When the safari theme hits the runways of Paris, London, New York and Milan, you always seem to see impossibly thin women draped in mock leopard skin and very chic Italian men in immaculate safari suits.

Needless to say, the reality is a little less glamorous (not to mention a little less silly!) – people go on safari to look at the incredible wildlife, not to witness other people’s courageous fashion choices!

Even so there are some defininte dos and don’ts when heading into the bush… so here goes!

Do

Wear a hat – sunstroke is not especially chic

Wear trousers and long sleeves in the evening – malaria is another thing that’s not especially chic, so cover up to avoid becoming dinner for mosquitoes

Pack a pair of durable khaki shorts or trousers, or those nifty trousers that zip off into shorts – fashion’s loss is practicality’s gain!

Don’t

Drench yourself in perfume or aftershave – it can end up bothering the animals

Wear brightly coloured clothes – red and other brights can signal danger to lions, so to avoid winding them up (would you want to wind up a lion?!) stick to a neutral palette

Dress top to toe in military fatigues – this has nothing to do with practicalities, it’s just you’ll end up looking like a berk.

Have you been on safari – what do you think of our tips? Post your thoughts below!

• South Africa
• safari
• Kruger
• lion
• lion park
• fun
• fashion