Packing for a safari is a balancing act. You want to be comfortable and prepared for every situation — but the golden rule is to pack light. Safari vehicles have limited luggage space, and if you're flying to any of the bush airstrips (Masai Mara's Keekorok or Ol Kiombo), small aircraft weight limits are strictly enforced.

This guide is built from years of experience sending guests into the bush. Pack exactly what's on this list, leave the rest at home.

Luggage rule: Many bush camps and light aircraft require soft-sided bags (duffel bags or soft holdalls) rather than hard shell suitcases. We recommend a soft duffel of 15–20kg max plus a small daypack for the vehicle.

Safari Clothing — The Essentials

The most important principle for safari clothing: neutral, muted earth tones. Khaki, olive, beige, tan, sand, and brown. These colours blend with the environment, don't startle wildlife, and won't show dust between lodge washes.

Colours to avoid:

  • Bright white — reflects glare and attracts attention from animals and tsetse flies
  • Dark blue and black — strongly attracts tsetse flies (painful bites)
  • Camouflage/military patterns — actually illegal in some East African countries
  • Bright red, orange, yellow — can disturb animals

Clothing Checklist

  • 3–4 lightweight long-sleeve shirts
    Long sleeves = sun protection + insect barrier. Linen or quick-dry fabrics work perfectly.
  • 2 pairs of lightweight trousers / zip-off trousers
    Zip-offs are ideal — switch between trousers and shorts instantly. Avoid denim (heavy, slow-drying, not insect-resistant).
  • 1–2 lightweight shorts
    For afternoons at the lodge and pool days.
  • 1 warm fleece or mid-layer jacket
    Essential. Morning game drives start at 6am. The Mara is at 1,600m altitude — dawn temperatures can reach 10–14°C in dry season.
  • 1 lightweight windproof/rain jacket
    Required in green season (April–June). Useful year-round for open-sided vehicle drives.
  • Swimwear
    Most lodges and camps have pools for afternoon downtime.
  • 1 slightly smarter outfit for dinner
    Smart casual is fine at all Mara lodges. No formal wear required.
  • Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
    For lodge grounds, walking safaris, and village visits. Light hiking boots are ideal.
  • Sandals or flip-flops
    For lodge time and poolside.
  • Wide-brimmed sun hat
    The African sun is intense. Essential for game drives in open vehicles.
  • Buff / neck gaiter
    Doubles as dust protection and sun cover on bumpy dirt roads.
  • Lightweight thermal base layer
    For particularly cold early mornings in peak dry season. Optional but appreciated.
  • Enough underwear + socks for your trip
    Most lodges offer laundry service but it's not always next-day.

Health & Medical Essentials

Health Checklist

  • Anti-malarial medication (prescription)
    Consult your doctor. Common options: Malarone (most popular), Doxycycline, Lariam. Start 1–2 days before travel.
  • DEET insect repellent (30–50% DEET)
    Apply in evenings and early mornings when mosquitoes are active.
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+
    The equatorial sun is significantly stronger than at home. Reapply frequently.
  • Lip balm with SPF
    Dry savannah air is extremely drying.
  • Prescription medications (+ extra supply)
    Bring more than you need. Remote areas have no pharmacies.
  • Basic first aid kit
    Plasters, antiseptic wipes, antihistamine, ibuprofen, rehydration sachets, anti-diarrhoea tablets.
  • Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
    Many areas in the bush have limited hand-washing facilities.
  • Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
    Required if arriving from or through a Yellow Fever endemic country. Keep in your travel documents.
  • Water purification tablets
    Optional — most lodges provide bottled water, and so does our service.

Camera & Technology

Photography Checklist

  • Camera with telephoto lens (100–400mm minimum)
    A 200–600mm or 100–500mm zoom covers most scenarios. Larger focal lengths (500–600mm) are ideal for cats at distance.
  • 2–3 spare camera batteries + charger
    You'll shoot hundreds of photos daily. Lodge rooms have power sockets for overnight charging.
  • Large memory cards (128GB+)
    Bring 2–3 cards. RAW files from modern cameras are large.
  • Dust protection bag or case
    Mara roads are extremely dusty. Protect your gear when not shooting.
  • Lens cleaning cloths and blower
    Dust on the front element degrades image quality.
  • Beanbag window rest
    A window bean bag stabilises heavy lenses on the vehicle. Essential for sharp shots at long focal lengths.
  • Smartphone with offline maps (Maps.me / Google Maps offline)
    Mobile data is limited in the bush. Download offline maps of the region.
  • Universal travel adaptor
    Kenya uses the British 3-pin square plug. Bring a universal adaptor if coming from elsewhere.
  • Portable power bank
    For phone charging during full-day game drives.

Safari Accessories

Accessories Checklist

  • Binoculars (8×42 or 10×42)
    Absolutely essential. You'll use them every single drive. Don't rely on your guide's pair — they're busy driving.
  • Daypack / small backpack
    For camera gear, water, sunscreen during drives. A 15–20L pack is ideal.
  • Reusable water bottle
    We provide bottled water, but a personal reusable bottle reduces plastic waste.
  • Headlamp or small torch
    Lodge paths can be dark at night. Essential if you're in a tented camp.
  • Sunglasses (UV400 protection)
    The savannah light is intensely bright. Polarised lenses help cut glare.
  • Safari field guide book
    "East African Mammals" by Jonathan Kingdon or "Birds of East Africa" by Terry Stevenson are excellent companions.
  • Small cash in USD
    For tips, optional add-ons (hot air balloon, village visit), and anything not included in your package.

What NOT to Pack

  • Camouflage clothing (illegal in many East African countries)
  • Bright white, black, or neon-coloured clothing (disturbs animals, attracts flies)
  • Hard suitcases if flying to bush airstrips (weight and size restrictions)
  • Excessive perfume or strong fragrances (attracts insects, disturbs animals)
  • Denim jeans (heavy, slow-drying, not warm enough at altitude)
  • Excessive jewellery or valuables
  • Unnecessary electronics (you won't need a laptop — you'll be outside all day)

Packing for Different Seasons

Dry Season (July–October, January–March)

Pack an extra warm layer. Dawn temperatures at Masai Mara altitude can drop to 10°C in the dry season. Your fleece or light down jacket is not optional — it's essential for early morning drives.

Green / Rainy Season (April–June, November)

Add a waterproof jacket and waterproof overshoes or gaiters. Tracks can be muddy. The upside: the landscapes are stunning and the wildlife is still excellent. Bring a dry bag for camera protection during open-vehicle drives.

Final Packing Tips

  • Roll, don't fold: Rolling clothes saves significant space and reduces creasing.
  • Layering system: Pack in layers — thin base, mid-layer, outer shell. This handles Kenya's temperature range (10°C dawn to 30°C midday) perfectly.
  • Leave valuables at home: Theft is rare in lodges, but there's no reason to bring expensive jewellery, watches, or items you can't afford to lose.
  • One bag, one daypack: This is our recommended system. Keep everything you need for game drives in the daypack; keep your main bag at the lodge.