Most first-time safari-goers overpack. Camps have laundry, days are spent sitting in a vehicle and nobody dresses for dinner anymore. Here is what you actually need.
Clothing
- Three or four T-shirts or light shirts, ideally with long sleeves for sun and evening mosquitoes.
- Two pairs of light trousers and one pair of shorts.
- A warm fleece or jacket. Dawn game drives in the Mara in July can be 10°C.
- Comfortable closed shoes and a pair of sandals.
- A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and a scarf or buff for dust.
- Swimwear if your lodge has a pool.
On colours: neutrals (khaki, olive, brown, grey) are sensible because they hide dust and do not attract tsetse flies, which are drawn to dark blue and black. You do not need to buy a safari wardrobe. Avoid camouflage, which is illegal to wear in Kenya.
Essentials
- Binoculars. One pair per person makes a real difference. 8×42 or 10×42 is ideal.
- Sunscreen, lip balm and insect repellent with DEET.
- Any prescription medicines, plus basics: painkillers, antihistamines, rehydration salts, plasters.
- Anti-malarial tablets as advised by your doctor, especially for the coast and low-lying parks.
- A head torch for camps without 24-hour power.
- Power bank, universal adapter (Kenya uses UK-style three-pin plugs) and spare camera batteries.
- Passport, eTA approval, insurance details and a photocopy of each, stored separately.
Luggage
If your safari includes a light aircraft flight, you are limited to around 15 kg per person in soft bags. Even on road safaris, a soft duffel is easier to fit in the vehicle than a hard suitcase.
Leave at home
Drones (a permit is required and rarely granted), plastic carrier bags (banned in Kenya), hair dryers (most camps provide them or cannot power them) and anything you would be sad to see covered in red dust.
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