Expedition-tested on the Okavango

This is a list of all the products which we expedition tested on the Okavango Expedition. The main aim of the expedition was to comprehensively test our MaraTech™ Ripstop fabric which has now been used in all the clothing products we have included below. The same applies for the Rufiji™ Essential fleece fabric which we tested. All products listed were tested and checked over the 160km trial by water and dugout canoe in one of Africa's wildest areas.
Read the expedition story  |   Find out about expedition testing  |   See our travel tips for Botswana.

Men's Safari Hats Read our Men's Safari Hats Advice Guide

The advice below is a summary. If you are looking for more information & expert advice then please click here for our full safari hat advice guide.

  • To prevent having your face and neck burnt by the sun during your safari activities, you will need a wide-brimmed men's safari hat.
  • With mean high temperatures reaching mid-20 to mid-30 degrees Celsius on most safaris and with safari areas in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and Zambia high above sea level, the effects of the sun will be pronounced and the risk of being burnt by the sun will be high. As a wide-brimmed men's safari hat sits on your head, it is literally your first line of defence against a hot midday African sun.
  • Another benefit of wide-brimmed men's safari hats which most people don't think about is the shelter they provide when it rains. We find that a wide-brimmed safari hat definitely makes it slightly less uncomfortable when you are caught out on a walk or game drive by a sudden thunderstorm or tropical shower, as at least your face - or most of it - remains dry.
  • Colour is key when choosing a men's safari hat - with neutral shades such as khaki, green, or brown the best. Your safari hat will often be the most conspicuous part of you as you hide behind a bush while viewing wildlife on a walk.
  • Modern wide-brimmed men's safari hats are conveniently packable too and so do not lose their shape when you take them out of your luggage. If they have lost a bit of shape, you are usually easily able to manipulate them back into shape. However, never crush your safari hat under a hard object - such as shoes or binoculars - when packing.

    Number of wide-brimmed men's safari hats to pack for your safari:
    1 x wide-brimmed safari hat per person.
    *Pack a safari beanie for the African winter too.