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Greetings, gentleman. Today, I am talking about an old blast from the past that has been on my review list for some time, and I have been looking forward to this one. I am referring to the fragrance Safari for Men by Ralph Lauren, released back in 1992. It is considered a woody aromatic fragrance for men and is a favourite of mine from this house. It’s not entirely on the same level as my beloved Polo Green, but it’s still something special and worth your time.

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you usually gravitate to more contemporary scents such as Montblanc Explorer or D&G The One. However, if you like traditional masculine scents, keep reading.

Price and where to buy

Polo Safari is reasonably priced; you can expect to pay around £40 – £60, depending on the bottle size you choose. There is also a ladies’ version.

It’s kind of a forgotten gem, although you do see it in stores from time to time in the “oldies” section next to your Aramis and CK Obsession.

When it comes to getting the best deal, your best bet is almost always the discounters — especially when they’re running coupon codes. And the one that’s never let me down is FragranceX.

They ship worldwide, they only deal in authentic stock, and they’ve got a solid 30-day return policy, which keeps things risk-free.

Prices do move around (sometimes daily, especially during holiday sales), so it’s always worth checking the current deal. 👇

Appearance and Presentation

As you can see, the bottle is beautifully designed and wouldn’t look out of place in an old-fashioned display cabinet. It has a gentlemanly look, and I get the impression that it was made to resemble a whisky decanter, as it certainly looks like one to me.

I love these kinds of fragrance bottles. Sadly, they don’t make them like this anymore.

The Notes

Top Notes – Lavender, Bergamot, Aldehydes, Coriander, Artemisia, Green Notes, Neroli, Lemon

Middle Notes – Tarragon, Carnation, Cinnamon, Rose, Cyclamen, Jasmine

Base Notes – Leather, Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Cedar, Musk, Patchouli, Amber

My thoughts about the scent

If you’re wondering if this scent actually smells like being on a safari, the answer is not really. I’ve never been on a safari, but I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t smell like this fragrance. Here’s what you can expect, though.

Straight off the top, you will be hit with generic citrus aromatics with a classic barbershop feel. A lot is going on here, as you can see from the note list, which is typical for fragrances of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. They tend to be richer and more complex than contemporary fragrances, so I like them better.

I pick up the greenery and florals with some smooth spices as it transitions to the mid. These notes blend well with a base that is primarily earthy, woody and leathery. It has an old-world nostalgic charm that is just fantastic, perfectly fitting my personal style.

Now, it borrows many familiar elements you would expect to see in a scent from that era with the prominent patchouli and oakmoss notes. Nevertheless, it has its uniqueness with an overall clean, fresh vibe that may remind you of your dad or uncle rocking his Sunday best back in the day.

To sum it up, this is fundamentally a fresh, aromatic, green scent that is smooth and well-balanced. I love it.

Want to try this fragrance on your skin?

If you’d prefer to sample it first, these are my two favourite
and most reliable places to get authentic decants:

Performance and reformulations

This fragrance HAS been reformulated over the years, and there’s absolutely no question about that. The early nineties were really the tail end of the men’s “powerhouse” fragrance era. Polo Safari was indeed in that category when it was first released, but that is not the case today. It’s now essentially a weaker, watered-down version of its former self. Boo!

On the upside, the performance is still pretty decent by modern standards and will give many new releases a good run for their money. You’ll get a solid 6 hours of longevity with a moderate projection of around 2-3. Most people within an arm’s length of you will be able to pick up on this. A little top-up at lunchtime will see you through the day.

When to wear?

The freshness of this fragrance makes it easy to wear at any time of year, although, for the best results, I would suggest it will perform its best in the spring. A beautiful, crisp barbershop scent like Polo Safari will always serve you well in the spring. Other fragrances such as CK Eternity and even cheapies like Clubman Pinaud will also do this exceptionally well.

Where to wear?

You could dress this up or down without a problem. Polo Safari will be a good fit if you’re looking for something unique and inoffensive for the office. It could also qualify as a signature scent for the right person. On the whole, it’s an all-rounder, so you don’t need to overthink it.

Who is this for?

For me, this fragrance is for the well-groomed masculine man from age 30 onwards. If you are reasonably well dressed and want to add a touch of sharpness to your overall appearance, this will undoubtedly do the job.

I also recommend a similar fragrance, Polo Green, which I prefer, although it’s more rugged, without the clean and fresh appeal.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• A timeless classic
• Very Masculine
• Old-world, nostalgic feel
• Stunning-looking bottle design
• Complex and interesting blend of fresh, green and woody notes
• It would suit a sophisticated masculine man with a traditional style
• It can be worn any time of the year
• It can be dressed up or down
• A Great work scent
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• The reformulation has weakened the performance
• It has a slight synthetic element
• It could be considered dated (although who cares)

Should you buy?

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Polo Safari, as it’s an excellent value for money. This would be a great choice for someone who already owns a few fragrances but wants to add something with a classical edge to their collection without going overboard.

If I didn’t have a list of fragrances to wear and review, I could see myself wearing this daily for months. Let me know your thoughts on this one in the comments below. You can also check out my other reviews of Polo Blue, Polo Red and Polo Green if you’re interested in any of those.

READY TO GRAB THIS FRAGRANCE?

If you’re ready to add this to your collection, here are two reliable places to check:

• FragranceX – usually the best prices, discount codes, and a wide selection. They also ship worldwide.
• Amazon – great if you prefer Prime delivery speed, just make sure to buy from a trusted seller.

👉 Pick the option that works best for you.

No matter where you’re reading from, smell good, spend smart.

WANT TO FAST-TRACK ALL OF THIS STUFF?

I put together The Ultimate Fragrance Cheat Sheet—a no-fluff guide that covers everything from notes and families to shopping smart and applying like a pro.

It’s built for guys who want to smell sharp without overthinking it.