Safari footwear for hiking in African savannas

Proper safari footwear is essential for hiking in Southern African savannas. These savannas are defined by a lush grassy layer and a notable woody layer consisting of trees and shrubs, but neither dominates the biome. Depending on particular climatic conditions and soil types, savanna vegetation can appear as scrublands, bushveld, or woodlands, and due to its intricate nature, it sustains a diverse array of animal life.

Hiking conditions in Southern African savannas

For hiking in savannas, the following conditions from morning to evening can be expected to be encountered:

• In wintertime (May – October): dry clear weather. Cold in the mornings and evenings, warm to hot during the day, and…

• In summertime (November -April), wet grass is present in the morning, with regular short rain showers and hot weather.

• The soils on which hikes are conducted are mostly sandy. They are clayey in low-lying areas and rocky at outcrops. On mid-slopes of hills, sandy soil is often intermingled with sodic sites, which have a high salt content and are free of most vegetation.

• Typically, there is enough space between thorny trees and bushes to walk by, but small young shrubs low to the ground often have nasty hooks and can be easily overlooked when hiking.

• Snakes like to hide in the grasses. Therefore, it is best to always use game paths and watch the steps closely. Puffadders will not move away when sensing vibrations on the ground but will rely on their camouflage and remain where they are.

Requirements on safari footwear

• Long-sleeved trousers during wintertime in the morning, and …

• Short-sleeved trousers in wintertime during the day and the whole summertime

• Walking on sandy soils requires shoe soles with a finely ribbed profile. Heavy profiles, like those of alpine-type boots, are not suitable due to the elevated noise generated by sand grains when rubbing against each other.

• Flat soles without a heel leave the most inconspicuous tracks, as there is no heel portion with a sharp edge.

• A tough sole material or a thick sole of lesser strong material has to protect the foot sole from thorns on the ground. This is a difficult task, as the sickle bush spines (Dichrostachys cinerea) even penetrate tires of 4WD’s.

• Grass and weed seeds must be avoided ingressing into the shoe, and short gaiters can cover the upper shoe opening.

• In the case of using socks, they should be covered with gaiters.

Which types of safari footwear should be worn?

The advantages and disadvantages of the various safari footwear styles are described below.

Rating of different types of safari footwear

Subjective rating of the author about the various types of footwear for hiking in Southern African savanna biomes results in the following rating.

Thongs, such as ‘Earth Runners‘ or similar types, hiking sneakers, and lightweight leather boots are the most appropriate footwear for hiking in African savannas. Barefoot hiking is not recommended for most individuals and will not be discussed further. While trendy hiking sandals may be suitable for other environments, they are not recommended for the African savanna. Flip-flops should be worn where best suited, such as around the campfire or beach. Visitors from overseas should avoid heavy leather boots designed for alpine hiking due to heat containment and noise.

For a second opinion on suitable safari footwear, one can also check the offerings of a safari store in the UK here.

Remarks on gaiters

Short gaiters are another essential piece of equipment to pair with lightweight leather boots for hiking in African savannas. These gaiters are commonly used by outdoorsmen in Australia and Africa and serve as an ideal accessory to protect against the intrusion of seeds and other organic matter. Due to cost considerations, we highly recommend purchasing them locally and using them in conjunction with light leather boots.

Remarks on socks

Lastly, it is important to mention the use of socks. While they prevent rubs and blisters caused by skin rubbing against the shoe material, they may not be necessary if the skin is already hardened and the shoe material is well-worn and supple. However, their second function of absorbing moisture is unsuitable for hot conditions, typically in savannas. Socks can increase heat containment, leading to more sweating and moisture within the boot. Additionally, the biggest disadvantage of wearing socks (even short ones) is their tendency to attract grass and weed seeds, such as Black-Jacks, thistle thorns, and spear grass seeds. These seeds can easily cling to the woolly surface of the socks and painfully penetrate the wearer’s skin.

Modern thongs are the ideal footwear for hiking in Southern African savannas. This is not a new trend, as even bushmen women wear them when gathering wild food, using rawhide soles and strings, which can be uncomfortable. However, the benefits of wearing thongs include the absence of grass and weed seeds sticking to the skin, allowing for long and fast strides under sandy savannah and bushveld conditions. Therefore, we highly recommend using a modern variation of thongs when hiking in African savannas.

Lessons learned about footwear for hiking in South African savanna biomes:

• Thongs are the most suitable footwear for hiking in this biome.
• Hiking sneakers and light leather boots are also recommended for hiking in African savannas.
• Conversely, alpine-style heavy leather hiking boots should be left at home as they can contain heat and are noisy on sand.
• Short gaiters, used in conjunction with light leather boots, are highly recommended as they can protect against the intrusion of seeds and other organic matter.
• City slickers should wear socks, but they are not recommended for hiking in African savannas due to their tendency to attract grass and weed seeds, which can painfully penetrate the skin.

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