When most people hear the term ‘safari,’ they immediately think of Africa – which is understandable because most safaris do, in fact, happen in the motherland. At least, that’s where all the best ones are.
But we don’t have to pigeonhole that experience to just Africa.
The word ‘safari’ comes from the Swahili word ‘safariya,’ which means ‘journey’ – and ‘safariya’ originates from the Arabic word ‘safara,’ which means ‘to travel.’ In essence, a safari is nothing more than a journey.
RELATED: 15 DIY Baby Shower Games Everyone Will Actually Enjoy Playing
That’s why having a safari-themed baby shower makes sense.
Ask any mother, and they’ll tell you the same thing – having a baby is life’s greatest 40-week journey, and motherhood is life’s greatest journey, period. That’s not to say it’ll be easy, but it’s definitely worth it.
So, what better way to celebrate than with a safari-themed baby shower?
Putting Together the Best Safari-Themed Baby Shower
Aafari-themed baby showers promise an adventure as wild and entertaining as the journey of parenthood itself, but mothers need to be prepared to make a slew of tough decisions during the planning process.
Starting with the color scheme.
You could go with more of a jungle or rainforest theme, which would feature a lot of green and color – maybe a waterfall or two. In Africa, this would be the equivalent of the Congo Basin in Central Africa.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 15 Adorably Themed Baby Shower Food Ideas
Or you could go with a desert theme, which would feature a lot of dull, earthy tones – such as sand, and maybe a cacti or two. In Africa, this would be the equivalent of the Sahara, Namib, or Kalahari deserts.
Either way, a lot of the focus will be on animals.
When it comes to a safari, the ‘Big Five’ game animals are the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo – but you can also feature the giraffe, monkey, zebra, cheetah, hippo, and crocodile.
Look at that, you’re already well on your way to a safari-themed baby shower! There’s still a lot to plan, though – so kick back, grab your handy dandy notebook, and let’s hash this out with a little checklist!
Venue & Location
The first step in planning a baby shower is finding the right venue and location. It might sound like an easy task, but there are a lot of factors to consider if you want to do right by yourself and your guests.
For example, it needs to be big enough to fit everyone comfortably, and in a convenient location to prevent any issues with travel. Of course, it also needs to set the tone and match the overall theme.
Here are five venue and location ideas for your safari-themed baby shower:
50. A botanical garden offers a lush, green backdrop that can enhance the safari theme.
49. Most local zoos offer event spaces that you can rent for special occasions, like a baby shower.
48. A local park with ample greenery can be transformed into a safari setting with the right decorations
47. A farm or ranch setting can give you a rustic and natural setting that suits a safari theme.
46. Always have an indoor space to use as a backup option – and have decorations ready.
At the end of the day, your job is to make sure the baby shower is enjoyable, accessible, and memorable for everyone involved. Whether that means doing it at home or elsewhere – well, that’s for you to decide!
Invitations & Thank You Cards
By now, you should have a good idea of the who, what, when, and where, but how are you going to let all of your guests know? A simple text would suffice, but let’s be honest – that’s the boring way of doing it.
Sending formal invitations through the mail (or hand delivered) is the best way to go.
Invitations not only provide all the necessary information about the baby shower, including the date, time, location, and RSVP details, but the design and style of the invitation can set the tone for the baby shower.
Here are five ways to make the best invitations and thank you cards for your safari-themed baby shower:
45. Use patterns like zebra stripes, leopard spots, or giraffe spots as the background of the invitations.
44. Design the invitations with lush greenery, tropical leaves, vines, and illustrations of safari animals.
43. Create invitations that look like boarding passes or safari tour tickets, complete with details like flight numbers (date) and seating assignments (time).
42. Incorporate textures into the card design, such as faux leather or a canvas print background, to give a more authentic safari feel.
41. If you can’t find a design online or in-store, use Canva to browse templates – or design your own from scratch!
Of course, don’t forget the ‘thank you’ cards – which are usually sent within two or three weeks of the shower. It’s a great way to show your gratitude for them taking the time to celebrate you on a special day.
RELATED: When Is the Right Time to Have a Baby Shower?
Decorations & Design
Decorations are key to bringing any baby shower theme to life. They can turn the most basic venue into a sophisticated, lush, and vibrant atmosphere that contributes to the guest’s overall experience at the event.
And let’s not forget all the photographs you’ll take.
Well-thought-out decorations provide beautiful backdrops and themed elements for photos and videos – which help to document this special day for those who couldn’t be there to celebrate with you in person.
Here are five ideas for decorating and designing your safari-themed baby shower:
40. Decorate the entrance with faux jungle vines, large green leaves, and large stuffed animals (which can also be used in your nursery).
39. Use green, gold, white, and clear balloons to make a feature arch – and mix in some balloons shaped like safari animals (maybe even some life-sized ones, too!).
38. Plants – lots of plants. They don’t need to be real, but the more plants, the better. And look for plants that you can re-use in your house, backyard, or at future get-togethers.
37. Use animal print and fur wherever possible – including blankets, rugs, pillows, seat coverings, and tablecloths.
36. Having a photo backdrop is a must. Use similar decorations as your entrance and balloon arch, but add in a ‘BABY’ block sculpture.
If you need some inspiration, you can always google pictures of the Congo Rainforest and Basin, or the Sahara Desert. You can also watch videos of real African safaris on YouTube to get yourself in the mood.
Tableware & Serveware
Whether you plan on offering appetizers on a snack table or serving a three-course meal in a banquet setting, the tableware and serveware you choose will play a significant role in the guest’s experience.
For starters, make sure you have way more than what you’ll need.
Having enough plates, cups, utensils, napkins, and serving dishes can eliminate a lot of the headache when it comes time to eat. Of course, you also want it to look nice and go with your overall theme.
Let’s go over some tableware and serveware ideas for your safari-themed baby shower:
35. Go to your local party store or Amazon and buy some animal print or safari-themed plates, cups, utensils, and napkins. Opt for disposable items, if possible.
34. Instead of using plastic cutlery, buy wooden or bamboo cutlery to give a rustic and natural feel.
33. Use large tropical leaves as placemats – for both plates and serving dishes.
32. Serve beverages in mason jars with handles. You can tie them with raffia or twine and attach a small leaf or animal tag to each for a personalized touch.
31. Scatter small items like faux leaves, wooden beads, or even little toy animals around the table, and create a fun, safari-inspired centerpiece for each table.
Beautifully designed pieces can serve as centerpieces or accentuate the table setup, adding to the visual appeal of the event. Just make sure you’re not sacrificing any bit of quality or functionality in doing so.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Baby On The Way? Here Are 10 Customizable Baby Shower Decorations
Food, Snacks, & Dessert
Like we mentioned above, you really have two options when it comes to food – go all out with a full, sit-down meal (like a brunch or dinner), or set up a table with a bounty of snacks and/or appetizers.
I guess your third option would be to do both.
Either way, it’s important to have some type of food, snack, or desert for your baby shower – and it even gives you an opportunity to display your creativity and play along with whatever theme you choose.
Here are some food ideas to consider for your safari-themed baby shower:
30. For the snack table, go with animal crackers, trail mix, animal-shaped candy, tropical fruit snacks, and cheese and crackers.
29. For the appetizers, you can serve animal-shaped sandwiches and a safari skewer (tropical fruits and varied meats or tofu).
28. For the main course, we recommend trying a Braii-inspired barbecue, Moroccan Tagine, East African Pilau, or an Ethiopian Doro Wat – if you want to do the culture justice.
27. For dessert, serve animal print cupcakes or cookies, safari-themed cake pops, tropical parfaits, or an African Malva Pudding.
26. Create a platter of dips that resemble the colors of the savannah—hummus for the sand, spinach dip for foliage, and a red pepper dip for sunset hues.
In a perfect world, I would recommend having a small snack table for when guests arrive, a small meal about halfway through to keep guests happy, and some kind of a dessert to top things off at the end.
Drinks & Beverages
Alright, we’ve taken care of the hunger, but now we have to quench that thirst. Since everyone has their own preference with drinks, we recommend serving a variety of light, easy, and popular beverages.
Lemonade, iced tea, water, soda, punch, juice – any of these will do.
And just because the expecting mama can’t drink alcohol, doesn’t mean you can’t serve it to guests. If that’s the route you go, try to avoid hard alcohol and opt for wine, spritzers, Champagne, and mimosas.
Let’s take a look at some drink ideas to consider for your safari-themed baby shower:
25. Blend tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and papaya with coconut water and a splash of lime juice for a tasty jungle juice. Serve in a punch bowl.
24. If you go with lemonade, add food coloring to make it blue or pink (or both, if you don’t know the gender).
23. Offer a variety of infused waters to keep guests hydrated. You can use combinations like cucumber-mint, lemon-basil, or orange-rosemary.
22. If you plan on handing out water in plastic bottles, design a customized water bottle label and replace it with the one already on it.
21. For alcoholic beverages, offer wines from South Africa’s Cape Winelands or go with a mango-flavored mimosa.
Combined with your tableware and serveware, these drinks will pair perfectly with your safari theme – adding a sense of vibrancy and imagination to something that’s normally boring and uneventful.
RELATED: 35 Best Baby Shower Gifts If Mama-To-Be Does Not Have a Registry
Gift Table & Guest Book
Having a designated gift table gives guests a specified place to leave their gifts as they arrive, which helps keep the baby shower organized and ensures gifts aren’t misplaced or left in an inconvenient spot.
Whether you plan on opening them during or after the event, all your gifts willl be in one place.
And while a guest book isn’t necessary, it makes for a great memento for your special day. You can store it in your baby’s nursery as a decoration and continue to cherish it as your child grows and develops.
Here are a few gift table and guest book ideas for your safari-themed baby shower:
20. Create a wooden sign that reads, “Gift Drop-Off” and style it with foliage and animals.
19. Make a personalized card box to use as a centerpiece and design it to look like a safari truck – or your favorite safari animal.
18. Create a mini safari tent over the gift table using light, natural fabric draped over a simple frame.
17. Design a small map that guides guests to the gift table, incorporating fun elements like “Watch for Lions!” or “Elephant Trail”.
16. Create a small pathway leading to the gift table using lanterns, stones, petals, tire tracks, and animal tracks.
A gift table makes it easier for the host or the guest of honor to acknowledge and thank each guest for their gifts, either during the event or later through thank you cards. It ensures that no gift goes unnoticed.
Games & Activities
Baby showers usually bring together guests from various parts of the expectant parents’ lives, such as family, friends, and coworkers, who may not know each other well – which is exciting, but nerve-wracking.
Don’t worry – that’s what games and activities are for.
They act as the perfect ice-breaker for those who have never met before, and they help keep guests entertained throughout the entirety of the baby shower – no matter how corny and silly the games are.
Here are some of our favorite games and activities for your safari-themed baby shower:
15. Set up a jar in the middle of a table and fill it with animal crackers. Have guests guess how many animal crackers are in the jar for a door prize.
14. Provide plain safari hats and various decorations like ribbons, stickers, and patches. Guests can decorate their hats and wear them during the shower.
13. Set up a large canvas or paper wall mural and invite guests to add to a jungle scene throughout the shower.
12. Create a list of animals and have guests guess the gestation period for each – or have them write down what the babies are called (for example, a baby elephant is called a calf).
11. Play charades where guests have to act out different jungle animals without speaking. This can lead to lots of laughs and good times.
If you really want to keep energy levels up (and introduce a sense of competition to the games), you can always offer prizes to the winners – and even consolation prizes to those who don’t come out on top.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 15 Personalized Baby Products Perfect for Any Nursery or Baby Shower
Party Favors & Mementos
Handing out party favors at a baby shower is not absolutely necessary, but they’re a great way to thank your guests for celebrating the special day with you – and, of course, thank them for the gifts and support.
They can also double as a keepsake for those who show up.
Just like decorations and themed food, party favors can contribute to the festive atmosphere of the event. You can also use them as gifts for those exciting games and activities you have planned for the guests.
Let’s take a look at some of our favorite party favor ideas for a safari-themed baby shower:
10. Give out mini succulents or cacti in small pots that have animal prints or are shaped like safari animals.
9. Distribute handmade soaps infused with safari-inspired scents like sandalwood, coconut, or shea butter.
8. Give them a goodie bag filled with beautifully decorated cookies shaped and painted like various jungle animals.
7. Offer candles that have scents inspired by the savannah and rainforest, such as acacia, rain, or grassland.
6. Give out small photo frames that fit the safari theme, possibly with animal prints or rustic wooden frames. It can house the group photo you guys take later on!
If you decide to hand out party favors, keep in mind that they don’t have to be extravagant or expensive. Simple, thoughtful items that align with the theme or something useful like a small plant would suffice!
Dress Code & Attire
Although not totally necessary, you could institute a dress code for the event. When everyone dresses in a similar style or palette, it creates beautiful, cohesive visuals, which are especially great for photographs.
Keep in mind that strict dress codes might turn some people off from the event.
If not communicated clearly, a dress code can lead to confusion about what is appropriate or expected, which might make some guests uncomfortable. It’s best to encourage a dress code, but don’t enforce it.
Here are five ways you can have fun with a dress code for a safari-themed baby shower:
5. Go with a pure safari theme, fit with khaki pants, vests, safari hats, and hiking shoes.
4. Ask guests to incorporate animal prints into their outfits, but give them the freedom to decide how.
3. Make it simple and ask guests to follow a singular color scheme – earthy tones for the desert, vibrant colors for the rainforest.
2. Tell everyone they can wear what they want, but they need to include their favorite set of binoculars in their outfit.
1. Ditch the safari theme altogether and let everyone wear what they want – or have them wear their favorite dress-up outfit.
If you plan on having a dress code for your baby shower, make sure you communicate it clearly in the invitation, and give guests an ample amount of time to prepare. As always – the less stress, the better!
It’s Your Safari-Themed Baby Shower – Do It Your Way!
Whether you’re daydreaming about your own baby shower or planning someone else’s, what’s most important is that you make this event unique to yourself (or unique to whoever you’re planning it for).
And don’t be afraid to get creative – your friends will have a blast, no matter what!
With that said, there’s nothing wrong with doing a little research on Google or Pinterest. Trust me, you’ll come across a lot of incredible ideas that way – some of which we discussed in our checklist above!
But now, we want to hear from you!
If you find yourself needing some more inspiration, just ask! That’s what one of our loyal readers did in our Answers by Mamas Uncut forum online – and it prompted the very article you’re reading right now!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 30 Fun Baby Shower Games
“Any mommas do a safari theme Babyshower? I would love any ideas you ladies might have,” she asked. If you’d like to share some baby shower ideas of your own, head over to our online forum today – we have a community of mothers and expecting mothers who can’t wait to share their experiences with you.
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.