Invitations and Costumes

• Use items such as straw-printed paper, an African font or jungle-green envelopes for your invitations. Yelena Johnson of the party planning site Celebrations.com suggests making invitations that resemble passport covers, with the party information inside. Whether you want your safari party to include costumes is up to you, but at least provide some safari accessories, such as plastic pith helmets and binoculars for guests.
  
  

Food and Decorations

• Safari party food should evoke Africa or the jungle. Try animal crackers, gummy worms, peanuts and bananas for snacks. For adults, cut sandwiches into leaf shapes, or serve fruit salad and roasted meats. Then choose one of many ideas for decor: Drape mosquito netting or camouflage fabric over tables and chairs, or tack it to the walls and ceiling to give a tent-like feel to a room. If outside, use citronella candles and tiki torches. Turn faux-fur fabrics into animal-themed pillows, throws or area rugs. Decorate the party place with plastic or rubber snakes, frogs, insects and birds, which can also double as party favors to send home with your guests.
  
  

Activities

• Whether your guests are adults or kids, plan an activity or two to go along with your safari theme. One of the classic safari pursuits is photography, so provide plenty of disposable cameras and encourage guests to document their adventure. (For an added gracious-host touch, a week or so after the party, send your guests a cardboard picture frame with a photo showing them at the party, decorated with a few foam jungle animals.) Another activity is a treasure or scavenger hunt, with clues written to incorporate hints using African, jungle or safari words. Some companies, such as Quest Experiences, make pre-made scavenger hunts. For kids' safari parties, don't forget an animal pinata and a face-painting station where they can become lions, tigers and monkeys. Both adults and older kids can enjoy classic party games like charades (animal-themed, of course), balloon darts set up on cardboard jungle tree, or a lion's-mouth beanbag toss. Prizes, jungle-themed crafts and costume contests also can add activity and life to your party; just adjust the difficulty and maturity of subjects for adults.