Here are some African sandals that may not catch rocks. No shopping necessary. http://tinyurl.com/o2g4s

The best Laugh I've had in a while.

Thank you Sundowner!

Knew I should have checked the board earlier today! Thank you everyone.

Divewop - those Keen Bronx shoes look like they'd be easily cleaned too, nice rubber sole. Will definitely check them out. Thanks for backing it up countingdown.

Julian - thanks for the info on Ecco. Think the Ecco's I've seen have been pretty much wider at the toe, so will see if there's other choices. Inserts might work too. Got some good taste on this board with Ferragamo's!

csuss - I love my Teva's and they were very comfortable. Might need to buy a pair of sandals to break in for the shower and nights in camp. Good idea on the New Balance and had good luck finding wide sizes in gym/running shoes before. Wonder if they make light hiking boots.

And sundowner - well that takes the cake! Can make up for the blown budget on my first safari. Pretty creative, though.

Have a good night - all.

LOL, sundowner - you made my morning tea .
This only reinforces my earlier point about the limited footware avail. in Africa - you won't see any Gucci or Ferragamo stores.
At least the sandals shown in the pic. aren't latex loaded like all the other creative sandals made from rubber tires an such that you see on tribemen.
Sherry

The trip documents I recently received suggested good walking shoes and thongs or "slip slops".
I was wondering if that was a typo or is that what they're called in SA ?
We call them "flip flops".

Aren't Keen soles made from recycled tires? They appear to share something in common with Masai sandals

Wanted to thank Csuss for starting this discussion. Checked out the Keen brand, found a local store and bought the Newport H2's for casual wear and ordering a pair of Targhee's for light hiking in Mahale and game drives. The better news is that the Keen Newport H2's are also going to be great for our family's sailing trip this summer (next month!) in B.V.I.. Get to break them all in and be ready for safari in December.

For the more difficult to find shoe sizes, we did decide to go with New balance for hiking boot styles. For the 4E width shoe, the New Balance (MW976BG) is a little tight, but may work. And for the very narrow shoe (double A or 2A), New Balance wins and will be choice in a waterproof style ladies shoe.

I am very grateful for the advice and ideas. Saved me a lot of time.

Only sandals sandals & Sandals ! doesn't matter which : i've worn timberland's, Source, New Balance & hand-made from Tires...
(u can take off quickly & stand on the seat...)

Panecott,
I googled for “slip slops” after reading about your travel document and I was waiting for some SA expert to write about this interesting issue, but I think it’s safe to say that “slip slops” is what “flip flops” are called in South Africa. I call them baddojor BTW.

Re. Ecco: On the website provided by MisterAviator I saw some “safari sandals” that I’m planning to get hold of at the summer sales. http://www2.ecco.com/ss2006/products/women-business They’re number 88333 in the row of shoes at the top. It says “women’s business” – the safari business I presume. I don’t like too sporty looking footwear.