What To Pack For A Kenya Safari : Packing for a trip to Kenya can be a very daunting experience even if you are an experienced traveler or a first-time traveler. Unlike other destinations in the world, Kenya has a very conducive and favorable climate thanks to its closeness to the equator. This makes packing for a Kenya safari to Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo National Park among other Kenyan destinations different.
While packing, a careful consideration is required for weather, comfort, local culture and among others. Here is the packing list for a Kenya Safari
What To Pack
This packing list acts as a general guide on what to take on your Kenya safari, please ensure that you pack minimally and use layers as local airlines flying to various Kenya parks have a typical luggage restriction of 15 kilos allowance per person including carry-on bags. Soft sided bags or folding duffel bags are recommended.
Your packing list for a Kenya Safari must include the following essentials
- Clothing suitable for Safaris
- Shoes, Hat
- Sun Protection
- Insect repellant
- vital Medication
- Cameras or Photography equipment among other items.
Additionally, do not forget the Travel Documents. Prior to start of your safari, check for your Passport, Health cards (vaccination certificates as required), Airline tickets, Credit Cards and Insurance Papers.
Ensure that all the documents are in order and up-to-date. Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages and six months of validity from the proposed date of exit from Kenya.
Note: Kenya as a country aims at eliminating the usage of plastic bags for environmental reasons, because of this the usage of the bags have been banned and their use is illegal.
Clothes
The ideal clothes to pack for your Kenya safari should be casual in nature, loose fitting and lightweight. The reason is to keep you cool and dry.
When packing, the clothes’ color must be pastel shades instead of brighter colours for optimum suitability of the wilderness. Khaki and Forest Green Colours are the favorite and most recommended for a Kenya Safari.
Please Note: Camouflaged, military-pattern clothes many be considered unlawful in East Africa as they are worn by the local Military forces, so it is best to avoid them. Also, ensure that you pack a fleece, cardigan or light jacket for the cool early mornings during game drives.
Also, keep in mind that most lodges and camps in Kenya provide laundry services.
The basic packing list of the essential clothing you may bring is as below
- 01 short sleeve casual shirt
- 02 khaki long sleeve shirts
- 01 Wind cheater or light jacket or Fleece jacket
- 01 Safari Multi Pocket Saafri Vest (especially useful for Photographers)
- 02 pairs khaki smart casual trousers or Chinos
- 02 pairs safari shorts
- 03 pairs sport socks
- 02 T-shirts
- 01 pair Nightwear
- 01 pair Swimwear
- Sports bra
Note: if you are planning to stay at a 5-star camp or lodge, bring a single set of smart but basic dinner wear, this is also useful for nights in Nairobi City or along the cost of Mombasa
Shoes
Most safari experiences in Kenya do not involve trekking or bush walking which is why fully closed lightweight and comfortable walking shoes such as sneakers with good grip are fine. However, the classic safari boots also known as Chukka boots are always a great all-round choice.
Hiking boots are also useful though you may find them unnecessarily heavy unless you actually plan on hiking during your Kenya safari trip.
Around the swimming pool or in-room use, flip flops are useful. You can buy the, cheaply in Nairobi.
Hats And Sun Protection
Sunscreen lotion and a wide brim Safari hat is recommended to protect your neck as well as face from the sun, the most recommended sunscreen lotion is a high enough SPF. A pair of sunglasses and prescription glasses for visitors who were contact lenses, it can be rather dusty to wear these comfortably.
Insect Repellant
Most of the lodges and camps in Kenya provide insect repellent, however you are encouraged to pack your own preferred brand.
Repellants containing Deet are said to be more effective against most insects and bugs, all-natural citronella repellant can also get the job done if you are concerned about the deet effects.
Please consult your doctor or Pharmacist
Medication
While on a Kenya, remember you will be in the bush and the nearest town or city will be tens of kilometers away. As you pack, remember to include your most essential personal medications especially brands or medications that may not be available locally in Kenya.
Several pharmacies in Nairobi sell a wide variety of medicines for basic requirements such as pain relief, anti-malaria pills or antacids.
Keep in mind to carry along any prescriptions when you bring along medication into Kenya, just in case you are required to show this at the airport.
Cameras, Binoculars, Travel Adaptors & Laptop
For cameras and photography equipment, we recommend packing them into your carry on luggage rather than check-in for enhanced safety.
Kenya offers amazing photo opportunities so carry a decent camera to make the most of your trip, binoculars are very useful and though some Safari operators provide a pair in their vehicles, these may be basic in specs so if you can bring your own set, then do.
For professional photographers, you many want to carry your laptop which is so useful for download and processing your images after a day on a safari. Also, helps you make the most of your camera storage cards as you keep moving the images to your laptop or hard disk at the end of each day on a Kenya safari.
Spare AA and AAA batteries are available for sale at certain lodges in several safari destinations in Kenya and this includes standard and rechargeable batteries.
Regarding Electrical sockets, bring a couple of Travel socket adaptors. In Kenya, we use the associated plug type G which is a plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern.
Kenya operates on a 240V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Other Stuff
Other important items you must include in your packing list includes personal toiletries such as a travel size shampoo, conditioner, shop, deodorant, moisturizer, hair brush, tooth paste and toothbrush), sanitary products for ladies, wet wipes and hand sanitizers, small sewing kit, small scissors and pocket knife (not in carry-on bag) alarm clock, money pouch or money belt, reading materials, pen and a notebook.
