hunter Black Heart or Val Kilmer in Ghost and the Darkness—all sport a classic bush jacket at some point in the story. The iconic design was reborn thanks to a kickstarter campaign that fully funded the Avedon & Colby launch in just 10 days.

The approach was the brainchild of Burt Avedon and Susan Colby, two veterans of the outdoor apparel game. I first met Burt Avedon nearly 20 years ago when he was helping famed premium gunmaker Beretta with the launch of some of their adventure clothing. Avedon was a legend among fighter pilots, once racing against Jimmy Doolittle for the Thompson Trophy in the Cleveland Air Races. He then went on to fly hundreds of missions in both World War II and Korea, and in-between he managed to earn an MBA from Harvard.

Burt and Susan have collaborated on more than 500 styles of distinctive garments and accessories for such notable brands as Willis & Geiger, Orvis, Eddie Bauer and Kevin’s. The Signature Field Shirt and Jacket represent their finest, most advanced garment to date, a culmination of decades of experience in one classic design.

Kodiak Weekender Duffel Bag…a safari in a tote

If you’ve never taken an African safari, you probably don’t know that many of the lodges and tented camps do laundry daily. That means packing is easy—usually just two or three changes of clothes, vest, jacket, boots and personal items. Thus, the Kodiak Weekender Duffel is an ideal choice because it’s just the right size to handle one person’s complete travel needs without being a burden to carry. Imagine traveling all the way to Africa with simply a carry-on?

Kodiak Leather is a family run business that produces heirloom quality luggage. Their bags are well-known for their rugged good looks and durability and the Weekender Duffel is no exception. It’s constructed of 100 percent top grain water buffalo leather and features four exterior compartments—including two magnet-latch pockets, one zipper pocket and a separate shoe compartment. It comes with side-carry handles as well as a shoulder strap.

Conner Bounty Hunter Hat…good looks meet practical sun protection

If you’re hiking the bushveld in search of Africa’s iconic megafauna, you don’t want a hat that rides like a sombrero. The Bounty Hunter by the famed Conner Hat Company is the ideal compromise between sun and thorn protection and rugged good looks. It’s fashioned out of water-resistant cotton and features a shapeable brim so you can create your own style. The hat also comes with a chin cord which is handy as you sit on the back of an open rover in a hurry to catch up with a migrating herd or other prime attraction.

Note: This article was excerpted from Chris Dorsey’s latest column in Forbes.