Packing Tips

from a

female safari operator

I have never looked good in khakis. I don’t know if it’s the cut or the color, but I always feel like I am wearing a uniform for an aquarium. So, I was frozen with apprehension on what to wear on my first African safari. I wanted to be practical, follow the tried-and-true safari dress rules, but I wanted to look and feel like myself. Below are some tips I have learned as an African safari company owner.

Look in Your Closet

Chances are, you already have some pieces that fit the bill. Look for earth tones and lightweight fabrics. I discovered that my long-sleeve cotton T-shit and silk crepe blouse doubled as excellent safari wear. There is some debate on whether the color really matters, and it does. Steer clear of black and navy blue as they attract tsetse flies.

Consider Thrifting

For me, footwear was incredibly complicated. I owned several pairs of hiking boots and tech shoes, but by all accounts, they wouldn’t be necessary, and I didn’t want to look like such a first-timer on the Mara. I settled on a very specific shade of brown leather sneaker that matched my saddle brown, brass buckle belt. But there was a problem—they were expensive and I was certain I would never wear them again. I looked on ThredUp and found new shoes that would work and that I didn’t have any guilt about never wearing again. In fact, I got a few pieces from ThredUp that saved the day, including a lightweight Marmot rain jacket that I promptly re-thrifted once the trip was over.

Bright colors can scare animals; perhaps your personal flair is worth the risk, but consider that you are not alone on the savannahs, and your choices can affect the experience of other safari goers. Whites will become beige, but if you are cool with that, go for it. There is a temptation to wear shorts and tank tops in the hot weather, but unless you like applying sunscreen all day and batting away insects from your skin, choose long sleeves and pants.

Eddie Bauer

Forget About Purchasing “Gear”

I do love some Eddie Bauer trekking pants, and a few high-tech pieces of clothing can be handy for when you must wash and dry your clothes overnight. This can be necessary even with luxury travel, but too many of these garments make you look like a parody of yourself. I found some great safari-worthy pieces at American Eagle, Zara, and Banana Republic. Colored jeans can be a great alternative to chinos or zip-away-for-why pants.