Kenya was one my favorite destinations to date. I would describe my trip there as the trip of a lifetime. However, I had no idea what to pack for Kenya since it was my first trip to Africa. I had so many questions. What clothes do I need? What type of insect repellent? Is there a luggage allowance for a safari jeep? I did a lot of research ahead of my trip, and I created this ultimate packing list for Kenya safari trips to help you plan your African adventure. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.
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- Flights
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- Activities, tours, and day trips
Duffel bag
When you go on a safari trip, you don’t have to think just about airline luggage limits, but about safari jeep luggage limits too.
That’s because when you travel from Nairobi to other destinations like the Maasai Mara you will travel by jeep. And these jeeps have a pretty small trunk where you can store luggage.
At the same time, you will share the jeep with 8 or 9 other people, so you have to be respectful of the space your luggage takes.
The best advice I can give you is to bring a duffel bag since it’s easier to fit in a tight space. Try to avoid bringing hard shell luggage as they take up a lot of space and they are not flexible.
If you must bring hard shell luggage, you should stick to carry-on bags. That’s what I did: I brought a hard-shell carry-on luggage and a backpack. I had no issues with my stuff fitting in the trunk.
Breathable clothing
The weather in Kenya is very hot during the day (around 30C/86F) and drops down to 15C/59F during the night. So you’ll need to pack a mix of summer clothes and a few warmer items.
One important thing to note about packing for a safari adventure is that all your clothes need to have neutral colors. That’s because you need to blend in with the environment and not startle the animals. Colors like white, beige, olive green, and any other earthy colours work very well. Avoid bright colors such as red, pink, or light blue.
I encourage you to wear mostly long pants to avoid mosquito bites. As for tops, I think layers work best. For example, you can wear a tank top and long-sleeved shirts. No matter what you end up wearing, make sure you choose comfortable clothing made from breathable materials such as cotton or linen.
During the nights and early mornings it will be chilly, so you’ll need to wear a light waterproof jacket.
Comfortable walking shoes
When you visit Kenya you will walk a lot. You will hike, go to see waterfalls, maybe even go on a walking safari adventure. Virtually all roads in Kenya outside of Nairobi are not paved.
So you need to pack comfortable running shoes or hiking boots. Make sure they are not white because they will get very dirty from the dust and the roads. I made the mistake of packing white sneakers and they were destroyed by the end of the trip.
Flip flops
Besides comfortable walking shoes you also need to pack some flip flops. A lot of lodges have swimming pools, so you can take advantage of this and have a swim after a long day of watching animals.
Sun hat
Getting a heat stroke in the middle of the African bush is an experience you want to avoid. When you go on walking safaris or when you bike through Hell’s Gate National Park I highly recommend you wear one of those safari bucket hats to protect both your head and your neck from the sun.
Sun glasses
Not being able to see the places you go to properly because of the sun shining is the worst. Plus, this damages your eyesight with time. Having a pair of sunglasses with you is always a good idea, and especially when you visit a sunny destination like Kenya.
Scarf
When you go on game drives it gets really dusty in the safari vehicle since you’re driving off road. And that dust sticks to your skin and clothes you will also inhale it. Whenever I would get back to the safari lodges at night I would hop straight in the shower to get rid of all that dust.
To minimize the amount of dust you inhale pack a scarf with you and wear it over your nose and mouth during game drives. It’s a game changer.
Sunscreen
Kenya is very close to the equator and the sun there is no joke. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen to prevent getting sunburnt.
Pro tip: apply sun screen first. Then wait a few minutes and apply the mosquito repellent. That’s the right order. And applying them this way will protect you against both UV rays and mosquito bites.
Insect repellent
There are a few insects in Kenya that spread disease, such as the Anopheles mosquitos and the Tsetse flies. It’s a good idea to lather yourself in insect repellent every day, especially if you’re wearing tank tops or short sleeves.
The insect repellent you need when you travel to African countries is stronger than the regular insect repellent you use in other parts of the world.
You need to make sure you pack an insect repellent with at least 40% DEET. Apply it only on the parts of the skin that won’t be covered by clothes.
Lip balm
It gets really hot in Kenya during the day, so lips get very dry. Pack your favorite lip balm, ideally one with SPF. Reapply as often as you need during the day.
Malaria pills
Make sure to schedule a doctor’s appointment about a month ahead of your trip to Kenya. This would give you enough time to take the yellow fever vaccine and any other vaccines they prescribe.
At the same time, they should give you a prescription for malaria prophylaxis. Don’t forget to pack these pills with you and make sure you take them daily while on the trip.
Prescription medications
As you’ll be in the wilderness in National Parks most days, you won’t have access to medical facilities. So make sure to pack all your personal medications. And you should also pack some ibuprofen, band aids, and other over-the-counter medicine you might need.
Imodium
Another very important medication you should bring with you is Imodium. Traveler’s diarrhea is very common when you travel to Africa, so you will most likely need to take Imodium at some point.
To prevent traveler’s diarrhea, try not to eat cut fruit, fresh salads, and anything else that hasn’t been boiled, fried, or baked. You basically want to avoid fresh foods that have been in contact with tap water.
You should only drink bottled water and make sure to only brush your teeth with bottled water as well. Tap water in Africa is not treated, so it has bacteria that our stomachs are not used to.
Electrolytes
During a safari trip you will go on early morning game drives that can last 4-5 hours. There won’t be many toilet options. Usually people stop at souvenir shops to use the restroom.
But there are also occasions when that’s not possible, so you stop in the middle of the national park and pee in the bush. I’ve done it, it’s an experience.
Because of this situation, people don’t drink a lot of water during the day to avoid multiple bathroom breaks. Which leads to dehydration.
I recommend you pack a few electrolyte packets and drink them in the morning and at night to prevent severe dehydration.
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Due to the bathroom situation I described above, you need to pack hand sanitizer and wet wipes with you since you won’t be able to wash your hands after you pee in the bush.
And sometimes you eat lunch on the road, so you want to clean your hands with hand sanitizer before eating.
Professional camera
Seeing the wildlife in its natural habitat is one of the most incredible things I’ve experienced. I wish everyone could be able to experience it.
In order to take high-quality pictures of animals you will need a DSLR camera. Unfortunately even the latest cell phone cameras don’t work well for safari pictures.
If you don’t have a good camera, you can invest in a high-quality camera. I think it’s worth buying a camera if you plan on going on multiple safari trips or if you travel a lot and want to take great pictures in the destinations you visit.
Portable charger / power bank
If you don’t want to invest in a professional camera, that means you use your phone a lot to take pictures and videos when you travel. I do this too. My poor phone’s battery rarely lasts for a full day of exploring. And in Kenya you will want to take pictures and videos of everything you see. So having a portable charger is a must.
Compression socks
Compression socks might seem like an odd accessory, but they are actually great for anybody going on a long-haul flight. They help your body move your blood from the feet to your heart. Plus, women who are long distance travelers are at a higher risk of deep vein thrombosis or blood clots. So compression socks should definitely be on your Kenya packing list. We need to stay healthy while traveling.
Plug adaptor
Kenya has the same plug type as the UK. In order to not have multiple plug adaptors for travel and then get confused and pack the wrong one, go with a universal adaptor. This will work anywhere you travel.
FAQs about Kenya
Do I need cash for my trip to Kenya?
Yes, you will need cash for Kenya. Cash is king over there. Kenya’s currency is the Kenyan Shilling. However, the US dollar is widely accepted all over Kenya. My recommendation is to have a mix of shillings and US dollars with you.
There are plenty of ATMs in Nairobi and other cities, so if you forget to get some at the airport there won’t be any problem. Just go to the nearest mall.
Top tip: always get cash from an ATM in the country you’re visiting instead of going to an exchange place. Your bank will always have better exchange rates when taking out cash in a foreign currency from an ATM.
Restaurants and supermarkets in Nairobi usually accept credit cards, but everywhere else you can only use cash. So make sure you withdraw enough cash for your trip.
Do I have to tip in Kenya?
Yes, you do. You basically have to tip everyone: safari drivers, guides, restaurant workers. That’s because wages are typically low and this way you help them and their families out.
How to get mobile phone data when visiting from abroad?
The cheapest and most convenient way to get data while visiting from abroad is to buy an eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a data plan from a provider without having to use a physical SIM card. They are super easy to use.
I use Nomad eSIM (use code IOAN43TM for 25% off your first purchase). You can go to their website, select the country you’re traveling to, select how many GB of data you want, and how many days you want the eSIM to be active for. After you pay you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to activate the eSIM.
You can activate it on your phone and the process takes under 1 minute. Once the eSIM is activated you don’t have to do anything else. When you’re at your destination you will automatically get data.
Do people speak English in Kenya?
Yes, they do. English is one of the official languages in Kenya. The other official language is Swahili.
Everyone I interacted with over there spoke English. I still recommend you learn a few words in Swahili ahead of your trip though. I do this for every country I visit. It’s just a nice gesture and locals will appreciate the effort.
What is the best time to visit Kenya?
You should visit during the dry season, which is December – March and July – October. This is the best time for wildlife spotting. The great migration usually reaches the Masai Mara in July or August.
How long should I stay in Kenya?
I would say you need 10-14 days for a well-rounded Kenya safari itinerary.
Which company did you use for your trip to Kenya?
I highly recommend you join a group trip when you go to Kenya. Otherwise it’s really difficult to plan everything and you don’t have the local know-how.
I traveled with Indy Escapes, an amazing tour company that organizes small group trips for solo travelers in their mid 20’s to early 40’s.
Indy Escapes was founded by Lucas almost 10 years ago. He is an Australian traveler who already visited 130+ countries and plans to see every single country. He still runs these group trips himself because he enjoys sharing some of his favorite destinations with new people every year.
This trip organized by Indy Escapes was such a dream! Besides spotting the Big 5 on multiple game drives, the trip also included visiting a local Maasai Village, going on a hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara, biking in Hell’s Gate National Park, exploring Lake Navaisha by boat to see hippos, and volunteering with the Ruben Center and Edmund Rice Centre Nairobi.
It was the trip of a lifetime and I am so grateful to Lucas for organizing such an amazing trip.
If you want to join the same Indy Escapes trip I went on, you can use the code SOLOINSTYLE for $100 off. This discount code works for all Indy Escapes trips if you want to explore some other destinations in a group setting.
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Ioana was born and raised in Romania, lived in NYC for 14 years, and is now back in Romania. She fell in love with traveling when she was little and used to visit her aunt in Vienna. Then in high school she was able to visit Siberia, Turkmenistan, Istanbul, and Tokyo through chemistry competitions. As an adult she started to travel solo once she turned 30 and visited 20+ countries so far. Ioana is a full time travel blogger and content creator with an audience of 75K+ people on Instagram. She loves to share travel recommendations and tips.