If you’re heading to Kenya soon for the first time, you’re probably wondering what you need to bring with you and what you should wear while you’re there. I know I was when I was recently in your shoes! So now that I’ve been to Kenya, I want to help share what I’ve learned so that you know exactly what you need for the perfect trip…whether you’re staying in Nairobi, exploring the coast, or going on safari!
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What to Pack for Kenya: A Guide to Different Areas
What to pack for Kenya largely depends on where you will be going. Nairobi? Upcountry? The coast? The Maasai Mara or somewhere else for safari?
Although all of these are in Kenya, the climates can vary wildly as can the items you need to bring. So your first step in determining what you need to bring is to determine where you are going!
Weather in Kenya
One of the first things you’ll want to consider is what the weather will be like while you’re there. The weather in Kenya varies across the different terrains and areas, but in general there is a rainy season and a dry season. The rainy season is usually from late April to early June (although there’s often a second rainy season in November/December before the dry season of hot, rainless weather from mid-December to March). Late June to October gets a lot less rain and is relatively cool as this is the Southern Hemisphere’s “winter”…but because Kenya is so close to the equator, you can’t really say it ever gets truly cold.
Packing for Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city and is quite urban, although you can still find plenty of animal-related things to do in the city including Nairobi National Park (a large game reserve), the Giraffe Centre, and the Elephant Orphanage.
This is likely the city you will fly into, especially if you are traveling from the U.S, and this is also the city frequently used as the starting point for safari trips throughout Kenya.
If you plan to spend some time in Nairobi during your trip, know that the temperatures are usually cooler here than in other areas of Kenya. That does not mean it’s particularly cold at any point of the year, as the temperature ranges from an average of low 70°F during the cold months to 80°F in the hot months (remember that Kenya is in the Southern Hemisphere so winter begins in June).
When packing, remember that Kenya in general is more conservative than other areas of the world like the United States. Because Nairobi is a city, you can likely get away with a few less conservative items such as shorts or tank tops or dresses without sleeves, but in general you will feel much more comfortable wearing long pants and short sleeve shirts in public or skirts/dresses that cover your knees.
Packing for Upcountry
If you plan to get out of the city and head to more rural areas upcountry, then what you will need to bring will change. Frequently in upcountry areas the weather is hotter (getting up into the 100°F range). Depending on where you go, the communities may be more conservative (to the point where women wear headscarves) or middling conservative. Long pants and short sleeve shirts are good for men, while women will likely feel most comfortable in short sleeve shirts and skirts or dresses that go below the knee. I did not wear pants during my time upcountry, and instead only wore skirts.
It can get really hot in these areas, so if you feel like purchasing local dress then that’s another way to go…let me tell you, the locals really know how to make clothes that are perfect for wearing in this type of weather! (As they should. After all, they live there!)
Packing for the Coast
The coastal area averages temperatures from the mid 80°F range up into the 90°s. Because this is just the average, you can get temperatures a lot higher at certain times of year. The humidity here is also quite high, so it can feel really hot even when the thermometer doesn’t register it as such.
If you’re going to the coast to stay at a resort, like I did, then you can bring and wear pretty much whatever you want. Tank tops, shorts, and bikinis are all acceptable. However, for dinners at resorts you will need to be presentable and many resorts have a dress code for mealtimes. So you will want to make sure you have long pants/skirts and a nice shirt for the evenings.
Packing for Safari
Although I didn’t end up going on safari during my time in Africa this time, I plan to go back soon to go on safari! From the advice I’ve been given, you’ll need different clothes depending on what type of safari you do. If you’ll mostly be enclosed in a car, it doesn’t really matter what clothes (or what colors) you wear. But if you’ll be doing a walking safari, then you’ll want to go for more neutral options like you typically think of when you hear the word “safari.” You’ll also want to be sure to pack a hat, even if it’s just a baseball cap, and will need good walking shoes if you’re going on a walking safari.
Preparing to Travel to Kenya
Before you travel to Kenya, you will want to make sure a few things are in order. Here are the big things you will want to consider!
1. Get Vaccinated
First, you will want to make sure your vaccines are up to date and that you have all of the new vaccinations you need as well. Just as when traveling to anywhere else in the world, the routine vaccines you need to make sure are current include MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, chickenpox, polio, and your yearly flu shot.
You will also likely want to make sure you have the hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines before you go. Some travelers may also need to get hepatitis B, meningitis, rabies, or yellow fever vaccines as well, depending on where you will be traveling to and where you will be traveling from. Keep in mind that your doctor may also recommend taking malaria medication during your trip, because many areas of Kenya are a risk for malaria (but if you will only be in Nairobi, you will not need malaria pills).
So clearly you should talk to your doctor in advance of traveling! I simply called up my care network’s travel clinic, told them where I was going, and then a few days later received a packet in the mail telling me all the information I needed to know and what vaccines I needed to get. It doesn’t have to be difficult, and it’s far better to be safe than sorry!
2. Get Your Visa
Citizens of most countries around the world need a visa to enter Kenya. This is true whether you are a US, Canadian, European, Australian, or pretty much any other non-African citizen (if your country is on this list and it doesn’t say “exempted,” then you need a visa).
If you like to plan ahead, you can apply for an E-Visa and bring that with you when you travel. I like this because you have the security of already having your visa in hand. Currently, there is also an option to show up at the airport in Kenya and apply while going through immigration, but you will want to make sure you have cash on hand if you plan to take this route as you will need to pay at the airport.
3. Register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a program for U.S. citizens traveling abroad. I register whenever I travel anywhere outside the U.S., as it gives you up-to-date information on safety precautions for the region you are traveling to. By registering your trip, your information is also sent to the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate so they know you are in the area and can contact you in the case of an emergency.
It’s nice to know you’re accounted for, and also nice to know that you’ll automatically receive alerts if anything happens in the areas you are traveling in…so I highly recommend signing up for STEP before you travel to Kenya.
4. Let Someone Know Your Itinerary
When you’re traveling anywhere in the world, it’s nice to know that someone knows where you are at any given time. So I recommend giving someone all your trip plans and itineraries before you leave for Kenya.
Make copies of your passport, visas, airline tickets and schedules, your travel itinerary, travel insurance, and emergency contact information. Then email a copy to yourself (just in case you lose your hard copies!) and also give all this information to someone you trust at home so they can follow along with your trip. If anything were to happen while you’re gone, then this person knows where you were last and where you should be now. This makes it easier to find you if an emergency happens to you or to someone you love at home!
Kenya Packing List: What to Wear
As mentioned above, what you need to bring or wear can vary depending on where you are going and what you plan to do. However, it can be helpful to have an idea of some of the items you will need to bring. Here’s a lookbook of some items I brought and used on my trip that may help you in planning what you will pack for yours.
1. Pants
Jeans are a great staple to have in Kenya, for women and for men. As mentioned above, in Nairobi it can be acceptable to wear shorts (especially for men) but I did not wear shorts in public and in general more people tend to wear long pants.
Levi’s Women’s High Rise Skinny Jeans
These are the jeans I wear and love and took with me to Kenya.
Grace Karin Paper Bag Waist Pants
For women, I also recommend bringing a few pairs of fun pants! These pants could also work well as safari pants (particularly if you’ll be doing a driving safari and purchase them in a neutral color).
If you’ll be hiking or doing a walking safari, you’ll want a more durable and breathable pair of pants. Long pants are still a great option, though, as they will help protect your legs from bug bites. It can also be cold during early morning safaris/game drives, so layering is a great choice!
2. Shirts
With shirts, it’s good to bring ones with sleeves (even in the city, unless you feel like standing out!) I wore shirts with sleeves everywhere except for at the resort I stayed at by the coast.
I own this shirt in several colors (I liked it that much!) and wore it a lot while in Kenya. It’s perfect because it is quite versatile. It tucks really nicely into skirts or loose pants, but can also be worn tied at the front as in the picture. It’s also nice and loose so you don’t get all sweaty in the hot sun!
A basic shirt like this is perfect for a variety of situations, including a safari. It’s nice to have on hand!
UV Protection Convertible Hiking Shirt
A shirt like this one (which also comes in other neutral shades) is great for hiking expeditions or for safaris. It will help protect you from the sun and you can roll the sleeves up or down as you need.
3. Skirts/Dresses
For women, skirts and dresses are a great option (especially when it is hot outside!) And in some upcountry areas women will only want to wear skirts and dresses that are below the knee to fit in with cultural norms. However, if you are at a resort in the coastal areas then you can wear shorter dresses and it’s fine if they do not have sleeves. Although not all of the dresses/skirts I wore are still sold in stores, here are a few ideas of styles that would work and are still fun and fashionable:
This skirt is flowing, and light, and long which means it will work even in upcountry settings. And it has elephants on it!
A maxi dress with sleeves, like this one, is a great option for a variety of settings throughout Kenya.
4. Shoes
You really only need a few shoe options for Kenya. I took three with me—a good pair of sandals, a good closed-toe shoe that I could use for hiking, and a waterproof sandal. This is really all you need. Here are my recommendations for some great shoes to bring with you:
I wear my Børn sandals everywhere and they are so comfortable! While the exact style I purchased is not made anymore, these are very similar to the ones I have and love.
If you plan to go hiking or on a walking safari, you will want sturdy boots on hand. These are the hiking boots I bring with me everywhere!
I like to have a pair of sandals on hand that I don’t mind getting wet (if it’s rainy) and can use at the coast as well. These are my favorite!
5. Hat
Because of how sunny it gets, you will want at least one hat with you! I think it’s a great idea to have a sunhat if you’re going to the coast, and you’ll probably also want a baseball cap or safari hat if you’re going on safari.
I bought my favorite sunhat from a flea market in my hometown, but this hat looks pretty similar. I also recommend making or buying a few extra hatbands in different colors to switch up your look!
A basic baseball cap can be a good option, especially if you don’t want to carry around a big hat with you in your bag or your luggage.
If you’re going on safari and want to go for the classic “safari hat” look, then this Columbia hat is a great choice!
6. Sunglasses
You’ll need to bring a good pair of sunglasses along, as you’ll want to use them everywhere you go!
If you need a new pair of glasses, can you really go wrong with buying a classic?
Alternatively, you could go with these cute, eco-friendly, and unisex bamboo sunglasses that also float in water!
Kenya Packing List: Essentials to Bring
Here are the non-clothes essentials you need to bring with you to Kenya. Use this list to help make sure you don’t leave anything important behind!
1. Plug Adapter
First things first, if you plan to charge your phone or any other electronics in Kenya then you might need to bring a plug adapter! Kenya uses the same plug type as the UK, but if you’re traveling from the U.S. or elsewhere then you will need to bring an adapter.
I use and love the Skross Pro World Adapter, as it means I can plug in anywhere in the world (this is especially useful if you have a long layover somewhere on your way to Kenya and they use yet another plug type). While this adapter looks big in pictures, it actually fits easily in the palm of your hand and is worth having for its quality and ease of use.
2. Portable Battery
On any trip, it’s helpful to have a portable battery that you can use on the go in case your phone battery gets low. I love the Anker Candy-Bar Sized Charger for everyday use as it is a great size and holds lots of charge.
However, if you’re going to be out on safari or in more remote areas of Kenya, you may wish to have a larger portable charger in case the power goes out and you don’t have a generator so you can’t charge your devices. (The power even went out in Nairobi while I was there!) If this sounds like something you may need, then the Anker PowerCore AC Charger could be a good fit for you.
3. Camera Gear
Especially if you’re going on safari (but even if you’re not!) you’ll want to bring a good camera to capture the experience. Here’s the camera gear I took with me on my trip to Kenya:
Sony a7R III Mirrorless Camera
I’m in love with mirrorless cameras, and this one is one of the best!
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Zoom Lens
This is my go-to lens, as it takes great portrait shots but also has enough zoom to be functional in a variety of situations.
Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Zoom Lens
This is the lens I currently use for long-range shooting (such as on a safari). If I had the muscles to carry it alongside my other gear, I may have decided to go with an option like the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM Zoom Lens instead. But I like the portability of the 70-300mm, and I don’t use this in as many situations so it’s a good trade off for me.
I brought along my GoPro hero for action shots and for underwater photography at the coast, which I used with my PolarPro Fifty-Fifty Dome.
4. Flashlight
Depending on where you’re staying in Kenya, it may be a good idea to have a small flashlight on hand. This is especially helpful to have when the power goes out!
5. Binoculars
If you’re going on safari, it can be a good idea to have a pair of binoculars so you can see the animals up close. These binoculars are an excellent option. I personally don’t bring binoculars with me, because I have my camera with an amazing zoom lens, but if you don’t have a camera lens like this then binoculars could be a great item to bring!
6. Bug Spray
You’ll want to bring a great bug spray and mosquito repellent with you and will want to wear it everyday in some areas of Kenya. No one wants to get malaria! Some people also like to wear mosquito repellent bracelets with essential oils, and while I’m not entirely convinced of their efficacy, they certainly can’t hurt to have on hand if it makes you feel better.
7. Sunscreen
Like sunglasses and a hat, sunscreen is something you definitely don’t want to try to do without! This is one of my favorite sunscreens (and I burn easily so I know the best of the best!). I also love this dry sunscreen, especially to use on my face.
8. Water Bottle
You’ll want to bring your own reusable water bottle, because it’s a good idea to stay hydrated. You’ll also want your own water bottle so you can fill it up somewhere you trust the water (it isn’t safe to drink tap water in Kenya). I brought my CamelBak Eddy with me, but if you’re looking to buy a great travel bottle then I’ve heard this collapsible bottle is a great choice.
9. Umbrella
If you’re visiting Kenya during the rainy season, you may want to consider bringing an umbrella with you. This is a great travel umbrella to have on hand!
10. First Aid/Medicine Bag
This is something you should take with you on all your travels! I, unfortunately, caught a cold right after arriving in Kenya so I was very grateful to have my medicine bag with me. Here are a few things you should pack in a medicine bag for Kenya:
- Ibuprofen and acetaminophen
- Sudafed and Mucinex
- Cough drops
- Thermometer
- Band-aids
- Antiobiotic ointment
- Malaria pills
- Diarrhea medicine
- Any prescription drugs you take
11. Backpack
With all these items you need to bring (some of which you’ll want to carry around with you during the day) you will definitely need a good backpack to carry it all. There are lots of good choices, but the one I used (and still use on all my travels) is the Pacsafe Citysafe CX Anti-Theft Backpack. I love it because it holds a lot, it’s durable, it’s anti-theft, and it’s quite stylish. A couple times it got a little dirty while in Kenya, but all you have to do is just wipe it off with a little water and it looks good as new!
What NOT to Bring to Kenya
Here are a few items you’ll want to leave at home during your time in Kenya!
1. Plastic Bags
A few years ago, Kenya put a plastic bag ban into effect because there was so much plastic waste throughout the country. This means that if you bring plastic bags into the country you can be heavily fined (at the least).
This particular plastic bag ban means no plastic bags like those you would find at grocery stores, duty free shops, etc., and ideally no other single use plastics (Ziplocs could fall into this category too). So make sure you take a look through what you’re bringing and pack all your items in reusable bags such as canvas bags or other options! You can learn more about the plastic bag ban here.
2. Unnecessary Valuables
Honestly, you shouldn’t bring unnecessary valuables with you any time you’re traveling anywhere. But it’s a good idea just to do a check through what you plan to bring to make sure you aren’t making yourself a mark.
I didn’t have anything stolen from me while I was in Kenya, but I have friends who live there who warned against bringing valuables as it can be a high-theft area. I still, of course, brought all my valuable camera gear with me…but I have good insurance on all that in case of theft or breakage or other disasters. So just as a word of caution, don’t bring anything with you that you would be heartbroken to lose or couldn’t replace.
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