Packing Guide: Essentials for Your Safari in Kenya

What to Bring on Safari in Kenya

Packing for a trip to Africa can be a daunting experience even for an experienced traveler, let alone a first-time Safari tourist. Packing for a Kenya Safari or for that matter packing for a Masai Mara trip is rightly so more than a simple affair, with careful consideration required for the weather, comfort, local culture and a lot more. See our Kenya Safari packing check list below This packing check list is a general guide on what to take on your Kenya safari. Please ensure you pack minimally and use layers, as local airlines flying to various parks within the country have a typical luggage restriction of 15 kilos allowance per person (including carry-on bags). Soft sided bags or folding duffel bags are recommended.

Essential Clothing

The ideal clothes to pack for your safari are casual in nature, loose fitting and lightweight, so as to keep you cool and dry. For colours, pick neutral Pastel shades over brighter colours for optimum suitability for the wilderness. Khaki and Forest Green colours are an all-time safari favourite and most recommended. Please note that camouflaged, military-pattern clothes may be considered unlawful in East Africa as they are worn by the local forces so best to avoid. Make sure to pack a fleece, cardigan or light jacket for the cool early mornings during game drives. When packing, keep in mind that most lodges and camps provide laundry services.

Footwear

For most safaris which do not involve trekking or bush walking, fully closed lightweight and comfortable walking shoes such as sneakers with good grip do just fine. The classic Safari boots pictured are always a great all-round choice. These are also known as Chukka boots. Hiking boots are also useful but you may find these unnecessarily heavy unless you actually plan on hiking during your trip. Flip flops or sandals for around the swimming pool or in-room use are ever useful and are cheap to buy in Nairobi as well.

Sun Protection and Insect Repellent

For Sun protection we recommend you pack sunscreen lotion ( a high enough SPF) as well as a wide brim Safari hat (pictured) which will help keep the sun off your face and neck. A pair of Sunglasses and prescription glasses for those that wear contact lenses (it can be rather dusty to wear these comfortably). Some of the lodges and camps provide insect repellent but we still encourage you to pack your own preferred brand. Repellants containing Deet are said to be more effective against most insects and bugs. All-natural citronella repellant can also get the job done if you are concerned about the deet effects. Please consult your Doctor or Pharmacist. Remember you will be in the bush so to say while on Safari and the nearest town or city may be hours away.

Essential Medications

Be sure to pack your most essential personal medications especially brands or medicines that may not be available locally in Kenya. Pharmacies in Nairobi stock a wide variety of medicines so for basic requirements such as pain relief, anti-malaria pills or antacids and the like one can purchase once in Nairobi. Keep in mind to carry along any prescriptions when you bring along medication into Kenya in case you are required to show this at the airport.

Cameras and Photography Equipment

As for Cameras and Photography equipment we recommend packing these into your carry-on luggage rather than check in for enhanced safety. East Africa offers amazing photo opportunities so bring along a decent camera to make the most of your trip. Binoculars are very useful and though some Safari operators provide a pair in their vehicles, these may be basic in specs so if you can bring a set you are prefer. For serious photographers, you may want to carry your laptop which is so useful for downloading and processing your images after a day on Safari. Also helps you make the most of your camera storage cards as you can keep moving images to your laptop or hard disk at the end of each day. Spare AA and AAA batteries are available for sale at certain lodges in Masai Mara as well and this includes standard and rechargeable batteries.

Other Important Items

Other important items that you must include in your packing list includes personal toiletries (such as travel size shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, moisturizer, hair brush, toothpaste and toothbrush), sanitary products for ladies, wet wipes and hand sanitizers, small sewing kit, small scissors and pocket knife (not in carry-on bag) alarm clock, money pouch or money belt, reading materials, pen and a notebook.

Luggage Restrictions and Transportation

Since we mentioned above that flights from Nairobi to Masai Mara and back carry a luggage limitation of 15 kilos per passengers, combined for check in and carry on, we often get asked if driving down would be a viable option as some tourists such as photographers have camera equipment that weighs more than the 15 kilos. So the main advantage of flying to Masai Mara is that it is quick and comfortable as you can get to your destination in an hour compared to a 5 or 6 hour drive. Keep in mind the the planes are small light aircraft, designed for use on the bush airstrips. Some planes may have upto 38 seats, but most have 4-16 seaters with your pilot sitting with you, typically the dependable Cessna planes.

Tags: Kenya, Safari,

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