Finding the Best Shoes for Safari: Your Ultimate Guide for 2024
Great shoes for safari are key to a great trip!
Planning a safari in Africa is exciting! It can also be a little overwhelming. One thing you’re going to want to get right is choosing the best shoes for safari.
You might be planning your first safari or your tenth. Either way, you may have questions about what to look for in great safari shoes. I know I did a lot of reading, shopping, and trying on before I found the perfect pairs for me.
Walking safari, a game drive or a combination of both? Regardless of what type of safari you’ll be embarking on, we’ve got you covered. Having the right shoes can make all the difference.
Let’s explore the important features to look for when searching for the best shoes for your African safari adventure.
👟 Best Shoes for Safari: Men and Women
Some safari shoes, hiking shoes – call them what you will – come in unisex sizes. If you find some that fit you that’s great! But be sure. Men tend to have wider feet than women do.
Once you board the plane for Africa, that’s it. You’re stuck with the shoes you brought, so make sure you buy carefully. And by all means, make sure they’re well-broken in when you leave home.
Here are a few that came out on top when it comes to comfort, support, and durability, divided into men’s and women’s:
Best Men’s Shoes for Safari
FEATURES
Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Waterproof
⭐️ Rated 4.4/5 with ove 200 reviews
Durable leather and breathable mesh upper, waterproof membrane, Vibram® sole for traction, lightweight
Columbia Men’s Redmond Waterproof
⭐️ Rated 4.4/5 with over 940 reviews
Synthetic leather and mesh upper, waterproof membrane, Techlite midsole for cushioning and support
KEEN Men’s Targhee Exp Waterproof
⭐️ Rated 4.4/5 with more than1,100 reviews
Leather and waterproof breathable membrane, ALL-TERRAIN rubber outsole for traction
Best Women’s Shoes for Safari
FEATURES
Merrell Women’s Siren Sport 3 Waterproof
⭐️ Rated 4/5 with over 550 reviews
Durable leather and breathable mesh upper, waterproof membrane, Vibram® TC5+. *These are my personal favourites.
Columbia Women’s Redmond V2 Waterproof
⭐️ Rated 4.4/5 with over 1,600 reviews
Leather and mesh upper, waterproof membrane, Techlite midsole for cushioning and support
KEEN Women’s Targhee III Waterproof
⭐️ Rated 4.5/5 with over 2,240 reviews
Leather and mesh upper, waterproof membrane, KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN rubber outsole for traction
🥾 Best Hiking Boots for Safari
Are you plan on doing some more serious hiking? Or are you thinking about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro while you’re in Africa?
Even if you just generally need more ankle support, hiking boots might be a better choice for you than shoes.
Of course, boots need to meet the same standard as shoes. Here are some great options:
3 Best Safari Boots for Men
FEATURES
Salomon Men’s X Ultra 3 GTX Hiking Boots
⭐️4.6/5 with more than 7,000 reviews
Durable, waterproof, breathable, Contagrip sole, lightweight
Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots
⭐️ Rated 4.6/5 with over 15,400 reviews
Waterproof, breathable, Vibram sole, shock-absorbing, comfortable
Columbia Men’s Redmond Waterproof Hiking Boots
⭐️ Rated 4.4/5 with over 1,700
Waterproof, breathable, Omni-Grip sole, lightweight, comfortable
3 Best Safari Boots for Women
Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots
⭐️ Rated 4.7/5 with more than 8,500 reviews
Waterproof, breathable, Vibram sole, shock-absorbing, comfortable
Columbia Women’s Crestwood Mid
Waterproof Hiking Boots
⭐️ Rated 4.5/5 with over 2,000 reviews
Waterproof, breathable, Omni-Grip sole, lightweight, comfortable
Salomon Women’s X Ultra 3 GTX Hiking Boots
⭐️ Rated 4.5/5 with over 2,220 reviews
Durable, waterproof, breathable, Contagrip sole, lightweight. Salomon is a favourite brand of mine!
Best Safari Sandals
Many safaris don’t involve a lot of trekking, and you might not feel like you need to wear a full shoe. If that’s the case, here are some sandals you might want to consider for the hot weather.
All of these sandals offer excellent features for your trip. They’re comfortable, durable, easy to clean, and have sturdy soles with good arch support.
Top 3 Safari Sandals for Men
⭐️ Rated 4.7/5 with over 7,000 reviews
Teva Men’s Hurricane XLT2 Sandal
⭐️ Rated 4.6/5 with more than 8,000 reviews
Merrell Men’s Kahuna 4 Strap Hiking Sandals
⭐️ Rated 4.4/5 with more than 318 reviews
Top 3 Safari Sandals for Women
⭐️ Rated 4.6/5 with over 22,875 reviews
⭐️ Rated 4.5/5 with over 20,500 reviews
Merrell Women’s Kahuna Web Sandal
⭐️ Rated 4.5/5 with over 20 reviews
🩴 Best Flip-Flops for Safari
Whichever footwear you decide will work best for you on safari, I recommend that you tuck a pair of flip-flops in your bag as well. Especially if you stay in lodges, they’ll come in handy.
Plus, during your downtime around camp it feels great to be able to take off your shoes. Flip-flops give you something breezy and comfortable just to protect the bottoms of your feet while you sit and relax. And they take up next to no room in your bag.
Top 3 Flip Flops for Men
⭐️ 4.7/5 stars with over 47,000 reviews
adidas Adilette Comfort Slides
⭐️ 4.7/5 stars with over 7,500 reviews
Under Armour Men’s Atlantic Dune Flip-Flop
⭐️ 4.2/5 stars with over 4,900 reviews
🧳 To find more packing and travel tips read What to Pack for Africa: an Epic List & Guide
Top 3 Flip Flops for Women
⭐️ 4.7/5 stars with over 8,000 reviews
⭐️ 4.5/5 stars with over 590 reviews
* I’ve been wearing these for years
⭐️ 4.5/5 stars with over 16,000 reviews
🧦 Best Socks for a Comfortable and Blisters-Free Safari
Even with the best shoes for safari, you’ll need some good socks. You want some that will wick moisture away from the skin to help prevent blisters and keep you feeling cool. Some of these are unisex.
For Men:
- Balega Blister Resist Crew Socks: Feature a seamless toe, moisture-wicking fabric, and extra cushioning to prevent blisters.
- Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks: Made with Coolmax fibres, these socks are comfortable and moisture-wicking to guard against blisters.
- Thorlos Experia XCCU Thin Cushion Running Socks: Made with Thorwick Cool fabric, which wicks moisture away and keeps your feet cool and dry.
- Wrightsock Coolmesh II Crew Socks: With a double-layer design that helps prevent blisters, and a moisture-wicking fabric to keep your feet dry and comfortable.
For Women:
- Balega Hidden Comfort No-Show Running Socks: Plush under-sole cushioning, a seamless toe, and moisture-wicking fabric.
- Feetures Elite Max Cushion No-Show Tab Socks: Feature targeted compression, extra cushioning, and moisture-wicking fabric to prevent blisters and keep your feet comfortable.
- Injinji Run Lightweight No-Show Toe Socks: With a unique five-toe design that helps prevent blisters and promotes proper toe alignment.
- Thorlos Women’s Lightweight Max Cushion Hiking Crew Socks: Engineered for a woman’s foot. Made with a blend of fibres that channel moisture away from the foot.
Best Shoes for an African Safari: Important Features to Consider
There’s a lot to consider when making your packing list for a safari. But as you can see, one of the most important things is the proper shoes.
Having the right shoes will go a long way toward making your adventure comfortable and safe. Here are some critical features to consider when selecting shoes for safari:
- Comfort: Choose shoes that are comfortable and fit well. Look for shoes with good arch support and cushioning to reduce the risk of foot fatigue and blisters.
- Durability: Safaris can involve a lot of walking, and you need shoes that can withstand rough terrain. You need shoes made with durable materials that can handle mud, sand, and rocks.
Just as importantly, you need soles that can handle thorns. Many areas in Africa where safaris are popular tend to have a lot of thorns you could be walking on.
The soles should be tough enough to deal with them. As well, they should be thick enough that if one punctures the sole it won’t reach your foot.
- Protection: The African bush can be unforgiving, and you need shoes that offer adequate protection. If you’ll be hiking or taking safari walks, you might want to wear closed-toed shoes.
- Breathability: The African sun can be scorching, and you need shoes that allow your feet to breathe. Look for shoes made with breathable materials that keep your feet cool and dry.
- Water Resistance: Depending on the season, some safari destinations can be wet and muddy. Choose shoes that are water-resistant or waterproof to keep your feet dry and comfortable.
- Colour: Being stylish isn’t my top priority when I’m on safari. However, I will wear shoes that look ok with my clothes.
When spotting wildlife, you’ll be wearing clothes in colours that blend into the background. Tan and khaki for example. NOT camouflage, as it is illegal in some African countries, and associated with the military in others.
You’ll also avoid dark and bright colours like navy and red, as these attract mosquitoes and tsetse flies. I’d suggest shoes in neutral colours as well. They also don’t show dirt as readily.
Summing It Up – The Best Shoes for Safari
Whether you’re trekking through the savannah or exploring the jungle, the right shoes can make all the difference. With the above features in mind, you’ll be able to find the best shoes for your safari adventure.
We’ve covered the most important features to look for when choosing shoes for a safari. Remember to keep materials, traction, breathability, and protection when you make your decision.
It’s important to invest in high-quality shoes that will last throughout your trip. You’ll want them to be comfortable and supportive.
And just as important – or more – remember to break in your shoes before your safari. With the right footwear, you’ll be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the African wilderness without worrying about your feet!
Happy travels!
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