Enquire
Why book with us?

What are you looking for?

Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY

Last Updated: 26 April 2024

What to pack for a safari in Kenya

Devryn Panaino Headshot

Written by  Tiffany Bowers

 • Travel Writer

Verified by  Devryn Panaino

 •  Africa Safari Expert

Part of the Kenya Safari Collection

Kenya provides a diverse range of experiences, from wildlife-rich savannas to isolated cultural encounters and vibrant cities. However, the diversity of offers is precisely why, unless you plan beforehand, a vacation to Kenya may be a logistical nightmare.

If you’re planning a vacation to Kenya soon, keep reading to learn about the five essential items that every visitor should bring for their safari in Kenya.

What Clothes to Wear and Pack on a Kenya Safari: 

The khaki-on-brown-on-tan look is not just for aesthetics on a Kenya Safari. There are a few solid reasons to blend in while on safari.

First and foremost, you want to get the most out of your animal sightings. Colours like white and red may frighten some animals and cause them to flee. 

Second, it will keep you from being eaten alive. Tsetse flies are attracted to blue and black in southern Kenya’s Masai Mara, and they’ll gladly attack you if you’re exposing skin or wearing the wrong colours.

Kenya landscape on safari walk

To protect yourself from the sun, wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, as well as a hat and sunglasses on your Kenya Safari.

Bring strong hiking shoes if you’re going on a walking safari: flip-flops or light tennis shoes won’t protect you against uneven terrain, thorny acacia trees, or the occasional snake.

What Insect Repellent to Pack for a Kenya Safari: 

Some of the lodges and camps provide insect repellent but we still encourage you to pack your own preferred insect repellent brand.

Repellents containing Deet are said to be more effective against most insects and bugs on a Kenya Safari.

Elephant spotting on a Kenya safari at Ol Donyo Lodge

All-natural citronella repellent can also get the job done if you are concerned about the deet effects.

What Technology to Pack on a Kenya Safari:

For added security, we recommend putting cameras and photography equipment in your carry-on luggage rather than checking them in.

East Africa offers incredible photo opportunities, so bring a good camera with you to make the most of your Kenya vacation.

Binoculars are extremely handy, and while some Safari operators give a pair in their cars, these may be of inferior quality, so if you can bring your own, do so.

A couple on a sunrise safari with binoculars.

Spare AA and AAA batteries, including normal and rechargeable batteries, are also available for purchase at some Masai Mara lodges.

Bring a pair of Travel socket adaptors for electrical sockets. We utilize the associated plug type G in Kenya, which is characterized by three rectangular pins arranged in a triangular arrangement.

Kenya uses a 240V supply voltage and a 50Hz frequency.

What Medication Should you Pack for your Kenya Safari:

Remember that when on safari in Kenya, you will be in the “bush,” and the next town or city may be hours away.

Make careful to bring your most important personal prescriptions, particularly any brands or medications that may not be available in Kenya.

Pharmacies in Nairobi stock a large range of pharmaceuticals, so basic needs like pain treatment, anti-malaria tablets, antacids, and the like can be met once in Nairobi.

Lentorre Lodge with Kenya lanscapes
Lentorre Lodge with Kenya landscapes

If you’re bringing medication into Kenya, remember to pack any prescriptions you might need in case you’re asked to present them at the airport.

What Extra Items Should you Pack on your Kenya:

Personal toiletries (such as travel size shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, moisturizer, hairbrush, toothpaste, and toothbrush), sanitary products for women, wet wipes and hand sanitisers, 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 should not be forgotten when packing for your Kenya Safari.

Now that you have reached the end of your packing list, it’s time to start your dream Kenya Safari.

Make sure you ask one of the trusted travel consultants at Discover Africa Safaris for any other Safari questions you may have.

Written by  Tiffany Bowers

 • Travel Writer

Team Member Headshot

Verified by  Devryn Panaino

 •  Africa Safari Expert

Devryn is a passionate safari consultant and Southern African specialist with over 10 years of safari and travel experience.

Discover the African Journey that’s Right for You

Discover Africa Through Travellers' Stories

These stories capture the real magic of Africa – where every journey becomes a chapter worth sharing.

The true magic, though, is with the people. They’re not just staff; they’re my friends, my family.

JJ Towler

United States

Matthys Van Aswegen

JJ Towler's journey was crafted with the expertise of Matthys Van Aswegen

I went to Africa to help my parents check a box, but I returned with a new perspective on my own life. Africa is no longer a "someday" destination for me; it’s a "must-return".

Steven

United States

Vihann Van Wyk

Steven's journey was crafted with the expertise of Vihann Van Wyk

We trusted our guide implicitly as we sat mere metres from elephants, lions, and hippos.

Cathy & Debb

Canada

Vihann Van Wyk

Cathy & Debb's journey was crafted with the expertise of Vihann Van Wyk

The Serengeti offered us sights we had never witnessed before, such as the surreal image of lions lounging high in the trees

Cathy & Nat

Canada

What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us

star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"Coming in absolutely blind on how to plan an Africa trip, I stumbled across Discover Africa Safaris on the internet and reached out for an inquiry. Susan responded and started off with a video conference to ask about what we were thinking. Susan was extreme..."

Luke Stamatakis, United States20 Jan 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"What we appreciated was the effort in doing all the best to satisfy our requests! So everything was as expected.. the tented camp (everything was like at home),the game drive( we asked a private tour), the position of the camp ( very important for us, we sa..."

Silvia Del Giovane, Italy12 Nov 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"Susan and the team from Discover Africa you have excelled yourself through the initial contact to the very end of our journey. We were dazzled with the views of Cape Town. Victoria Falls and of course the game parks. The animals did not disappoint the spect..."

Andrew Wales, Australia29 Sep 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"We booked our honeymoon through this travel agency, and it was an absolutely flawless experience from start to finish! Every detail was meticulously planned, and we didn’t have to worry about a single thing. All tickets and transfers between lodges were sea..."

Shane Thomas, United States09 Sep 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"We just completed our second African safari planned by Megan Warrington, this one to Botswana, and we couldn't have been more pleased with our trip! Megan did a fantastic job of starting us out in the Kalahari (Tau Pan Camp) which was unique in its landscap..."

Darrh, United States09 Sep 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"My mum and I used Discover Africa Safaris to organise a 3 week trip to Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. Devryn (Dev) was absolutely fantastic. He really listened to what we were after and crafted a superb itinerary from beginning to end. He had some great advi..."

Vanessa Moran, Australia01 Sep 2025

Read More
View All Testimonials

Our safari traveller reviews are independently verified and sourced from trusted third-party review platforms.