Our Recommended Safari Packing List

Safari clothing should be practical, lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. You will spend long hours in safari vehicles, game reserves, lodges, and outdoor environments, so comfort matters more than fashion.

Neutral colours are highly recommended because they blend naturally with the safari environment and do not attract unnecessary attention from insects or wildlife. Colours such as khaki, beige, olive green, cream, and brown work especially well.

Avoid very bright colours where possible. Strong colours can sometimes attract flies in certain safari areas and may also stand out too much during wildlife viewing.

• Light summer clothes suitable for warm afternoons
• Long pants and long-sleeved shirts for evenings
• A jacket, hoodie, fleece, or sweater for chilly mornings and evenings
• Comfortable safari footwear such as sports shoes or trainers
• Cotton socks for comfort during long safari drives
• Hat or cap for protection from the African sun
• Bandanna or scarf for dust and sun protection

Safari lodges and camps are usually relaxed and casual environments, so there is no need for overly formal clothing. Comfortable and practical clothing is always the best choice.

Evenings on safari can become surprisingly cool, especially after sunset or during early morning game drives. In addition, mosquitoes are usually more active in the evening and nighttime hours.

We recommend wearing fuller clothing during evenings, especially:

• Long pants
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Light sweaters or jackets
• Closed shoes instead of sandals

Avoid walking barefoot around lodges or camps at night. Wearing proper footwear and covering exposed skin helps improve comfort and reduce mosquito bites.

Many safari lodges and camps use generator or solar power systems, especially in remote wildlife areas. Electricity may not always be available 24 hours a day, so planning ahead is important.

Carrying a good power adapter is extremely useful, especially one with multiple sockets or USB ports. This allows you to charge several devices at the same time.

• Universal power adapter
• Power adapter with multiple sockets or USB ports
• Phone charger
• Camera charger
• Power bank
• Extra batteries for cameras and electronics
• Small flashlight or torch

It is also a good idea to charge electronics whenever power is available rather than waiting until late at night.

Safari days involve a lot of outdoor exposure, especially during game drives. The African sun can be strong even when temperatures feel mild, so proper sun protection is important.

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm
• Wide-brim hat or safari cap
• Reusable water bottle

Staying protected from the sun helps prevent dehydration, sunburn, and fatigue during your safari.

Bring your regular personal toiletries together with a few safari-friendly essentials. While many lodges provide basic toiletries, guests are usually more comfortable carrying their preferred products.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Personal medication
• Mosquito or insect repellent
• Nail clippers and file
• Wet wipes or tissues
• Hand sanitizer
• Basic skincare products

If you use prescription medicine, carry enough for the entire safari and keep it in your hand luggage.

Kenya offers incredible wildlife photography opportunities. From lions and elephants to dramatic landscapes and sunsets, many guests end up taking far more photos than expected.

Safari conditions can be dusty, so protecting your camera equipment is very important.

• Camera or smartphone with good photo quality
• Extra memory cards
• Battery charger
• Extra camera batteries
• Protective camera bag
• Cleaning cloth for lenses
• Binoculars for distant wildlife viewing

Binoculars are especially useful for spotting animals far away, such as leopards resting in trees or birds in the distance.

Your hand luggage should contain all essential items that you may urgently need during travel. This is especially important in case checked luggage is delayed or temporarily inaccessible during transfers.

• Passport and travel documents
• Cash, cards, and travel money
• Flight tickets and confirmations
• Travel insurance details
• Prescription medication
• Basic hand medicine such as allergy pills or painkillers
• Binoculars
• Camera and memory cards
• Phone and charger
• Sunglasses
• Notebook and pens
• A good book or entertainment for travel time

We also recommend carrying photocopies or digital copies of important documents such as passports, vaccination certificates, insurance details, and payment cards.

One of the most common mistakes safari travelers make is overpacking. Most safari guests wear only a small portion of the clothing they bring.

Focus on comfort, practicality, and essential items rather than packing too many outfits. Since many safari lodges provide affordable laundry services, travelling lighter usually makes the safari experience easier and more comfortable.

Soft bags are often more practical than hard-shell suitcases, especially for domestic safari flights and safari vehicles with limited luggage space.

If your safari includes light aircraft flights within Kenya, baggage allowances may be more limited than on international airlines, so lighter luggage becomes even more important.