The 10 Best Safari Boots For Bush Walks & Adventure (2023)

A good safari boot is the one thing that is a must when it comes to safari wear and bushwalks. Sure you can dress up in khaki, leather, leopard print, and dark green, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter all that much about what you wear on safari if you don’t have the safari shoe. However, protecting your feet in the bush is important. 

If your safari has plans to do any bush walks in search of the “Big Five” and other safari animals, picking up a good pair of boots before your trip is a necessity. A good pair of safari boots is not just comfort; they are safe for being in the bush.

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The Best Safari Boots

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Blundstone Chelsea Boots

Blundstones are our go-to travel boots and make excellent safari boots. This boot is stylish, functional, and practical for any travel adventure. While it’s not a “technical” boot, it handles moderate hikes and terrain impressively. Style is a really strong suit here with a wide range of leather finishes to match your taste.

The boots feature premium leather uppers. While the V-cut design reduces stitching exposure, and elastic side panels increase breathability for a cool and comfortable experience. The slip-on fit and pull tabs make it easy to put on and take off.

The polyurethane midsole and thermoplastic urethane outsoles are rock solid and show minor wear despite heavy use. Yet they remain comfortable thanks to excellent EVA foam footbeds. If that’s not enough, a steel shank ensures the correct step flex-point and assists with torsional stability.

As they use premium leather they require some upkeep with leather treatment to ensure longevity and water resistance. The Blundstone Chelsea Boot is a solid go-to for any stylish and practical safari adventure. We love these boots!

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Danner Mountain 600

The Danner Mountain 600 blends the latest boot tech with classic style for a reliable safari boot. Crafted from waterproof suede leather, the Mountain 600 features Danner Dry waterproof protection to keep your feet dry and comfortable no matter the conditions. TPU heel frames provide additional support and stability, while OrthoLite® footbeds offer cushioning and comfort.

The Vibram® SPE midsoles offer maximum rebound, comfort, and support, making them perfect for a full day of trail adventures or exploring the city in the evening. The Vibram Fuga outsoles feature self-adaptive lugs and a Megagrip compound, providing exceptional traction on wet and dry surfaces.

While the rugged construction of the Mountain 600 makes it incredibly durable, it also means that there is a longer break-in period. Danner recommends wearing the boots around the house to ensure they are comfortable and adequately broken in before heading out on your safari adventure.

It’s worth noting that Danner recommends sizing down half a size from what you typically wear, so keep that in mind when ordering. Overall, the Danner Mountain 600 Boot strikes the perfect balance between performance and aesthetics, making it an excellent addition to any safari packing list.

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Red Wing Iron Ranger

Red Wing is a well-known boot brand that is handmade in the USA. The boots are functional and stylish, designed with quality materials and solid craftsmanship. The Heritage Iron Rangers, in particular, are gorgeous leather boots that have been around for nearly a century. They offer outstanding protection in rugged terrain with their high ankle design and tough leather.

The Iron Ranger boot has come a long way since its humble beginnings serving iron miners in the 1930s. These days, it’s become an iconic choice for anyone. One of the most distinctive features of the six-inch boot is its leather toe cap, which not only looks fantastic but also adds durability to the design. Leather insoles and cork midsole ensure that each pair of boots will eventually mold to your feet for a customized fit.

They’re an excellent pair of boots but come at a high price. It’s also worth noting that they need the lightweight technical features of more modern leather hiking boots. However, these timeless boots will undoubtedly outlast any modern synthetic boot design.

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Merrell Moab 3

If you’re in the market for hiking boots, the Merrell Moab 3 Boots are a popular choice. They’re made of a combination of leather, textile, and synthetic materials and are comfortable straight out of the box. Plus, with Merrell’s expertise in hiking boots, you can rest assured that your feet will be in good hands for long-distance walks.

One of the standout features of these boots is their soles, which have a unique design that provides excellent grip in muddy or wet conditions. That makes them a great choice for anyone planning to trek through the jungle to see gorillas or climb Mount Kilimanjaro. And while they may not be the most stylish option, they’re practical and offer great value.

Merrell updated the Moab 3 with partially recycled fabrics, more supportive insoles, cushioned midsoles, and grippier Vibram® outsoles. The boots also come with protective rubber toe caps, waterproof membranes to keep your feet dry, and breathable mesh linings to keep you comfortable. The Moabs have faithfully served many hikers, and the latest version is still tremendous.

I have owned several pairs of Moabs over the years and can attest to their quality. However, one thing to remember is that these boots are less specialized. While they are comfortable right away, the soles are soft, making them less ideal for avid hikers. However, for everyone else, Merrell Moabs are a solid choice for comfortable safari boots that won’t disappoint.

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Dr. Marten’s 1460 Original Boots

Dr. Martens 1460 Original Boot is a timeless classic that has been a fashion staple for decades. With their classic combat boot look, solid design, and comfort, these boots are perfect for a bush walk. Additionally, with a large selection of styles and colors available, you can choose the pair that best suits your mood and personal style.

The lace-up eight-eyelet boot with fabric laces and tonal eyelets provides a secure fit. We love the classic Doc style, which includes grooved edges, yellow welt stitching, and a scripted heel loop.

With their long history and excellent build quality, these boots can withstand the elements. While they may not be the best for an extended hike, they are good work boots that remain comfortable throughout the day. They are a classic choice for a safari boot and will never go out of style.

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Lowa Renegade GTX

The Lowa Renegade makes an excellent choice for a safari boot. It’s lightweight and features a classic design style. An impressive hiking boot, it feels stable underfoot and can handle rugged mountain terrain. We love the versatility of proper hiking boots as they’re helpful more outside the African bush.

One of the innovative features of the Renegade is its external polyurethane frame that helps to maintain its lightweight design. It also allows the boot to perform like a backpacking boot while weighing less than 2.5 pounds. In addition, the leather upper is thinner, making it easier to break in and saving weight. The weight savings make the boots cooler in hot temperatures, an essential feature for safari boots.

Although the weight-saving measures may make the Renegade less durable for high-mileage users, many hikers appreciate the comfortable fit and balanced weight and support. It’s also easy to find a good fit since the Renegade is available in narrow, regular, and wide widths. The Lowa Renegade hiking boot is an excellent choice for a comfortable and sturdy safari boot.

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Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II

The Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II is a tremendous value and affordable safari boot option. It uses a combination of PU leather and synthetic materials to make a boot that is breathable and slightly waterproof. They’re also lightweight and flexible for a comfortable experience on long walks and hikes

The bootie construction and mesh tongue provide breathability, while the lace-up closure allows for a secure fit. The boots also have advanced technology, including a lightweight midsole for long lasting comfort, superior cushioning, and an advanced traction rubber sole for slip-free movement on rough ground.

The boots look decent, but won’t be winning any style awards. We do appreciate though that they come in various color combinations that provide versatility. Of course, at the price point, they lack a little in terms of durability, longevity, and performance for more demanding users.

Regardless, the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II offers a fantastic combination of practicality, affordability, and comfort, making them a decent choice for anyone seeking a reliable safari boot. Although, if it was our money we’d spent a bit more on Moab 3 boots.

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Salomon Quest 4 GTX

The Salomon Quest 4 is a fantastic choice for a techincal safari boot with plenty of features to make them stand out. Backed up by waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX protection, these boots are perfect for rugged terrain and long distances, ensuring that your feet stay dry and comfortable. Drawing on Salomon trail-running expertise, these hiking boots are light and agile, perfect for keeping you nimble on uneven terrain.

The SensiFit™ cradles your feet from the midsole to the lacing system, providing a secure and snug fit all around your feet, ensuring they stay in place. Active Support “mobile wings” accompany the movement of your feet, adapting to their shape and volume and providing a comfortable fit. An intelligent boot chassis articulates with the foot for optimal stability and balance on any terrain. They feel very secure in the mountains or on rough hikes.

Contagrip® MA outsoles grab the terrain, even when wet or slippery, giving you more control, especially on descents. These durable outsoles can handle various surfaces, balancing the geometry and rubber compound to deliver confidence on wet, dry, complex, or loose surfaces. All of this is excellent on the trail, but it may be overkill on a safari. A casual boot is a better choice for most safari-goers.

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Hoka Anacapa Mid GTX

The Hoka Anacapa Mid GTX boots are a modern version of a safari boot perfect for an adventure. It’s certainly not your standard safari boot, but we love the style with Dune color with more modern safari pants like joggers. The boots provide the right balance of comfort, protection, weight, and traction. We find them incredibly comfortable, and they feature a classic Hoka design that offers generous cushioning and a rockered outsole.

The Anacapa Mid GTX has a secure lacing system with three sets of locking eyelets at the top to provide a snug fit. Ample space in the toe box allows your toes to spread out and swell during the day, and ankle padding and tongue gussets prevent pressure points when cinching up the laces.

In addition to their comfortable fit, the boots are lightweight, striking an outstanding balance between weight vs. on-trail performance. The Vibram Megagrip compound used in the rubber outsole provides excellent traction, making them ideal for hiking in rugged terrain, including river crossings and loose, steep dirt. It’s a hiking boot that feels ready to tackle hikes anywhere around the world.

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Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC

There’s a strong argument that many of the foot and joint issues that plague modern-day humans are from overdesigned shoes. Shoes cause our feet to move unnaturally and restrict natural muscle movements. The result is weak feet. Vivobarefoot crafts natural shoes designed with minimal support and allow the feet to move naturally. It’s like walking barefoot.

The Vivobarefoot Tracker Esc boots are naturally water-resistant. The non-slip sole and exceptional arch grip for gripping and sticking to surfaces are the most interesting. Inside the boot is an air mesh lining that allows for proper airflow. They are broad, thin, and flexible to promote the foot’s natural movement.

They’re fantastic for a safari as they are lightweight (official weight not disclosed) and can fold! Yup, it’s an ankle-high boot that folds into itself and will take up minimal room in your safari bag.

Because there is no footbed in these shoes, they are not for everyone. We’re also uncertain about the coverage from the rugged Michelin sole that is not as widely tested as a brand like Vibram. Also, the wide toe bed for the natural movement of the toes looks a little funny style wise. As safari boots they definitely require an open mind, but we’ve fallen in love with these boots while testing.

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The Best Safari Boots Table

Safari Boot	Pros	Cons	Price
Blundstone BL585	Iconic Style, Comfort, Durability, Easy Slip-On, Steel Shank Insoles	Not Technical	$229 (Women | Men)
Danner Mountain 600	Style, Leather Upper, Comfort, Vibram Soles, Lightweight, Weatherproof	Narrow Footbeds, Lacks Ventilation	$210 (Women | Men)
Red Wing Iron Ranger	Gorgeous Boot, High Quality, Durability, Excellent Longevity	Expensive, Heavy	$349 (Women | Men)
Merrell Moab 3	Very Comfortable, Technical Use, Versatile Boot, Reliable Fit, Value	Not Stylish, Jack of All Trades	$145 (Women | Men)
Dr. Marten’s 1460 Original Boots	Classic Style, Reliable, Comfortable	Not Technical, Hot	$180 (Unisex)
Lowa Renegade GTX	Lightweight, Comfortable, Solid Support, Nice Leather Style and Look	Longevitiy Issues Report	$245 (Women | Men)
Newton Ridge Plus II	Value, Comfortable, Decent Grip, Hiking Boot	Cheap PU Leather, Longevity, Mixed Style	$99 (Women | Men)
Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX	Durability, Stiff Sole, Excellent Hiking Boot, GoreTex Liner, Style	Break-In Period, Heavy	$230 (Women | Men)
Hoka Anacapa Mid GTX	Excellent Comfort, Wonderful Feature Set, Modern Style, Value	Modern Style	$185 (Women | Men)
Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC	Durability, Comfortable, Quality, Lightweight	Short Break-In Period, Technical Hiking Boot	$210 (Shop)

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Safari Boot Tips

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Keep Your Boots Dry

This is the age-old boot tip, but keep your boots dry and change your socks often. Most people won’t face these challenges on safari. However, keeping dry feet while chimp or gorilla trekking in Uganda, the DRC, and Rwanda will certainly prove to be a challenge. A great pair of socks is always your first line of defense in protecting your feet. Check these out for a good pair.

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Leather Care for Safari Boots

If you’re going with some of the more expensive boots on this list like the Red Wings or Chippewas, I suggest taking care of the leather. With boots like these, they can literally last a lifetime if maintained. The soles can be replaced when they eventually wear.

However, the leather must be protected against the elements this is why I use a leather sealant and conditioner. Like Obenaufs, which you can buy it here.

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Get the Right Size

It’s a good idea to know the proper sizing of your foot. Measure the length, width, and arch length at home or head into a local store to make sure you have the right sized boot.

Once you get your boots you can double-check the size of your insole by removing it from the shoe and comparing to your foot — you should have a thumb’s width between your longest toes and the end of the insole.

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Tips For Traveling Africa

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Plan A Safari

Traditionally if you wanted to book a safari you’d have to go to a travel agent and have them book your safari for you. They made suggestions for camps and lodges then presented you with a large bill. Most of the industry still operates in this fashion.

However, Timbuktu is a new platform that allows you to select the lodges you’d like and see the pricing per day that way you can select the best itinerary for yourself. They will then contact the lodges and help you through booking your safari. With experts on staff, they can also provide suggestions and arrange the little details much like a travel agent.

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Our Favorite Lodges in Africa

We’ve spent over a year on safari and tried out dozens of lodges and have visited nearly every park in Africa. While it’s impossible to say we’ve visited every lodge we’ve seen a fair amount. Check out our list of favorite lodges in Africa. Have you visited any yourself?

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