Clothing
Kenya's safari areas range from warm lowlands to cool highlands. Nairobi, the Aberdares, Mount Kenya and the Mara can be chilly early in the morning and at night, so layers matter.
- Light shirts and T-shirts, plus long sleeves for sun and mosquitoes, in neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige)
- Comfortable trousers and shorts
- A warm fleece or light down jacket — essential for early game drives and the highlands
- A light waterproof jacket in the rainy months
- A sun hat, a buff or scarf against dust
- Comfortable closed shoes, plus sandals for the lodge
- Swimwear for lodge pools
Avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies in some areas, and camouflage, which is best avoided in East Africa.
Safari gear
- Binoculars — one pair each if possible
- Camera with a zoom lens, spare batteries and memory cards
- Universal adapter — Kenya uses type G (UK-style) sockets at 240 V
- Power bank and a head torch
- Sunglasses and a small daypack
- A reusable water bottle
Health
- Antimalarial tablets if prescribed, and personal medicines
- Insect repellent, high-factor sunscreen and lip balm
- A small first-aid kit and hand sanitiser
Documents and money
- Passport and printed eTA — see the eTA guide
- Yellow fever certificate if your route needs it
- Travel insurance details
- A card, some US dollars (clean notes printed after 2009) and Kenyan shillings for tips and small purchases
Luggage: soft bags for safari flights
On a road safari a medium suitcase or duffel is fine. If you fly to the Maasai Mara or Samburu, light aircraft usually limit luggage to around 15 kg per person including hand luggage, in a soft bag without wheels. Nairobi hotels can usually store extra luggage while you are on safari.
Leave at home
- Plastic carrier bags — banned in Kenya, with heavy fines
- Drones — not allowed in parks without permits
- Camouflage clothing
Our Tanzania safari packing list has more detail if you are combining the two countries.
