Kenya, with its breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife, offers the trip of a lifetime. Planning your adventure requires careful consideration of what to pack so you’re prepared for everything from game drives to relaxing evenings.
Here's a comprehensive packing list to help you prepare for your Kenya safari trip, ensuring you have everything you need for an unforgettable experience.
Clothing Essentials
The weather in Kenya is generally hot during the day, around 30°C (86°F), and cools down to 15°C (59°F) at night. Packing the right clothes is crucial for comfort and protection.
Neutral Colors
One important thing to note about packing for a safari adventure is that all your clothes need to have neutral colors. Colors like white, beige, olive green, and any other earthy colours work very well. That’s because you need to blend in with the environment and not startle the animals.
Breathable and Layerable Clothing
You'll need a mixture of lightweight clothing that you can layer up or down. Aim for breathable fabrics like linen and cotton and avoid nylon and other synthetics which can be very uncomfortable in hot weather. Ex-military or military-style clothing is not recommended.
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Here are some suggested items:
- Knee-length shorts
- Long pants
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Tank top
For tops, layers work best. For example, you can wear a tank top and long-sleeved shirts.
You might also want to bring a couple of smart casual outfits in case you go out for evening drinks or dinner. A pair of jeans and a shirt or blouse will do just fine.
Warm Fleece and Beanie
The days are warm throughout the year, but you'll want a warm fleece or jumper and a beanie to pop on for early morning starts and evening game drives as the temperature drops when the sun goes down.
Below is a basic packing list of the essential clothing you may want to bring:
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- 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
Footwear
Comfortable footwear is essential, especially if your trip involves walking and hiking.
Walking Boots
If your Kenya trip includes camping or bushwalking, we highly recommend you bring a pair of comfortable, closed-toe walking boots. Walking boots will give you more cushioning, protect your ankles and prevent cuts and scratches when walking through bush and grasslands. They also act as a barrier against bites or stings from insects.
Sandals or Thongs
As well as hiking shoes, you'll also need a pair of sandals or thongs to throw on when you're relaxing at your accommodation, heading out for a meal or going for a casual stroll. They're not as clunky and are easy to throw on and off.
When you visit Kenya you will walk a lot. You will hike, go to see waterfalls, maybe even go on a walking safari adventure. So you need to pack comfortable running shoes or hiking boots. Make sure they are not white because they will get very dirty from the dust and the roads. Besides comfortable walking shoes you also need to pack some flip flops.
Sun Protection
Kenya is located on the equator and the sun is strong all year round.
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Sunscreen and Lip Balm
A wide-brimmed sunhat, sunscreen and sunglasses (ideally polarised) are essential. Aim for water-resistant and high-SPF sunscreen to protect your skin while exploring. It gets really hot in Kenya during the day, so lips get very dry. Pack your favorite lip balm, ideally one with SPF.
Scarf
When you go on game drives it gets really dusty in the safari vehicle since you’re driving off road. And that dust sticks to your skin and clothes you will also inhale it. To minimize the amount of dust you inhale pack a scarf with you and wear it over your nose and mouth during game drives.
Health and Medical Supplies
It’s essential to be prepared for minor health issues and protect yourself from insects.
Insect Repellent
Mosquitoes (and the diseases they carry like malaria) are prevalent in Kenya, and even more so during the wet seasons. Bring a big bottle of insect repellent to spray generously over your skin to prevent pesky bites, especially around your ankles and places your clothes might not cover.
Personal Medical Kit
Your guides will carry a large first aid kit but we recommend bringing a mini kit to ensure you're prepared for any minor scratches, insect bites, blisters, or sunburn. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, but a pack of antibacterial wet wipes, a small bottle of antiseptic ointment, a packet of bandaids, some tweezers and soothing calamine lotion or aloe vera gel should do the job. You might also want to bring a pack of mild painkillers, electrolytes, and anti-diarrhea tablets for any upset tummy issues.
Medications
Make sure to schedule a doctor’s appointment about a month ahead of your trip to Kenya. At the same time, they should give you a prescription for malaria prophylaxis. As you’ll be in the wilderness in National Parks most days, you won’t have access to medical facilities. So make sure to pack all your personal medications. Another very important medication you should bring with you is Imodium.
Accessories and Gear
Certain accessories can greatly enhance your travel experience.
Camera
When you're going to Kenya, a camera is a no-brainer. You'll see so many incredible sights and wildlife that it'll be hard to put your camera down! Most smartphones nowadays have brilliant cameras, but if you want to turn your photography game up a notch, it might be worth bringing a proper camera. Make sure you also bring a spare battery or charger to top up the juice throughout your trip.
In order to take high-quality pictures of animals you will need a DSLR camera. If you don’t have a good camera, you can invest in a high-quality camera.
Binoculars
Binoculars aren't essential like clothes and footwear, but if you're going on safari in Kenya it's a different story. From lions to elephants to wildebeest, Kenya is jam-packed with incredible wildlife. We hope you'll get to see the wildlife relatively close from the safety of your jeep, but if they're a little too far to see well with your naked eye, a trusted pair of binoculars will give you a helping hand eye.
Water Bottle
We recommend bringing a bottle with at least a 1.5 litre capacity. Not only does the sale of single-use bottles contribute to a huge environmental problem worldwide, but most of Kenya is hot year-round, so staying hydrated is essential.
Headlamp
A high-beam headlamp or torch is very handy for walking around a campsite at night. Some camps have limited lighting and are powered by generators that switch off at a certain time. Although trucks carry lamps for mealtimes, bringing a headlamp to navigate the campsites and go to the bathroom at night is a good idea.
Travel Pillow
A travel pillow is your neck's best friend.
Travel Towel
A quick-dry towel is lightweight and dries in no time. It's way more practical for camping and showering on the go and will only take up a little space in your bag.
Waterproof Toiletry Bag
A waterproof toiletry bag is more practical than a soft one as you can hang it in the shower and keep your clothes dry - very useful if you stay at camps with basic shower structures.
Earplugs
You never know if you'll be sharing a room with a snoring mate. Earplugs will help you get a good night's sleep even if there are some disturbances. You'll be so tired at the end of each day that you'll probably fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow, but it might still be worth bringing a pair of earplugs just in case.
Plug Adaptor
Kenya has the same plug type as the UK. In order to not have multiple plug adaptors for travel and then get confused and pack the wrong one, go with a universal adaptor.
Luggage Considerations
Choosing the right luggage is important, especially if you're traveling by jeep for safaris.
Duffel Bag
The best advice I can give you is to bring a duffel bag since it’s easier to fit in a tight space. If you must bring hard shell luggage, you should stick to carry-on bags. That’s what I did: I brought a hard-shell carry-on luggage and a backpack. That’s because when you travel from Nairobi to other destinations like the Maasai Mara you will travel by jeep.
Packing Cubes
If you’re traveling with a backpack and not a hard-sided suitcase, it’s tempting to just jam everything in there-but nothing will stain a trip like having to repeatedly fish around for that one tank top. Packing cubes made it easy to ‘unpack’ in each hotel by just pulling out our cubes, and when it was time to bounce-we grabbed those guys, tucked them into our backpacks, and we were off.
Additional Tips
- Cash is King: Yes, you will need cash for Kenya. Cash is king over there. Kenya’s currency is the Kenyan Shilling. However, the US dollar is widely accepted all over Kenya.
- Tipping: Yes, you do. You basically have to tip everyone: safari drivers, guides, restaurant workers.
- Stay Connected: The cheapest and most convenient way to get data while visiting from abroad is to buy an eSIM.
- English Speaking: Yes, they do. English is one of the official languages in Kenya. Everyone I interacted with over there spoke English.
- Best Time to Visit: You should visit during the dry season, which is December - March and July - October. This is the best time for wildlife spotting.
Table: Kenya Packing List Essentials
| Category | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | Neutral-colored clothing | Khaki, olive green, beige |
| Footwear | Walking boots | Comfortable, closed-toe |
| Footwear | Sandals or thongs | For relaxing |
| Sun Protection | Sunscreen | High SPF, water-resistant |
| Health | Insect repellent | DEET 40% or higher |
| Accessories | Camera | DSLR for high-quality photos |
| Accessories | Binoculars | For wildlife viewing |
| Accessories | Water bottle | Reusable, 1.5L capacity |
By following this packing list, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy the wonders of Kenya, from its stunning landscapes to its incredible wildlife encounters.
What to Pack for Safari - My Packing List
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