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Africa Wanderlust

Kenya Packing List: What to Wear and What Not to Bring

Are you heading to the upcountry? Masaai Mara? Nairobi? The coast? The different parts of the country can wildly vary in a climate, so it’s important to note the exact place you’ll be staying before you start packing. Our Kenya packing list will give you everything you need to know for a trip to Kenya.

Kenya is an incredible country with breath-taking scenery, sunny beaches, and lush mountains. Being one of the best safari destinations in Africa is an added reason to visit Kenya.

The country is considerably diverse, so your Kenya packing list will depend on which part of the country you intend to visit and the type of activities you will take part in.

Before we dive into what to pack for your Kenya trip, let us talk briefly about the weather.

Weather in Kenya

One of the most critical factors you will want to consider when crafting the perfect Kenya packing list is the weather and the season at the time of your visit.

Kenya typically has a dry and rainy season. The dry season runs from mid-December to March, and the rainy season usually starts from late April through to July and early August.

The country also experiences short rains from time to time. However, since the equator runs through the country, the climate is temperate, so even on the rainy season, it never gets too cold.

Assuming you’ll take part in different top excursions and adventures if you visit Kenya, here is a list of recommended items plus tons of good ideas.

21 Top Kenya Packing List Items

The coastal part of the country offers fantastic pearly beaches, so make sure you pack smart-casual in case an opportunity for a romantic dinner date arises.

For safari trips, you’ll need to wear loose and comfortable clothing. 

Remember, avoid wearing brightly-colored clothes on a safari – one reason being you need to camouflage with the surroundings as much as possible lest you miss a chance to spot lions. 

The second reason is a safari in Africa can be pretty dusty since the roads in Animal National Parks are not tarmacked.

For beach and other activities; however, your preference should guide you best.

Shirt or Blouse

If you’re headed to the Kenyan coast lightweight button-up shirt/blouse are great whether you’re strolling along the white sandy beaches or you’re out for nightlife.

Great Rift Valley and the western part of the country can get a little bit cold at night so be sure to pack a few warm clothes and cozy nightwear .

A pair or two of comfortable pants would be great for early morning excursions like morning or dusk safari walk. 

Even in the dry season, the bushes will be full of morning dew enough to make your legs wet, so shorts may not be the best option.

Cargo pants , for instance, are a great alternative as they’re comfortable and can be used for adventurous activities like hiking or rock-climbing.

Hiking Shoes

Pack footwear best suited for the purpose of your trip. If you plan to have an adventure in the mountains, be sure to get a good pair of grip boots.

A smart traveler travels light, so it’s vital to pack multi-purpose clothing and footwear is no exception. Make sure your hiking boots can serve you well if you decide to go on walking safaris.

Ideally, they should be lightweight with at least ankle support, which will perfect for the bush since the terrain can be uneven and rocky. They should also be comfortable to avoid blisters. 

Make sure you wear the boots a couple of times before you travel to break them in. You can get some from here .

Casual Shoes

Pack a casual pair of shoes for city strolls or night dates. Sturdy sandals are fantastic, especially if you’re going to explore the charming streets of the coastal part of Kenya.

Most high-end accommodations usually provide their guests with room slippers, but it’s always a good idea to carry flip flops just in case.

Rain Jacket

A rain jacket will be necessary if you’re visiting towards the end of the rainy season. One minute could be all bright and shiny, but the next could be gloomy and raining. You can get one from here .

Kenya is blessed with a lot of sunshine, but too much of anything will definitely make you uncomfortable. 

Whether you’ll be going on a safari, a hiking tour, or lying lazily on the beach, a hat is a must-pack item when visiting Kenya. You can get one here .

If you wear contact lenses and you intend to go on a safari, you may want to wear some sunglasses to prevent your eyes from drying out in the heat.

But if you do not wear contact lenses, you should plan on having sunglasses, so you do not have to squint on those sunny days.

Tech and Gear 

Camera .

This is an obvious item for any avid traveler, but there is a need to remind you that Kenya is full of picturesque locations. Make sure you invest in a good camera to capture those unforgettable memories.

Plug Adapter 

If you’re traveling from anywhere else apart from the UK, make sure you pack a plug adapter. A universal plug adaptor would be great, especially if you have any layovers in destinations that use a different type of plug.

Also, invest in proper power converters as Kenyan electric switches supply between 220 and 240 volts.

Portable Charger 

This is one of the most essential gadgets as you’ll need to recharge your camera or phone if they run low on battery. Seriously, you can’t afford to miss a moment in Kenya. You can buy one here.

Binoculars 

Binoculars are especially crucial for hiking and safaris, where you’ll have the Big Five to spot plus lots of birdwatching opportunities. If you’ll take part in nocturnal game drives, be sure to park night vision equipment . 

Power isn’t exactly reliable in Kenya or the capital. Although many high-end hotels have a back-up in case of a blackout, you may want to have a small flashlight just in case. It also helps a lot if you’re camping.

Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer 

Trust me, wet wipes and sanitizers are not among the most common items in Africa. Kenya is not any different, especially if you are traveling to rural areas. 

These items are widely available in Nairobi and other major cities, but you may not have the extra time to run to the store.

Plan to pack a few hand sanitizer bottles/ wet pipes or both. Some parts of the country are short of running water and hand wash so you’ll need a lot of hand wipes so you can stay healthy.

Bug and Insect Repellent 

The coast and the western part of the country are famous for having bugs and malaria-causing mosquitos. 

Be sure to pack an ample amount of bug and mosquito repellent spray . If you are going on a safari, beware of the tsetse flies, blood-sucking insects that transmit sleeping sickness in humans. A good bug repellent should keep them away.

Sunscreen 

This is yet another safari essential and, obviously, a must-pack for a beach getaway in Kenya. You can get one here .

Documents and Details 

Passport .

Have your passport plus your stamped visa ready for inspection at the customs offices. You might also need to provide your itinerary as well as travel insurance papers.

You should also have a list of contacts that can be used in case of an emergency.

Travel Insurance 

It is essential to get travel insurance no matter where you are traveling to. 

It’s mainly a requirement that is helpful when traveling to Kenya and East Africa in general, where treatment in an excellent health facility can be costly.

Passport Holder 

You’ll need a passport holder that can withstand both dusty and wet environments.

A Swahili Phrasebook 

This is not a necessity. Swahili is a fun language to learn, and locals appreciate any tourist that attempts to communicate in their native language. Even a simple ‘Hi’ or a ‘Thank you’ will earn you brownie points.

Medications and Vaccination 

Before you travel, be sure to pay your doctor a visit so that they can advise on the recommended vaccines. 

Most African countries require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination prior to entry. Check the CDC website to confirm if up to date information on whether or not you will need a yellow fever vaccination.

Anti-malaria drugs are essentials, especially if you’re traveling to the western or coastal parts of the country.

You will find all over-the-counter medications in the larger cities, especially in the capital but not in rural areas or in the game reserves. For this reason, it’s advisable to shop in major cities for prescribed or other drugs you might need.

First-Aid Kit 

A first-aid kit is essential, particularly if you are planning to take part in adventurous excursions.

What Do People Wear in Kenya?

Women in kenya .

Kenya is one of the most modernized countries in Africa, according to the World Population Re view. So as long as you dress appropriately, you should not encounter any problems. Wearing clothes that are at least knee-length is the standard dress code. 

You might be barred from entering spiritual places like temples, mosques, and churches if you are dressed inappropriately.

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Ideally, if you will be visiting any religious institution, maxi dresses will be perfect. When you’re visiting malls or other public places, knee-length skirts or shorts will do.

Men in Kenya

There is no particular dress cord, although if you visit rural areas like the Maasai villages, you might see some men dressed in traditional sheets.

Feel free to dress in traditional sheets if you like, but it is not a requirement. When you’re visiting religious institutions, wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts.

Other Commonly-forgotten Items for a Trip to Kenya

Jeans Sandals Heels Headphones Aloe Vera Mosquito repellant Backpack Travel sheet Travel pillow Kindle/Kindle cover Memory card Headphones Headphone splitter GorillaPod Lightweight scarf

Vitamins/Supplements Dramamine Lip balm Contact lens solution Hairbrush/Comb Loofah glove Underpants/Bras Feminine products Toiletry bag Headlamp Umbrella Journal Small lock Swimsuit

Swimsuit cover-up Hats/Caps Jacket: Women’s & Men’s Luggage/Packing cubes Steamer Razor Immunization Records Drivers License/Photo ID Credit Card and Cash Money Belt Neck Pillow Eye Mask Water Bottle Towels

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Packing List for Kenya: What Not to Bring

It’s important to note that plastic bags are not allowed in Kenya. This includes:

• Ziploc bags 
• Grocery bags
• Garbage bags 
• Duty-free bags

When traveling in Kenya, it’s advisable to use woven reusable bags instead.

Concluding the Kenya Packing List

The above list contains all the essential items that you’ll need on your Kenyan visit. Most of the items listed are lightweight to help you travel as light as possible.

This post helps you pack everything you need to be comfortable when you are away. But at the same time, not pack too much where it becomes a burden; this Kenya packing list provides precisely that.

You should use this packing list as a checklist to make sure you don’t leave anything behind on your getaway to Kenya.

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If you plan on visiting multiple African countries on your trip, our travel guide , destinations , African national park pages will provide some inspiration. Happy Traveling!

21 Kenya Packing List Items

Tech and Gear

Shirt or Blouse Hiking Shoes Casual Shoes Rain Jacket Hat Sunglasses

Camera Plug Adapter  Portable Charger  Binoculars  Flashlight

Wet Wipes Hand Sanitizer Insect Repellent  Sunscreen Medications

Passport Travel Insurance Passport Holder  Phrasebook Vaccination First-Aid Kit

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I may contradict with you on power…. Power in Kenya is reliable.. Though the article is great.. ?????❤️

Thanks, Cyprian! We appreciate you sharing your honest feedback.

xo ~ Louisa

Great Article, One day i will like to visit Kenya and have some good time in the country, I hope the have good Livescore sporting activities.

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What To Wear On Safari: My Detailed Safari Packing List With Photos

Written by BELLA FALK

You’ve all seen the brochure photos: a smiling family is sitting at a camping table in the middle of the African bush. Behind them, the sun is setting, and perhaps a giraffe is crossing the savanna landscape.

Contents (click to view)

What are they wearing? I’m sure you can picture it: lightweight designer safari gear, all matching, in indistinguishable shades of beige, taupe and camel. Maybe the dad is wearing khaki chinos and the mum has a floppy-brimmed hat (colour: putty) on her head. They all have sand-coloured lace-up boots on, and from head to toe all their clothes are pristine, clean, and crease-free.

If it’s your first time figuring out what to wear on safari, it might feel like this is the model you have to follow. Like, having booked the blindingly expensive trip of a lifetime, you now have to go out and splurge hundreds more on the ‘proper’ kit, otherwise people will laugh at you and you may even get into trouble for not doing it right.

Well I’m here to reassure you: that’s rubbish.

What should you wear on safari?

I’ve been on five safaris (to Kenya , Botswana , Tanzania , Uganda and South Africa) and I still don’t own any ‘official’ safari clothes. I’ve always worn stuff I already own and been just fine.

That said, there are some dos and don’ts about packing for a safari, some things it’s a good idea to make sure you bring with you, and some stuff you should definitely leave at home.

So welcome to my complete safari packing guide. I’m going to go through a few points and FAQs, and then make a handy list at the end. Scroll down if you just want to skip ahead to that.

What happens on a safari?

Days on safari follow a similar schedule. You wake early and head out shortly after sunrise for a morning activity – usually a game drive but sometimes a boat cruise, guided walk, or scenic flight.

You return to the camp mid-morning for brunch and have some hours to relax in the heat of the day before heading out again for another activity later in the afternoon. Your afternoon game drive or boat cruise normally ends with sunset drinks in a beautiful location, before you head back to the camp for dinner.

After dinner you might sit round the campfire or boma enjoying a few drinks with your fellow guests, but most people go to bed fairly early, ready for another dawn start the next day.

Read more: Top 50 African Birds: A Safari Photo Guide

What to wear on safari during the day

The most important thing to note is that a safari is not a fashion show. It can be hot and dusty, or rainy and muddy, so it’s important to dress for comfort and practicality, so leave the designer gear, luxury fabrics and bling jewellery at home. Instead, bring stuff that washes easily, dries quickly and hides the dirt well!

You’ll also be coating yourself daily in suncream and insect repellent, so don’t bring anything that won’t mix well with those!

When I was in Botswana in December, some days reached 40 degrees C (104 F) with high humidity, so think lightweight breathable fabrics like cotton, viscose or sweat-wicking sportswear, or even linen if you don’t mind the creases).

T-shirts and shorts are your friends, but I’d avoid strappy vests for two reasons:

• Many African countries are quite conservative, and it doesn’t do to flash a lot of skin.
• The sun is extremely strong and the more skin you show, the more of you there is to get burned, even in a shaded safari car.

What to wear on a game drive or boat cruise

On wildlife viewing trips you’ll be sitting in a car for several hours, so it’s important to be comfortable. T-shirts and shorts are a great option.

Early mornings in Africa can be chilly, so bring a long-sleeved shirt, light sweater or jacket just in case.

Don’t forget your hat and sunglasses. Safari cars have roofs, but sometimes the roof rolls back so you can stand up, and when the sun is low in the sky it can shine in from the side very strongly. I was surprised by how much I ended up needing my hat.

Since you won’t be walking around much, light sneakers or sandals are fine.  

Safari cars are open-sided, so if it rains you may get a bit wet. Most safari companies carry ponchos in the car, to hand out to guests when it rains, but you might want to bring your own light waterproof raincoat just in case.

What to wear on a walking safari

For a walking safari the principles are the same, but you should wear long trousers to prevent your legs being cut or scratched by branches, and closed-toed shoes to protect you from biting or stinging animals or insects.

Although walking safaris can sometimes last for three or four hours, you don’t actually walk that far because there’s a lot of stopping and looking at stuff. So you don’t need hiking boots; comfortable trainers or walking shoes are fine. If you’re travelling in rainy season you might want to bring waterproof or Gore-Tex ones.

Read more: 46 Amazing African Safari Animals – A Photo Guide

Do I need warm clothes on safari?

We think of Africa as being hot, and it is, but it can also be extremely cold. If you travel during the northern hemisphere summer, that’s winter in most of Africa, and temperatures can drop below freezing especially in desert areas, if you’re at altitude, and the further south you go.

In Botswana and South Africa during the winter, average nighttime temperatures can be 0 or even -2 degrees C (28-32 F), and remember that most safari cabins and tents are not heated!

Even in Kenya, which is much closer to the equator and therefore not as cold, nights and early mornings can definitely be chilly.

Staff in camps will provide you with hot water bottles and blankets both in your tent and on game drives, but you still need to bring warm clothes with you as well.

If you’re travelling to the southern African countries between April and October, I’d recommend bringing at least one pair of long trousers, one long-sleeved top, one jumper, and a packable down jacket.

But remember to dress in layers, as the day quickly warms once the sun’s up, and even if it’s close to freezing during the night, afternoon temperatures can ramp up to high 20s (70+ F) or more.

It’s very important to check the weather forecast before you travel, as different regions’ climates can vary.

What colour should you wear on safari?

It’s recommended that you wear plain designs in neutral, earthy or natural colours, such as shades of beige, grey, brown or natural greens.

Avoid vibrant, bright colours like orange, red and yellow, or vivid patterns. This is for two reasons:

• It helps to make you less noticeable to animals.
• You can get pretty dusty on safari, and natural shades don’t show the dirt so much!

Bright white and full black are also not recommended. This is not only because they show the dust really badly, but because many animals actually only see in black and white, and large gleaming white shapes or dark black ones are very noticeable to them.

With that all said, I wouldn’t worry about it too much, and you certainly don’t need to rush out and buy an entire new wardrobe full of khaki and beige. As I just mentioned, many animals only see in black and white, and when you’re inside the car, most only see the car as one large object, and not the people inside.

It’s more important to stick to the rules when you’re on a walking safari and don’t have the protection of the car.

But in general, if you pack plain, neutral-ish colours, you’ll be fine.

Why not wear blue on safari?

Some people recommend not wearing blue on safari. Apart from being a pretty noticeable bright colour, it’s said to attract tsetse flies, which are prevalent in some areas of southern Africa and can deliver a nasty bite and spread disease. They are also thought to prefer black (another reason not to wear it).

That said, my light down jacket is bright blue, and I also took a blue t-shirt and a pale blue cardigan to Kenya, and I wore all three with no problems.

Read more: An Epic Uganda Itinerary In 2 Weeks

What to wear on safari evenings

Most people like to dress up when they go on holiday, so you might think about throwing a few glamorous dresses, high heels or some party shirts into your suitcase.

But you probably won’t wear them. Even in the luxury camps, most people really don’t dress up for dinner, for four main reasons:

• At night it’s a good idea to cover your arms and legs to avoid insect bites, so floaty skirts and strappy tops are a bad idea.
• It can get quite chilly at night, so you’ll probably be more comfortable in trousers and a fleece anyway.
• You’ll be tired after a long day and an early start; you’ll probably find you can’t be bothered to dress for dinner as you’ll be going to bed soon afterwards anyway.
• Walking round camp after dark you may run into snakes or spiders, and paths can be muddy and uneven, so high-heels are a definite no-no.

When I was in Botswana in December (the height of their summer) it was still 30+ degrees (86 F) in the evening, so I wore lightweight trousers or a long casual dress and then liberally coated myself with insect repellent. In Kenya in September it was a bit cooler, around low 20s (70 F), so I wore trousers, a t-shirt and a light cardigan, and had my jacket handy for later in the evening as the temperature dropped.

Is it OK to wear jeans on safari?

It’s perfectly fine to bring a pair of jeans for the cooler evenings, especially if you’re travelling in winter when you know it will be chilly at night.

However jeans aren’t recommended for game drives as you’ll probably be too hot in them during the day, and if you need to wash them they’ll take ages to dry.

As a general rule I wouldn’t take jeans on safari but instead bring lightweight trousers. The convertible zip-off ones that turn into shorts are especially good as you can have long pants for cold mornings and safari walks, and convert them into shorts once the day’s warmed up.

Pro tip: Whatever you choose to bring, make sure you have some ‘room to grow’! The food on safari is usually really good and you won’t be doing much exercise, so stretchy waistbands are a good idea!

Can you wear leggings on safari?

Yes, absolutely. Leggings are a great thing to bring on safari because they’re lightweight, wash and dry easily, are comfortable, and protect you from bugs and the sun. Just stick to neutral colours and leave the snazzy activewear designs at home!

I always pack a pair of leggings for safari – and if there’s a gym in the hotel then I can also use them for a workout!

What are the best shoes to wear on safari?

As I mentioned above, high heels and smart shoes are definitely not the thing to bring on safari. For game drives it’s fine to wear sandals or light sneakers, and for safari walks you want closed-toed comfortable walking shoes.  You definitely don’t need to buy special safari boots, no matter what the sales people might say.

If your lodge or hotel has a pool, you might want to bring some flipflops (also handy to have for walking around in your tent at night, or for nipping to the bathroom block if you’re staying in a campsite).

Can you wear trainers on safari?

Yes, absolutely. I always pack a pair of Asics Gore-Tex trail trainers that I wear for exercise, when it’s muddy or raining, and for walking or hiking. On game drives and boat cruises, and for walking around the camp in the evening, I have a pair of Skechers Go-Walk sneakers that are super comfortable and easy to slip on and off.

Read more: Kenya Vs Tanzania: Travel Experts Decide

What to pack for the beach in Kenya or Tanzania

Many people like to combine their safari with a few days on the beach, perhaps in Zanzibar in Tanzania, or at Diani or Vipingo in Kenya .

Here’s where you will get the chance to dress up a bit – as if you’re staying in a nice hotel or beach resort destination, there will definitely be opportunities to put on a strappy dress, holiday shirt, or some sparkly sandals.

If you’re planning to hit the beach for a few days at the end of your trip, you’ll definitely want to throw in one or two nice evening outfits. And don’t forget swimwear and a beach cover-up too!

Can you wash clothes on safari?

This is a very important question, and the answer is yes! Almost all safari lodges and camps offer a laundry service and most of the time it’s included in the price of your stay. So you can wash your clothes as often as you like at no extra cost – which means you really don’t need to bring huge amounts of luggage as you can wash and re-wear your clothes several times.

Note that in many places the laundry is done by hand by the hotel staff, dried out in the sun, and ironed using an old-fashioned coal iron. This is yet another reason not to bring anything too delicate or precious, as there’s a small chance it may get damaged during the laundry process.

What sort of underwear should I bring for safari?

Ladies: remember that you may spend many hours bouncing around over unsealed and bumpy roads in the back of a safari car. Being quite an athletic build, this is not something that’s ever bothered me, but I’ve been reliably informed by more curvy girls that a sports bra can be a life-saver in this situation. So if you’re particularly susceptible to bouncing, bring sports bras!

It’s also important to note that the people who handwash your clothes are usually male, and for cultural and hygiene reasons they won’t wash women’s underwear. Ladies will need to bring a small amount of hand wash (though sometimes laundry soap is provided) and wash your own pants and bras in the basin. For this reason it’s a good idea not to bring anything too fancy or delicate: lightweight, quick-drying microfibre underwear is best.

Read more: Chimpanzee Trekking In Uganda: A Breathtaking Wildlife Adventure

Other things to pack for safari

Of course, packing is not all about clothes. Here are a few other things you won’t want to forget (more in the complete packing list below):

Camera, spare batteries, chargers, plug adapters

Can you imagine going all that way on safari on the trip of a lifetime and then forgetting your phone charger or camera? I know, I’d die!

So definitely make sure you pack all your gadgets, and all the cables and plugs you’ll need to make them work! And then bring spares!

Often hotel rooms and safari tents only have a limited number of plug sockets, so if you have loads of gadgets, it’s a good idea to bring a multi-socket splitter. I recommend one with surge protection : power cuts can happen frequently and if there’s a surge when the power comes back, your devices can get fried. This happened to me the night before my Tanzania safari , so now I’m extra careful!

Medication and toiletries

Most of the places you’ll be staying will be out in the bush, with limited access to shops. Make sure you bring all the toiletries, medicines and personal items you’ll need, as once you leave the airport, opportunities to replace anything that’s missing will be very limited.

Do you need malaria tablets for safari?

Large parts of Africa have malaria, including popular safari countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, so it’s very likely that you may need to take malaria tables on safari. I usually take doxycycline which is cheaper than malarone, but may not be suitable for everyone so speak to your pharmacist or travel clinic.

You can check the malaria risk for the country you’re visiting, as well as any other vaccine requirements at the Travel Health Pro website here .

Some countries also require you to have a proof of yellow fever vaccination – you can check if this is needed on the website above as well. For example, places like Kenya and Tanzania won’t let you in without proof of vaccination if you’ve spent time in a yellow-fever-risk country before arriving. If you have already had your yellow fever jab, make sure you pack the certificate!

What to wear for safari in Tanzania

If you’re planning your safari in Tanzania or Kenya as part of a trip that also involves climbing Kilimanjaro (or any other mountain), then check out my essential Kilimanjaro packing list here .

Best suitcase for safari

This is important, so pay attention! Many safaris involve internal transfers by tiny plane or even helicopter. They all have pretty strict packing rules, with a maximum of 15 kg weight per person and no hard-shelled suitcases allowed. Luggage must be soft sided, and don’t overpack! You shouldn’t need to anyway, since you can wash everything when you’re there.

Wheels are OK as long as it’s a soft bag, so I recommend a soft holdall with or without wheels, or a wheely backpack like the one I have and love . This one came to Kenya and Botswana with me with no trouble at all.

Read more: Nature Vacations: 25 Amazing Places For An Outdoors Adventure

Packing for safari for photographers

If, like me, you’re travelling with 15 kg of camera gear , don’t stress. The little internal plane operators are used to photographers and will let you put your backpack of gear at the back of the plane. I travelled with 15 kg of hold luggage and another 15 kg of camera gear around Botswana and Kenya, and it was never an issue.

There’ll be more on safari camera gear in a separate post, coming soon!

Meanwhile, for safari photography tips, check out 40 Safari Photography Tips For Stunning Wildlife Photos .

What should you NOT take on safari?

Now I’ve told you all the things you should bring on safari, here are a few things it’s a good idea to leave at home.

Perfume: No one in your safari car will thank you for dosing yourself liberally with Eau de Whatever, and if you wear a very strong scent it may even allow animals to detect you sooner and run away faster.

Hairdryer: Many safari camps run on solar power and cannot support a hairdryer. Those that can (if they’re on the grid, or running off a generator), will usually provide one that’s suited to the electricity supply. As I said, no one really worries too much about their appearance or cares about what your hair looks like on safari anyway.

Camouflage clothing: This might surprise you, but wearing military-style camo print clothing is a no-no in many African countries, where it’s associated with the military. It’s actually illegal to wear camo gear in Ghana, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Plastic bags: Disposable plastic bags are banned in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. You should be fine with the little zip-lock one for your liquids on the plane, and I’ve used reusable plastic packing bags many times with no problems, but try to keep plastic bags to a minimum or you may get a fine.

A drone: Unless you have special permission, drones are not allowed in most lodges and African National Parks.

Expensive watches, jewellery, and other valuable items: This doesn’t just apply to African safaris but to all travel. Jewellery can easily get lost, damaged or stolen, so if you care about it, leave it at home.

A hard-shelled suitcase: As mentioned above, all safari companies ask you to bring a soft bag or at most a wheeled soft holdall , as these are much easier to pack into the small luggage spaces on planes and in cars. You will not be thanked if you bring rigid-sided luggage.

Where to buy safari clothing

For the most part, you don’t need any specialist clothing for safari. You can wear your own normal clothes. However, there are some great companies that do excellent clothes for travel, in suitable colours, and made from practical fabrics that are sweat-wicking, comfortable and don’t crease.

My favourite brands for travel clothes are The North Face , Patagonia , Rab , Mountain Equipment , Arc’teryx and Craghoppers , and my favourite places to shop in the UK are Ellis Brigham and Cotswold Outdoor , which stock all these brands at competitive prices, have high-street stores where you can get advice and try stuff on, and often have good end-of-season sales too.

What to wear on safari: my Africa packing list

So now we’ve gone through the details, here’s what I would pack for a 10-day or two-week safari in Africa.

What to wear on safari: Clothes

• T-shirts in neutral or earthy colours x 5. The green t-shirt in the photo above is by Mountain Equipment . I love it so much I bought three!
• Long trousers x 1 pair. I really like my lightweight ones from The North Face .
• Shorts x 1 pair.
• Convertible trousers that zip-off into shorts, or a second pair of shorts . North Face and Craghoppers both do good convertible trousers for men and women .
• Leggings . I’m a big fan of Sweaty Betty.
• Long-sleeved shirt for covering up in bright sunshine.
• Lightweight jumper or cardigan for chilly evenings.
• Lightweight jacket , fleece or mid layer for cold nights. I have a fleece from Arc’teryx and a mine is a Nano puff from  Patagonia .
• Waterproof jacket . I have two, a lovely Zeta LT by  Arc’teryx  and a packable Meridien jacket by  Rab .
• Dress or smart shirt for the evening if you’re going to a city or the beach (x2). For packable jersey or lightweight viscose dresses I love Boden , Sugarhill Brighton and Joanie Clothing .
• Gym kit – if you think you’ll need or use it. But many safari camps don’t have fitness equipment and you can’t go for a run in the bush or you might get chased by a predator!
• Sports bras or comfortable wireless bralettes x 3.
• Underwear x 7. If you’re staying for longer you’ll need to handwash. I recommend something quick-drying and non-delicate like these microfibre ones from M&S .
• Swimwear . I get cute bikinis and swimwear from M&S , Next , or Pour Moi .
• Sarong or cover up (if you’re spending time on the beach)
• Sandals or flip flops . I love my walking sandals by Teva .
• Trainers or walking shoes for exercise and walking safaris. Mine are Gore-Tex trail trainers from Asics .
• Soft sneakers for walking round the camp, game drives and boat cruises. I’m a big fan of Skechers Go Walks .

Pro tip: if you’re going to the beach and plan to do a lot of snorkelling, pack a rash vest or t-shirt to swim in. The sun is super strong and we all got very burnt even though we were wearing Factor 50!

What to pack for safari in winter

If the forecast is for cold weather, I would add:

• Another long-sleeved top or baselayer .
• A warmer, packable insulated jacket .
• A pair of jeans.
• Beanie hat.

What to pack for safari: Accessories

• Baseball cap or hat. My cap is this one this one by Buff and I really like it.
• Scarf or buff to keep dust off (and you can dip it in water to cool you down on very hot days)
• Headphones or ear buds (for the plane), you won’t need them on the actual safari! I have these ones which are pretty good and much cheaper than Apple ones.
• Eye mask and ear plugs (if you’re a light sleeper).
• Camera, batteries, memory cards and charger
• Charger cables for all your devices
• Portable phone charger. Mine is this one from Anker .
• Plug adapter for the country you’re going to, or a universal plug adapter
• Plug splitter or 3-way adapter with surge protection
• Refillable water bottle (though some safari companies provide them, so check). An insulated water bottle will keep your water colder for longer on hot days.
• A padlock for your luggage to protect you from airport thieves

Safari packing list: Toiletries

As well as all your usual toiletries and medications, don’t forget:

• Suncream. I swear by  Riemann P20  because it’s hard wearing and you only need to apply it once a day. Or for the best face SPF you will ever find, that’s non-greasy and non-orange (!), I love  this one from the Body Shop .
• Insect repellant (though this is often provided in camp).
• Malaria tablets ( check to see if these are required in your destination )

Pro tip: Luggage goes missing more and more frequently these days, so pack your medication or anything else vital in your hand luggage.

My favourite travel tools and brands

To help you organise your trip, here’s a short list of some of the brands and tools I use over and over again when I’m planning my travels. You can see more on my Travel Resources page.

• Booking.com : A huge range of hotels to choose from, often with free cancellation. If you book hotels regularly you can earn discounts. I’m on Genius Level 3 which gets me 20% off!
• Expedia : Another great place to find hotels and Expedia also sell flights , car hire, and loads more all in one place.
• Skyscanner : The only place I ever go to search for flights and compare prices.
• Flight Centre : Booking a more complicated route? Let Flight Centre organise it for you (and deal with the drama when something goes wrong).
• Priority Pass: I love having access to 1600+ airport lounges when I fly, allowing me to enjoy my time at the airport. With my link you get 30% off a standard membership or 20% off standard plus .
• Airalo: Say goodbye to ridiculous mobile roaming charges. Did you know you can now buy an e-SIM , install it in your phone before you leave home, and then use data abroad at local prices? Game changer. Get US$3 credit with code BELLA5735 .
• TourRadar: If you prefer group travel and organised tours, TourRadar has a huge range of fantastic tours from respected operators. They’re very helpful and have 4.5 stars on TrustPilot.
• Viator: Part of the TripAdvisor brand, Viator is another great place to search for group adventures and day trips.
• GetYourGuide: A great place to find local tours and day trips in your destination.
• Wex Photo Video: The UK’s best camera gear store. Quote my name – Bella Falk – to get £20 off your first purchase.
• Ellis Brigham: Looking for good quality backpacks, travel clothes and other gear? Ellis Brigham is where I buy almost all of mine.
• Rentalcars.com: Part of the Booking.com family and the world’s largest online car rental service, with 24/7 customer service.
• World Nomads Travel Insurance: I never ever travel without travel insurance and nor should you!

Where to next?

If you liked this post, why not try some of my other safari and Africa posts?

• Leroo La Tau In Botswana: See The Incredible Zebra Migration
• Uganda Animals: The Amazing Wildlife of Uganda
• Ol Doinyo Lengai Tanzania – Climb the Terrifying Mountain of God
• Entebbe Zoo – Uganda’s Wildlife Education Centre
• An Epic Uganda Itinerary In 2 Weeks

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Detailed Kenya Safari Packing List (+ Free NO BS PDF)

An African Safari is one of those things that is in many peoples bucket list. Kenya, being one of the most popular safari destinations, may be the destination you have settled on for your African safari and you may be asking yourself what you should take with you.

Having lived in Kenya all my life and visited all of the most popular national parks in Kenya, I thought it would be helpful to write a comprehensive Kenya Safari Packing list that has packing suggestions broken down by month. This guide will help you plan what you should carry when coming to Kenya for your Safari.

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In addition to this, I have also prepared a free printable packing list in a PDF with all of the items I have indicated below. Download it for FREE below

This post is long so here is a summary to help you jump to the parts of the article that interest you:

Clothing General Clothes for Adults Beachwear Shoes Clothing Tips Gadgets Gadget Tips Accessories & Miscellaneous items Toiletries Packing Suggestions Month By Month Plastic Bags are Banned

General Clothes for Adults

Pants (4 pieces ).

Your best option when choosing trousers for your Kenya Safari is either brown, green or grey khaki pants. The reason why these colors are the best because they are neutral and do not attract animals attention.

Avoid black, and blue trousers. They attract tsetse flies and also can easily draw the attention of the wild animals you will be viewing.

You can reduce your load if find pants whose legs can be unzipped into a short.

Shorts (3 pieces)

You are likely to visit the beach as you conclude your safari and Mombasa is unbearably hot and humid for most of the year. Shorts will help you stay cool there. Please read about some of the places that it’s inappropriate to wear shorts in Kenya in this article I wrote .

Underwear (Enough for the length of your Stay)

Kenyan laundry services do not wash underwear. It’s actually a cultural taboo to wash someone else’s undergarments. You will either have to wash it yourself or have enough to last you the entirety of your safari in Kenya.

Your underwear needs to be light and be able to breathe in hot and humid environments. They also need to absorb sweat well since you will be in the sun and hot environments for most of your day.

Sports Bras: Kenyan roads can get really bumpy and these will help you stay comfortable. All the roads on Kenyan Game parks are dirt roads and many get potholes in the rainy season.

Polo Shirts/ Tshirts (8 Pieces)

These need to be light and sweat absorbent due to the heat. You will also need to avoid choosing bright shouting colors like red, blue and black and white. Go for neutral colors that blend in with the environment you will be in. Those are Forest green, Gray, brown, etc.

Avoid wearing camouflage or military fatigue-like clothing. It might get you in trouble with the authorities. African governments have a phobia for anything that looks military being worn by the general public. To avoid getting harassed by the Kenyan Police, stay clear of any camo clothes

Socks (7 Pairs)

Get a good comfortable pair that you would wear during the summer. They need to breathe and absorb sweat well.

Fleece Jacket (1 Piece)

This will come in handy in the cold evenings and early mornings. With morning and night temperatures reaching in the 59°F  range, you will need to keep warm for those few hours. The heat picks up quickly so make sure the jacket is light enough to carry around when you have removed it.

Instead of a jacket, the ladies can carry a shawl. It will be useful on many other occasions other than the cold mornings so this is the better option for the ladies.

Long Sleeve shirt/ blouse

This will be useful in the evenings when you are outside. Mosquito bites are really itchy and you can protect your arms by putting on a long sleeve shirt in the evenings.

Kenyans are generally more liberal than those of some of our neighbors like Tanzania but we still hold very conservative views towards dressing. You can wear your regular swimsuit to the beach but keep in mind that topless swimming is not allowed in any of the beaches in Kenya. So in choosing your beachwear, you will want to carry the following:

• Your swimsuit
• Swimwear coverup
• Flipflops that you’re ok with getting wet

Comfortable shoes (not Boots) plus Sandals (one pair of each)

Don’t carry boots.

You will spend a lot of time seated. Either in the car or at the hotel. You will occasionally be standing in your car to view the animals but the rest of the time will be spent on your seat. Therefore, when choosing your footwear, you will need to pick a comfortable flat pair of shoes.

Avoid carrying hiking boots unless you are going to be doing some outdoor adventure stuff like hiking in Hells Gate or climbing up Kilimanjaro . Its overkill and you will be really uncomfortable if this is the only pair of shoes you carried.

Pick a sturdy pair

One thing you will need to pay attention to is how well built your shoe is. When out on safari, the nearest place you can buy a quality pair of shoes if the ones you were wearing get torn may be several hundred miles away. You need to have a shoe that will be strong enough to endure several hard trippings on a rock .

Pair of sandals or flipflops

These will come in handy if your hotel or camp doesn’t provide any. You will need them when going to shower. Some camps have showers that separate from where you will be sleeping and it would not be advisable to go there barefoot.

Waterproof raincoat or umbrella

This can be a light jacket to cover you up on the off chance you might be caught in the rain. You might have to walk from your car to the hotel building with the rain pouring hard and you will want to keep yourself and your equipment dry.

Clothing Tips

Safari clothes.

• Choose neutral colors that blend in with the bush environment. This will allow you to come up close to the wild animals without spooking them.
• Wear full-length pants on a safari drive. This will help you keep mosquitoes and other bugs from biting your legs when out on a game drive.
• Temperatures change within minutes in the morning and evenings. Layer up your clothes to keep warm in the morning but stay cool when it gets hot.

Avoid revealing clothing

Kenyans are pretty liberal when it comes to dressing. However, these are usually city dwellers and you will find that the people in the villages are more conservative with what they wear. I would advise you to pack clothes that are not very revealing when going for your safari. It would also be a good idea for the ladies to pack one set of clothes that cover up your knees, shoulders, and torso for when you will be out and about in busy markets and the streets.

Laundry services in Kenya

• Leave an allowance: Most laundry in Kenya is sun-dried and so you need to have an allowance of extra clothes just in case the load you gave takes time to dry. This can happen in the colder months of June and July.
• Kenyan Laundry doesn’t wash underwear: Most of the hotel staff dealing with laundry are male and it’s considered a cultural taboo for a man to wash ladies undergarments.  For this reason, almost all the hotels you will visit in Kenya do not wash undergarments.

Camera with Zoom Lens

Your camera needs to zoom in to animals that may be at a distance. Some animals are either shy or rare you may not be able to get a good shot if you have the regular kit lens. Shop around for a good lens for the safari.

Extra Memory cards

If you are anything like me, you get trigger happy with your camera when you see something you like. To make sure that you don’t run out of memory space, have a number of extra memory cards for your camera. Expect to take about 1000 photos per day if you are very trigger happy and this can add up if you are shooting at high resolutions.

If you decide to carry your cellphone with you, make sure it’s unlocked for international use. When you arrive in Kenya, you can get a Kenyan sim card and get connected.

The challenge with carrying your phone with you is that you will have signal issues when out in the bush and the phone might not serve its purpose.

This is one of the things that can easily get forgotten if you are carrying a large number of devices. One trick that I saw is plugging in all your chargers into an extension cable and packing the extension cable into your luggage. When charging your devices, you will just need to plug in that one extension cable and it will charge all your devices.

Power Adapter

Kenya uses 220-240 Volts electricity and this is different from the USA which uses 110V electricity. To ensure that you do not damage your devices, you need to use a power Adapter that converts the power to a voltage that is compatible with your devices.

Extension cable

Useful when you have a number of devices that need charging all together but only one power outlet.

When you have a number of devices, you may need to leave your things for safekeeping at the hotel reception. Having a lockable safety bag will help keep your things safe.

Gadget Tips

Carry old devices except camera.

To reduce the risk of losing a  new device that you paid heftily for, carry an older phone and tablet. You will feel less afraid of losing your gadgets and

The phone needs to be unlocked

If you intend to use your phone or tablet to make a call or receive messages from home, you need to ensure that your phone is unlocked to be used internationally.

Accessories & Miscellaneous items

Bright sunny days can be a bit too much on your eyes and a good pair of sunglasses come in handy then. Sunglasses will especially be useful on the beach.

Notebook and pen

When going through immigration, you will need to write a number of things down and having your pen beats asking a fellow traveler for one. You may also occasionally need to write something like directions down and the notebook will help here.

Wide-brimmed Hat

You will, on several occasions, be out in the sun and there is no greater reprieve than getting your hat out. It will get really hot at midday and your hat will prove invaluable at that time.

Beanbag Cushion

As I mentioned earlier, the roads in the National Parks are not paved and are very bumpy. To get that crisp shot and reduce blurry photos, a beanbag will be of great use in keeping your camera steady.

First Aid Kit

You hope for the best but plan for the worst. Have a small first aid kit that has all the items that can help you in case of an incident when you’re out on safari.

Try to find a flashlight that you can strap on your head. You will find it useful when walking in the dark as you often will especially if you are in a camp that does not have indoor plumbing within your tent.

Portable Powerbank

When out on Safari, You will spend many hours away from a charging station and your power bank will be useful when you’re trying to keep that gadget running and you don’t have an immediate source of electricity.

Portable Packs Wet Wipes (1 for every day)

Sanitation is, at times is not taken as seriously as it should in some places in Kenya. You will need to take charge of your own hygiene by carrying a pack of kleenex that you will use whenever you are about to eat anything and after you leave a toilet.

You will find that some places do not have access to running water and this makes the hygiene issue much bigger.

You will be out in the sun a lot and you need to use a good sunscreen to keep you from getting sunburnt. I found the following article by WebMD on how to find a good brand of sunscreen. You might want to read it before making your purchase.

Bug Repellent

Africa has a lot of bugs. Some look scary and others are so small you might fail to notice them. The one insect you need to worry about is the Mosquito since it can give you malaria. Their bite is also really itchy and can a rash when scratched for long. Use bug repellent on your hands, feet and other exposed parts of your body when going outside at night and on your game drives.

Your full Prescription

If you are on any prescription medicine, make sure you carry enough to last you the entirety of your stay and a few additional days in case you have delays when going back home. I would also advisable for you to carry a written prescription from your doctor so that you can buy your medicine here in Kenya if you run out.

Toothbrush & toothpaste

Your hotel will not be providing these and you might not find your favorite brand if you plan on buying these over here. In addition to this, you might be several hours away from the nearest convenient shop when you are out on safari. For this reason, you will want to come prepared with everything you will need for the entirety of your stay.

Soap, Shampoo & conditioner

Your hotel will provide you with this but the brand and quality of soap may not be what you are used to.

Packing Suggestions Month By Month

The packing list I have described above would work for all parts of the year. However, below are suggestions of what you should pack if you are coming on any of the following months:

Kenya Safari Packing List  January

January is sometimes a rainy month. If you will be coming in this month, carry a raincoat and a few sets of warm clothing in addition to the packing list I have described above. The shawl or fleece jacket will be important as well. Especially for the cold evenings. It doesn’t get very cold in the evenings so your fleece need not be very heavy.

Kenya Safari Packing List February

February is usually a dry month with hardly any rainfall in the whole month. The temperatures are usually high during the day and it will get slightly chilly in the evenings but not so so much that you would need a heavy fleece. You can probably survive on just a shirt in the evenings this month.

Kenya Safari Packing List March

The end of March is when the rains start in Kenya. This is the month you need a small portable umbrella and a raincoat. It does not get very cold during the day and the nights are also not very chilly.  You will be ok if you carry a light fleece or shawl for the evenings but you may not need it since even the evenings are not very cold.

Kenya Safari Packing List April

This month is a lot like March in terms of rainfall. However, it starts getting colder in the evenings and this means that your shawl or fleece will be more important in this month. At the same time, mosquito populations are at their peak due to the puddles made by all the rain and the thick bushes where mosquito love to hide. Carry a lot of long-sleeved shirts and pants to keep your hands and feet from being bitten by the mosquitoes. Also, remember to carry your bug spray and ensure you have taken your anti-malarial medication before you come here.

Kenya Safari Packing List May

The month of experiences lower levels of rainfall compared to the previous months but the temperatures are now dropping. Your shawl and fleece will help with this. At the same time, there will be a lot of bugs, especially at night. If you can carry a can of bug spray,  it will help clear them from your room. Sometimes, bugs enter your room if you leave the lights on in the evening and they can be difficult to remove if you don’t have bug spray.

The rainfall will not be high so you may not need to carry your umbrella if it’s too heavy but carry a light raincoat just in case it rains.

Kenya Safari Packing List June

June is the start of the cold season that lasts two months. You will typically need to wear something warm in most parts of the country both in the mornings and at night. The days are not typically sunny but the temperatures normally rise enough for you to be ok without a shawl or jacket.

In the month of June, you want to wear warm clothing in layers that you can take off as it gets warmer.

Kenya Safari Packing List July

July is the coldest month in Kenya. With temperatures going as low as 63 °F, you will need to carry heavier clothing and plan to dress in layers to allow you to shed off some of the clothing if it gets a bit warm.  At the same time, have a fleece jacket or shawl for extra warmth in case it gets colder than you anticipated.

It does not usually rain but you can expect a drizzle that can get you wet if you are in it for a while. An umbrella will help with this.

Kenya Safari Packing List August

The month of August warms up and it gets dryer. Expect a lot of sun and mild to warm temperatures. You will not need to carry warm clothing but you can throw in a fleece jacket or shawl for the evenings and cold mornings that can get a bit chilly.

Kenya Safari Packing List September

September is also not a cold month. Apart from the evenings, and early mornings, you will be ok wearing light clothing. The day may get hot so carry light clothing so that you don’t get uncomfortable in the heat.

Kenya Safari Packing List October

We normally experience the short rainy season starting in the month of October. Carry something to protect you and your equipment from the rain like a light raincoat or small portable umbrella.

The rains are not accompanied by very low temperatures so all you need to keep you warm is your fleece jacket or shawl.

Kenya Safari Packing List November

The short rains end in November and the conditions are similar to those of October.  Have your umbrella handy and your jacket or shawl to keep you warm in the evenings.

Kenya Safari Packing List December

We sometimes experience a few showers and thunderstorms in December so carrying your umbrella may be a good idea.

The nights will be chilly and there will be mosquito so plan to have something warm to cover yourself and pack some long sleeve shirts and pants to reduce the severity of the mosquito bites.

Plastic bags are banned

As a final word for this article, remember that plastic bags are illegal in Kenya and you will not be allowed to bring them with you on your safari. These include plastic zip-lock bags that might use to pack some of your toiletries. Use a different type of packagings like a cloth bag or plastic containers to avoid frustration at the airport.

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Clothes for A Safari in Kenya: Packing List & How to Dress

Planning clothes for a safari in Kenya can be tricky for first-timers. If you’re anything like me, you want to look stylish on your game drives, but also need outfits that are practical and comfortable to maximise wildlife viewing opportunities. 

Thankfully, after heading on a 5-day African safari as part of our honeymoon to Kenya and the Seychelles , I have a solid packing list to share. 

It includes all the things we found invaluable and the things that aren’t worth taking. I’ll cover all the clothes you need for a safari in Kenya , how to dress for game drives, and tips on the best shoes to pack too.

I’ll also go over some essential accessories, tech and can’t-live-without items for your luggage. 

This guide is primarily aimed at women who want to enjoy a safari and look cool doing so. 

For men, many of the core items remain the same, but clothes can be simplified.

My husband lived in white, cream and khaki t-shirts, short-sleeved shirts, cargo/corduroy trousers, and boots for the whole five days. He also had a warm fleece for the mornings and evenings. 

Table of Contents

Download the One-Page Printable Safari Packing List

Looking for a printable safari packing list you can use to tick things off as you go? I’ve created a handy one-page PDF which contains all the items in this article, plus some space to add your own.

Click the link below to download the free printable safari packing list PDF!

Otherwise, read on to see the full list broken down into categories, with handy links for each item.

Clothes for a Safari in Kenya: Essential Tips 

• Choose neutral or muted pastel tones to blend in.
• If you’re travelling by air to one of the national parks, your luggage MUST be in a softshell duffel bag (hardshell suitcases are not allowed), and under 15kg. You can also bring a small handbag/rucksack into the plane.  
• Lightweight, long sleeves are your best friends for the cooler mornings and evenings.
• Toiletries and tech are very difficult/impossible to pick up in Kenya, so double check you have everything you need before leaving your home country. 
• Kenya has two wet seasons and two dry seasons, so adjust your packing list according to the typical weather during your season of travel . 

Packing List for Safari in Kenya

This packing list incorporates all of the clothes for a safari in Kenya that I recommend, as well as all the essential accessories, toiletries and tech you’ll need. 

For reference, we travelled in July, during the dry season. Early mornings were crisp and cool, with a dry heat building from the moment the sun came up. Afternoons were hot and sunny, and evenings were cool again once the sun had set.

The dry seasons in Kenya are June – October and January to February. These are also known as the high seasons as they are the most popular times to visit.

The wet seasons run from March to May and November to December. You can usually get better deals on accommodation during these ‘low’ seasons. 

Clothes 

When it comes to clothes for a safari in Kenya, I recommend a good mix of comfort and classic style.

Opt for quality but lightweight fabrics like linen and try a few tailored pieces to give your safari style a nice silhouette. Don’t forgo a few warm items for the early mornings. 

In terms of colours, stick to a nice mix of whites, creams, beige and brown neutrals and of course, the classic khaki safari green.

If you wear bright colours you will stick out like a sore thumb and you may even startle wildlife on a game drive, so I would strongly advise against this. 

• Comfy underwear
• High-quality socks 
• Warm pajamas 
• 7 vest tops/ camisoles/t-shirts
• 3 loose-fitting button-down shirts 
• 2 pairs of shorts 
• 2 pairs of cargo trousers 
• 2 warm jumpers/cardigans 
• 1 warm/utility jacket 
• 1 raincoat if travelling during the wet season
• 1 pair of linen trousers 
• 1 pair of comfortable boots 
• 1 pair of walking sandals
• 1 pair of trainers
• 1 maxi dress 
• 1 jumpsuit/co-ord 
• 1 pair of jeans 
• Swimsuits /cover-ups/flip-flops (if your accommodation has a pool/spa)

Accessories 

I would say things like sunglasses and a hat are essential while on safari in Kenya, but some of the others are nice-to-haves. 

• A wide-brimmed hat (I love a classic straw or felt fedora, but you can also opt for a safari-style)
• Sunglasses 
• Leather belt 
• Camera bag 
• Backpack /crossbody bag (doesn’t need to be comfy to wear since you’ll just have it in the vehicle with you mostly)
• Smaller purse for the evenings 
• A lightweight scarf/necktie
• Sunglasses chain (It’s bright and dusty on the game drives, so you’ll want your glasses on while moving. A neck chain makes it easy to whip them off when you need to get behind the camera for some wildlife). 
• Costume jewellery (I wouldn’t take anything too expensive, but some chunky gold earrings or a necklace help you feel ‘dressed-up’ in the evenings).

After forgetting a spare memory card for the camera and film for my Polaroid, I can tell you it is NOT easy to buy tech supplies in Kenya. 

We went into central Nairobi on our layover to search for these two items and failed to find a single camera shop selling what we needed. There was a tiny stall at the domestic airport but unfortunately, this did not stock what we were looking for. 

Moral of the story: make sure to pack all of the tech you need and associated chargers and accessories, or risk going without. 

• Camera charger 
• Spare camera batteries 
• Zoom lenses (if using a DSLR)
• Spare memory cards 
• Torch/flashlight 
• Smartphone 
• Smartphone charger 
• Adapters for type G plugs (3-prong, same as UK)
• Kindle or E-Reader and charger 
• Polaroid camera (just for fun!) and spare film 
• Laptop and charger (if you want to process your images while you’re there)

Toiletries 

Since we were travelling for our honeymoon, just two days after the wedding, there were a few toiletry items I forgot to bring from home. No biggie, I thought – I’ll just grab them from a pharmacy in Nairobi on our layover. 

Well, this turned out to be another huge mistake. Whilst we did find a pharmacy selling what we needed, the prices were extremely high (I can only assume we got charged a different price to the locals).

Therefore, I strongly recommend double-checking you have all of your toiletries packed before you leave your home country. This is especially important if you’ll be travelling straight to the Masai Mara or some other national park, where there are no accessible stores. 

• Medication (don’t forget the nearest pharmacy could be several hours away).
• Insect repellent (we didn’t find mosquitos to be a problem but you should protect yourself in case of tsetse flies). 
• Broad spectrum SPF sunscreen 
• Aftersun and afterbite
• Lip balm 
• Conditioner 
• Shower gel 
• Deodorant 
• Toothbrush and toothpaste 
• Female sanitary products 
• Hand sanitiser 
• Nail scissors 
• Makeup 
• Skincare 
• Hairbrush 
• Hair ties and accessories 

Miscellaneous 

A few random but equally important things to bring. The most important lesson here is that cash is still very much KING in the Kenya wilderness.

Technically, the lodges and national park gates take cards, but they rely on a temperamental solar power supply. AKA, when you’re trying to access the park before sunrise on a morning game drive… they don’t work. 

Be sure to bring enough cash to get into the park every day, plus plenty more to tip your drivers and lodge staff. You can pay in Kenyan shillings or USD, both are accepted. 

• Binoculars (the game drivers will have these but it’s great to have your own pair)
• Plenty of cash (essential for paying to get into the national park and tipping your drivers). 
• Passport (seems obvious, I know! But you also need to have this on you every day to get into the national park)
• Visa, if required
• Medical certificates, if required
• Travel insurance information

Best Shoes for a Safari in Kenya 

The best and most essential shoes for a safari in Kenya are a solid pair of boots, whether you opt for a combat style or a more nostalgic knee-high.

You don’t need proper walking boots unless you’re doing a long walking safari. Most days, you’ll be sitting in the game drive vehicles and then just walking around your camp, so ‘fashion’ boots are more than fit for purpose. 

You may want to opt for a waterproof pair if you’re travelling during the wet season. But again, it’s hardly like you’ll be trekking through the mud, so not especially essential. 

I also took a pair of trainers, a pair of flip-flops for the pool, and some chunky flat-form sandals for the evenings. Apart from the flip-flips for the pool, I could have quite easily got away with just taking my boots. So I would prioritise these two if you’re short on space.

How to Dress for Safari in Kenya 

Layers, layers, and more layers. On a typical morning game drive in Kenya, the temperature ranges from crisp and cold before sunrise to blazing hot by midday. 

Most decent game-drive vehicles have blankets, so you can usually get away with wearing shorts, but combat or wide-leg trousers work just as well. You can then layer on top with a vest, camisole or t-shirt, a lightweight button-down shirt, a warm fleece or cardigan, and a utility jacket if required. 

You won’t need as many layers if you’re headed out on a daytime game drive that leaves after sunrise, but you’ll still need warm safari clothing for an evening/sunset game drive. 

Be sure to grab your hat and sunglasses before you head out of camp, it’s easy to forget when it’s still dark out! 

Pack your morning game drive bag the evening before so you’re not rushing around in the morning. 

Make sure you have your camera, spare (charged) batteries, a portable power bank, lip balm, high SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, cash and passports (to get into the national parks), sunglasses, hand sanitiser, and any essential medication. 

What Not to Put on Your Safari Packing List For Kenya

A few items you can definitely leave off your packing list for a safari in Kenya include:

• Single-use plastics (these are banned in protected areas throughout Africa)
• High-heels (Just not practical – even in the evening as you’ll likely be walking through the bush to get to the dining tent/lodge)
• Mini-skirts (not practical either as you’ll be climbing in and out of the safari vehicle during the day and the evenings are usually too cool for a short skirt).

What To Wear In The Evening On Safari in Kenya 

Evenings on Kenya safaris are a fairly casual affair, there’s certainly no need for formal safari clothes. Many people at our camp wore similar clothes to the outfits they wore on their game drives, so there’s no need to dress for the evening if you don’t want to. 

Since we were on our honeymoon and I do like to feel a little fancy in the evening, I did switch it up a little from my daytime attire. This mostly consisted of linen trousers and cute knitted tops, khaki co-ords, or a jumpsuit. I also wore a chocolate-brown linen dress for our final evening (pictured above). 

Short sleeves were perfectly acceptable until sunset, after that, a cardigan or jumper was required since most of the tents were open-air. 

Clothes for a Safari in Kenya: Final Thoughts 

This guide to clothes for a safari in Kenya is not exhaustive but should cover most bases for practicality with a few style tips thrown in. As you can see, I enjoyed having a little animal-print moment here and there, which made a fun change from the typical khaki safari uniform.

Since it is also in East Africa and experiences a similar climate, this packing list could also work for Tanzania safaris, although temperatures may vary depending on altitude. 

African safaris further afield, like in South Africa, can have vastly different climates, so you’ll need to double-check the possible weather conditions for the season you’re travelling in. 

It’s also important to consider the different activities and tours you may have booked during your trip. For example, if you’re heading on a walking safari, you’ll need proper walking boots. If you’re headed on a boat safari at any point, you may want to consider clothes you don’t mind getting wet. 

What do you think? Is there anything else you’re adding to your Kenya safari packing list? Let me know in the comments!

**You may also be interested in reading about The Ultimate 5-Day Kenya Safari Itinerary or a Safari and Seychelles Honeymoon: The Full Planning Guide .**

July 9, 2024 at 1:37 am

Do you have links to your outfits?

July 10, 2024 at 9:36 am

Unfortunately I don’t have links for all of them but let me know which outfits you were most interested in and I’ll see what I can find!

July 26, 2024 at 7:36 pm

Thanks for the article! Do you have a link to the olive cargo pants you’re wearing? 🙂

July 31, 2024 at 2:57 pm

Hi Caiti, The ones I am wearing are no longer available but I found a similar pair here:

https://www.asos.com/river-island/river-island-belted-cargo-utility-trouser-in-khaki/prd/205684506

Hope that helps!

Many thanks, Amabel

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What to Wear on a Kenyan Safari: the Essential Packing List

• December 20th, 2022

Written by: Yuna Tiya, Local Expert

There’s a quintessential safari look you may have seen in pictures and movies. It consists of khaki trousers, a light-colored shirt with a pocketed vest, a wide brim hat, and sturdy boots. This iconic look isn’t just for show; these items are essential for a comfortable safari experience. Your dream trip can be enhanced by packing some useful items and following a few valuable packing tips.

No more wondering about what to wear for a safari. We’ve put together this essential packing list and a couple of tips so you have the best experience on your Kenyan safari .

Kenya Safari Packing List

Here’s a list of other essential safari items to include on your Kenya packing list:

• International power adapter with three to four sockets
• Small flashlight and extra batteries
• Hat that shields the sun; sunscreen and sunglasses
• Camera with zoom lens
• Bandana for protecting hair from dust
• Bug repellant spray or bracelets
• First-aid kit
• Medicine such as allergy pills, pain relievers, Imodium, and malaria pills. Always check with your doctor first.
• Disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer
• Money belt to carry your passport, credit card(s), and money
• Day pack or a sturdy shoulder bag for carrying essentials on game drives
• Copies of important documents, such as passports, visas, flight details, travel insurance, vaccination card, driver’s license, and a credit card without foreign transaction fees

Packing Tips

Pack light in soft-sided bags Keep in mind that regional airlines and bush planes do not allow more than 33 lbs (15kg) total baggage weight per person, including carry-on luggage. Durable duffel or soft-sided bags, such as the 55L Patagonia Black Hole Duffel or the North Face Base Camp Duffel are highly recommended. They can withstand the journey and be flexible enough to fit in tight spaces on aircraft. Pack lightweight clothing that can last a few days if laundry services are not readily available.

Avoid camouflage

Camouflage-patterned clothes should not be on your packing list for an African safari, as they are illegal. They are often worn by rangers and local police.

Dress in layers

Be prepared for every kind of weather by dressing in layers. If you are going on safari in the highland areas north of Nairobi to Mount Kenya , Lake Nakuru, Samburu Game Reserve , and the Aberdares, it can be chilly on game drives in the mornings and evenings from June to August (winter in Kenya). Pack a fleece or warm sweater and flannel nightwear. Convertible pants that can turn into shorts are perfect for long safari days.

Wear sports bras

Sports bras are helpful for women during drives on uneven terrain.

Organize with packing cubes

Leave any kind of grocery or Ziplock bags at home, as Kenya banned disposable plastic bags in 2017. Instead, use packing cubes, which keep your items organized and easy to access. We recommend Eagle Creek products .

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What to Wear on a Safari in Kenya? (best African safari clothing)

Planning a trip of a lifetime to East Africa and wondering what to wear on safari in Kenya? We’ve got you covered!

African safaris are truly life-changing experiences - you will create memories you’ll treasure forever - and brilliantly, East Africa has some of the continent’s most legendary wildlife-spotting destinations, so you won’t regret booking a Kenya safari for a minute!

In order to get the most from your safari in Kenya, however, you’ll want to make sure you come prepared with the right gear, and if there’s one thing our African travel experts know about, it is safari gear!

So look no further for your complete guide on how to dress perfectly for your Kenya safari with this helpful article…

Practical comfy clothing for African safaris

For starters, you want to make sure you’re comfortable during your safari in Kenya.

As a result, choosing thin, loose clothing is a must.

Cotton can often be the best choice, as it’s a breathable natural fabric that helps you stay cool. 

Garments with pockets are also a good idea when it comes to what to wear on your Kenya safari.

You’ll probably have a lot of things that you’ll want in easy reach during your trips in the park, including your camera at the ready, along with spare lenses and lens cleaning equipment; not to mention your hand sanitiser, sunglasses, and hat!

Having pockets makes keeping things close at hand a lot easier!

Neutral colours in the bush

There’s a reason you so often see people wearing khaki on safari - it blends in with the surrounding habitat! You don’t want to be spotted by the wildlife before you spot them, so the rule to dressing for a safari in Kenya is to try to stay camouflaged!

With this in mind, you’ll want to choose clothes in neutral earthy tones that match the surroundings - beige, brown and grey are perfect choices.

You can get pretty dusty and dirty on game drives and walking safaris too, so it’s sensible to avoid white and cream.

A top insider tip from our African travel experts is to avoid wearing blue and black as well, as these colours can attract tsetse flies.

Warm safari clothing

You may not realize, but it actually can get very chilly on safari in Kenya!

Despite the glaring heat of the midday sun in this country, many game drives take place at dawn or dusk, when it can be pretty fresh to say the least!

With this in mind, you’ll definitely want to bring a warm sweater or fleece, as well as a thin windproof jacket and a warm hat with you.

A top tip from our African travel experts is to also pack a buff (a round scarf, also sometimes known as a snood). These are handy and versatile as they can be pulled right up over your neck and chin and up to your nose on chilly mornings! 

Long sleeves and trousers

There are lots of reasons it makes sense to cover up while on safari in Kenya and not least to help keep you warm.

In addition, you’ll want to stay protected from the strong sun, as well as limit your exposure to any mosquitos, insects, and thorny brambles.

Coming prepared with long-sleeved tops and trousers is, therefore, a great way to do this.

Mosquitos are prevalent in Kenya and malaria is present in some areas of the country, so you will want to protect yourself.

Mozzies can be a particular problem at dawn and dusk - when game drives often happen - so wear long trousers and sleeves to prevent them from biting.

Another top tip is to tuck your trousers into your socks so the cheeky insects can’t bite your ankles! 

And no packing list for a safari in Kenya would be complete without insect repellant. Ones that contain at least 40% DEET are recommended when travelling in areas where malaria is found.

Closed-toe footwear

Covering up from mosquitos and insects is one reason closed-toe shoes are also strongly advised when it comes to what to wear on safari in Kenya.

It’s also more practical and safe, protecting your feet from thorny plants, and when walking in rough or rocky terrain.

For this reason, do not bring only your sandals on a Kenya safari! 

Trainers are fine if it’s the dry season and it’s not too cold.

If you are going in Kenya’s wet season, however, which runs from March to May, you’ll need boots as it can get muddy in some places, as well as a good waterproof jacket.

Boots may also be a better choice for chilly morning game drives. 

Protection from the sun

The equator runs right through Kenya, so the sun in this country is strong!

Make sure you take proper precautions, therefore, including packing a good sunhat and sunscreen. Game drives can often happen in open-top vehicles, and you may also leave the vehicle for lunch breaks and walking safaris.

Also, don’t forget your sunglasses - you won't want to miss that once-in-a-lifetime wildlife spot because the sun’s glare is blinding you!

Take a day pack

You’ll be out in the bush for at least 4 hours on a half-day safari so you’ll need to take plenty of provisions with you!

Choose a day pack big enough to hold all the things you need - a bottle of water, your camera, spare lenses, cleaning equipment, binoculars, insect repellant, and a warm layer of clothing.

Extra considerations for walking and cycling safaris

Some reserves in Kenya - such as Hell’s Gate National Park - allow you to enjoy walking and cycling safaris because there are very few large predators around.

If you are thinking about including one of these magical safari experiences in your trip, you’ll want to bring some practical activewear that works well for these activities, along with layers you can easily take on and off.

Trainers will also almost certainly work better than boots for this type of safari.

This should give you a good idea of what to wear on your safari in Kenya.

Our team of helpful African travel experts is available for advice on all safari matters, including which of the legendary national parks in Kenya are best to visit and why, so speak to us today to plan an unforgettable trip.

Stephanie Parker Author

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What to Wear on Safari in Kenya | An Essentials Packing List

You’ve watched Lion King as a kid and your favorite party trick is impersonating Sir David Attenborough because you watch a lot of National Geographic. But, are you ready for a Kenyan safari?

Kenya is more than just a safari game drive. This country offers a vast array of experiences, from wildlife-filled savannas to dancing alongside the people of the Masai tribe. So, it’s understandable that you may be a little stressed about what to pack for this trip.

In this guide, we’ve put together a safari packing list that will help you be prepared and feel comfortable. We’ll make packing for safari less of a logistical nightmare and more like a sunset ending from your wildest dreams.

What to Wear on Safari  

As a general rule of thumb, it is imperative to bring comfortable and casual clothing that you can wash and wear while on safari. Good safari clothes should protect you from the sun, the dusty fields, and the bitter cold of the mornings and evenings.   

  Your  Kenya safari  clothing must have muted colors, as this is best for game viewing. If you plan to stay inside of your camp or resort, focus on the light-colored fabrics so as not to attract mosquitoes.  

Your Kenya Packing List

Pack light  .

Once you land in Kenya, getting into the wilderness generally requires transit via a jet plane. The weight restrictions are to be taken seriously. On safari, your limit is a 15kg bag (33 lbs), and that includes both your checked bag and your hand luggage. The ideal checked bag is a soft-sided duffel that can fit into the luggage hold of the plane and can be transported in open safari vehicles on the ground.

Long-sleeved Shirts  

Long-sleeved shirts are the best items to wear on safari. They should be light and airy so that they can protect you from the sun but are also easy to layer when the sun begins to set.  

T-shirts  

T-shirts are great on safari to protect your shoulders from the rays of the sun. A great t-shirt option to consider is a button-down that is made from breathable material. Try microfiber or linen.  

Convertible Trousers

In the early mornings out in the wilderness, it can be quite cold. However, as the sun rises it will start to heat up. That’s why convertible trousers are best. These keep you warm in the mornings and allow you the flexibility to ‘change’ speedily while you are out exploring.

Jackets and Sweaters   

It might shock a few people but it does get  cold in Kenya , in the evenings and early mornings at least. If you were stumped on what to pack for safari, a light jacket and sweaters are essentials you shouldn’t leave at home.

Sunglasses  

Protect your eyes with a pair of UV protected polarized sunglasses. A good idea is to take two pairs, in case one of them breaks.  Polarized sunglasses  reduce bright reflection and unwanted glare from looking at a lake, for instance, where the sunshine tends to bounce off. Polarized lenses also help improve vision clarity in bright situations.  

Wide-brim Hat  

Even though you spend most of the safari in the vehicle, the sun is powerful enough to shoot through the roof and shine directly on you. A wide-brim hat is perfect to protect you from the sun and to cover your neck in order to prevent sun damage to your skin. It’s also a necessity for any walking safaris you partake in.

Sunscreen  

This should already be in your arsenal at home but it is definitely a safari essential – especially on  the savanna . It is also important to note that the roofs of the safari jeeps are open, there is no shade to protect you from the sun, so be protected.   

  We recommend that you purchase a sunscreen that has a high enough SPF that can target both face and body. But, be sure it is only 100ml, if not checked in.

Comfortable Walking Shoes  

Trainers or hiking boots are the perfect safari shoes for Kenya. But if you want to let your feet breathe on a hot African day, you can also bring sport sandals along. The best are the ones with a supportive sole. These can be useful for bushwalks.

Mosquito Repellent  

Kenya is a Malaria zone, so it is very important to prevent mosquito bites. Mosquito biting is dependent on where you stay, the time of year and the weather. But of course, it is better to be safe than sorry. A good idea is to bring along an insect treatment for gear and clothing as well. You can spray it on your shoes or around the ankles, hands or neck to protect them from bites.  

Binoculars and Camera Equipment  

It would be remiss not to add a camera or binoculars on your safari gear list. We all want to have beautiful photos that will keep our memories alive. A packing list for African safari would be incomplete without them. In the  safari vehicle , there isn’t a lot of space to get the perfect angles, especially if you are sharing with other people.  

  Cameras with zoom lenses are a necessity because even though you get pretty close to the animals, there are still several meters between you and them. Binoculars are equally important for spotting events like the Great Migration  or when you’re in a hot air balloon and you’re dying to get a little closer to the action.

Final Thoughts on What to Wear in Kenya  

A safari is definitely a grand adventure. But dressing for this adventure requires a good bit of thought and practicality. Hopefully, when you go on your wildlife safari, you’ll not only look good but feel great and protected from the elements. Follow these rules and you’ll be a certified Dora the Explorer .  

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What to Wear Safari Kenya: Essential Packing Guide

Embarking on a safari in Kenya is a thrilling adventure, one that offers the chance to witness some of the world’s most magnificent wildlife in their natural habitat. However, preparing for such a journey requires careful consideration, particularly when it comes to what to wear.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with all the essential tips and recommendations to ensure you’re dressed appropriately for every aspect of your safari. Whether you’re navigating the dusty plains of the Meru National Park or enjoying a sundowner in Lake Nakuru, our guide will help you stay comfortable, protected, and stylish throughout your African safari in Kenya. .

But before we get into it…

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If you like what you see…here is how to reach us.

Call or WhatsApp us at +254-704-532-105 or +254-719-222-430. Or send us an email at [email protected] , [email protected] , or [email protected]

Executive Summary

• For a safari during the dry season, wear lightweight, breathable clothing, and layer with a warm fleece or jacket for chilly mornings and evenings. In the rainy season (March-May, November-December), use moisture-wicking, quick-dry fabrics, and waterproof gear to handle rain and varying temperatures. 
• While on a safari, avoid wearing brightly-colored clothes as they may attract insects and scare away wildlife.
• Some equally important items to pack for your safari to Kenya include; insect repellent, sun cream, and travel documents like visas, vaccination certificates, and travel insurance. 
• Packing the right safari gear is crucial for comfort and safety during your adventure.

Understanding Kenya Safari Weather

Kenya’s climate is pivotal in defining your safari wardrobe. Here’s a breakdown of different weather seasons and what you should wear during each.

Dry Season: June to October

For a safari during Kenya’s dry season, typically from June to October, it’s crucial to dress in lightweight, breathable clothing to stay comfortable amidst the varying temperatures. Early morning and late afternoon can be a bit chilly, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F), so layering is key; a warm fleece or jacket will keep you cozy during game drives. As the day progresses, temperatures rise significantly, often reaching 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F) or higher by midday, necessitating lightweight shirts and trousers, preferably in neutral tones to blend with the natural environment and deter insects. Additionally, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses will protect you from the strong equatorial sun, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable safari experience.

Rainy Season: March to May & November to December

During the wet season in Kenya, which typically runs from April to June and again in November, temperatures can range from a cool 15°C (59°F) in the mornings and evenings to a mild 25°C (77°F) during the day. Dressing in layers is crucial to adapt to these varying temperatures. Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics such as moisture-wicking shirts and quick-dry pants that can handle the occasional rain showers. 

Waterproof gear, including a durable rain jacket and sturdy, waterproof shoes, is essential to keep you dry and comfortable. Don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat and insect repellent to protect against the elements and pesky mosquitoes. This combination will ensure you are well-prepared to enjoy the rich, lush landscapes and vibrant wildlife that thrive during Kenya’s wet season.

Essential Safari Clothing

The safari dress code is less about fashion and more about practicality. Here’s a run-down of some essential safari clothing.

Tops: Shirts and T-Shirts with Long Sleeves

When it comes to tops, versatility is key. Here are some tips for choosing the right tops for your African adventure:

• Long-sleeved shirts crafted from linen or moisture-wicking fabrics offer protection under the scorching hot African sun while keeping you cool during the day’s heat.
• Consider shirts with an SPF rating for added defense against sun exposure.
• Opt for neutral tones like khaki and brown as brightly colored clothes are known to attract tsetse flies

For women, layering a long-sleeved button-up over a tank top or a t-shirt can provide both style and practicality. At the same time, men might appreciate shirts with roll-up sleeve tabs for easy adjustment to temperature changes.

Bottoms: Trousers and Shorts

Choosing the right bottoms is crucial as you anticipate the day’s safari adventures. Trousers and shorts in neutral colors such as tan and green provide comfort and ease of movement. The fabric choice is equally important—opt for materials like cotton or rayon for breathability.

For chilly mornings or when the sun dips below the horizon, trousers are your best friend. And when the Kenyan sun reigns supreme, shorts paired with a lightweight long-sleeved shirt strike the perfect balance between comfort and protection.

Outerwear: Jackets and Fleeces

The African chill of early mornings and evenings on safari calls for a warm layer. A soft, squashable fleece or jacket is perfect for these moments, providing warmth without the bulk. And when the African skies decide to surprise you with a rain shower, a waterproof jacket becomes an indispensable ally. Don’t forget to pack a hot water bottle for comfort during those chilly nights.

Remember, the key here is layering—clothes you can easily add or remove as the day unfolds from dawn till dusk.

Footwear for Safari

The right footwear can mean the difference between a day spent in blissful exploration or one marred by discomfort. Whether you’re trekking through the bush, standing in the back of a game drive vehicle, or sauntering back to your luxury lodge, your feet deserve the best.

Lace-up boots, trainers, and even flip-flops each have their place in your luggage, offering versatility for the diverse activities and terrains you will encounter on your Kenyan safari. Additionally, wearing safari boots provides excellent protection and comfort, ensuring your feet are well-supported throughout your adventure.

Hiking Boots

A sturdy pair of hiking boots is your most loyal companion for walking safaris . They’ll keep your feet dry during river crossings, provide support across uneven ground, and offer protection against the elements.

Opt for waterproof and durable boots with good ankle support, and consider classic safari boots for their all-around practicality. With the right pair strapped on, every step brings you closer to the heart of the Kenyan wilderness.

Sneakers and Trainers

When your safari itinerary includes game drives and casual walks, sneakers or trainers are your go-to. Their lightweight design and breathable fabric make them ideal for long periods in a vehicle, while a good grip ensures safety during those short bush walks.

For those who prefer a shoe that can transition from day to night, lightweight hiking shoes are functional for outdoor activities and for evening relaxation at the lodge.

Sandals and Flip Flops

As the day’s heat gives way to a more gentle warmth, sandals and flip-flops become the footwear of choice. Perfect for navigating around the lodge or taking a leisurely stroll through a local village, they offer a chance for your feet to breathe and relax.

Hybrid sandals, especially those designed for water activities, are an excellent choice for versatility and comfort during those laid-back moments of your safari experience.

Accessories and Gear

Beyond the safari clothes themselves, your Kenya packing list isn’t complete without a few key accessories and pieces of gear. These extras enhance your comfort, protect you from the elements, and add a touch of personal style to your safari look.

Wide Brim Hat

A wide-brim hat is more than a fashion statement; it’s a shield against the relentless African sun. With a tie under the chin to keep it secure, this accessory is non-negotiable for sun protection. Choose one that complements your safari clothes, and you’ll not only look the part but also stay safe from the harsh rays that can lead to sunburn and heatstroke.

Sunglasses and a Nice Scarf

Protecting your eyes from intense sun exposure is where a good pair of sunglasses comes in handy. But don’t overlook the versatility of a scarf or buff, which can protect against the dust kicked up by animals or vehicles.

Day Pack and Camera Bag

Every safari-goer needs a trusty day pack—a small, lightweight backpack that carries all your daily essentials. Equally important is a padded camera bag to keep your photography gear safe from bumps and scratches. With the right camera equipment, you can capture high-quality images that will serve as precious memories of your Kenyan adventure.

Packing Tips for Women

Ladies setting off on a Kenyan safari, take note: while the adventure beckons, practicality reigns supreme. From the right trousers or shorts for daytime exploration to the versatile safari dress for evening relaxation, your choices should be as functional as they are fashionable. A safari dress offers both comfort and style, making it an excellent choice for various activities. And let’s not forget the essentials—like a sturdy sports bra for those bumpy game drives and extra underwear, considering the cultural taboos surrounding laundry services at the lodges.

Let’s dive into the specifics.

Sports Bra and Comfortable Undergarments

A quality bra is a non-negotiable item in your safari wardrobe. With the terrain often rough and the drives bumpy, the added support is not just about comfort; it’s about enjoying the day without distraction.

It’s also wise to pack a few extra pairs of underwear. Due to cultural norms, laundry services in the bush may not extend to these personal items, so it’s best to come prepared. Think about practicality, comfort, and a touch of adventure when selecting these undergarments for your safari experience.

Versatile Dresses and Skirts

For those occasions when you’re not tracking lions or gazing at giraffes, a dress or skirt can be the perfect garment for lounging by the lodge or dining under the stars. Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics and styles that respect the local customs—long enough for coverage but loose enough to keep you cool.

Remember, layering is your friend for those cooler moments, and neutral colours will keep the focus on the environment rather than your outfit.

Packing Tips for Men

Gentlemen, your safari packing guide is all about simplicity and adaptability. The African bush doesn’t require a fashion show, but it does demand clothing that can handle the rigors of the outdoors. Lightweight and breathable neutral-toned fabrics are your best bet for staying cool and blending in with the natural environment.

A safari shirt is also practical, offering comfort and protection from the elements. And when it comes to versatility, zip-off pants are a game-changer. Let’s explore how to combine comfort and practicality in your safari attire.

Zip-Off Pants and Breathable Shirts

Zip-off pants offer the flexibility to switch between pants and shorts as the temperature demands. Paired with breathable shirts, they keep you comfortable during even the hottest hours of the day.

These pieces are not just about adjusting to the climate; they’re about being prepared for every moment of adventure a Kenyan safari offers.

Evening Wear

When the sun dips and the evening cool settles in, men’s evening wear on safari strikes a balance between casual and appropriate. The dress code at luxury safari lodges leans towards comfort with a touch of elegance. Think clean, neutral-toned trousers and a fresh long-sleeved shirt—clothing that says you’re ready to relax by the fire and share stories of the day’s sightings.

Remember, the focus is on experiencing the African night, not on standing out, so keep it simple and comfortable.

Additional Items to Pack

Your safari packing list should extend beyond clothing to include those indispensable items that will make your Kenya safari smoother and more enjoyable. From staying hydrated with a trusty water bottle to keeping charged with a power bank, the additional items you pack can greatly enhance your experience.

Insect Repellent and Sunscreen

In the bush, two of your biggest adversaries will be the sun and insects. A dual-purpose sun cream that includes insect repellent is a game-changer, offering protection from the sun’s rays while keeping pesky mosquitoes at bay. Choose an eco-friendly option to ensure you’re safeguarding your skin and respecting the delicate environments you’re exploring.

Malaria Medication and First Aid Kit

Health precautions are a non-negotiable aspect of your safari preparations. Consult with a healthcare provider well in advance to secure the necessary malaria medication. Additionally, a well-stocked first aid kit with essentials like Band-Aids, antibiotic cream, and medications for common ailments will give you peace of mind.

While tsetse flies can be a nuisance, knowing how to manage their bites can alleviate discomfort. It’s always better to be over-prepared when it comes to health and safety in remote safari destinations .

Travel Documents and Insurance

The less glamorous but utterly essential part of your safari checklist revolves around paperwork. Ensure that all important documents, including visas, vaccination certificates, and insurance policies, are in order. It’s wise to carry copies separate from the originals in case of loss or theft.

Your travel insurance should cover medical emergencies and evacuation, offering a safety net that allows you to immerse yourself in the safari experience without worry. Double-check your documents before departure to avoid any hitches on your African adventure.

What Not to Pack for Safari

Knowing what to pack is as important as knowing what to leave behind. Your safari in Kenya should be unencumbered by unnecessary items that either take up precious space or are not permitted. From avoiding certain colors that attract unwanted insect attention to respecting local laws regarding certain items, your packing decisions should be informed and intentional.

Let’s explore what you should definitely not include in your luggage as you prepare for your African escapade.

Bright Colors and Camouflage

Step into the wild with a wardrobe that doesn’t scream for attention. Bright colors and camouflage are two sartorial choices you’ll want to skip. The former can be distracting and impractical in the bush, while the latter is often associated with military attire and can cause confusion or legal issues.

Stick to neutral or dark colors to enhance your game-viewing experience, and leave the flashy outfits for another occasion. After all, it’s best to blend in in the animal kingdom.

Plastic Bags

As you pack for Kenya, remember that plastic bags are a no-go. Not only are they harmful to the environment, but they’re also illegal in Kenya, as the country takes a strong stance on conservation. Opt for reusable bags or packing cubes instead, which are better for the environment and will keep your belongings organized.

It’s a simple swap that speaks volumes about your commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Africa for future generations to enjoy.

Laundry Services and Packing Light

One of the secrets to a successful safari is packing light. With most safari flights having strict weight limits, it’s important to consider what you really need. Fortunately, most lodges offer laundry services, allowing you to wear the same items multiple times. By packing fewer clothes and utilizing services available at the lodges, you can keep your luggage within the weight limit and make your travel between safari destinations much easier.

Let’s look at how you can maximize the laundry services provided and use packing cubes to streamline your packing process.

Same Day Laundry Service

The convenience of same-day laundry service at upscale lodges cannot be overstated. This amenity allows you to:

• Freshen up your safari clothes regularly
• Reduce the need to overpack
• Travel with just a few key pieces
• Be confident that you’ll have clean attire each day of your adventure

Embracing this service means you can travel light and still have clean clothes throughout your trip.

It’s a thoughtful feature that adds a touch of luxury to your safari experience and helps keep your focus on the wonders of Kenya rather than the contents of your suitcase.

Using Packing Cubes

In the world of travel, especially on safari, the order is paramount. Packing cubes are the unsung heroes that transform a chaotic duffel bag into an organized portable closet. These handy compartments allow you to categorize your clothing and quickly find what you need without rummaging through your entire bag.

By using packing cubes, you’re not only keeping your luggage tidy but also saving space, which is crucial when adhering to safari flight weight restrictions. It’s a simple packing hack that will make your safari experience all the more enjoyable.

Remember, the key to a great safari experience is preparation—choosing the right clothing for the climate, packing essential gear for convenience and safety, and knowing what to leave behind. Embrace the spirit of safari with attire that’s comfortable, functional, and respectful of the environment. 

Whether you’re traversing the Masai Mara or lounging at a luxury lodge, let your journey be defined by the sights and sounds of Kenya, not by what’s in your suitcase. Go forth and create memories that will last a lifetime, and let the adventure begin!

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we answer some of your most frequently asked questions. 

What’s the best time of year to go on a Kenyan safari?

The best time for a Kenyan safari is during the dry season from June to October when you can have prime wildlife viewing opportunities due to animals gathering around water sources and less dense vegetation.

Are there specific colors I should avoid wearing on a game drive?

To stay safe and respectful, avoid wearing bright colors and camouflage on safari. Stick to neutral colors like khaki, beige, and green for a better experience.

Do I need to pack a different outfit for each day of my safari?

No need to pack a different outfit for each day of your safari . Many lodges offer same-day laundry services, allowing you to pack minimally and re-wear clothes. Enjoy your trip!

Can I wear sandals or flip-flops on a safari?

No, it’s not recommended. Opt for sturdier footwear like hiking boots or sneakers for better protection and comfort on game drives and walking safaris.

Should I bring a first aid kit on my safari trip?

Yes, it’s a good idea to bring a basic first aid kit with items like Band-Aids, antibiotic cream, pain relievers, and medication for digestive issues. Don’t forget to consult with your doctor about malaria medication before your trip.

The Essential Safari Clothing Guide

The first thing you may be thinking is, why safari clothing? What makes it different?

First, it’s tailored to the outdoor conditions common on safaris.

Second, all of the pockets on African safari clothing can be very useful when you carry gear around, especially if you’re out to take photos and/or videos to document this incredible adventure travel experience.

Sometimes you may be out in the elements for hours on end as you wait to spy some incredible wildlife, and you’re going to enjoy the experience a lot more if you’re comfortable.

This brief guide to African safari clothing will help you to do that as you watch for majestic lions, elegant giraffes, stately elephants and all of the other amazing wildlife you’ll see while on safari in Kenya , Tanzania , South Africa or another African location.

So what kind of safari clothing should you be thinking about while preparing for your expedition to Africa?

Keep this in mind: Chances are you’re going to be out in some hot weather and maybe walking through some rugged country while out in the bush, so you need to protect your skin from head to toe. That means you need to cover up as much as you can.

Do bring some extra safari clothing for colder weather. You may be surprised how much the temperatures can drop at night, so think layers.

Three comfortable outfits (shirts, pants, underwear) are often recommended for a safari, but check with your guide and ask for their recommendation based on the number of days of your safari, seasonal weather conditions and the type of safari you choose.

You may want to dress differently if you’re going to be trudging through the bush as opposed to sitting in a vehicle the whole time.

Wear neutral colors like khaki, brown and olive.

Bright colors, like red, draw attention to you and are not good for viewing wildlife. They may even scare off some of the animals you want to see.

White (and pale colors in general) can also draw attention and they will show all of the dirt you run into on your safari, so stay away from them as well. And some claim that blues and blacks attract certain nasty insects that like to bite, so you may also want to stay away from these colors.

Do not bring camouflage colored safari clothing. You may get mistaken for the military and that, my friend, could ruin your whole safari.

Here’s your list of essential African safari clothes.

Safari hat The safari hat is the key to protection from the sun. You’ll want it to be gas permeable to release the heat from your head and it should have a wide enough brim so that your neck and face are protected even when the sun gets low.

Look for a hat with an absorbent band on the inside to catch your sweat and make sure it’s waterproof to keep you a little drier should you run into an unexpected rainstorm.

Long safari trousers You’re going to need long safari pants for full protection against sunburn, mosquito bites at night and getting scraped up in the bush. You might also want to bring some safari short pants for those hot African afternoons. Just make sure you stay in the shade or put on plenty of sunscreen.

Here’s a great tip for you. Find long safari pants that are convertible to shorts. They’ll have zippers about half way down the leg that allow you to remove the bottoms. They’re the perfect solution for any safari weather conditions.

Long sleeved shirts The long sleeved safari shirts follow the same principles as the trousers. You need them for protection from the sun and from getting scraped up when out walking in the bush. Do take a short sleeved shirt, or two, if you like, or just take loose fitting long sleeved shirts that you can roll up past your elbows.

Safari jacket (or safari vest) Safari jackets are great for the evenings and at night when it can get pretty chilly, or for the cooler times of the year. An alternative for when it’s hot is the safari vest. The great thing about both of these garments is that they have plenty of pockets, which is great when you need to carry gear (like photography equipment).

A couple of points to wrap things up Think lightweight when packing: Safari clothing made from lightweight fabrics, lightweight safari walking shoes or boots (no heavy boots unless they are necessary for a walking tour) and don’t over pack. You don’t want to be hauling heavy luggage through the bush.

And leave your jewelry at home. It will just get in the way, and it doesn’t impress the wild animals anyway, so why bother.

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What to wear on safari – full guide on what to pack for safari in Kenya

Safari trips are amazing adventures! And so was our Masai Mara safari in Kenya . However, in order to fully enjoy your African holidays, it’s important to know what to wear on safari to feel comfortable. Below you can find the necessary safari packing list, that will help you decide on what to pack for safari in Kenya (or any other African country).

Items that you pack for safari in Kenya can greatly help on your trip. Good safari clothes will protect you from the sun, red African dust and the coldness of the mornings/afternoons, at the same time helping you to blend in with nature. Safari accessories let you capture all the amazing African safari animals , that you can see and not worry about anything else.

What to pack for safari in Kenya?

What to wear on safari – clothes to pack for the safari in kenya.

The best clothes to wear on a safari should be light, breathable and in neutral colours. They also need to be adjustable for both cold and hot temperatures, as those can change quite rapidly in Africa.

The temperatures on the safari in Kenya can be hot during the day and then quite chilly and even cold during the night/early morning/evening. During our hot air balloon  safari in Masai Mara , we needed to wake up very early around 3 am and drive to the starting point. Man, it was chilly. I was wearing a jumper, a Gore-tex jacket, a scarf, and a hat and gloves and I was so glad I had them all. Layers are a great way to keep your luggage light but allow you to stay warm.

The colours of the African safari clothes would preferably need to be neutral. The best way to get close to wildlife is to blend in as much as possible. Go for the earthy colours like brown, khaki, beige. Do not wear too light coloured clothes like white, as they can quickly get dirty due to the red African dust. Avoid also very bright red colours and dark blue, which can attract the Tsetse fly. For the evening clothes, if you stay inside of your camp or resort, focus on the light-coloured fabrics to not to attract the mosquitoes.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. More details here .

#1 long-sleeved shirt.

Long-sleeved shirt Available on Amazon here

#2 Long airy pants

For the same reason as for a long-sleeved shirt, long, loose and comfortable pants are great to have in Africa. I loved my thin jumpsuit and some loose pants that I got from my previous trips to Asia .

#3 A fleece and a light jacket

A fleece: Check on Amazon here Gore-tex Marmot jacket:   Check on Amazon here

#4 A few safari shirts or t-shirts

The best are short-sleeved T-shirts, so you have your shoulders covered from the sun. If you like vests (I do!), you can always cover your shoulders and neck with a scarf.  The button-down tops made from breathable material (try microfibre or linen) are good too.

#5 Safari pants – shorts or convertible trousers

Convertible pants Find them on Amazon here

#6 Safari shoes – comfortable trainers or sport sandals

Sport sandals Find the safari sport sandals on Amazon here

#7 Wide-brim hat

Wide-brim safari hat Find safari hat on Amazon here

#8 Sunglasses

Sun in Africa can be very strong, so protect your eyes and get proper sunglasses! A good idea is to take two pairs, in case one of them breaks. Polarized sunglasses like those ones with leopard pattern will help you to protect your eyes more and stay in the animal fashion theme. Check the safari sunglasses on Amazon .

Always useful – for protection from cold, for covering shoulders from the sun or from mosquitoes.

Other items to pack for safari in Kenya (or any other African country)

#1 camera with a zoom lens.

Safari photography gear Mirrorless Fuji X-E1 camera: Check it on Amazon here Fuji zoom lens 50-230 mm: Check it on Amazon here Samyang landscape 12 mm lens: Check it on Amazon here More of my photography gear here.

#2 Good sunscreen

I usually take a separate suncream for my face and another one for the body. My face suncream has been always been Anthelios from La Roche Posay, I really like Anthelios Dermo Kids , but I also wanted to try Anthelios Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid . They are both very light, easily applicable and they don’t make my mixed skin any more problematic – rather otherwise.

For the body, I like to use minimum SPF 30, for example, Anthelios Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen 30 , but even 50 is good for Africa if you have delicate skin.

Sunscreen Anthelios Dermo Kids 50+:   Find it on Amazon here Anthelios Ultra Light 50+: Find it on Amazon here  Anthelios Cooling Water-Lotion 30: Find it on Amazon here

#3 Mosquito spray

Mosquito spray 100% DEET: Find it on Amazon here 40% DEET: Find it on Amazon here  Gear and clothes insect treatment Find insect treatment for clothes on Amazon here

#4 Camera accessories

Camera accessories SanDisk Extreme memory cards : Available on Amazon here SD card reader : Available on Amazon here Manfrotto compact tripod : Available on Amazon here

#5 Travel adapter

Universal travel adapter (180 countries)   Find the travel adapter on Amazon here

#6 Powerbank

Light Powerbank with a flashlight Find it on Amazon here

#7 First aid kit

First aid kit Find the first aid kit on Amazon here

Take and drink plenty of water during the safari in Africa. It’s very easy to forget about it when you are busy admiring the animals, but it’s very important. You can bring one of the environmentally friendly insulated water bottles with you that keep the water nice and cool for a long time. Check for the best-insulated water bottles here.

I also really like the filter bottles – they filter out bacteria, viruses, and metals, so you can drink water almost from anywhere (depending on the type of bottle). They save you money on buying water and are also environmentally friendly. I use bottle Water-to-Go, but LifeStraw is also very popular (it doesn’t filter out the viruses though)

Insulated water bottle Available on Amazon here

What else would you pack for safari in Kenya? Do you have any recommendations on what to wear on safari? Let me know in the comments!

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Stylish Safari Clothes & Complete Kenya Safari Packing Guide

November 13, 2019

About a month before I was to leave for my Kenya safari holidays , I realized I didn’t have any of the safari clothes that were recommended by the Elewana Collection , my travel host.

Khaki, tan, gray, beige, olive green? Um, no. My wardrobe has always consisted of bright colors, vivid florals, and crazy patterns. Perhaps you’ll have it better than me, but I had to put my personal preferences aside and buy some new safari clothes so that I could blend in with the bush, comply with safari PC, and yet….still look cute. 🙂

Packing for a safari isn’t as easy as other trips where I’m a master at traveling light and taking only a roll-aboard suitcase. There are many limitations and restrictions that you don’t run into on other trips. Added to that challenge is the fact that because I’m a travel blogger, I also had to maintain my branding image for social media. I was able to accomplish both, so I’m sharing these tips as well as other important info on what to pack, as well as places to buy everything to save you days of searching online and/or weeks of shopping at brick-and-mortar stores. Trust me, I did both.

When spending time at your camp, you can wear sandals and brighter clothing if you like.

It’s important to check with your lodge to see what they provide because the luggage weight limit is tight.

Also, a lot will depend on whether you are on a luxury or budget safari. I was on a luxury safari that supplied a lot of extras that I did not have to pack. They also provided free daily laundry service which enabled me to get away with bringing just two pairs of shorts, one pair of safari pants, one pair of leggings, and one pair of PJs. I did bring quite a few tops but they didn’t take up much room in my luggage.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The word safari means “journey” in Swahili. Don’t forget these important items for your journey!

Naturally, you need a passport. Make sure that it is valid for at least six months prior to your arrival and it also must contain a minimum of two blank pages for stamps. It’s easy to overlook this requirement, but I can tell you first-hand, Africa is a stickler on this. Earlier in the year, I was on a cruise from the Seychelles –> Madagascar –> Reunion –> Mauritius. When I left home, I had three blank pages. However, because there were so many ports in Madagascar, they stamped the heck out of my passport and I did not have a single blank page left when I tried to leave Mauritius. They detained me for a short time but were able to get a special transport allowance only because I was going home.

Americans need a visa to enter Kenya. This can be obtained at the original point of entry, or you can obtain an e-visa online to save time. A single entry visa costs $50 per person.

Immunizations

A Yellow Fever immunization is required if you will be traveling from Kenya to Tanzania or South Africa. An official (yellow) card should be kept with your passport and presented along with your visa.

It’s also a good idea to make sure you are up to date on immunizations for Hepatitis A and B, tetanus, and meningitis.

While not required, the Center for Disease Control suggests that you consider getting a prophylactic prescription for malaria. My go-to for malaria prevention is always Malarone because there are no side effects for me (some of the other malaria drugs are reported to have some bad side effects). Dosage begins two days before you enter the country and continues for one week after you return.

Travel Insurance

DO NOT TRAVEL TO AFRICA WITHOUT TRAVEL AND/OR EVACUATION INSURANCE. You never know what can happen – of this I have first-hand knowledge having survived a devasting car crash in South Africa in 2014.

Click here to find travel insurance that fits your needs.

BEST TIME TO GO

Our Kenya safari was in October, which turned out to be a fantastic time to go. It was warm during the day and cool in the evenings. It was sunny every day, although there was an occasional shower during the night.

If you are going to the Maasai Mara, June to October is the best time to see the migration of the massive herds of wildebeest.

Mosquitos and tsetse flies can be a big problem in Africa. Tsetse flies are reportedly not deterred by bug spray, even DEET, and their bites are painful and itchy. However, we did not see a single one of either.

Soft Duffel

A medium-sized soft duffel will usually be required because it can be manipulated into the small luggage holds in the bottom of the plane. While some recommend against wheels, that’s a nonstarter for me. I’m not that strong, and the thought of carrying a 33 lb. duffel from airport to airport, lodge to lodge, isn’t even an option. Yes, the weight limit for the small commuter planes was a maximum of 33 lbs. which included both your duffel and any other carryon, backpack, or purse.

The small commuter planes that you will take if you’re traveling from one camp to another also require your bags to be soft-sided.

Packing Cubes

I never go on a trip without using packing cubes . Never. They allow me to keep my clothing organized by color, type, day/night, etc. And don’t forget to tightly roll your safari clothes to save room and avoid wrinkling.

The number one item you’ll need on a day-to-day basis is a daypack (small, lightweight backpack). In it, you can easily stash your camera bag, reusable water bottle, smartphone, sunblock, mosquito repellent wipes, camera lens wipe, and journal.

Jostling is the normal ride of the jeep on the very bumpy paths around the national parks and conservancies. Having your camera stowed in a padded camera bag inside your daypack when not using it will protect it from getting bumped and damaged. The type to get is dependent on the size of your camera, but I’d opt for the smallest, tightest one for best protection as well as to take up less of the valuable space in your daypack.

There should be something in your daypack to protect your technical equipment if it starts raining. You can pack a small dry bag or clear stadium-style plastic bag . In a pinch, use a Ziploc.

Crossbody Purse

I always bring a lightweight (fabric) crossbody purse that I can stick in my daypack, drape over my shoulder at night, or wear crossbody (anti-theft) when visiting markets. It contains such things as my phone, medications, reading glasses and cash.

Shorts with a long-sleeved shirt layered over my tank top worked out great on sunny morning game drives.

To a certain extent, the colors you wear while seated in the jeep during game drives is not as important as when walking in the bush. Having said that, here’s the rule of thumb on colors:

• Blue and Black – attract tsetse flies that have a painful bite. Plus dark colors attract heat so it’s best to avoid them.
• Red – predators identify red with wounded animals.
• White – the dust of the savanna and on game drives will turn these brown in no time.
• Camouflage – it’s associated with the military; Kenya banned the sale and wearing of clothes resembling military or police uniform in 2006.
• Bright colors – can distract the game.

It’s also notable that you don’t want to be THAT person, you know, the one in the jeep that is annoying to everyone else because your neon colors seep into and ruin their “authentic” experience and/or photos. I decided to let the animals be the center of attention… just this one time.

After giving it a great deal of thought and infinite research, I decided that all my safari clothes would coordinate with dark olive green as my base color. With the weight limit on luggage, this would allow me the highest number of outfit changes because I could switch out tops and bottoms.

Pack things that you can mix and match. You can create a good number of outfits just from pairing a handful of safari clothes in different sequences. Just adding a scarf or jewelry can transform your game drive clothing into a suitable casual dinner ensemble.

You’ll want to pack safari clothes that are comfortable and fairly loose. While you won’t exert much physical exercise on game drives, it can get hot as it gets closer at midday, so breathable fabrics work great. Leave your tight skinny jeans and leather jacket at home.

Contrary to popular belief, Africa is not hot 24/7. Temperatures change throughout the day. It was pretty chilly when I woke up in the morning, and also as soon as the sun went down. You won’t always be able to go back to your tent, so dressing in or having layers with you is best.

This was the hardest for me because all the so-called safari pants I found were so ugly, especially those cargo zip-off shorts types. I finally found a pair that combined both form and function. These cute genie-style pants were also comfortable and had pockets where I could stash my glasses or phone in a pinch and then easily accessed. I like the closed-in ankles for style purposes, but they’re also good to keep out bugs like mosquitos and tsetse flies which some have reported are not repelled by bug spray.

I also brought a couple of pairs of olive green leggings which I wore on transportation days – flights, driving between camps, etc., and also on a sunrise hike in Meru National Park.

Shorts and Sleeveless Shirts

It was hot during the day, and with the casual attire of the camps, I was glad to have brought a couple of pairs of shorts, and several sleeveless shirts that I could also pair with my safari pants at night. I found that I was also comfortable wearing shorts on my morning game drives with a long-sleeved shirt and just covered my legs with the jeep blanket if I got cold.

Long Sleeve Shirts

Long-sleeved shirts came in very handy during the chilly mornings, at dinner, and tunic-length ones that I wore with leggings.

The dress code for dinner at the camps is casual, but I brought one lightweight floral silk frilly blouse that looked really cute with my genie safari pants. I was happy to have it and wore it three times during our 10-day safari split between three different camps.

I wore my favorite jumpsuit in many different ways during the safari.

My jumpsuit (or overall-style ) was my favorite piece of safari clothes! I could wear it sleeveless in the warm weather, or pair it with a cropped top underneath when visiting a tribal village or other daytime activity. It was also suitable to wear to dinner at the camps.

Hooded Fleece Jacket

Most game drives are timed to follow the lifestyle of wildlife, so you’ll leave your game drive either at or right after sunrise, and again in the late afternoon and get back a little after sunset. That’s when the animals are most actively looking for food and water, so a warm (olive green, of course) hoodie is a must! You may also have an opportunity to do a night safari, which can get pretty cold. Note also that most jeeps will have blankets (which I used in addition to my fleece).

I didn’t even know what buffs were until someone recommended them. They were so handy! I used them as headbands to give a bit of style; to completely cover my hair in windy jeep rides to avoid horrific tangles; to cover my ears during cold game drives at night; over my nose and mouth when we drove through smelly animal “graveyards.”

Rain can break out at any time in the bush. I packed a compact plastic travel rain jacket into my daypack every day. It didn’t take up much room at all, and in the event of rain, I could just slip the whole thing right over what I was wearing.

I wore a swimsuit, sarong, and sunglasses to lounge by the pool at Elsa’s Kopje.

The afternoons are generally hot, and since the animals are taking a siesta, you have time to lounge at the pool. Each of our Elewana properties had a large infinity pool overlooking the savanna. So gorgeous!  They also provided towels, so I didn’t need to pack that bulky item.

I never travel without a sarong . It’s my essential go-to item that I’ve used as a beach cover-up, sundress, head covering for religious sites, scarf, wind shawl, towel, pillow or seat covers, makeshift purse, privacy curtain, window shade, and packing padding.

God forbid, but it could also be used as a bandage, sling, tourniquet, or to tie a splint until you can get proper medical attention.

I love my sarongs so much I probably have at least 20. Don’t judge.

You really don’t need to wear hiking boots in Kenya unless you really want to. Even bushwalks are not extreme. Sneakers are perfectly fine and more versatile. Even if it’s warm during the game drives, you’ll want to wear closed-toe, comfortable sneakers or walking shoes. Often our guide would stop the jeep and we got out to investigate animal tracks, skulls in an elephant graveyard, and unique flora. You won’t want to get your feet soiled with dirt or worse, or hurt by thorns or sharp stones.

Eureka! I found a pair of very comfy, breathable, olive green sneakers that looked good (not clunky) with my safari clothes.

You may also want to bring a pair of good walking sandals for exploring tribal villages, lounging around the pool, or dinner at the camp which may be a little dressier. I swear by my brown leather Teva’s which I’ve had for at least 10 years and are still as comfortable and look as good as the day I bought them.

Bring socks that cover your ankles if you plan on doing bushwalks or to wear with your sneakers if you get cold easily. I even found these olive green ones!

Undergarments

Even if the safari camp will do your laundry, there is a cultural rule that forbids them from washing undies. I packed three of these ExOfficio breathable, quick-dry low-rise bikini undies and washed by hand in the sink every few days with dry detergent (provided by our camp). If you don’t like bikini panties, no worries, they also have thongs, hipsters, and full coverage styles.

Sports bras are also a good idea – the jeep rides are VERY bumpy. I don’t like sports bras (not a fan of the uni-boob) so I wore this comfy yet cute bralette – sort of a cross between a regular bra and a sports bra.

A cup of coffee in my pj’s just after sunset at Loisiba Starbeds.

It was downright chilly at night, plus there was the ever-present threat of mosquitos, so I wanted to be both comfortable and covered. I brought a pair of soft leggings and soft long-sleeved T-shirt and they were perfect as they also did not take up much room in my luggage. Also, a loose-fitting pair of pj’s would also work. We also got a wake-up call every morning where our porter would deliver coffee and cookies to our tent at around 6 a.m., so keep in mind you should be appropriately modest as not to embarrass him.

ACCESSORIES

Wide brim hat.

I donned my stylish safari hat for a safari on camel-back in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

You’ll need a hat as protection from the strong sun. I’m not a baseball hat kind of girl, but they might be okay in the jeep (your guide will wear one) as would a Panama-style hat.

However, I would recommend a wide brim hat with a tie under the chin that doesn’t fly away in the open-air jeep, or on bushwalks or camel safaris. Plus, they just plain look better than a baseball hat. I found one that looked cute, coordinated with all my outfits, folded in half for packing, and had the fastener under the chin.

The bright and intense UV sun rays on the savanna can be damaging for your eyes. Sunglasses are both beneficial plus can add a touch of sophistication to your safari look. I always make sure I wear stylish sunglasses since you can see them in basically every photo that I’m in.

Lightweight Scarf

A lightweight scarf serves two purposes – it can be used against the cold night, and it’s also an easy way to add a little bit of style and color to what can otherwise be a drab safari wardrobe.

Reading Glasses

I started requiring reading glasses about ten years ago. Shortly after getting my first pair, I lost them during a trip to Costa Rica. Ever since then, I leave my expensive prescription glasses at home. Instead, I buy an inexpensive package of five pairs of readers to bring with me. Inevitably, I lose or break nearly all of them, but who cares?

These earrings weighed practically nothing and really enhanced my colorful outfit for visiting the Samburu village.

Many, perhaps even most, women can do without jewelry. I’m not one of those and didn’t need to be. Naturally, I never bring expensive jewelry on any trip, but because I’d coordinated my wardrobe to be olive green, my favorite olive green crystal earrings and two other pairs sufficed. My travel buddy brought just one pair of earrings and wore them every day and looked great. And to be honest, I’m the only one who knew she’d worn the same pair since we moved around so much.

Make sure that you lock up or at least hide your jewelry back in your accommodations – I understand that monkeys like shiny objects!

Also, if you have the option of visiting a tribal village or market during your safari, I highly recommend buying some of their exquisite hand-beaded jewelry that serves as jewelry to wear on your trip as well as a memento of your visit.

I also wore a large-faced inexpensive watch daily, so I didn’t have to dig out my cell phone every time I wanted to check the time. It’s my absolute favorite — I’ve had it for around 30 years, no lie. The face is large enough to read without glasses, has plain-looking numbers, and a band that I can slide on and off without having to buckle.

Smart Phone

Never leave home without it, right? My Samsung Galaxy smartphone takes exceptionally great photos and it’s become my go-to camera. After many years, and many models of iPhones, I switched to Samsung after seeing how much better the photos were and I wouldn’t go back.

So many travel “experts” will tell you that only the best, high-end camera equipment and expensive zoom lenses will suffice. Hogwash! Unless you’re a professional photographer, that über-heavy equipment will take up half your luggage weight.

For me, bulky camera gear is a thing of the past. Just this year, I gave up using my big Nikon DLSR and purchased a Canon mirrorless 35mm camera . I love it! It’s so much lighter and easier to use. And because the animals came so close to the jeep , there was only one occasion in the entire ten days where I wished I’d had a more powerful zoom; and for that spontaneous wildlife spectacle, I was content to just live in the moment and observe the action with my guide’s binoculars.

Note, you can also get zoom lenses for the Canon if you so desire.

I re-charged my camera and phone batteries every night to ensure that I would never miss capturing a thing during the game drives.

If you’re traveling with someone else, a combination selfie stick/tripod is a great way to capture memories with both of you (and perhaps your guide) in it.

Adapter/Converter

Electricity in Kenya is 240 V, 50 Hz. square pin, English standard plugs; Americans need an adapter/converter .

I always have a high-capacity SD card in my camera, and one extra one in case the first gets filled or damaged.

Insider’s Tip:  I download the photos from both my camera and my phone to my laptop’s hard drive every night. You never know when your equipment will malfunction or get stolen and you’ll lose precious photos.

It’s so dusty out on the savanna and bush! In order to obtain the best-quality photos, clean your camera and phone lenses intermittently throughout the day. Why be boring? Check out this artsy lens cloth !

The lights in the tented camps are very dim at night, enough to see your way to the bathroom, but not bright enough to read so a headlamp is a must if you need light at night.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

I love getting my dose of Vitamin D but do not like staying in direct sunlight for long periods of time. During my sun exposure, I use an eco-friendly sunscreen that does not pollute the water or harm marine life. Win/win scenario.

Mosquito Repellent

Malaria is known to be a big risk in Kenya as well as the dread tsetse flies. Wear long sleeves and pants at night and pack at least 30% DEET spray or wipes. I prefer the wipes on my skin because the scent is not as strong as an involuntary inhalant. It’s easier to get full coverage with the wipes. Alternatively, the spray works on clothing or your tent. I brought both with me.

Malaria Medication

I use Malarone (see Entry Requirements above). There are several others to consider — please consult with your own physician.

Diarrhea Medication

If you’ve ever had Traveler’s Diarrhea (aka Montezuma’s Revenge), you know it’s terrible and can lay you up for a day or more. Over-the-counter medications like Imodium can help stop diarrhea, but I always travel with a prescription of Cipro, an antibiotic that stops the root cause.

“There’s no way, and probably no good reason, to be subtle about it — diarrhea, parasites, and other gastrointestinal unpleasantries can be part of the price travelers pay for trying to see the world. Fortunately, this frank, witty guide lets world-explorers fight back against their invisible assailants. How to Shit Around the World is the perfect, if not the most polite, traveling companion. ” ~ Dr. Wilson-Howarth

Compile a first aid kit with Band-Aids, antibiotic cream, ibuprofen, cream for bites, and any medications you normally take.

All of my Elewana camps provided complimentary shampoo, conditioner, soaps, and lotions, but if yours does not, you’ll have to bring them. You might want to consider dry shampoo and a bar of soap if getting liquids through airport security screening is a problem.

Toothbrush and toothpaste are not provided at the camps.

Water Filter Bottle

First of all, disposable plastic is illegal in Kenya so plastic water bottles will be unavailable. We received a stainless steel water bottle at our first camp to take with us throughout our journey, refillable at each Elewana camp’s purified water station in the lodge’s common area.

If your camp doesn’t have that benefit, then I recommend you bring a water filtration bottle to make sure you have safe hydration. I like this one because it’s light and when empty it doesn’t take up much room in your luggage.

Certainly, makeup is not a necessity for most, but for my own personal branding (Luggage and Lipstick, remember?) lipstick is a must, as well as mascara. They don’t take up much room in my luggage, and for me, it has a positive impact on my public appearance as well as on my psyche.

Regardless of whether or not you wear makeup, do put sunscreen on your face every day on safari. I absolutely love Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunscreen .  It doesn’t feel greasy, is water/sweat resistant, and is SPF 100+.  I actually use it every day.

Most of the camps will not have a hairdryer in your hut or tent, as you’d probably guess. You can usually find one for public use in the spa (if your camp has a spa). I just did without a dryer and did not find it a hardship at all, even with my very long hair.

It’s really windy in the jeep!  If you don’t want impossibly tangled hair, cover it up in a buff (see above) or make sure you bring covered elastics to braid it.

MISCELLANEOUS

Our daily “sundowner” cocktail on the savanna with Lomelo, one of our three fabulous guides.

US Dollars were accepted everywhere in Kenya. Take a stash of small bills – $1, $5, and $10. I used up all my cash tipping our well-deserving guides and purchasing souvenirs at the Samburu and Maasai markets.

I can guarantee you will be amazed at the wealth of knowledge your guide has about the flora and fauna of Kenya. And the personal stories of their encounters with wildlife are incredible!  Make sure you have a safari journal and pen to jot down the names and tales that you will want to relate back home. Believe it or not, the details are easy to forget, but writing them down will help transport you back to your journey in Africa.

You’ll have around six hours during the middle of the day for free time. In addition to exploring your camp, taking a nap, or lounging by the pool, there’s time to read. With a kindle , you don’t have to bring multiple books in your luggage. You can load your Africa guide books to educate yourself about your surroundings, animals, and culture, or favorite fiction all on one device.

Hot Water Bottle

This will depend on what time of year you go, but even so, the temperature does plummet after sundown. I didn’t need one at Meru National Park, but at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy, it was colder at night. When we returned to our tented camps at night, we discovered hot water bottles in our beds. I have to admit, I was concerned about the drop in temperature at night because I get (and stay) cold really, really easily and was anxious that I wouldn’t be able to sleep. But this old-school remedy was amazing! I sleep on my side so I curled my legs around it and I stayed warm and toasty all night. If your camp doesn’t have them, I highly recommend that you bring one.

I can’t sleep unless it’s pitch black, and the camps have solar powered outdoor night lights around the tents and paths. Plus we were on safari during the full moon. I only enjoyed good nights’ sleep because I wore my sleep mask which blocks all light as well as keeps my eyes closed.

If your travel companion snores, these are irreplaceable.

There will likely only be WiFi in the common area in your camp, not in your tent/hut and certainly not on the game drives. Guide books can come in really handy for quick research. Also, a Swahili translation book can be a fun addition to enhance your experience.

WHAT NOT TO BRING

I didn’t bring these they would have put my luggage over the weight limit, but our guide always had a pair for me to use. However, if your lodge/camp doesn’t supply them, here’s a compact and lightweight pair of binoculars you might want to consider.

Some camps, like Elewana, have a solar-powered flashlight in every tent. But if not, no need to bring an extra piece of equipment – there’s a flashlight function on most smartphones.

Fancy Dresses

It can be a challenge to hoist yourself into and out of the high safari vehicles. Dresses are just impractical and even a tripping hazard. If you have room in your luggage and want to bring a dress or two to lounge around the pool or dinner at night (although it gets chilly), you can certainly do that.

Flowy dresses look great in Instagram photos such as exploring old towns and ancient ruins. But in a safari setting, that would just look silly. IMHO.

You can wear your walking sandals at the pool. If you have extra room in your luggage, pack a pair of pretty flip flops if you feel you can’t live without them.

Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are illegal in Kenya. We were advised of this as we were arriving into Nairobi International Airport and the flight attendants went through the aisles accepting bags people wanted to get rid of rather than have them confiscated at customs.

I panicked and emptied six Ziploc bags that I had in my carryon which organized a lot of my smaller things, e.g. chargers, medications, snacks, jewelry, etc. and disposed of them. I needn’t have though! Shame on the flight attendants for not being more specific! Ziploc bags are okay, it’s the disposable shopping bags that are not.

During your safari, you will see virtually no plastic at the camps – no plastic water bottles and shampoo and conditioner are in glass dispensers, etc. You can use these reusable shopping bags .

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

We had the extra complication of traveling to tropical Zanzibar after our safari – which would require 100% different apparel than safari clothes. How did we do it with the strict baggage weight allowances?

I packed everything I needed for Zanzibar in a separate packing cube which I took out and left at Wilson Airport. After the safari, when we returned to Wilson to fly to Zanzibar, I simply retrieved my extra packing cube and stuffed it back in my duffel.

Note: our Elewana representative took our packing cubes and then returned them back to us, but Wilson also has lockers you can rent.

When in doubt, follow this advice from Susan Heller:

“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.”

Hakuna Matata!   Enjoy your Kenya safari!

Click on the image below to PIN so you can find stylish Kenya safari clothes again:

Disclosure:  The author was honored to be the guest of The Elewana Collection during her stay in Zanzibar, but as always, the opinions, reviews, and experiences are her own.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer .

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• by luggageandlipstick
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Comment by Wendy

Wendy Reply November 21, 2019 at 9:21 am

I have tons of safari clothes, but all typical ones and no fashionable ones. I know from all of our travels that light colors, never white for me, are best in buggy places – so light grey and tan. Funny that you dislike safari pants so much; I love their versatility and all the pockets!

Interesting tidbit that monkeys like shiny objects so they need to be packed in your room when on safari.

Free daily laundry service is awesome, as long as they don’t shrink the clothes.

Comment by luggageandlipstick

luggageandlipstick Reply November 25, 2019 at 7:26 am

Wendy – the laundry service was fantastic. They actually hand-wash everything and hang it to dry, so no shrinkage whatsoever. I absolutely dislike the zip-off pants that look like men’s pants. My cute ones had pockets, too, so they were very functional. 🙂

Comment by Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Carole Terwilliger Meyers Reply November 21, 2019 at 10:08 pm

This is a super article! I’ve bookmarked it for when I start preparing for my safari. I really like that you bookmarked the various recommended items on Amazon.

luggageandlipstick Reply November 24, 2019 at 8:35 pm

So glad you found it informative, Carole! Have a great time when you go!

Comment by Jackie K Smith

Jackie K Smith Reply November 24, 2019 at 8:17 am

I’d always wondered why people on safari’s seemed to be wearing a dull, muted safari gear – now I know why. A super article and keeper should I ever take a safari.

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The Ultimate Packing List for Kenya

Apr 26, 2021 | Packing Lists

Kenya  is undoubtedly one of the most authentic safari destinations in the world. With spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities, lush mountain ranges and beautiful coastlines, there’s many different activities that you can get up to when visiting Kenya.

The different parts of the country each offer a unique experience and can also wildly vary in climate. Before putting your packing list for Kenya together, you’ll need to know where you’ll be staying and what activities you’ll be getting up to.

Our Kenya packing list will give you everything you need to know for a trip to Kenya.

Packing for the weather in Kenya

One of the most important factors that you must consider before you begin creating your Kenya packing list, is the weather.  Kenya  is home to several climates that will both surprise and delight you.

Figuring out what to wear on safari in Kenya will, therefore, depend on the time of year that you decide to visit this incredible destination. The dry season usually runs from about mid-December to March. The rainy season typically begins in late April and goes through until early August.

That being said, travellers will often be treated to a pleasant tropical climate throughout most of the year. You can expect sunny days and cooler nights, which are perfect for your Kenyan experience.

What to wear on safari in Kenya

We’ve got a few tips for you below, but also make sure to check out our full guide on  what to wear on safari in Southern Africa  for more details.

Layering is crucial

The weather in Kenya can change in a matter of minutes. Adding clothing that can be layered to your Kenya packing list will help you adjust to the fluctuating temperatures. As the Kenyan sun peeks out, you can remove a few layers and put them back on as the evenings begin to cool down.

Hiking shoes

As any smart traveller will tell you, packing light is crucial. Therefore, we suggest adding multipurpose clothing and footwear to your Kenya safari packing list. Adding functional  hiking shoes  to your luggage will serve you well as they can be worn everywhere you go.

Just make sure that they provide you with adequate ankle support, especially given the fact that the terrain can be rather rocky and uneven.

For the ladies, we love these waterproof  Timberland Norwood Mid Boots  that look stylish but are functional at the same time. For the men, these  waterproof all-weather boots  are also a great option.

Don’t forget to wear the shoes a couple of times before you leave for Kenya, to make sure that you break them in properly!

When it comes to figuring out what to pack for Kenya, you will definitely need a  raincoat . This will keep you nice and dry whilst you make your way through the beautiful country.

Kenya has been blessed with incredible sunshine, which is why we suggest investing in a good sun hat or cap. Whether you’re out on a Masai Mara safari or heading to the Kenyan beaches, your hat will be a staple item during your trip.  

We suggest packing a wide-brimmed hat that will give you the most sun protection. Here are a few options:

• This waterproof and breathable  wide brim bucket hat  is a sturdy and durable option, great for game drives, hikes or fishing. 
• This  wide brim hat  offers additional neck coverage, also great for game drives, hikes, or fishing.
• You can also opt for a simple  baseball cap .

While many people see sunglasses as a fun safari accessory, sunglasses are actually an important part of any Kenya packing list. Opting for  UV-ray protective sunglasses  will keep you from squinting your way through the day and keep your eyes protected.

Adding a  cross bag  to your Kenya packing list will help you keep all of your belongings close to you while travelling. They’re great to take with you on safari drives or while walking through the city streets.

Swimming is probably not the first thing that springs to mind when you think about what to pack for Kenya. However, whether you’re lounging by the pool at your lodge, taking a splash in one of the local waterfalls or relaxing on the beach,  swimwear  is essential.

Packing list for Kenya: Toiletries

Wet wipes and hand sanitizer.

When it comes to figuring out what to pack for Kenya you can’t forget about adding  wet wipes  and sanitizers to your list. 

Major cities will definitely sell them but when it comes to more remote parts of the country, you will most likely experience a shortage of stores that supply them. Adding wet wipes and  sanitizer  to your luggage will help keep you fresh and clean while out in the bush.

When you are thinking of what to wear on safari in Kenya, make sure that it’s not just clothing that you’re wearing. You need to be adequately lathered in sunscreen too. Opt for a  high SPF waterproof sunscreen  that will protect your skin.

Bug and insect repellent

Kenya is home to exceptional wildlife … and bug life too. The country has been known for its plethora of insects including malaria-causing mosquitoes and tsetse flies. Adding bug and mosquito  repellent creams and sprays  will help keep the bugs at bay!

Packing list for Kenya: Medication

Your Kenya packing list is incomplete if you do not have a dedicated section for all of your vaccines and medication. Before you even book your seat on the plane, make sure that you get all of the recommended medication beforehand. One of which will be your Yellow Fever vaccination.

You will also need to add anti-malaria medication to your Kenya safari packing list. While the larger cities of Kenya will have the option of purchasing over-the-counter medication, some for the rural areas and game reserves don’t have this option.

We advise stocking up on all the necessary items before you leave for your Kenyan adventure!

First aid kit

Safety first! Adding a  well-equipped first aid kit  to your luggage is an absolute essential, especially if you plan on taking part in adventurous excursions. However, even if you plan on taking a more leisurely trip, accidents do happen so it’s best to stay prepared.

Packing list for Kenya: Equipment & Electronics

We suggest investing in a high-quality  camera  that will be able to capture Kenya in all of its beauty whilst still helping you immortalise all of those unforgettable memories. Don’t forget your extra memory cards too!

Make sure to read our blog on the  Ultimate Guide to Wildlife Photography !

Plug adaptors

Adding a universal plug adapter to your Kenya safari packing list is an absolute must, especially if you have any layovers in destinations that use a different type of plug. A  universal travel adapter  is best.

Portable charger

This is without a doubt one of the most essential gadgets that you will have in your suitcase. No one wants to be in a situation where they have no battery life. Make sure that you can charge your electronics whilst you’re on the move by purchasing a  portable charger . A  solar-powered  one is also a great option.

Spotting the  Big Five  is a lot easier when you get to see them up close, which is why  binoculars  definitely deserve a spot on your packing list for Kenya. Not only is it great for safaris, but also for hiking and all of the amazing birdwatching opportunities that Kenya has to offer.

Remember to add a torch to your packing list for Kenya safari! This will ensure that regardless of where you are in the country you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you have your own source of light. Your  flashlight  will also prove very helpful for evening game drives too!

Kenya is a nature-blessed country that promises to offer you memories that you will savour for a lifetime. All you need to do is make sure that you add our suggestions to your Kenyan packing list, and you are officially ready to embark on one of your greatest adventures yet!

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Best Women’s Safari Clothing for Africa Overland Travel

Africa Packing Lists , Packing Lists , Travel Packing Lists

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Planning a safari or overland tour through one of Africa’s incredible game parks? This is the best womens safari clothing for your trip. Read our complete guide to find out exactly what to wear on safari!

Women Safari Clothing

Table of contents.

An African safari is one of the most exciting trips you can take as a traveler. Roughing it in the wilderness surrounded by the Big 5 is truly a thrilling experience. There are several things to keep in mind when you choose safari clothing for this type of adventure.

How should I dress for an African safari?

The focus of your safari attire should be on comfortable safari clothing in neutral colors and light fabrics. If it’s not something you would feel comfortable wearing something on an overnight flight, it’s best to keep it out of your safari gear.

Safari clothes for Africa should be relaxed, so you can enjoy the experience to the fullest. The drive time on overland trips can vary anywhere from 6 to 12 hours each day. Making comfort key on those long-haul journeys — the distances in Africa are massive!

Expect your safari clothing to be covered in dust and keep in mind that you won’t have much time to do laundry. Your safari clothes should feature synthetic fabrics that are hard wearing, quick-dry, easy to wash, and won’t show dirt or dust.

What to Wear on Safari

When it comes to options for what to wear on an African safari, womens travel brands tend to feature technical fabrics focusing primarily on khaki and olive colors. But unless you’re planning to live in the bush or are taking a Gorilla trekking trip to the jungle, it’s likely that this type of clothing isn’t necessary.

The majority of Africa safari tours will see you viewing animals within the confines of a vehicle, whether a giant overland truck or 4×4 car. This means that the khaki safari shirt or safari pants that you purchased will tragically go to waste.

Safari Clothing Essentials Packing Guide: An Overview

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of your clothing options, let’s take a look at an overall view of what your safari gear for your travel capsule wardrobe should consist of. Here’s a quick snapshot of the amount of what should be on your bag when you’re planning what to wear on an African safari.

TFG Recommended Clothing List

4 sleeveless or short-sleeve tops 2 long-sleeve tops 1 dress or skirt 4 pants 1 shorts 1 windbreaker jacket 1 fleece or warm jacket 1 swimsuit 3 bras (sports bras are recommended) 3 socks 7-10 underwear 1 jacket 1 scarf 1 sunglasses

TFG Recommended Shoe List

1 pair comfortable sneakers 1 pair flip-flops

What is the Best Women Safari Clothing?

Whether you’re looking for what to wear on safari in Kenya or are camping in the Serengeti, you need the best of the best when it comes to your safari clothing. Our selections offer you a nice range of safari pants, tops, dresses, and even safari jackets. That way you can be confident and comfortable on your jaunt in Africa!

Best of all? You can avoid the head-to-toe khaki safari outfits that somehow became the must-have on an African safari. Here are some realistic clothing pieces you’ll love carting along with you:

Shop Sizes XS-3X: Eddie Bauer Resolution T-Shirt 

Best Safari Shirts for Women

As you plan what safari clothes to pack, make sure to bring a variety of tops and include sleeveless tanks, short sleeve tees, and long sleeves that you can layer!

The best safari shirts for the day time and warm weather are sleeveless or short sleeved breathable, moisture wicking tees in neutral colors.

For really hot days or to layer underneath warm items if cold, add a couple of casual tees. These also will be beneficial for those long safari travel days (read more on this in the Pants section below).

Stay cool with these moisture wicking shirts !

Shop Sizes XS-4X: Smartwool Merino Short Sleeve

Merino wool tops are some of the best safari shirts because they are both practical and can be re-worn without washing. This is particularly important on longer safari trips when you won’t have access to laundry for extended periods of time.

However, If you plan to hand wash your merino wool tops you’ll have to wait until you spend two or more nights in one location to allow time for the clothes to dry. This is why either quick-dry or long-lasting items are the best as safari clothes.

While merino wool is more expensive, you can get away with bringing just a few tops and then re-wearing them every few days. This is key for packing light!

Merino wool Icebreaker tops like these have a higher price point but are excellent for safari trips because they’re practical and you can rewear them (for weeks) without washing.

Learn more about how to hand wash while traveling !

Shop Sizes XS-XL: Icebreaker Merino Women’s Siren Tank

If you are traveling in hot weather, you might prefer a sleeveless top like the Icebreaker Merino Women’s Siren Tank  one pictured above (perfect safari shirt). Like the short sleeve tops, the ideal fabrics are from performance brands with quick dry 100% cotton, merino wool, or synthetics.

Shop Sizes XS-XXL: Columbia Cades Cape Tank

If you’re looking for a sleeveless safari shirt that’s less body hugging, then one like the Columbia shown here is perfect.

A sleeveless top not only helps to keep you cool on your safari days, but it can also be dressed up when you’re visiting the city! Pair it with a cute skirt and you have an instant evening outfit. Double-duty top!

Plus, it also looks the part of an African safari shirt!

Shop Sizes XS-3X: Columbia Quick Dry Sun UV Protection Convertible Long Sleeve

For the sunny days you’ll want to bring one light but practical womens long sleeve safari shirt to protect you from the sun’s beating rays. This will be a piece you’ll want to re-wear, so we advise choosing a quick dry fabric so that when you wash it, it will dry relatively quickly!

The dark khaki convertible womens long sleeve safari shirt (pictured above) is not only quick dry, but it’s specifically designed for UV protection. Plus, with it being convertible you can make the sleeves longer and shorter based on your preference.

Shop Columbia Silver Ridge Lite Long Sleeve : Amazon | Columbia (Sizes XS-3X)

Can you wear grey on safari? Grey is a great color choice for safari clothes along with other medium to dark neutral colors like khaki. These colors are good choices due to the fact that your clothes are likely to collect a lot of dust, especially the ones you use for the outer layers, and the darker neutral colors are able of masking it.

Shop Sizes XS-XL: Unbound Merino Long Sleeve

When you’re planning what to wear on a safari, make sure to bring at least one warm long sleeve or thermal top . You should also include a long-sleeve blouse you can use to cover you from the winter sun and to wear in the cities.

Depending on the time of year you’re headed on your safari and the region in Africa that you’re going to, you might need to add a few extra long sleeve tops to your safari wardrobe to layer at night. It can get pretty cold!

Safari Packing Tip : You’ll want to keep your safari attire as light as possible. To keep your packing light, make sure to include six to eight safari shirts. Any more and you’ll be overpacking!

Best Safari Pants for Women

When you are actually on a safari, you are much more likely to be going inside of a vehicle — walking safaris aren’t the norm. Being inside a vehicle allows for the undisturbed observation of the wildlife in a natural setting. Perfect for safari adventurers!

Of course, it’s best not to assume. So if you aren’t sure that you’ll be in a vehicle, double-check with your tour operator (if you have one).

Shop Sizes XXS-XXL: Zella Live In High Waist Leggings

It might surprise (and excite you) to find out that some of the best pants for safari are leggings. Seriously! This is specifically the case when you are taking a driving safari tour, NOT if you are getting out of the vehicle and walking in the bush.

Leggings are the perfect safari pants choice for comfort. Avoid choosing thick fabrics that will take too long to dry if you are hand washing them.

Leggings are also great for travel days. If you’re looking for leggings to take on your safari, TFG readers voted for the best leggings for women , so you’re bound to find a pair you like! We also really love these leggings from Zella (which are also available in plus size ).

Leggings are the most comfortable, packabe safari pants. So they’re definitely a good choice to wear on safari. While you can easily wear a pair of black leggings when you’re inside the vehicle, you might want to consider a lighter color to wear outdoors by the campfire (you’ll thank us later).

Safari Packing Tip : Make sure to choose a legging color that you can easily re-wear in-between washes!

Shop Sizes XS-XL: Scuba Mid-Rise Pant

If leggings aren’t your thing, a good alternative is casual joggers. Lululemon — a much-loved brand by yogis and travelers alike — makes a great pair of chic joggers which are great safari pants. They also make some pretty nice leggings too! 

The travel-friendly fabric in these safari pants makes them easy to clean and de-wrinkle. Plus, with four-way stretch and a drawstring waist, you can wear them comfortably on the longest of overland safari rides!

Shop Sizes 2-24: Amazon | Columbia  |  Zappos

When you first think about what to wear on African safari, you might imagine an outfit consisting of a khaki button down shirt and convertible trousers. But generally speaking, convertible pants are not a necessary item to add to your safari attire (unless they make you comfortable and confident, that is).

We recommend a modern-yet-functional pair of travel pants like Saturday Trail Pants by Columbia . Not only are these safari pants versatile, but more importantly they’re comfortable! They also pack light, dry quickly and don’t stain easily — what more are you looking for in your safari pants?

As an added bonus, they have a stretchy pull-up waist band that’s sitting down for long periods of time. It’s also easy to remove for quick bathrooms stops on an overland trip.

Here are 16 best hiking pants for women that are lightweight and practical!

Shop prAna Halle Pant: Amazon | prAna

If you’re looking for both more traditional and budget-friendly safari pants, these prAna travel pants are for you! Both safari pants are ideal for walking safari tours or trips that will incorporate both extensive time outdoors and inside a vehicle.

If you are going to be trekking through the bushes, we highly recommend making technical womens safari clothing part of your wardrobe.

When you’re planning on what to wear on safari, make sure you always pack a pair of safari shorts! Safari shorts are casual and easy-to-wear on hot days.

You might also want to consider including a breezy long skirt or sarong. Both make it easier to “pop a squat” on the side of the road without baring it all to your tour mates!

Travel Tip : There aren’t usually bathrooms along the long roads, and stops are typically infrequent.

Shop Sizes 26-40: Levi’s Classic Straight Jeans

Can you wear jeans on safari? Jeans are a must, especially if you’re traveling in the winter! Sometimes the best women’s safari clothing isn’t necessarily the most technical travel gear. Jeans are not only practical, but they’ll provide you with warmth disguise dirt, and also give you a bit of style if you make a top in a major city like Cape Town!

But make sure not to hand wash your jeans! They’ll take way too long to dry. Denim is practical because you can re-wear it constantly without washing it. Denim designers make them specifically for multiple uses, and it’s one of the main reasons that modern travelers pack jeans. Jeans are a must-have when it comes to what to wear on safari !

You’ll also want to have a comfortable pair of pants that you can wear around the campsite at night.

Safari Packing Tip : Make sure you’re packing light. You should need no more than 5 pairs of safari pants.

Best Safari Dresses

Shop Columbia Freezer III Dress: Amazon | Columbia (Sizes XS-3X)

A dress may sound like the exact opposite of safari clothing. But, it’s always good to have at least one dress that you can sport on the beach in Zanzibar or wear out to a nice dinner at Victoria Falls.

The best safari dress is a little black dress that you can dress up for restaurants or a fun night out in the city. This one by Columbia features wicking, cooling, and sun protection fabric. Plus it’s available in sizes up to 3XL.

Shop Sizes S-3X: Riviera Sun Tie Dye Summer Dress

When it’s hot, a loose and lightweight safari dress is also ideal for those long overland trips. In fact, dresses are more practical than pants — especially when you need to stop on the side of the road for a quick bathroom break in the bush along with your fellow tour mates!

When it comes to picking the best safari dress, choose something both versatile and comfortable. When it comes to choosing what to wear on safari, you’ll want a dress that can be worn on the beach and doubled for dinner and night on the town!

Shop Sizes XS-3X: WEACZZYLoose Trapeze Dress

If you aren’t a person that’s comfortable in dresses, you simply don’t like them or you’re going to be traveling when it’s colder, a long tunic top that covers your backside cans also do the trick for those safari roadside bathroom stops.

Long tunic tops can be versatile just like a safari dress — you can wear it in the camp after a shower, on the beach over your bathing suit, loosely over a comfy pair of safari pants or tick it into your shorts for a cute but casual safari outfit!

Shop One Size: ToBeInStyle Strapless Dress

REALLY IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIP : WHEN PLANNING WHAT TO WEAR ON SAFARI, AVOID ROMPERS. ESPECIALLY ON AN OVERLAND TRIP FOR TRAVEL DAYS . YOU DON’T WANT TO HAVE TO PULL OFF YOUR ENTIRE ROMPER TO USE THE BATHROOM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NOT COOL .

If you’re something that has the same comfy and lightweight feel as a romper, opt for a strapless sundress like the ToBeInSty Strapless (seen above). You can wear it as a safari dress during the day for those long safari travel days or layer it over your leggings if it gets cold outside.

A strapless dress can also be worn as a safari skirt. Simply pair it with a cute top and dress it up with some jewelry that you find at a local shop during your travels!

Remember to avoid choosing bright colors on a safari so you don’t draw attention away from the safari (or frighten away any animals!). But if you pack bright colors in your safari wardrobe, you can wear them on travel days when you’re not on a game drive.

If you’re looking for maximum versatility, one of these convertible travel dresses might be perfect for your safari attire!

Best Safari Clothing for Cold Weather

Shop Sizes XS-XL: Terramar Silk Undershirts  |  Terramar Silk Thermal Pants

Contrary to what you might think, it does get cold in Africa. That means that layering your safari clothes is key to surviving those cold African days. We’ve previously written about how to layer for cold weather , we’d highly recommend you take a peek before you start packing!

Regional climates in Africa vary throughout the season, so be prepared to encounter both hot and cold temperature. Make sure you always check the weather forecast before you go so you’re dressed right!

If you happen to be traveling during the cold season, from May to August, you might want to consider packing a set of thermals for women  with your safari clothes so you can stay warm. You can wear them up to two weeks (or longer) without having to wash them!

Safari Packing Tip : For maximum warmth, pack one set of merino wool thermals. Especially if you’re camping in the winter!

Best Women’s Jacket for Safari

Shop Sizes XS-3X: Columbia Womens Arcadia II Rain Jacket

As you’re preparing your safari clothing checklist, make sure you pack a good jacket for safari. The roof and windows of some safari vehicles are open as you drive around the parks. With those open windows it can get quite chilly both at dawn and during night drives.

When you’re looking for the best jackets for safari, you should look for a good, quality jacket that can also serve as a windbreaker. You’re sure to feel a chill in the air with an open window first thing in the morning!

Shop Columbia Full Zip Fleece Jacket: Amazon | Columbia  (Sizes XS-3X)

A travel fleece or rain jacket for safari are most needed when you’re doing an African overland trip that crosses various countries. When deciding what to wear on safari, make sure you don’t underestimate how cold it could get in Africa on your trip!

While it might be hot and sunny during the day, when the temperature drops at night you’ll be glad you packed a rain jacket and fleece in your safari clothes. TFG has a list of the best windproof jackets and fleece jackets for your travels.

When you’re packing your safari wardrobe, make sure you pack both a windproof jacket and a merino wool or fleece jacket for safari clothes.

Shop Columbia Switchback Jacket: Amazon | Columbia (Sizes XS-3X)

Remember to choose neutral tones for your safari clothing. This is especially the case for items that are highly visible such as your jacket for safari.

Trust me on this one. If you’re head is hanging out of a vehicle at 5:30am, you’ll feel the crisp morning air and wish you had a warm jacket — it happened to me!

Shop Sizes XS-XXL: Style & Co Safari Jacket

For a stylish jacket for safari option that you can wear as part of your safari outfit, the Style & Co Safari Jacket is both chic and practical. When it comes to choosing a jacket for safari that’s neutral, easy-to-clean and will hide the dust, go for the grey, khaki, or olive green color!

Best Safari Shoes

Shop Merrell Moab 3 Shoe: Amazon | Zappos

Now that you’re packed and ready with your safari clothing, it’s time to plan your safari shoes! This is probably going to be much easier than you think!

We recommend taking only two pairs of shoes. When it comes to picking those safari shoes, go with a pair of sneakers and flip flops (for camps, shower, and beaches). Your sneakers should be something comfortable you can wear on the truck, for occasional safari walks, and at the campsite at night if it’s cold.

However, if your safari itinerary includes walking safaris, you’ll need substantial sturdy safari shoes. For multi-day treks through the jungle, you’ll want to bring sturdy hiking boots . But for the occasional day trip, regular all-terrain sneakers or hiking shoes will work as safari shoes.

Ideally, you’ll want your safari shoes to be waterproof and easy to clean in case they get muddy or otherwise dirty.

FitFlop Iqushion Super-Ergonomic Flip-Flops

Flip-flops may seem like a random item to add to this safari packing list. But it’s nice to air out your toes if you’ve had them in sneakers all day. Flip-flops are also great safari shoes as they’re convenient to wear in camp showers. And don’t forget about the beach!

Not a big fan of flip-flops? Try one of these slip-on beach sandals as your second pair of safari shoes instead. Throw in a pair of cute ankle boots or stylish slip ons if you’re traveling in Cape Town .

But make sure not to add too many shoes to your safari wardrobe!

Best Safari Socks

Darn Tough Crew Socks

Whether you need to pair your socks with safari boots or sneakers, make sure they are moisture wicking socks ! This is particularly important so you can keep your sock numbers down.

I know we’ve mentioned merino wool a lot, but just as with the rest of our suggested safari clothing, merino wool socks are perfect to pair with your safari shoes because you can rewear them multiple times without having to wash them.

Kirkland Signature Trail Sock

Several TFG readers agreed that Kirkland’s merino wool socks are a great pick to add to your safari wardrobe. One reader says, “I wash them in cold water and hang them to air dry, but they have held up really well and keep my feet warm, too.”

If you’re camping, you can bring a pair of Kirkland socks (like the ones shown above) to keep your feet warm at night. If you choose dark colors or prints they won’t show the dust as easily.

Best Bras and Underwear for Safari

Panache Underwire Sports Bra

Last but not least for your safari travel checklist, make sure to pack a good sports bra for the bumpy journey! Vehicles in Kenya, and other countries, often cover all terrains including deeply rutted roads and huge potholes.

Make your ride more tolerable by wearing a sports bra whenever you are being transported. Also, take some motion sickness meds beforehand if you are prone to car sickness.

Shop Sizes XS-XL: Icebreaker Siren Merino Wool Bikini

Also, quick dry travel underwear helps you easily do laundry without having to wait ages for it to dry!

Because you may be moving locations every night, you won’t have much time to wash your safari clothing, so it’s best if you bring fast drying fabrics or clothing you can re-wear easily.

Safari Travel Tip: Most of the time, you’ll be popping a squat on the side of the road, so a female urinary device or even a flowy skirt might be helpful if you’re not crazy about the idea of flashing your goods. Don’t forget your antibacterial hand wipes!

Other Safari Gear

UPF 50+ Sun Protection Quick Dry Baseball Cap

TFG has a great post on what to pack for African safari tours that we’d highly encourage you to check out so you know what other safari gear you’re going to need on your trip!

To go along with your safari clothing choices, you’ll need a few accessories.

Hats are great because they can help shield you from the sun and hide unwashed hair. But while hats are a definite must, but that doesn’t mean they have to be unattractive.

When it comes to your hair, you will want to keep it covered and pulled back in a ponytail or bun so it doesn’t get tangled in the wind and full of dirt from the road. We have a few suggestions for some hair accessories that will help keep high maintenance hair on the down low during your safari tour.

Compass Rose Secret Bra Wallet

Sunglasses are also a must-have, they offer shade and protection from the sun which is really important considering how close to the equator you’re going to be! A few other safari necessary accessories include a bathing suit and scarf.

Don’t be a target for unwanted attention. When you choose what to wear on safari, make sure you don’t dress too flashy or showy. Make sure you don’t bring any of your expensive jewelry and leave your designer handbags at home (or another safe place).

Finally, conceal the majority of your money and extra credit cards for extra safety. This bra wallet is a great way to do that!

We’ve got some great anti-theft tips for you so you can protect your valuables during your safari travels.

Essential Packing List for Safari

Shop Osprey Fairview 55L: Amazon | Osprey

Which luggage should I choose for safari?

When it comes to choosing luggage for safari, check out the Osprey Fairview 55L . It’s kind of perfection.

I found it easier to lug a soft bag than a suitcase, as everyone’s gear gets piled up under the truck. I personally use it with the Compass Rose packing cubes to stay organized and fit in everything!

Don’t worry so much about the baggage weight. My bag never goes over 30 lbs using the guidelines suggested on the site. If you aim to pack light, you shouldn’t be overpacking!

Left:  Compass Rose Medium Packing Cubes  (13″ x 8.5″ x 2.8″) | Right:  Compass Rose Slim Packing Cubes  (13″ x 5″ x 2.8″)

Should I use packing cubes on safari?

Yes! You should definitely use packing cubes on safari. Packing cubes will help keep you organized, keep your bag light, and help you avoid over packing.

Many readers use our packing cubes for this task. The  Compass Rose Packing Cubes  are now offered in two sizes: slim and medium. The  slim size cubes  measure 13 x 5 x 2.8, and the  medium size cubes  measure 2.8 x 13 x 8.5. Both fit an international carry-on suticase and can help you organize and compress clothing items. The medium sizes is great for bulkier items.

Watch this video to learn how to pack light thanks to packing cubes!

pStyle Urinary Device

What should I pack for toiletries on safari?

When it comes to what you need to pack for toiletries on safari, there are a few things you’re definitely going to need.

You definitely will want to have a female urinary device , because the only bathroom breaks you get are in the bush. Finding adequate coverage can be a challenge, so you might also need to get comfortable with flashing your bum at other women on the trip!

You’ll want to bring a travel towel so that it can dry quickly when you’re constantly on the go. You should also pack any prescriptions you might need along with mosquito repellent … don’t forget that! And while it’s not exactly a toiletry, you’ll want a collapsible water bottle , too!

If you’re going to go the carry-on only route, make sure you cut back on your toiletries. It’ll help with TSA if you put all of your liquids in a Ziploc bag, following the 3-1-1 rule !

Learn all about packing toiletries with this guide !

Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bag

What should I take for a purse on safari?

You’ll want to choose a bag that can fit into your carry-on when it comes to the perfect purse for safari. TFG recommends taking a crossbody travel purse with anti-theft features like the Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bag bag or other similar purse.

See our picks for the best anti-theft purses for travel .

Lewis N. Clark Deluxe Neck Stash

What anti-theft accessories do I need on safari?

We recommend you make sure your purse is built for security. Other great anti-theft accessories for safari might include a secret bra wallet , neck wallet , or even a money belt.

Read about popular anti-theft accessories !

International Travel Adapter

What electronics do I need on safari?

A headlamp will be a lifesaver when it comes to camping at night during your safari.

A few other things that might come in handy include a travel adapter , portable battery charger , and your headphones . Plus, if you’re planning on taking any pictures, you’re going to need your camera and gear!

Printable Travel Checklist

Don’t forget to download the TFG Printable Travel Checklist

The Dos and Don’ts of Safari Clothing Packing

Packing for your African safari can seem overwhelming, so let’s finish off by going over our main dos and don’ts when it comes to getting together your safari gear and planning your safari attire!

What should you not wear on safari?

What you shouldn’t wear for an African safari depends highly on the actual trip type that you’re participating in. An overland trip that touches on a variety of countries is going to mean different must-haves from a short safari to Kruger Park that’s smack in the middle of a longer trip.

If your African safari trip is long, you’re going to want to focus on making comfortable, practical safari clothing a priority. But if you’re headed on a short three-day trip, you can definitely get by with wearing regular clothes.

But for both trips, we highly recommend that you DO NOT wear a romper on a safari — three days, seven days or otherwise. We know that we’ve mentioned this before, but it’s such an important note that we want to talk about it in a little more detail!

When you’re on an overland safari trip, it’s common place to simply pull over on the side of the road to go to the bathroom — in public — as there really aren’t bathrooms along the way. The reason why we stress that you shouldn’t wear rompers is due to the fact that going to bathroom in a romper means taking all of your clothes off to go to the bathroom.

While you might be able to find a somewhat “discreet” spot in the pushes to pop a squat, you’ll still be pulling off your entire romper in public and it’s much harder to attempt to conceal the top and bottom half of your body at the same time. It’s much easier to focus on covering your backside.

We know you’ll thank us for this advice later!

What colors should you wear on safari?

As exciting as it is to experience nature in its rawest form, you don’t have to immerse yourself to the extent that your safari clothing completely blends in with the foliage and desert itself. We can leave that for the Hollywood movies!

With that in mind, the best colors for safari clothes include:

• Olive green

A tip for picking the best color for your safari clothing is to go with colors that are inspired by nature. Measure your clothes with the image above, if they’re in the same tone, intensity and relatively the same color they’re good to go. You’re looking to blend in, but you don’t have to look like Crocodile Dundee or wear full tactical gear!

What color should you not wear on safari?

If you’ve done your safari clothing due diligence, chances are you’ve come across something that tells you not to wear bright colors. It seems like a strange request, but it’s recommended that you choose neutral colors because you don’t want the animals to see you — if they do they might be scared off!

Stick to neutral colors but avoid white because your safari clothes are bound to get very dirty, especially if you’re camping, and white will show it all!

Can you wear black on safari?

Wearing black on safari is not recommended. Black clothing attracts mosquitoes, and you’ll want to avoid that as much as possible to keep your trip its most enjoyable!

If you do end up bringing some black pieces, keep them to a minimum and opt for lightweight fabrics wherever possible!

What are your tips on choosing the best womens safari clothing? Share and comment below!

For more Africa packing lists, please read:

• What to Pack for Safari: South Africa to Zimbabwe
• What to Pack for Africa: Safari and Beaches
• Africa Travel Packing Tips
• 10 Essential You Absolutely Need for Safari

Suggested Travel Resource:

• Lonely Planet Tanzania
• Lonely Planet South Africa
• Lonely Planet Africa on a Budget

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63 comments.

I’m going on a safari next week, and the packing list looks like it would be a lifesaver, but I’m getting an error that the page is unavailable when I click on it. Anything I’m missing? Thanks!!

Hi Amy, I am so sorry about this. Please can you email us at [email protected] so we can send it over to you.

Have a wonderful time on your Safari!

On August 2, 2022, Just got back from South Africa; Cape Town, Cape Winelands, then off to safari at Kruger; Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe; Botswana, Okavango Delta! It was a great 12-women trip, Women, Wine and Wild. I researched and looked at this site for everything from suitcases, carry-ons, cross-body bags, packing, lists of clothes, shoes, jackets, underpinnings, toiletries, hats, scarves, etc.; for varying types of travel, city, winelands, safaris, and Travel Fashion Girl came through on all fronts – I was ordering things left and right even in the last few days and got it all together and had the most wonderful trip. I may have taken a little too much, but I really used most everything I brought so it all worked out. But as they say, less is more; I wouldn’t bother even with a little heel for dinners out if it’s only a few night in a city. I wouldn’t take as many pants as those can be interchangeable pretty easily, especially if you bring a few blouses/tops. For chilly mornings or evenings, a lightweight puffer jacket was perfect. And scarves are perfect to help mix it all up and really be able to wear the same things with different scarves. TFG is an amazing place to go for everything travel; I love it!

Just got back from our 3 week honeymoon on safari in Kenya and Tanzania including a week in Zanzibar – these packing lists from TFG were so helpful for knowing what to expect and helping to minimize how much luggage to bring. Definitely recommend carry on backpack for this trip to fit in the small trunks of the land cruisers and for small airplanes (we took one with only 12 seats!)

This recommended packing list was just what I needed for a 10-day safari in Tanzania.Thank you 🙏

Someone recommended we take soft travel bags to fit onto the small airplanes which I would NOT do again. Due to their weight, it made the grueling trek through airports a painful experience 😣 Instead, we would have preferred rolling, carry-on luggage. My two-cents, but unless you travel lightly, soft bags aren’t the way to go for this type of trip. Anyone else?

Thank you for sharing your own feedback with us Tracy, this is really helpful to know. Hope you had an incredible time!

It was an incredible time, thanks Alex! Would love to go again 😀

Loved this packing list! I only went on a two day safari but this was immensely helpful with helping me choose the right clothes to pack for a conference plus my safari outing.

We’re just back from a Safari in Zimbabwe , Botswana and Zambia And I found previous posts on Safari clothing on this site invaluable! And def no all in ones ! We stopped for loo breaks whenever needed and took it in turns to go round to the back of the truck so it was totally private and discreet! I took very thin summer dresses for the middle of the days and was really glad of these . And we definitely needed warm things for early morning … I had a cashmere snood I was so thankful for … I could pull it up over the back of my head . Also silk gloves ! And it was the best holiday we have ever had !

Thank you so much Julia, so glad we were able to help you with your packing. And thank you for sharing your packing insights with us, these are all super helpful.

So pleased to hear you had such an amazing time!

Just came back from a trip that included: Capetown; The Winelands; Vic Falls; Chobie game drive in Botswana; self drive through Kruger; and a luxury resort/safari game drive; — oh yeah and we had a two day stop over in Doha (!) So we had temps that ranged from 50-65 degrees in Capetown/Winelands; 55-85 in Kruger, and 98-112 degrees in Doha (!)

So one big thing to consider is that the weather is vastly different depending where you go: Capetown in July is Winter, which is chilly and drizzly, can be windy and stormy, BUT because it’s their winter, it was the best time to go on Safari on the other side of South Africa, which was Great Kruger National Park, so just remember, your season might not be their season. Best safari pants I brought was North Face Hybrid Yoga/cargo pants in olive — stretchy, quick dry, had tons of pockets, but felt like leggings. Also the lululemon “Smooth Departure” packable rain coat. Ultra light, and looks good while on safari or in the city. Lastly, even if you go during a “light bug” season, I would recommend at least one Insect Shield SPF long sleeve top (that can be also rolled up) and at least two pairs of their socks. Long sleeve shirts that have SPF can keep you cooler than a t-shirt because the African sun is HOT!! And even if you come from a sunny state (Like CA, as I do) your arms can get really get burnt. Also, a first layer underlayer (for cold) can do double duty. I wore it over my bathing suit while I was going into Devil’s Pool (Victoria Falls), and it really saved me because the water was COLD!! Because it was dry-wicking, it dried almost immediately. Also, just a note: our safari guides would NOT have recommended wearing that bright turquoise jacket that’s pictured in the photo (especially on a walking safari) — maybe it was more “neutral” looking in real life?

Hi Victoria, thank you for sharing your trip report with us and all your great travel tips! This is really helpful. Hope you had an incredible time on your trip! ?

Thank you for the advice! I am looking to travel to Togo, Africa at the end of January 2020 for roughly 2 months. I think the best take away for me I hadn’t really considered is laundry and drying time! I tend to get hot, sweat a lot and very easily. I will let you know how it goes!

Hi Mari, so pleased you found this atricle helpful. Looking forward to reading how you get on. Have the most incredible time! ?

Hello, we are going to Ezulwini Lodges in the middle of March. I have struggled over what to wear and what essentials I should take. I have loved reading all of your comments over the years and am finally taking a 7 night trip there. We are also going to spend 2 night in Maritime Bushveld Estates. Any thoughts on attire?

Hi Jody, thank you for your lovely comment, so pleased you enjoy reading our blog!! 🙂 For other tips to help with your packing for your safari, have a read of this article: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-african-safari-tours/ You may also find this article interesting, its about how one TFG reader packed carryon for her African safari and how she also was able to keep the weight to below 10lb: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/safari-packing-list/ Also our readers have the best advice and tips, so I have gone ahead and posted your question on TFG’s facebook page. Keep your eyes out for our readers replies from Wednesday: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl/ Hope this helps. Have an incredible trip!!

Hi Jody, here is the FB thread with our readers replies to your question: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl/posts/2240284559328533 Hope this helps! 🙂

Thanks so much for sharing this Alex! It’s really helpful . Well, I’m going to Tazania in mid of December. Plan a week in there, there are 2 days will be soft hinking with group. Any tip of packing for specific December weather. Please advise! Thanks in advance,Tracy

What shades of blue need to be avoided? Just dark blue or also aquamarine/baby blue and royal blue? How about lavender? Thx!

thank you for this very inclusive list. I appreciate all the work and effort to provide this resource.

YES it gets COLD, even in summer! Keep in mind that some local flights out into the bush have a weight limit on luggage so double check on this- they’re strict! Also, some safari’s do laundry daily so that helps cut down on what you need. I survived a 2 week trip with 2 pairs of leggings, 1 hiking pant from Athleta (cute!), 1 pr of shorts, 5 shirts, (mix of button ups, tanks and athletic type t’s) a fleece and a windbreaker. Don’t overdo the shoes either! One pair of sneaker types and one pair of sandals is fine!

Great tips Megan, thanks!

Great article! Having lived in Africa for the past nine years, I might also advise against wearing shorts. Most of Africa is significantly more conservative than many Western countries, and the only people I ever see in shorts are the tourists and, at times, wearing anything cut above the knee can attract unwanted attention from males- an unfortunate but true reality

Hi Emily, thank you so much for your comment! Thank you for sharing your travel advice 🙂

Hi Alex, Emily’s comment about shorts also might include strappy tank tops and leggings. Your comment about wearing sports bras was right on. Safari trucks have lousy shocks and you will be bounced around. A scarf is useful for keeping dust out of you eyes and mouth.

This really helped me on my recent trip to Kenya and Tanzania. Thank you! 😊

Love your posts! What kind of shoes do you recommend? Are light nike trainers enough or do you need sturdier shoes that are waterproof? I am going on an overlanding trip to South Africa, Namibia and Botswana in July, not to many walking safaris scheduled. Thanks!

I found my regular cross trainers worked well as we only had one walking safari. A few more tips here: https://travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-african-safari-tours/

We are going to Tanzania Zambia staying in lodge accommodation at the end of November,we are on the older side but are fairly fit. What clothes should I take..?we have a black tie do to attend in Zambia.I like clothes with sleeves

Try this: https://travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-kenya-and-tanzania/ and https://travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-africa-serengeti-zanzibar/

We are going to Cape Town for 4 days then winery for 4 days, safari for 5 then victoria falls. Will it look silly if I wear kaftans for dinners? And what about days for shopping and touring in towns? I can’t imagine having only a carry on and not a variety of clothing.

If you’d normally wear kaftans to dinners at home then you should wear them while you’re traveling too 🙂

No blue clothing, as it (like black) attracts mosquitos. Bring decent underwear, something you won’t be embarrassed for camp staff to wash by hand, as I found one fellow doing. You’ll wear the long-sleeve shirt in the jeep during the afternoon so you don’t get sunburned. Unless you’ll hike, closed-toe sandals are good for everything. I wore clogs for the plane and around camp. Glad I brought a fleece jacket for cold mornings. I brought older clothing and left it. In Tanzania, I left sneakers with a camp staffer who was extremely grateful, even though they were one size too big for him. To my safari driver went my bathing suit and robe (someone will wear them), fleece jacket, and old Tevas. I suggest a headlamp, which you may need (tents and hotels were short on light).

Thanks for your feedback Emmy, great tips!

I would add one trash bag to the packing list. In the morning game drive on our last day of the safari, it rained cats and dogs on us, and we got soaked (we all had rain ponchos on but they didn’t help much). Thankfully, someone had trash bags to spare, so we could put the wet clothes in the bag and put in the luggage without everything else getting damp.

That’s a really great tip Midori! thanks for sharing!

Is there a printable safari packing list so I can have it with me shopping, in my closet and when I am actually packing? Thanks

No printable option, maybe take screenshots of this post to help? Happy travels!

I have been to Tanzania (with way too many clothes) and am heading back to Africa for a trip to Cape Town, Namibia, and Victoria Falls. Your packing list suggestions are very helpful as I tend to grossly over pack! Thank you!!!

Thanks for reading Cathy! Sounds like you have an incredible trip planned! We are happy that you have found the packing suggestions helpful! Less stuff is less stress! Happy travels!

Great tips! What size bag did you pack? We’re going mid-July for 3 weeks, and will be spending several days on Mauritius at the end of our trip, so I’ll need to take a few things to dress up a bit.

Hi Cynthia, glad you like the post! This was before I traveled carryon only so I had a 65L backpack. However, I was on a round-the-world trip and had been traveling for nine months before I got to Africa.

Currently, I would never travel with anything larger than a 22″ or 46L suitcase since that’s what I use on my long-term travels now 😉 All the luggage styles Ive used throughout the years can be found here: https://travelfashiongirl.com/best-osprey-backpacks/

This post will help you downsize your suitcase as much as possible: https://travelfashiongirl.com/10-step-packing-guides/10-step-guide-to-packing-in-one-suitcase-for-any-trip/

You can find more tips here: https://travelfashiongirl.com/africa-packing-lists/

Have a great trip!

Can you tell me the name of the hiking shoe in the above pic? Thanks

Hi Jennifer, the shoe is the Merell Calia found here http://amzn.to/1Abb4Js

For more ideas, please take a look at: https://travelfashiongirl.com/best-hiking-boots-for-women/

Could you tell me what brand of hiking shoe is shown above? Thanks

Just got back from an Africa safari, and here is my recommendations: 1.) Take Sunscreen! I burned one half of my face sitting in the safari vehicle one day…so I switched sides to burn evenly the next. 2.) A hat would help combat problem #1. 3.) Don’t waste space on hair dryers or makeup etc. No one in the bush cares. 🙂 Bring soap, shampoo, toothpaste and call it done. 4.) I only brought hiking tennis shoes. I longed for a pair of flip flops on the long days in a car. 5.) It can get quite chilly at night. Bring long pants for sleeping if you are staying in a tented camp. I was on my honeymoon so pajama’s wasn’t a top priority when packing…wish it had been! Lol! 6.) Bring a clean outfit for the plane ride home and put it aside. Coming out of the bush after a week of bucket showers you feel dirty enough. 7.) Last and most important: Don’t pack anything that resembles food in a tented camp. I had a granola bar in my bag and we had a honey badger break into our tent while we were gone. It ate the granola bar, chewed up all my underwear, and then took a big poop in my husbands suit case!

Great tips Kate, thank you! Hope you had an amazing experience 🙂

At least one knee length skirt or dress is a must if you are going to be exploring outside of the parks at all. A sarong also goes a long way and I have a nice knit hat I alway bring along in the winter. Also, the first time I traveled to Tanzania I made the mistake of thinking I would only need camping gear and spent the whole time wishing I had a cute top with me. I highly recommend bringing an outfit you can wear to dinner or a club. Overall, great tips! Thanks!

Great add! Thanks 🙂

Thank you so much for this post! I have been searching everywhere for something like it and it’s perfect! I’m off to fashionable Dubai & Iran after overlanding in Africa, so I’m trying to figure out a way to keep my suitcase light AND have enough clothes that are fashionable and practical! I reckon a few colourful scarves may be the way to go, and one long black skirt as well as the above.

That sounds about right! You can always buy a few new things upon arrival. This post might also be helpful: http:/travelfashiongirl.com/how-to-dress-for-conservative-countries-modest-clothing-essentials/

I am not sure if you have already gone trekking or not, but I might consider changing your black skirt to tan, beige, grey or even light pink. I spent two years in and out of Dubai and Afghanistan….you will constantly be trying to clean your black skirt, the sand is more like a talcum powder and sticks to everything, also the dark colours are hot! You will definitely want something feminine/girlie though and the scarves are an excellent idea! Have a wonderful time! 🙂

great tips!

I love all your posts! One question, do the outfits go in addition to what you will be wearing or do you wear one of the outfits in the photos? Thanks!

Hi Catherine! Sorry, which outfits specifically? Thanks for commenting 🙂

I think she means are the clothes pictured above ALL of the clothes for the trip, as in, are the clothes that you would be wearing on the way there and back included in the picture.

yes they are

As always, love, love, love the lists! In all parts of Africa, it’s best to always err on the side of modesty and cameo prints should always be avoided. On safari, it would be worth spending the extra money for clothing that is sunscreen rated/treated with bug repellent.

Thanks Vanessa!

Love that you show a sports bra – those African roads can be amazingly bumpy!!

Yes and painful without support! Ouch!

I always bring gloves with me when I’m in Africa. The morning game drives are always cold.

Oooh that’s true! Forgot that one…thanks for the reminder 🙂

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Packing List for Kenya Safaris

You’re about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime—a safari in Kenya! From the stunning landscapes of Maasai Mara to the vibrant wildlife that calls it home, a Kenyan safari is an experience like no other. You’re likely already dreaming of getting up close and personal with some of Earth’s most magnificent creatures.

But before you jump on that plane, there are a few things you need to consider when packing on preparing for a Kenya safari. A safari in Kenya is unlike any other holiday—you’ll be spending the majority of your time outdoors, exposed to the elements, and you need to make sure you have all the right gear.

Whether you’re planning a camping trip out in the wild or a luxurious stay at one of Kenya’s world-famous game lodges, it pays to be prepared. To help ensure everything runs smoothly during your travels, we’ve put together a comprehensive packing list for exploring Kenyan safaris. Read on for our ultimate guide!

What to pack for your Kenya Safari

Are you ready to explore the wilds of Kenya? If so, you will want to make sure that you pack the right items to make your safari as enjoyable and memorable as possible. What should you include in your packing list? Let’s take a look.

First, when it comes to clothing, make sure to bring along light and breathable fabrics that are comfortable against the skin. Shirts, shorts, and pants made from quick-drying materials like nylon or polyester are best. Additionally, hats and sunglasses are a must-have for protection against the sun’s strong rays, while a light raincoat or poncho will come in handy during the rainy season.

In terms of footwear, sturdy hiking boots with good grip are essential for keeping your feet protected during long treks. You may also want to pack a water-shoe–to keep your toes out of harm’s way when crossing rivers or streams.

Finally, don’t forget important items like insect repellent (to keep away pesky insects), water bottles (staying hydrated is key!), binoculars (for bird watching or spotting wildlife from afar) and a camera (for capturing unforgettable memories).

What to Wear on a Kenyan Safari

When it comes to what to wear for a Kenyan safari, comfort and practicality is key. You’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, so you want clothes that are lightweight and breathable. You’ll also need to think about covering yourself up from the sun and the dust. Here’s what you should include:

• Lightweight Tops : Loose, long-sleeved shirts are best, as they will protect your skin from the sun while still being breathable. A couple of lightweight sweaters or cardigans may also come in handy in case of cooler weather.
• Pants and Shorts : Khakis or cargo pants are great for safaris as they are durable enough to withstand plenty of outdoor activities. Some shorts should also be packed if you expect warmer temperatures.
• Footwear : The key here is to bring shoes that you can easily slip on and off but that gives you enough support when walking around outdoors. Closed-toe shoes are recommended as they will protect your feet from any bugs or reptiles out in nature. Spare laces may also come in handy if needed.

Gadgets and Tech Accessories for a Safari travel

Gadgets and tech accessories are essential for any Kenyan safari . You’ll need items such as a camera, phone, power bank, binoculars, and more to stay connected and capture all the amazing sights and experiences you encounter on your journey.

Here is a comprehensive checklist of must-have gadgets and tech accessories for your Kenyan safari:

• Camera: A good camera is essential for documenting your safari journey. Make sure you bring extra lenses, battery packs, tripods, and lens cleaners.
• Phone: Cell phones can be an indispensable tool when exploring Kenya’s wonders. Make sure to bring the necessary chargers and adaptors for staying connected while on the go.
• Power Bank: Power banks are a great way to stay charged up while exploring remote areas of Kenya. Look for compact models that provide plenty of juice but still fit in your bag or pocket.
• Binoculars: Binoculars are essential for spotting wildlife from afar, so make sure to bring a pair along on your safari. Look for lightweight models with good magnification power so you don’t miss out on the beautiful sights of Kenya’s wildlife!
• GPS device: A GPS device can help you navigate safely through unfamiliar terrain while keeping track of landmarks and other points of interest.

Health and Safety Items to Pack for a Kenyan Safari

When exploring Kenya safaris, you may think about what clothes to bring, but health and safety items should be at the top of your packing list as well. It’s always a good idea to be prepared in case of any medical emergency or other unexpected situation. So here are some health and safety items to consider bringing on a Kenyan safari:

First aid kit

Pack a compact but comprehensive first aid kit containing bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes and ointments, painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen, insect repellent, anti-malarial tablets, sunscreen and more.

Bring along any prescription medication you need for your trip. It’s also a good idea to have over-the-counter medications for common ailments such as allergies, headaches,s or nausea on hand just in case.

Personal safety items

You should also pack personal safety items such as a whistle (for drawing attention in case of an emergency), a flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries, a pocket knife and a multitool for those small fixes or sudden situations.

Medical insurance

It’s essential that you get medical insurance for your Kenyan safari trip. You don’t want to get stuck with extremely high bills if you have an accident or need emergency medical care while away from home. So make sure that your policy covers medical treatment abroad before you leave!

Accessories and Miscellaneous Items to Pack for a Kenyan Safari

No adventure is complete without the right accessories and miscellaneous items. Here are some of the must-haves you will want to bring along with you on your Kenyan safari:

First Aid Kit

No matter where you go in the world, a first aid kit should always be a part of your packing list. Make sure to include things like bandages, disinfectants, painkillers, insect bite remedies, and any other medications you may need.

Bring along binoculars so you can get a better view of some of Kenya’s amazing wildlife from afar.

Camera Gear

Of course, an essential for any adventure is a good camera. If you plan on taking high-quality photos or videos, remember to pack your extra lenses and memory card as well.

A flashlight can come in handy when exploring Kenya’s many national parks after dark or if you find yourself in an unanticipated situation when visibility is low. A headlamp is a great option as it not only keeps your hands free while navigating but can make finding small items much easier.

Sun & Rain Gear

A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses are a must when exploring any outdoor environment – especially one as diverse as Kenya! Bringing along rain gear is also recommended for sudden downpours that occur during the wet season.

What to Expect on a Game Drive in Kenya

Are you ready to explore the wilderness of Kenya? Before you go, you should put together your packing list. Game drives in Kenya offer amazing opportunities to see wildlife in its natural habitat. But you’ll need to have the right items with you if you’re going to make the most of your experience.

Besides the basics like light clothing and comfortable shoes, here are a few things you’ll want to bring:

• Sunblock and insect repellant: Even if it’s cool, the sun can be intense on a game drive and insect bites can ruin any fun.
• Binoculars: A good pair of binoculars will allow you to spot animals from a distance.
• Camera and extra lenses: You won’t want to miss capturing all those moments so be sure to bring something good with plenty of memory cards or film rolls.
• Sunglasses: Protect your eyes with some shades so you can really enjoy the sights without discomfort from the sun’s glare.
• Hat or scarf: Keep your head covered while driving in an open-top vehicle so it doesn’t get too hot or too cold
• Water bottle: Make sure you stay hydrated and have something handy to refill whenever possible!
• Snacks: Useful when long drives take longer than expected, they will be lifesavers!

Remember that while venturing into nature can be breathtaking, comfort should always come first when packing for a game drive in Kenya!

What Should You Not Bring to Kenya

When packing for your Kenya safari, there are a few things you should definitely leave at home. Firstly, don’t bring any valuables that you’re not comfortable losing – there’s always a risk of losing your belongings when traveling.

Secondly, avoid bringing anything that could potentially offend or upset local cultures and customs – be respectful of Kenya’s traditions and customs.

 Lastly, make sure you’re not packing anything that could potentially harm the environment – leave your single-use plastics at home, and don’t bring anything that could potentially disturb the delicate ecosystems you’ll be encountering on your safari.

Travel Papers

No matter where you’re going in the world, it’s always important to have your travel papers in order. That’s especially true when you’re planning to explore Kenya safaris. Before you set off on your adventure, make sure you have your passport, visa, and other required documents in hand.

Having your travel papers in order is the first step in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip. So take the time to do some research and make sure you have everything you need before you head to Kenya. With the right preparation, you’re sure to have an amazing safari experience.

No one wants to be caught off guard when going on a safari in Kenya, so here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about what to pack for your trip.

What kind of clothing should I bring?

It’s important to dress comfortably and practically, while also thinking about the climate of Kenya. Layers work best—lightweight tops, breathable shirts or blouses and long pants will be the most useful. For footwear, you’ll need something that’s comfortable and sturdy, like sneakers, hiking boots or sandals.

Do I need insect repellent?

Yes! Especially if you plan on visiting during a wet season or in areas with high humidity levels. You’ll want an effective insect repellent like [Featured Product], which is specifically designed to repel mosquitos and other pesky bugs. Additionally, you may want to bring along a few insect-fighting essentials like DEET wipes, mosquito coils, citronella candles and mosquito nets for extra protection against mosquitoes.

Do I need to bring a hat?

Absolutely! A wide-brimmed hat is essential for keeping your head cool when you’re out walking in direct sunlight and under scorching temperatures. It also helps keep sun out of your face so you can better enjoy your safari experience!

What colors to wear on safari in Kenya?

When you’re packing for a Kenya safari, you’ll want to make sure you have the right clothing to blend in with your surroundings. Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, you’ll want to pack light-colored clothing that won’t absorb too much heat, like khaki, beige, or white. You’ll also want to avoid wearing anything too bright or flashy, as this can scare away the wildlife. In terms of footwear, closed-toe shoes are a must, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking. And if you’re planning on going on any bush walks, you’ll need to pack a good pair of walking boots.

Packing for a Kenyan safari is all part of the adventure, and there’s really no right or wrong way to go about it. The key is to think ahead, prepare and be flexible. The ultimate goal is to make sure you have everything you need to make the most out of your safari and have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Though packing for a safari in Kenya may seem overwhelming, the time and effort spent before your trip will make a world of difference during your game drives. Prepare and pack accordingly and you’ll be ready for whatever the Wild brings your way.

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What You Need on Your Packing List for Safari in Kenya

Safari travel is supposed to be exhilarating, breathtaking, and unforgettable. However, if it is your first safari experience, it can also be stressful beforehand . There will be an overwhelming number of items on your packing list for safari in Kenya.

This article on what to pack for Kenya safaris will give you all the information you need to know. You will learn what is the best duffel bag for African Safaris, safari luggage restrictions , and some very important items to pack for a safari in Kenya, such as documents, cash and toiletries.

I went on safari to Kenya in October 2022, which means I can share with you all of my learned experiences on what to pack for safaris. In addition, I also gathered information online, from my safari organisers, plus from safari expert’s presentations working as a luxury travel consultant.

If you are looking for information for related more specifically to clothing for safari, read this article on the best clothes to wear on safari in Kenya . You may be unfamiliar with how a safari works ; therefore, you should read about what to expect on safari in Kenya .

This article will help you decide whether to book Nairobi airport meet and assist services and read about seeing orphan elephants at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi.

If you are considering a Nairobi National Park tour , read about it here, and discover the best hotels in Nairobi for a comfortable stay.

How to Pack for a Safari in Africa

Packing for a safari in Africa is not as straightforward as packing for any other type of holiday. You must follow strict rules regarding luggage limits and contents.

Read on to learn about the best method for packing for Kenya trips and safaris.

Soft-Sided Luggage

Most African safaris involve flying to one international airport to start the trip, followed by flights on smaller safari planes to get to the lodges.

In these smaller aircraft, you must pack your belongings in safari duffel bags because the luggage compartments are small, and the bags must be able to be manipulated into them.

In addition, when you arrive at the airstrip in your safari camp, you must fit your luggage into the safari vehicle. Therefore, the bags must be easy to move around and fit into smaller spaces.

Avoid bringing a hard-shell suitcase to the safari lodges because it is heavier and less practical.

The adjacent image shows the small luggage compartment on a safari plane.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes will be handy on the safari. You will need to pack up your luggage every few days on safari and be able to quickly find clothes to wear at 5 or 6 am, which means your belongings need to stay organised.

Some safari lodges do not provide you with a chest of drawers for your clothing. However, there will be some hanging space and perhaps a tabletop to use.

As a result, it is good to use your packing cubes like drawers.

I arrange my packing cubes by the type of clothing, such as all t-shirts, shorts, and trousers in separate cubes.

• Packing Cubes from Amazon
• Packing Cubes from Calpak
• Packing Cubes from Osprey

Luggage Tags

Make sure you have a luggage tag on all your bags.

Firstly, it will make it easier to identify your bag on luggage belts. Plus, if your luggage gets lost, airport staff can locate it more easily.

Secondly, it is helpful to have labels on your bags for safari lodges so that staff know which bag belongs in which room and can take them there.

Lastly, you should have a luggage tag on your suitcase if you put the bag in storage at Nairobi Wilson Airport so that you can verify which bag belongs to you.

Check out luggage tags on Amazon here

Safari Luggage Restrictions

One key thing to consider when considering what to pack for Africa safari destinations is the weight restrictions because there are strict weight limits in place.

It is important to understand that the reason for the size dimension limitations is that the luggage compartments are small openings on the side or base of the plane.

On some planes, the luggage compartments are genuinely only wide and tall enough to slide a bag in. Consequently, if your baggage size exceeds the limits, there is a risk it will not fit on the plane.

In Kenya, two airlines that fly domestically to safari airstrips are Air Kenya and SafariLink. These airlines have different luggage allowances.

• Safarilink restrictions : 15 kg per person including your main duffel bag and hand baggage (all bags must be soft-sided bags). On the Safarilink website, the maximum dimension of all bags is 70cm x 60cm x 30cm. 
• Air Kenya restrictions : 15 kg per person including duffel bag and hand baggage (must be soft-sided bags). The maximum dimensions of checked baggage are 60cm x 45cm x 33cm. The maximum dimensions of hand luggage are 53cm x 30cm x 23cm.

Make sure to check your own airline’s regulations to verify that you take the right size bag. The organisers of my safari advised that our baggage should be no larger than 62cm x 30cm x 20cm; therefore, this is the limit we went by. 

If you are bringing camera equipment , there will likely be a weight restriction. The equipment should fit into your hand baggage and not exceed the baggage weight limit along with the rest of your belongings.

When checking in at Nairobi Wilson airport, the airport staff weighed our duffel bags to be checked in as our family of 5 and checked the weight of all our bags together. We could compensate if one of our bags were heavier than the other. Although the staff did not weigh our hand luggage at Wilson Airport.

Luggage Storage for Kenya Safari

If your safari involves flying to and from Nairobi Wilson Airport on SafariLink or Air Kenya, you may use the complimentary luggage storage at the airport.

Your safari may involve several safari locations, such as Masai Mara in Kenya or Serengeti in Tanzania. In addition, you could have planned a post-safari relaxation at a beach destination in East Africa or some wine tasting in South Africa. As a result, you may need to bring more items than will fit in the safari travel bag alone.

Thus, you can pack some heavier and unnecessary items for the safari in a separate suitcase without worrying if it exceeds the limits.

If you use the Wilson Airport Luggage Storage, ensure your suitcases have visible name tags.

You may also feel better locking your suitcase and sticking an Air Tag inside it. I use an Air Tag every time I travel and it helped tremendously when my luggage got lost in Toronto Airport at Christmas.

• Check prices for AirTags on Amazon

Here are some locks to purchase on Amazon if your safari suitcase does not already have a lock built in.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a hard-shell suitcase for the rest of your travel to Africa, consider purchasing a Herschel suitcase. The luggage from Herschel, which I own, has TSA locks on the zip.

• Buy your Herschel Suitcase here

Luggage: What to Take on Safari in Kenya?

As it has already been made clear – the best luggage for safari trips is soft-sided. Suitable options for soft-sided baggage include a duffel bag, a gym bag, or a camping backpack. Ideally, there will be no wheels on the bag.

The bags will get dusty from being on the dirt, in the base of an aircraft, and inside a safari vehicle. So make sure the bag is sturdy and not too precious. You will probably want to wipe your bag down when you get home.

A common way of travelling to Africa is with a duffel bag and a wheeled hard-shell suitcase (the latter going in storage while on the safari). You can carry a duffel bag and a backpack as hand luggage on most airlines. Then you can check in the hard-shelled suitcase.

Carrying your duffel bag as hand luggage may offer some relief in case you are worried about your suitcase getting lost in transit.

Alternatively, it may be more comfortable travelling lighter while navigating the airport. If you are travelling premium or business class, you are usually permitted to check in two suitcases.

Best Luggage for Safari in Kenya

One of the most important recommendations for this packing list for Kenya safari trips is the luggage.

The following options would be suitable for those travelling on Safarilink or Air Kenya planes. These duffel bags are all either within the dimensions of 62 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm, or they would be fine if the bag is not too full.

Osprey Daylite Duffel 45L

Based on the dimensions given by my safari company (62cm x 30cm x 20cm), I ordered the Osprey Daylite Duffel 45L and it was the perfect safari bag.

The dimensions of the Osprey duffle bag are 53cm x 36cm x 24cm.

This is a fraction too large according to the dimensions I was provided; however, I knew if I did not fill the bag too full, it would be able to squash down and fit the appropriate measurements.

I loved the different compartments on the bag. Plus, I liked that you could carry the bag as a holdall or wear it like a backpack using the shoulder straps.

You can purchase the Osprey Daylite Duffle from various shops online; however, I bought mine Amazon because the shipping was quicker and there was more availability of colours.

I use this bag all the time for other weekend trips where I am taking only hand luggage on the plane.

• Check prices for Osprey Daylite Duffel on Amazon
• Check prices for Osprey Daylite Duffel on Osprey

North Face Base Camp Duffel (small)

I already own the North Face base camp duffle in medium and large. These bags were extremely helpful when I was moving back from Ontario, Canada to England. However, sadly the size I own were too big to bring as safari travel bags.

The small version of the duffle bag from North Face is a great size for those travellers flying on Air Kenya, since its dimensions are 33cm x 53cm x 33cm. As a reminder, Air Kenya’s max dimensions are 60cm x 45cm x 33cm.

Not only is the North Face duffel bag a resistant material that will handle all terrains and weather thrown at it. It is also easy to carry as a backpack and can fit plenty in without popping the zip (I am talking from experience).

• Buy North Face Base Camp Duffel (UK)
• Buy North Face Base Camp Duffel (North America)

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

I saw many people with this bag; therefore, it needs to be on this packing list for safari in Kenya.

This bag is larger than the smallest requirements, but would fit if the bag is not packed to its fullest.

• Buy Patagonia Duffel from Amazon
• Buy Patagonia Duffel from Selfridges

Lifeventure Packable Duffle 70L

This is a much cheaper alternative and easily packed into another suitcase when empty. Therefore, it could be an option for those needing a low-cost solution that is great at being manipulated into small spaces.

However, be aware that is a very flimsy bag because the material is quite light and thin. The material is also not as water-resistant as the above recommended options.

• Check price of Lifeventure Packable Duffle on Ellis Brigham

Kenya Safari Packing List

Plastic bags are forbidden in Kenya. If an airport official searches your bag and finds any, the bags will be confiscated. Therefore, you should ensure you do not bring any into the country.

You will need to find alternative options for the items that you would usually pack in plastic bags.

Plastic Bag Alternatives

• Buy wash bags from Amazon (USA)
• Buy wash bags from Amazon (UK)
• Buy shoe bags from Amazon (USA)
• Buy shoe bags from Amazon (UK)
• Buy laundry bags from Amazon (USA)
• Buy laundry bags from Amazon (UK)
• Reusable silicone food bags – these work well for liquids that may be at risk of leaking.

Safari Essentials: What to Bring on Safari in Kenya

Here are a few items you will need to bring while on game drives.

• Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack – the best day bag for safaris
• Buy Nikon Binoculars on Amazon USA
• Buy Nikon Binoculars on Amazon UK
• Buy Olympus binoculars on Amazon UK
• Buy Bushnell Binoculars on Amazon UK
• Buy Pentax Binoculars on MEC (Canada)
• Buy Fujifilm Camera from Amazon USA
• Buy Fujifilm Camera from Amazon UK
• Camera lens (rental)
• Hand sanitiser
• Bandana for dust
• Sunglasses (and a sunglasses lanyard to wear them around your neck is handy) 
• Night vision binoculars – you may consider investing in a pair of binoculars specifically for night use. The hotel manager at Sala’s Camp showed us his pair of night vision goggles and it was incredible what you could see .

Toiletries: Kenya Packing List

When packing for safari in Kenya, toiletries are some of the most essential items on your list.

It is best to have a wide range of medicines and toiletries to cover all scenarios. I used almost all the toiletries that I packed .

• Imodium or anti-diarrhoea tablets – it is quite common to get an upset stomach from water usage or your malaria tablets
• Antihistamine – if your bites usually swell up, ensure you get strong tablets. Benadryl in US/Canada or Piriton in the UK
• O.R.S Hydration Tablets ( Buy tablets on Amazon UK )
• SIS Electrolyte Tablets ( Buy tablets on Amazon UK )
• Nuun Sport Electrolyte Tablets ( Buy tablets on Amazon Canada – Nuun also available in USA)
• OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent Aerosol (Available in USA & Canada)
• Jungle Formula Maximum Insect Repellent Spray with DEET (Available in UK)
• Manual toothbrush (electric versions may run out of charge)
• Hand sanitiser (for after going to a bush toilet on a game drive)
• Antiseptic ointment – Savlon for the UK or Polysporin/Neosporin for Canada/US
• Non-drowsy motion sickness tablets – for the small planes
• Paracetamol/ibuprofen – you never know if you will feel unwell, so it is best to come prepared
• Simple Cleanser or the Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
• Simple Toner or Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner
• The Ordinary moisturiser or BYOMA moisturising gel cream to keep your face hydrated
• La Roche Posay face sunscreen or Ultra Violette Extreme Screen for spf

What to Bring on Safari for Malaria Prevention?

• Long-sleeved clothes (jacket or long-sleeve shirt, trousers, and long socks for evening meals)
• Mosquito repellent – lotion or spray
• Malaria tablets – you will need to see a travel clinic for this
• Avoid scented moisturisers and perfumes
• Some malaria tablets can give you side effects, such as vivid dreams, upset stomach, and headaches, but they are still worth taking.

Learn about safari clothing you should bring to Kenya .

What Camera to Take on Safari?

The question of what camera to bring on Safari depends on what camera you already own. If you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, then you should bring it. These cameras will take superior photos than your mobile phone will.

If you do not own a more advanced camera, I would wholeheartedly recommend getting hold of one – whether you buy, rent, or borrow one from a friend. You will see the difference in the quality of photos from your phone easily – especially if you have a decent lens to use with it.

When choosing between a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, a mirrorless camera is the better choice for a Kenyan safari. 

Mirrorless cameras are physically smaller, so they take up less space in your hand luggage and they are much lighter. But the image quality between the cameras is similar.

I borrowed a Nikon D700 (DSLR camera) and rented a Nikon AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. If you are unfamiliar with lenses and you would like to rent one, you should contact a lens rental company because they will tell you what lens is compatible with your camera.  

The Nikon D700 that I used was heavy and bulky, which was not ideal due to my limited baggage allowance. Additionally, wearing the Nikon D700 camera was a strain on my neck while I took photos of animals on game drives.

However, the benefit of a DSLR camera is that it can be more affordable than a mirrorless camera. Plus, I was grateful to be able to borrow a high-quality camera for my safari in Kenya.

Therefore, if you can choose what camera to bring on safari, I would suggest bringing a mirrorless camera with a decent lens. Aim for a lens with a 300mm focal length. This option will give you good enough zoom to capture pictures of animals slightly further away.

If you are looking to purchase a camera, I would recommend buying the Fujifilm X-T30 II . It is a light and portable camera and still takes incredible pictures.

• Check reviews for Fujifilm X-T30 II on Amazon US
• Check reviews for Fujifilm X-T30 II on Amazon UK

Electronics: Safari Packing List Kenya

• Memory cards with sufficient space for anticipated photos – I brought memory cards with me with 32 GB and 16 GB of space and took around 1,000 photos on my camera and 1,000 photos and videos on my phone
• Back-up camera batteries (always keep one fully charged)
• AirTags (peace of mind for your luggage)
• UK 3-prong adapters for plugs (the hotels and lodges I visited had USB plugs, but do not count on that) – so you may need a US to UK adapter
• Mirrorless or DSLR camera
• Camera lens cleaning solution (the lens will get dusty while out on game drives)
• Microfiber cloth (to wipe the camera lens)
• Portable charger (helpful for travel days when your phone battery gets low)
• Hard drive – you may want to make sure you have a hard drive at home so that when you return from your trip you can save a copy of your photos

Travel Essentials for Flights

• Surgical face masks (not fabric – some domestic airlines still require this)
• Book for entertainment
• Pre-download some films on an iPad
• Noise-cancelling headphones
• Portable phone charger
• Travel insurance – UK residents, check out Travel Supermarket , a comparison site to help you get the best deal

Documents for Travel to Kenya

When packing for Kenya safaris, you must stay on top of several admin tasks, including applying for visas, getting travel vaccinations, and purchasing some foreign currency.

You must also check that your passport has at least six months remaining before expiration following the date you arrive in Kenya.

Vaccinations for Kenya

Make sure you visit a travel clinic around eight weeks before your travels.

You may need to have enough time to get several doses of a vaccine or to make sure there is enough availability for appointment slots. There was a shortage of yellow fever vaccinations in England before my trip.

It is up to your medical professional which vaccines are suitable for your needs and the type of trip you are going on. Although I received Hep A & B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Polio, and the Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis vaccine.

Keep checking the regulations when visiting Kenya. My family and I needed to have our covid-19 vaccinations validated before boarding on the Global Haven website .

Be aware of what visa you need for Kenya and other African countries you will be visiting. The following information is purely what I arranged and experienced.

Please check your requirements before travelling.

If you are entering Kenya once, you will need a single-entry visa.

However, if you will be entering Kenya twice on the same trip, like we did, you will need two single-entry visas – not a multiple-entry visa . We booked round-trip flights to Nairobi and during the trip, we left Kenya to go to Zambia.

Pay very close attention when applying for your e-visa. Your e-visa should be approved online within a few days. If you have not had an email showing your approval, or you cannot see your approval status on the online portal, there is likely a problem with your application.

The immigration website will not tell you if your application has been rejected, it will say that the application is still in process.

One of my family members applied for a single-entry visa but noticed the visa had still not been approved three weeks later. She was unable to get hold of anyone from the immigration office by phone or email.

Luckily, our safari company had a contact at the airport who could tell us why the application was not approved. Otherwise, we would have had to buy a new visa for an additional USD 50.

Try your best to get your application approved first-time because they may ask for a monetary favour instead of you buying a new visa, which is what we experienced.

The first reason the application was not approved was that the photo on the application was unsuitable. The image should be passport-style, meaning you are not allowed to smile in the picture and you must be facing straight at the camera.

Secondly, she had not put her middle name in the application even though the passport shows a middle name.

Once your application has been approved, make sure you print off a copy of the visa and have it handy when you pass through immigration in Kenya.

You can use USD or Kenyan Shillings (the local currency) in Kenya.

You must ensure the USD notes you bring to Kenya are dated after 2000 . Some countries, such as Zambia require USD notes minted after 2007. Check the notes while you are at the desk receiving your money.

I wrongly assumed that the cash we exchanged back home would be dated correctly, and we did not realise we had several notes that were minted in the 1990s until we were in Kenya. They are very strict about accepting USD notes from after 2000.

If you are from the UK or somewhere with an unfavourable USD exchange rate, I would suggest getting plenty of Kenyan Shillings. If you purchase souvenirs or other retail items in Shillings, it may be a cheaper rate than buying souvenirs in USD.

Keep the receipt of your currency conversion because customs in Kenya may want to see it.

It is important to have many smaller USD notes, such as $5 notes.

Gratuities for Safaris

Kenya is a tipping-based country – most services expect a tip. Therefore, you will need to bring enough cash to cover this.

There are usually guidelines on how much to tip for safari lodges. For example, you should tip your driver-guide and your spotter individually, and you can give them the tip money at the end of your stay at that camp.

You can tip the rest of the staff from the lodge at the end, separately to your driver-guide and spotter. There is usually an envelope that you can leave in a box in the main area of the camp.

The suggested tipping amount for my safari lodges was:

• USD 15 per driver-guide per day
• USD 10 per spotter per day
• USD 25 per room per day for general staff
• USD 5 per spa treatment

In addition to cash for tipping, you should also bring some money for souvenirs.

Try to estimate the amount of cash you will need for tips, any cash payments, plus some souvenirs – then bring more than you calculated . You may experience that there are always extra people to tip than expected and plenty of opportunities for buying souvenirs.

Sometimes you can pay for items with a Visa credit card; however, many establishments will not accept a Mastercard or American Express.

What Not to Pack for Safari in Kenya

Do not bring too much makeup because it is dark at night, and you do not have much time to get ready in the mornings or evenings.

For those who usually wear make-up, I suggest getting eyelashes tinted and eyebrows laminated if you want a natural look while on safari.

Additionally, you do not need to bring formal evening outfits for dinner, even on a luxury safari. A clean change of clothes will suffice. Also, do not bring precious jewellery.

Leave your clothing with a camouflage pattern at home – it is illegal to wear this pattern in parts of East Africa.

Read this article for more information on what to wear on safari in Kenya . It covers all the clothes for safari in Kenya required, plus it discussed things to take on safari in Kenya while physically on game drives.

Some luxury safari camps provide amenities to use during your stay, which means you can cut down on some of your items to pack.

While on my Masai Mara safari, my accommodation provided hairdryers, torches/flashlights, fleece ponchos, and a reusable water bottle; therefore, I did not need to bring these items.

You should remember that plastic bags are forbidden in Kenya. So, bring reusable bags for dirty laundry and shoes.

Unless having your laptop is essential, I would advise you to leave it at home. You do not want to worry about it being stolen. Bring an iPad or tablet that you can watch films or episodes on when on planes or without a good Wi-Fi connection.

It may be better to bring a manual toothbrush and razor because you may not be able to charge your electric bathroom devices while on safari or in other hotels.

Advice for a Packing List for Kenya Safari

Do not leave packing for Kenya until the last minute because you may forget something essential.

I found that the best luggage for African safaris was a combination of my Osprey Daylite Duffle for the safari portion of the trip, combined with my Herschel Supply Co. hard-shell suitcase for the remainder of the items kept in storage.

Here is a summary of must-have items to help you remember what to pack for a safari in Kenya.

• Documents (visa, passport, vaccination records)
• Anti-diarrhoea tablets
• Cash in USD and/or Kenyan Shillings
• Long-sleeved clothing
• Plenty of underwear (the camp laundry service will not wash women’s underwear)
• Hat (baseball cap or wide-brimmed)
• Clothing in beige, khaki, grey or green (including a jacket to stay warm)
• Sports bra (ladies will appreciate this)
• Flip flops (they will come in handy to throw on after your morning game drive to go to lunch)
• Bandana (to prevent dust on the face)

FAQ – Kenya Packing List

What can you not bring into kenya.

Kenya has implemented a strict ban on single-use plastic bags. The ban is part of the government’s efforts to reduce plastic pollution and promote environmental sustainability. As a result, anyone traveling to Kenya is prohibited from bringing any plastic bags into the country, such as duty-free shopping bags.

What luggage to take on safari?

When packing for a safari, go for duffel bags or soft-sided suitcases because they’re light and fit easily in safari vehicles. Leave your hard-sided suitcases with wheels in storage in your city of arrival or departure.

A water-resistant bag is essential for protecting your belongings during unpredictable weather and terrain. Remember to bring a lightweight daypack to carry important items such as cameras, binoculars, sunscreen, and insect repellent during game drives.

What is the Safarilink luggage allowance?

Safarilink allows each passenger a maximum of 15 kilograms of baggage, including carry-on bags, on their domestic flights.

It is recommended to pack using soft bags rather than hard-sided suitcases as they are easier to store in the plane’s limited luggage compartments.

Additional bags or overweight luggage will incur an extra fee.

What is the best duffel for safari travel?

The best duffel for safari travel should be lightweight, durable, and spacious enough to hold your belongings. Look for one made of sturdy materials that can withstand the harsh conditions of a safari.

The North Face Base Camp Duffel is a popular choice. It’s made of waterproof material, has ample storage space, and multiple compartments to organise your items. It also comes with padded shoulder straps for easy carrying.

What to pack for safari in Kenya?

Opt for soft-sided luggage like duffel bags, as they are easier to manipulate into smaller safari planes and vehicles.

Remember to pack necessary toiletries, clothing in neutral colors like beige, khaki, grey, or green. Avoid bringing plastic bags, camouflage clothing, precious jewellery, and unnecessary makeup.

What are some travel essentials in Kenya for safaris?

Binoculars, camera equipment, insect repellent, and cash in USD or Kenyan Shillings for tipping and souvenirs are essential items for an enjoyable safari in Kenya.

Samantha is the founder of Continuous Roamer, a travel website focusing on adventure and the outdoors.

With a love for adventure and the great outdoors, Samantha shares tips on skiing, luxury safaris, camping, and finding hidden food gems in different destinations.

With over 20 years of skiing experience across Europe, North America, and beyond, she's also an expert in luxury accommodations and experiences.

Whether camping in Canada or dining in a Michelin-starred restaurant, Samantha always seeks out the best experiences and accommodations, and her blog highlights the best of them for her readers.

Samantha is currently living in London.

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Kenya – what should I pack?

A general guide on what you should have in your suitcase to visit kenya.

• Indian Ocean Islands
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What should I bring with me?

Your curiosity and sense of adventure, an open mind and enough memory cards for the camera! As a general guide, comfortable and casual clothing that you can wash and wear is recommended while on safari. Muted colours are best for game viewing. Game drives are generally conducted in the early morning and the late afternoon, which can be cold, especially in winter. The temperature often warms up during the day, so it is best to dress in layers.

The most practical items to pack for your Kenya safari are:

• Clothes in khaki, green, beige and neutral colours
• Long-sleeved shirts that offer protection from the sun and mosquitoes
• Shorts or a light skirt
• Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
• Jackets and sweaters for early morning and late afternoon game drives
• A lightweight waterproof jacket in case of rain
• Swim and beachwear
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, insect repellent, moisturiser and lip salve
• Binoculars and camera equipment

The luggage allowance on small flights is usually limited to a maximum of 15 kg (33 lbs), which includes hand luggage, so please bear this in mind when packing. Most lodges and camps provide a same-day laundry service for your clothes.

If you would like to purchase safari clothing, luggage or accessories to prepare for your trip, please visit www.andBeyondsafarishop.com , where a wide selection of quality products is available for your convenience.

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Kenya Safari Clothing

What to wear on safari in kenya.

Kenya is one of Africa’s busiest tourist hubs; at least it was until terrorist attacks made it a security risk to visit this beautiful of Africa. Like Tanzania, Kenya has it all from wildlife in several game parks, mountain ranges, historical sites, and coastal towns to sandy beaches and resorts. There is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are visiting Tsavo game reserve, the Aberdare mountain ranges, Mount Kenya, the white sandy beaches, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kenya is magical everywhere you go. And what do you do in a magical place, you have fun!

Well you are guaranteed to have fun in Kenya, thing is you want to look right doing it. So you need to have the right clothes and accessories for whatever activity you embark on.

Here’s what to wear on your Kenya safari;

Safari dress code in Kenya varies with place and activity. If you are visiting the coastal town and hoping to enjoy the sun and the beaches you will of course need you swim wear. But you need cover ups for when you get out of the water. Most of the coastal communities are Muslim and quite conservative, you do not want to offend their sensibilities. So keep it as decent as you possibly can. Walking through the towns you can wear a pair of shorts ( preferably not very short), dresses, trousers-these can be comfortable linen, or jeans. Dress for comfort on the coast, because it can be quite hot, but still try to be as decent as you can.

If you are going mountain climbing, or hiking in the Aberdare ranges or Mount Kenya, you need warm comfortable clothes. Even away from the highlands, Kenya can get very cold; especially at night and in the early mornings. The best way to cope is to layer your clothing. And layering is what you should do on the mountain climbing adventures as well. Shirts, fleeces, jackets, trousers, thermal socks, gloves, balaclavas, you name it. But the items listed above should make it to your suitcase. The thing about layering is that you can peel off or add the layers as and when the temperatures change. So as you climb up and as you come down, you will be comfortable with every change in altitude.

Wildlife safaris: Kenya is good for these kinds of safaris. If you are going game viewing in Tsavo national park or any of the other parks in Kenya you want to dress comfortably. Safari clothes-trousers and shirts are good. Cargo pants are comfortable. For game drives get these clothes in neutral colors so you can blend in with the wilderness. Avoid white shirts they get dirty and dusty, black clothing should be avoided too. It absorbs heat, and attracts insects such as tsetse flies. Try and get clothes in natural fabrics or synthetic fabrics with moisture wicking properties. You can wear light jeans.

Leave the bright colored shirts and blouses at home. Bright colors startle the wild animals away, which defeats the purpose of a game drive.

Kenya weather changes a lot. Yes the country sits right on the equator, and gets really hot, but when it gets cold, it freezes, so regardless of what time you travel, carry a warm sweater or a fleece. You will be glad you did.

Safari hiking boots are good, but they are nt all you need. For the most part good comfortable boots and walking shoes will do. For game drives, you will be in the vehicle most of the time so your shoes will not do much work.

However if you plan to go on long nature walks, hike or mountain climb, good hiking boots are necessary. Be sure to get yourself a pair way before your trip and break them in so that your feet are comfortable by the time the hiking trip comes around.

For touring the towns and enjoying the beaches, easy comfortable sandals will keep your feet happy.

Just think simplicity and comfort for both your foot wear and clothing while on safari in Kenya.

Accessories

Accessories include hats, sunglasses, scarves, socks, and a few other small things. Hats and sunglasses come in handy when the sun in out and determined to show you how hot it can get. Shield your face, neck and your eyes. Sunburn is not a pretty sight.

Scarves are good too, for tying down your hat, wrapping around your neck when there is a mild chill, and they are generally a stylish accessory.

Sweaters and jackets, don’t forget these, warmth is good.

Your Kenya safari wardrobe should look something what has been mentioned above. Fancy clothes are good, and you can carry a couple for when you visit some high end hotels with particular dress code, but for the most part, just keep it simple and comfortable.

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