Safari Shoes

[ripley 1]

I am going to Kenya in November and going on a safari, what sort of shoes would people suggest bringing?? The actual safari part of the holiday only lasts for 3 days, so I don't want to spend loads on proper hiking shoes... But I don't want to get caught out if normal trainers aren't a good idea!!

[KARL]

The swahili word means "journey". A native Kenyan would have gone barefoot originally and found it comfortable - nowadays it could be anything from flip-flops to army boots. You should take whatever feels comfortable and not let anyone tell you a particular type of shoe is intended. In particular you should wear something that you don't mind getting dirty and scratched, possibly briefly wet, and above all something which does not make your feet sweat much. In all likelihood you will go everywhere in a vehicle and not on foot. One of the fun things about going on an organised "safari" is that there will almost certainly be one twerp who will be wearing "all the gear" and stick out as the poser he/she is. Most of the fun is however seeing rather than being seen.

[almcd007]

The only shoes we took were normal shoes/trainers as we were in a small 6 seater bus with a large open sunroof. I don't believe you are allowed out of the bus for safety reasons. You certainly wont be doing much hiking.

[jno]

depends - if you're being driven around you can wear what you like, though as you sometimes start before dawn or finish after dark, shoes and socks are probably a good idea. But take sandals or something for when you're at a camp. If you're on a walking safari and staying in tents, take walking boots of some sort. (Trainers would probably be ok.)

[KARL]

I should have said that if you are to be doing anything but the lightest walking, then your footwear should stand up to very long, sharp and hard thorns - both through the sole and the sides. In practice, this means leather shoes.

[harvue]

Take some CROCs - comfy, non sweaty etc.