How to Mix, Match and Travel Light
There are hundreds of blogs listing what to pack for a luxury safari, like a large-brimmed hat, sunscreen, binoculars, closed shoes, breathable shirts, etc. But few tell you how to pack.
Understanding how to pack is more than just about saving space in your suitcase. It’s also about packing multiple outfits for a long holiday without repeating looks and always looking stylish. The last hassle you want on safari is mismatched items and wasting brainpower to bring an outfit together.
Here’s how I build my safari wardrobe so it’s effortlessly stylish yet functional.
Start with a Colour Palette
I usually choose four to five colours that complement one another. My favourite safari-friendly shades include:
- A little bit of white
- Beige or stone
- Olive or khaki
- Tan, taupe, or even shades of brown (chocolate, cappuccino, camel)
Keep it light. The idea is to blend in with the natural surroundings.
What not to pack
- Avoid wearing dark colours like black or navy. Besides attracting heat, they also attract insects and tsetse flies.
- Do not wear bright colours like hot pink and lime green. Firstly, wild animals are not used to seeing bright colours, so you might startle them. And it’s harder to maintain in a dusty environment.
- We advise against animal prints, like tiger, leopard, and zebra prints. It confuses wildlife, and you might start a series of alarm calls. If you wear an animal print (like a leopard print), you might be mistaken for one.
- Do not, under any circumstances, wear camouflage. It’s associated with hunting and military attire. It’s also illegal in some countries for civilians to wear camouflage.
- As an additional note, you should avoid wearing perfumes and heavy deodorants. Remember, wild animals are super sensitive to smell, and your whiff of perfume might be a danger signal to them.
Build the Foundation
Once I have my colour scheme, I pack every item in various shades for two reasons:
- You need to layer your outfits. It’s cold in the morning and evenings, but afternoons are warm and sunny (most of the time).
- You need to mix and match your items so that no two outfits are the same.
Pack three to four pairs of trousers in your colour palette. With the palette above, I’ll have white, beige, khaki, and black trousers, for example.
Then, do the same for short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts.
Layer Up
Now that I have my foundational safari wardrobe, I add a few blouses and dressy button-ups. I play around with textiles as well. Some are French linen, others are silk or even modal. To avoid creasing, I roll my button-up shirts with tissue paper to prevent pressure lines.
Additional Tips
- I prefer to travel with blazer-style jackets for city stop-overs. It’s an easy way to elevate your look, even if you wear blue jeans and white sneakers.
- Always pack a puffer jacket, regardless of the season!
- Chitwa Chitwa's rates include laundry service, so you don’t have to overpack.
Add a Statement Piece or Two
For special candle-lit dinners or sundowners, I always pack a fashionable dress or a one-piece jumper that still fits my core colour scheme. The photos look more glamorous. You’ll never regret looking stylish, but you’ll always regret not looking polished.
What About Shoes?
I usually pack three pairs of shoes.
- Leather sandals for lounging around the lodge. They’re also versatile and will go with most outfits.
- Sneakers to travel in and for game drives, as you don’t want to struggle with dust between your toes during coffee and sundowner stops.
- Decent trainers for walking safaris and gym sessions.
Don’t forget dust bags for your shoes!
Wrapping it Up
Packing for a safari is not about taking more but all about curating your outfits better. All you need is a base colour scheme, layers, and a statement piece. You’ll be stylishly ready for every moment.
There’s ample space to unwind and lounge around at Chitwa Chitwa. With laundry included, all you need to do is arrive. We take care of the rest.