Whether you’re going in winter or summer, every weather is a good time for a safari trip. During summers, animals come to the water holes to cool off, affording excellent sightings. Winters in the forest are magical, with sightings as frequent as during summers. So, if you’re planning your next safari trip to, let’s say, the magical land of Masai Mara in Kenya, you can’t go without the best shoes for a safari. Safari shoes are waterproof boots to withstand extreme winter conditions or comfortable walking and running shoes for long safari trips.
In both cases, we’ve got excellent options for you. Also, you’ll find both men’s and women’s choices in this review, so no person gets left behind. The only effort you need to make right now is to read this review to help you choose the best shoes for your next trip. So, no matter which of the best safari destinations in Africa you plan to go to, we have a safari shoe for you.
Meanwhile, you might also want to check out the best binoculars for a safari.
Table of contents
- TFO Hiking Shoes
- Manfen Women’s Hiking Boots
- HKR Women’s Walking Shoes
- Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Hiking Boot
- UMYOGO Mens Athletic Walking Blade Running Sneakers
- Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus Ii Hiking Boot
- Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX Men’s Shoes
- New Balance Women’s FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneakers
- STQ Women’s Slip-On Walking Shoes
- PUMA Women’s Carina Sneaker
- CASMAG Women’s Casual Shoes
- vibdiv Womens Walking Sock Sneakers
- Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe
- How To Choose The Best shoes for a safari
- What are the best shoes for a safari?
- Can I wear sneakers on a safari?
- Is there a difference between men’s and women’s safari shoes?
TFO Hiking Shoes
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Safari shoes have different requirements, one of which is that they should be super comfortable. That’s what the TFO Hiking Shoes offer. The shoes are mainly hiking shoes and are one of the best. The insoles have a special air circulation technology that relieves your feet as you move. It’s also the common EVA insole of hiking shoes. Thus, you guarantee an always comfortable feeling throughout the safari trip. For more comfort, the ankles and the collar are padded. Even more, the fabrics are tear-resistant. Thus, they suit a safari trip. Above all, these shoes offer very good traction on whatever terrain you walk on.
Pros
- These shoes are very comfortable
- They are tear-resistant
- These safari shoes are padded from inside
Cons
- They’re not waterproof
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Manfen Women’s Hiking Boots
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This time, we have safari boots instead of traditional shoes. Manfen Women’s Hiking Boots combine both the elegance with the practicality of a hiking boot. On the practical side, the boots are very durable. They come with a rubber toe cap and rubber outsoles. This provides maximum protection for your feet during a safari trip. On the aesthetic side, these boots look very stylish and bold. They will suit a kind of cowboy style. In addition, the boots are waterproof, and they can serve as snowshoes for hiking as well. One thing you need to take care of is the sizing. The seller recommends getting a larger size of these boots.
Pros
- These shoes provide protection to the feet
- They’re waterproof
- For a safari, these shoes are very durable
Cons
- They’re a bit stiff
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HKR Women’s Walking Shoes
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As it appears from the name, HKR Women’s Walking Shoes are made for walking. This means they are extra comfortable walking long distances without feeling any pressure on their feet. This is mainly because of the insoles that are made of memory foam. You’ll feel like you are walking on a cloud. Further, the shoes have arch support to relieve heel pain. For the best safari shoes, you need comfort and traction. These shoes provide enough traction on difficult terrains. Also, they are very easy to put on and off. You need to slip your feet inside the shoes. Above all, the shoes come at a very affordable price, and you’ll use them for everything else, regardless of a safari trip.
Pros
- These shoes are available for a low price
- They offer good traction
- These shoes boast memory foam insoles
- They’re easy to put on and take off
Cons
- You won’t find the best feet protection in them
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Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Hiking Boot
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Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Hiking Boot will be your new favorite safari shoes. The boots are made for difficult terrains. It has the proper outsoles and arch support needed for a long safari trip. Also, these outsoles offer an Omni-GRIP non-marking traction needed for walking on difficult terrains. One of the things we love about these boots is that they’re very fashionable. You can wear them on casual occasions. Finally, these boots are lightweight, so you won’t feel a bulk on your feet while walking. This detailed OutdoorGearLab review of these boots will tell you everything you need to know about them.
Pros
- They’re lightweight and comfortable to wear
- These shoes boast a fashionable design
- They offer an excellent grip
Cons
- They’re very expensive
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UMYOGO Mens Athletic Walking Blade Running Sneakers
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UMYOGO Mens Athletic Walking Blade Running Sneakers are the option to go for when you need one-for-all sneakers. The sneakers are one of the best shoes for safari and any casual outing. They are suitable as shoes for running a 5k. This is because they’re super light and super comfortable. The fabrics are knit fabrics on the upper side and rubber for the soles. This gives the shoes a fair bit of flexibility. It’s distinguished from other shoes on this list.
Another pro for knit fabrics is their breathability and lightweight. Thus, you can wear them while doing sports as well. These sneakers are available in many vibrant colors. This allows pairing the sneakers with jeans or sweatpants for a casual fashionable look.
Pros
- They’re available in many colors
- These shoes are very flexible
- They’re breathable and lightweight
Cons
- These shoes run bigger than usual
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Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus Ii Hiking Boot
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The second option we have is from Columbia, but this time for men. Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus Ii Hiking Boot is one of the best shoes for a safari. No wonder why these are top sellers on Amazon. Although they are a bit expensive, the money you pay is worth it. These boots will last for years of excessive use. You can use them for hiking, safari, or even casual wear. The boots are available in all dark winter colors. These colors are suitable for safari because they won’t get dirty easily. Like the women’s version of these boots, they have the OMNI-GRIP traction system to walk easily on difficult terrains. Check out this detailed YouTube review of these hiking boots by Ultimate Survival Gear.
Pros
- For a safari shoe, they offer great traction
- They have versatile styling options
- These shoes boast a high-quality construction
Cons
- They’re a bit leaky
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Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX Men’s Shoes
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Compared to other safari shoes, Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX Men’s Shoes are very expensive. Yet, we chose to include them here on this list for a reason. The shoes have the best traction you can feel on any terrain. This feature is the top of all features for these shoes. It’s something all safari adventurers look for in their best shoes for a safari.
Moreover, the soles, whether the insoles or outsoles, are extra convenient. You won’t feel any problems wearing these shoes for a whole day. Furthermore, you’ll enjoy waterproof shoes for wet, muddy, and even snowy weather. Above all, it’s easy to put on and off, thanks to the pull strap and elastic drawstrings for closure.
Pros
- These shoes offer very good traction
- They’re easy to put on and take off
- This is a very comfortable pair of shoes with equally comfy soles
Cons
- The toe box is small
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New Balance Women’s FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneakers
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Marketed as lightweight women’s sneakers, New Balance Women’s FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneakers are one of the best shoes for a safari you can buy today. The shoes are made of mesh fabrics and synthetic fabrics as well. This combination stands for the flexibility and lightweight they come in. Plus, the midsole cushioning, coupled with the memory foam insoles, will offer the maximum comfort you can ever feel. As one of the best shoes for a safari, this New Balance pair offers a very sleek and low-profile design. This isn’t the typical bulky pair of boots you’ll normally wear on a safari. Yet, they are very functional for these kinds of trips as they’re extremely durable and comfortable, and that’s all you need.
Pros
- These shoes are extremely lightweight
- They have a very comfortable toebox
- They’re practical for everyday use
Cons
- They offer no arch support
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STQ Women’s Slip-On Walking Shoes
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The easiest pair of shoes you can pick for a safari trip is STQ Women’s Slip-On Walking Shoes. When we say the easiest, we mean it’s easy in every aspect. Starting with putting the shoes on. Wearing these shoes is just a slip-on. You do nothing except slip your feet inside the flexible shoes. Yes! They’re very flexible as they’re mainly fabrics that stretch a bit with your feet. Second, the shoes come in an incomplex design. It’s a very basic and easy design that goes with every outfit. As for the soles, they’re rubber soles to withstand different activities like walking, running, and whatever else you’ll wear these shoes in.
Pros
- These shoes are available at a very affordable price
- The shoes are very flexible and lightweight
- They’re easy to put on and take off
Cons
- They get dirty very easily
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PUMA Women’s Carina Sneaker
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We know you probably have heard of PUMA before, but did you know their sneakers are good for a safari? PUMA Women’s Carina Sneaker, you see here, is very common with men and women. We’re that you have one of those or at least thought of getting one of them before. Yet, we’re now presenting them as one of the best shoes for a safari. If you want to feel comfortable during the whole trip, don’t hesitate to get these sneakers. The sneakers might seem very casual to wear on a safari. However, those sneakers are one of the most durable options you’ll find on the list. We recommend you go for this black option as it won’t get dirty as easily as the white ones. Moreover, they are perfect Puma shoes for travel if you’re thinking of versatility of uses.
Pros
- This is a durable pair of sneakers
- It’s from a well-known brand name
- These sneakers are suitable for casual wear too
Cons
- They’re a bit small
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CASMAG Women’s Casual Shoes
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Boots are for winter safari trips, but CASMAG Women’s Casual Shoes are for all-season safari. The shoes come with holes on the upper side for breathability. Thus, they’re suitable for summer weather. Furthermore, wearing thick socks to warm up your feet in winter is very comfortable. Apart from that, the inner side of the shoes is air-cushioned for your comfort. Thus, you can even run with these shoes on; how about a safari? Choosing these shoes is about going for the common and basic option you can wear for every other activity. Thus, it’s a price-for-value purchase.
Pros
- These shoes are breathable and are air-cushioned
- They’re available in different color options
- They are available in a stylish casual design
Cons
- They get wet easily
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vibdiv Womens Walking Sock Sneakers
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We extremely love vibdiv Women’s Walking Sock Sneakers for different reasons. One of these reasons is the unique shiny colors these shoes come in. We also love how lightweight these sneakers are. As the name suggests, they’re sock sneakers which means they feel like socks on your feet. What makes them perfect safari shoes is their lightweight, durable construction. They provide your feet with the comfort and breathability they need without being very flimsy on the ground. Above all, they’re easy to pack in a small travel bag so that you may use them for any trip.
Pros
- These shoes have an elastic, flexible design
- They’re breathable and lightweight
- This is a low price
Cons
- They have no padding at the heels
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Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe
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Let’s end this list with something that is worth it. Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoes are the best shoes for a safari as they feature everything needed for safari shoes. The shoes have a toe cap to protect your toes from rocks or whatever hard terrain you might be walking on. Also, the insoles are a bit foamy and comfortable. As for the fabrics, these shoes are made of suede and mesh fabrics. The mesh provides the required breathability, whereas the suede is good for the style. Although some people believe suede is for classic shoes only, these shoes have changed it all. The suede fabrics enhance the look, and at the same time, they won’t get ruined as they’re very good quality.
Pros
- These shoes fit perfectly and are comfortable to wear
- They’re made from high-quality materials
- They’re breathable
Cons
- They’re slightly heavy
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How To Choose The Best shoes for a safari
Safari shoes are nothing different from hiking, walking, or travel shoes. A good pair of shoes for hiking and active use can be the best shoes for a safari. However, there are some features you need to make sure of in your safari shoes. Let’s check them out.
Comfort
A safari trip means you’ll be walking, hiking, driving a beach buggy, or doing whatever activities all the time. Thus, you need an extra comfy thing on your feet. Always go for cushioned shoes with rubber outsoles to feel comfortable. Also, make sure they perfectly fit your feet.
Weather
There are different types of safari shoes. You can pick the boots for winter safari trips or wear casual sneakers. Both are good for a safari, but the weather determines what to choose. If it’s summer, pick a breathable pair of sneakers. Alternatively, in winter and snowy weather, get waterproof boots.
Price
Price is always an important factor when purchasing anything. Some safari shoes are as cheap as $25, and others are $200+. You might like a pair of safari boots, but you can’t afford them. So, always decide on the budget before browsing the options. The best thing here is that you’ll always find something on a budget.
What are the best shoes for a safari?
The best shoes for a safari are the comfortable shoes you’ll normally wear when doing any activities. These can be hiking boots or traditional walking and running sneakers according to the kind of safari trips you usually go on.
Can I wear sneakers on a safari?
Of course, you can! Yet, make sure the sneakers are breathable if you’re traveling to a hot country. Also, ensure that the sneakers you choose are very comfortable to suit a safari trip.
Is there a difference between men’s and women’s safari shoes?
Nothing is different between men’s and women’s options for a safari trip. You can even find options for men’s and women’s safari shoes from the same brand and series.
