What to pack on African safari

While preparing to travel on African safari, it is advisable to spread packing between you and your partner’s suitcases. This is in case of loss of luggage –(in case you are travelling together). All the important items and information should be carried in your hand luggage e.g passport, air ticket, comprehensive travel insurance, credit cards, money and medical prescriptions if necessary. You should carry information about your specific medical health condition plus malaria pills, any lifesaving medication (diabetics), anything used to treat allergies or a sudden stomach upset (maybe Imodium) and analgesic aspirin should all be kept accessible to you. Any expensive electrical equipment, such as a camera or computer should be well looked after. Please note that production and use of plastic bags, such as those we know from supermarkets, etc., are prohibited in Kenya. We therefore recommend that you avoid using plastic bags when packing your luggage. Use fabric bags instead, or bags made of a waterproof material other than plastic. If, for example, you are visibly carrying hand luggage in plastic bags upon your arrival in Kenya, you will be asked to hand them in. This also includes plastic bags from “Duty Free”, etc. On light aircraft flights in Kenya, the baggage allowance is limited to a maximum of 15 Kilograms, including camera and video equipment. Any additional luggage can be stored at the hotel in Nairobi until end of your safari. Extra luggage is charged at $ 5 per kilogram and depends on space availability and weight luggage and personal effects are at owner’s risk throughout the tour. For your peace of mind , baggage insurance is highly recommended.

SAFARI CLOTHING:

We recommend that you bring casual summer clothes that are easy to launder and quick to dry. Go for neutral colors that do not reflect the heat and do not show the inevitable safari dust. With cool morning and evening, layering is suggested. Laundry service is available in most safari lodges and tented camps which can help you replenish your supply of clean clothing, as you need it. Much of the time on safari is spent in the vehicle so lightweight and comfortable walking shoes are appropriate. The style is casual – even in the evening. For Dinner in Nairobi and at the Mount Kenya Safari Club, dress is smart casual. You will be in the sun a great deal and at these altitudes it is easy to sunburn very quickly. Pack a swimsuit and cover-up, as most of the safari accommodations have swimming pools.

LUGGAGE WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO BRING

Bright summer clothes for safari trips (Strong colors can attract unwanted attention from flies found in certain areas of the parks). It is cheap to get clothes washed, so do not bring much with you
Nicer clothes for evenings at the hotel and lodge, such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect you against mosquitoes after sunset and, if necessary, against the sun
A good jacket, as it can be cool in the morning and evening
Summer Footwear (e.g. sports shoes and cotton socks). Avoid bare feet and legs at night due to mosquitoes
Power adaptor with 3-4 sockets – this enables a shaver, trimmer, electric toothbrush and any batteries to be charged via a single adapter
Small flashlight and extra batteries
Hat that shields against the sun
Sunscreen and lip balm
A mosquito repellent for example
Nail clippers and file

PHOTOGRAPHY/EQUIPMENT ON SAFARI

A digital Camera made during the Last several years is good for taking excellent Wildlife and Landscape photographs , It does not need to be the most expensive camera to take good pictures on your Kenya Holiday Safari. Getting good safari photos is more about practice , focus and concentration than having an expensive camera / gadget A (digital Single Lens Reflex) DSLR Camera with interchangeable lenses is a good option during a Safari Tour. Good lenses for African wildlife photos fall in the range of 200-400mm, while those intending to make landscape or animal shots in their wild environment should consider bringing a wider angle lenses in the range of 24-100mm. A video camera if available is a welcome gadget during safari , you may be having it already in your DSLRs as a built in extra. Safari Tours are in remote areas so bring plenty of batteries and a charger in case you run out of power! Bring plenty of cleaning equipment like cleaning cloths and a blower brush as Cameras get dirty quickly on the dusty safari environment. Plenty of memory cards are necessary too – safari adventure is exciting and you may take more shots than you had anticipated A pair of binoculars is essential to view the birds and animals at a distance. Best size is 8/10 x 40 they only need to be of good quality

Suggested Photography Equipment List for Safari

Camera
Telephoto lenses (ideally covering 24-100mm and 200-400mm range)
Cleaning equipment for lens
Extra batteries
Battery charger
Memory cards
Camera bag
Zip lock bags (dust proof ) Not plastic bags as they are banned in Kenya so you may use a cloth alternative
Beanbag (for Camera stability during photography)

IMPORTANT ITEMS TO HAVE IN YOUR HAND LUGGAGE

Passports, money, tickets
Sunglasses
Medication you use at home (always in your hand luggage, just in case you lose your suitcase!)
Hand Medicine: analgesic, allergy pills, remedy for diarrhea (maybe Imodium), malaria pills, plasters and disinfectant wipes
Binoculars (so you get to see the leopard way out there in the tree!)
Camera and memory cards more than you expect to use, including battery charger and a bag to protect the camera from Africa’s fine, red dust
Shoulder bag with sturdy strap and zip. A money belt or good inside pockets that can be zipped up
A few photocopies of all personal documents such as passports, visas, flights, travel insurance, vaccination card, international debit cards, (Master Card, Visa credit cards etc.) driving license
Telephone list for immediate blocking of lost debit card and insurance
Mail addresses of those you wish to send postcards or send messages too.
Notebook and pens
A good book or something to keep you entertained on the flight

SAFARI BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please read our booking terms and conditions carefully. These terms and conditions constitute the basis of your package purchased from Natural World Kenya Safaris.

Click here to read Acquire Adventures Safaris Booking Terms and Conditions.