admin
Peter Matika
IT was not until about a year and half ago that I discovered that I have an interest in the great outdoors.
I mean being at one with nature and far from the polluted and deafening city life is all just blissful. The bush strolls, camping and sitting by the fire at night makes you feel close to nature and at peace.
A week ago, I learnt that local professional guide Samuel Nkomo will be walking in South Africa to create awareness about the importance of conserving wildlife, particularly the rhino.
As I sat there thinking to myself how brave he was to be undertaking such a task in this heat, I thought of the type of clothes he would have to wear to make it through under the sun.
So I did a little research on how to dress when going on a safari and I must admit it was very much interesting and holiday makers around should pick a few tips from this.
So I understand that the type of clothing to take on your safari holiday will depend on the time of year and what type of safari you are going on. Nevertheless, there are some essential tips that are universal.
This is what Sam had to say from his expertise as a professional guide.
He said for starters before anything else one should make sure that they blend with the environment.
“The best way to get close to the wildlife is to blend in with your surroundings as much as possible by going neutral. Wear greens, browns and khakis so as to not attract unnecessary attention. Khaki is the recommended and most popular colour,” he said.
Also he noted that the clothing should be light in weight so as to minimise noise when walking. Jeans are not recommended.
“Layers are a great way to pack light, but stay warm. Temperatures can be cool on morning game drives and walks, hot in the afternoon and cold at night. Layers allow you to remove clothing to make yourself comfortable as temperatures fluctuate,” said Sam.
I also asked him how he would manage to prevent himself from getting sunburnt while walking under the scorching sun.
His response, as expected was sublime, “I make sure I wear long-sleeved shirts with a collar which will keep the sun off my arms and neck.” Sam also mentioned that he had already received a donation of khaki safari clothes from safari clothing manufacturer Tag Safari clothing for his adventure.
“As I noted khakis are the best and combat trousers are the perfect, with plenty of pockets to store your stuff. A light jacket is great for an extra layer of warmth in case you need it,” he said.
My biggest concern now was his shoes, as he would be walking more than 600 kilometres.
I’m sure he will need at least three pairs of shoes in this case.
Comfortable sneakers, rafters and volskoens are suitable for most safaris, even walking safaris.
“You may be climbing in and out of the safari vehicle frequently to do some light walking around the bush. So a pair of comfortable trainers is advisable. For me the most important accessory is the hat. Hats are a fantastic way to protect your head and face from the sun. As I will be in the sun most of the time I need to protect my head and face from the sun,” he said.
Other tips I got from him and from safari experts online are:
► Sunglasses, which should be worn to block out harmful rays — polarised glasses will cut through the glare to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
► Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit if your lodge has a pool.
►For your evening meal, light colours are recommended so as to not attract mosquitoes. Linen trousers are the perfect way to look smart, stay cool, and prevent mosquito bites.
What NOT to wear:
►Don’t bring bright-coloured clothing or busy patterns. This will draw attention to you and scare off the wildlife.
►Avoid camouflage clothing as some African countries reserve this pattern for military personnel only.
►Dark colours attract tsetse flies, so stay away from dark blue or black clothing — they have a painful bite!
►White clothing will quickly show dirt and dust, so try to go neutral instead.
►Formal wear is not necessary as most lodges and camps have a relaxed dress code. Bring a smart, clean outfit to wear to dinner, but there is no need to go formal.
Till next week let’s keep styling. Link up with me via whatsapp or sms ONLY on 0772337433, you can also drop me an email on [email protected]
Online Reporter