Karibu!
So, you have your passport all up-to-date, all of your shots have been administered, your game drive bag is ready to roll and now the only question remaining is, “What do I wear on a safari?” Good question! And lucky for you, I have all the answers.
Just so you know, safari wear CAN be cute! Khaki is keen! And it’s not a farce that when you’re in the bush, you need to look like a bush. Ha!
Some bushes are somewhat greenish and light brown in color – right? So those are the colors you should focus on when deciding what clothes to pack and wear. Why? Because you do not want to attract the infamous tsetse flies. These flying bugs are attracted to the color blue, so blue jeans are out! That means no skinny jeans, no boyfriend jeans, no hip hugger jeans!
True fact: while on safari, you might see a small, square patch of blue colored material nailed to a tree to attract the tsetse! Trust me, don’t wear blue, any hue or even black for that matter. And if you’re really concerned about the bugs, wear “Bug Off,” a brand of clothes by ExOfficio that are specifically made with a deterrent to fend off the flies.
As for what shoes to wear – I suggest any comfortable walking shoes. No need for hiking shoes unless you trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro (next on my hiking list?). At camp or at the lodge, flip-flops are fine but I would still tend to wear closed-toe shoes to be safe. Also, bring a pair of water shoes such as Teva’s for the showers or if you visit a lake or river.
And don’t forget socks! I bought some really cute mesh socks that are so fun and fashionable, not scratchy or uncomfortable at all. I might just wear them walking down the street some day. NOT!!! These socks (I'm not sure you can even call them socks!) aren’t pretty, but they’re practical.
Sometimes the weather is ever changing, especially from early morning to late afternoon depending on where you’re visiting. So, be sure to pack hiking pants that can zip off into shorts. I love my hiking pants from Athleta, I’ve had them for years. They’ve traveled to a lot of fabulous places! Lucky pants! I also bought a new type of pants by Lululemon, which are stylish and comfortable! I'll let you know how they fare on the safari.
For night, I suggest wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks to ward off what? Yes, the teensy-weensy tsetse flies! I know I have emphasized throughout this Report to wear the appropriate clothes while on safari, but you will thank me (maybe) because nothing is worse than being ill prepared when traveling to an exquisite place. It’s all about being comfortable in an unfamiliar location.
There are many other clothing items, which are exceptional to pack for a trip like this. If you’d like to learn more about them or need help creating a packing list, just ask!
See you back in the U. S. of A. soon!
Kwaheri...
