Born from both adventure and practicality, the safari chair has transcended its 18th-century origins being lugged around the great outdoors to become a beloved icon of design. From luxurious leather to sleek modern lines, we’ve curated a collection of the best safari chairs and hunting-inspired chairs available today. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece or a comfortable spot to unwind, high-quality leather or canvas options, these chairs will bring a dash of exotic allure to any space.
So what exactly is a safari chair?
Historically safari chairs were thought of as portable, collapsible chairs designed for the outdoors. They were meant to provide comfortable seating in rugged environments while being easy to tote around, with lightweight frames you could take apart. Kaare Klint is usually cited as the creator of the modern safari chair, based off British military designs (like the Roorkee chair), and played an instrumental role in refining and popularizing its design. Eventually the look of the safari chair—along with its brethren, the hunting chair—evolved over time with various designers adding their own creative twists to the original.
Classic safari and hunting chairs
Kaare Klint, the father of Danish modern design, originated this chair and a matching ottoman in 1933, adding buckled belts for extra support. Made of oiled white ash, this classic piece of furniture embodies a sense of adventure and sophistication.
Børge Mogensen was mentored by Kaare Klint, and his influence can be seen here in another version of a safari chair with a solid frame, made nearly two decades after the initial design. This chair has a slightly higher seat height so it would also make a compelling dining chair.
While Swedish designer Arne Norell’s originals are readily available on vintage furniture retailers like Chairish and 1stDibs, you can also buy them new in a variety of leather colors (including midcentury avocado green) and an ash, wood, or teak frame.
Pack up this easy-to-assemble beechwood chair in a linen bag for your next picnic. The sisal ropes twisted across the legs add a touch of both functionality and beauty to the timeless. For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s a matching portable daybed.
Sink into this hunting chair and its sharply sloped seat and you’ll never want to leave. It’s a knockout piece of decor that’ll get better with age.
Designed by Kurt Østervig in 1960, this sturdy, functional chair has a slight recline and would look perfect in your den. The thick, blocky arms are wide enough to comfortably rest your mug or teacup.
Modern safari and hunting-influenced chairs
In this updated safari chair, the leather arm slings are decorated with brass studs. The feather-blend cushions add an extra level of comfort—and they’re removable, so you get two looks for the price of one.
Anthro Home also makes another version of the Stanton chair with sherpa upholstery for an extra dose of cozy.
A flawless example of modern vintage, this safari chair from Jenni Kayne boasts a neatly streamlined design that will help keep your space airy and serene.
Created in an exclusive collaboration with California design firm Lawson-Fennig, this lounge chair looks good from any angle. With wiry metal arms, wooden blocks, and a woven back crafted from Danish paper, it’s a successful mishmash of contrasting styles.
The white leather on this chair provides a stylish pop of color and would fit right at home in a Nancy Meyers’ film, Gwyneth Paltrow’s summer home, and your apartment.
The majority of reviewers highlight how comfy this chair is—but one thing they can’t agree on is whether it’s a display piece or an informal one, which only proves its versatility. Available in cherry, white oak, and walnut wood.
This spacious chair has a woven leather seat and back, which you can accentuate with a checkerboard rug or complement with a more subdued, abstract one.
This minimalist chair comes in two different seat heights (12 and 16 inches) so you can choose between lounge-y and extra lounge-y. The vegetable-tanned leather comes from Italy, and the oil-finished wood resists stains and spills, so this chair remains neat and clean even when you’re at your clumsiest.
Vegan safari chairs
For those who actually want to go on safari—or, maybe just the park—check out this appropriately named portable chair that can be disassembled at your leisure.
This vegan leather chair can fold in half and comes with a handlebar, making it easy to store or carry outside. There’s also a matching ottoman that curves downward and complements the chair’s upward slope.
Looking to furnish your outdoor space? Check out this hunting chair in weather-resistant weave, which comes in three different colorways so you can be sure to match the rest of your patio setup. The wood is FSC-certified, ensuring that the forests are sustainably harvested.
Safari-inspired sling chairs
Suede ties connect the leather seat (your choice of marine blue, classic black, or white hide) to the frame (beechwood or walnut), and lend a graceful touch to the already elegant design.
This simple and versatile chair, handcrafted in Mexico, can hold its own unadorned or dressed up with some nubby, textured throws.
This chair is a winner if you’re in the mood to kickback and relax. With a high back and padded head-rest that you can adjust to your height whether you’re taking an afternoon nap or watching Netflix. As an added bonus, the weight capacity maxes out at 350 lb., much higher than your standard chair.
When it comes to combining functionality and design, you can always count on HAY, and their roomy lounge chair is a perfect example. It has an unfussy aesthetic—with leather and canvas options—and a deep seat that offers comfort and support.
This low-to-the-ground chair takes cues from Mogensen’s Spanish chair, but adds a modern twist with a robust wooden side frame connecting the legs. The cognac leather back is seamlessly integrated with dowels and will stretch and mold to your body overtime.
