A Kenyan safari is one of the great journeys — lions on the Mara plains, elephants beneath Kilimanjaro, flamingos on the Rift Valley lakes. Packing for it is a little different from a city break. Days start cold before dawn, turn warm by mid-morning and end with a sundowner around the campfire. Here is what to bring, and what to leave at home.

Start with the bag

If your itinerary includes a light-aircraft flight between parks, you will usually be held to a strict luggage limit — often around 15 kg including hand luggage — and asked to use a soft-sided duffel bag rather than a hard suitcase, because it has to squeeze into a small cargo hold. Check your exact allowance before you pack.

Clothing: neutral, layered and comfortable

  • Neutral colours such as khaki, olive, beige and brown. They show less dust and are less distracting to wildlife.
  • Avoid dark blue and black in tsetse-fly areas — the flies are attracted to them.
  • Layers: a fleece or light down jacket for early-morning drives in open vehicles, which can be surprisingly cold.
  • Long sleeves and trousers for evenings, when mosquitoes are most active.
  • A wide-brimmed hat and a buff or scarf against sun and dust.
  • Comfortable closed shoes for walking safaris and around camp; sandals for downtime.

Most lodges and camps offer a laundry service, so three or four days’ worth of clothes is plenty.

Gear that makes the trip

  • Binoculars — the single most important item. Ideally one pair per person; you will not want to share when a leopard appears.
  • Camera with a zoom lens, spare batteries and memory cards. Charging may only be available at set hours in remote camps.
  • A small torch or headlamp for walking around camp after dark.
  • A refillable water bottle to cut down on plastic.
Kenya banned single-use plastic carrier bags in 2017, and the rule is enforced at airports. Pack toiletries in reusable zip pouches or fabric wash bags instead.

Health and documents

  • Speak to a travel clinic well ahead of departure about vaccinations and malaria prevention.
  • Pack high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent and any personal medication in your hand luggage.
  • Check Kenya’s current entry requirements on official government sources before you book flights, and carry printed copies of your travel documents.

What to leave behind

Camouflage-pattern clothing (restricted in several African countries), bulky hard-shell cases, valuable jewellery and anything you would be upset to see covered in fine red dust. On safari, less really is more.