What to Wear on Safari for Women Over 50

What to wear on safari for women over 50. Chic, yet comfortable.

Simple top from Zara and Cargo skirt made chic with locally sourced African Jewellery

Why Safari fashion changes after 50

When I hit 50, I started to care more about comfort. The days that I could just "wing it," were gone. I no longer wanted to sleep on a friend's sofa. Now, I prefer my own room and my own space. I realised that when I hit 50, my priorities changed. I put my own comfort first.

This is me on Safari in Kenya. I am with Kim the MD of the Olmalaika Trust

Well to be honest with you, if not now, then when? The time is for me to wear and do as I please. Since I turned 50, I try to live my life like the poem from Dororthy Parker Indian Summer. If you don't know it, it's a must read!

Comfort vs Elegance (you can have both)

I took some pictures of my friend Sonya, in my Safari clothes. Here I will explain how comfort and elegance are really easy on Safari and you do not have to spend a fortune on anything new. You can get creative and achieve any look that you like and dress it up with local jewellery.

Cargo skirt from Zara sale for 25 EURO and white shirt from the cupboard. Made glamourous with African Jewellery from Samburu.

Colours that photograph beautifully in Africa

This is a picture of my Safari wardrobe in Kenya. The picture is from Soroi Larsens Camp in Samburu and I had a variety of great colours. But I found that I felt the most comfortable in the traditional green, white, brown colours of the safari. I felt that because it was what most people were also wearing. Although, I wanted to look better and add my twist to the style. I wrote about this in more detail in my Safari Survival Guide 2026.

My Safari Wardrobe at Soroi Larsens Camp in Samburu

So that is when I started thinking more about the colours that look great in Africa and watching the nature and landscapes around me. These looks, I created while I was inspired by Africa!

Be confident! Colours and styles that are easy to replicate

My favourite everyday safari look. Linen brown trousers and an off khaki green shirt.

So with this combination, you can't go wrong, and it will not cost a lot. The shirt is a green light Khaki that you can wear in the heat and feel cool. The linen trousers are perfect for getting in and out of the 4x4, and the crossbody is essential. You can also carry a money bag under your shirt. I did this for a lot of my trips, but it ruined my pictures, and I look a bit chubby in all of them. See below. The crossbody is a better alternative.

You can see my money bag hanging on my belly. It was not the most flattering... I wish I knew then!

So for the evening, I found this look! It's satin trousers and a simple top. Satin is perfect for the heat on Safari in the evenings. The white shirt was in my cupboard and I made it look better with some Samburu jewellery.

Safari look for women over 50 - in the evenings.

What about the cost of local jewellery?

I would not bargain with women in Kenya. I tell them the price I am willing to pay, and they either accept or decline. In most cases, they will accept. I offered the lady 20 euros for this red necklace. I had the cash in my hand and told her what the conversion was in Kenyan shillings. That was it. Deal done!

I am sure I could write a whole blog post on it, but you do not need to get flustered when buying from the locals in Kenya. Especially, not the tribes women. Of course, if I am with you. I will negotiate!

If you would like to see more pictures like this please look at my Women Only Safari page and also Discover Kenya.