What To Pack For A Samburu Or Kenya Safari : Packing for a trip to Africa can be difficult, even for seasoned travelers; let alone for tourists visiting for their first safari. It is not easy to pack for a Kenya safari or a vacation to Samburu because so many factors must be taken into account, including the weather, comfort, local customs, and more.
What to Pack
This list of items to pack for a safari in Kenya serves as a general packing suggestion. Local airlines frequently apply a 15-kilogram weight restriction per person (including checked baggage) when traveling to several national parks located inside the nation. It is advised to use soft-sided bags or folding duffel bags.
The following necessities should be on your packing list even though we’ve listed everything with descriptions below: Among the things that should be packed are safari-appropriate clothing, footwear, a hat, sunscreen, bug repellent, necessary prescriptions, and cameras or photography gear.
Prior to leaving on your safari, make sure you have your passport, health cards (and any necessary immunization records), plane tickets, credit cards, and insurance documentation. Verify the accuracy and completeness of all documents. At least two blank pages in your passport must be available, and it must also be valid for at least six months after the day you plan to depart from Kenya.
Clothing To stay cool and dry when on a safari, the best clothing to pack is casual, lightweight, and loose-fitting. Brighter colors are not as practical for use in the woods as neutral pastel tints. The two hues that are most popular and advised for a safari are khaki and forest green.
Please be advised that as military-style attire is worn by the local armed forces in East Africa, it may be seen as illegal. When going on a game outing, bring a fleece, cardigan, or lightweight jacket for the chilly morning weather.
When getting ready, keep in mind that most lodges and campers have laundry services. A simple packing list of clothes things you might want to carry is as follows:
01 casual short-sleeve shirt, 02 long-sleeved khaki shirts, 01 fleece jacket, light jacket, or windbreaker 01 safari multi-pocket saafri vest, 02 pairs of khaki smart-casual pants or chinos, and 02 pairs of safari shorts are all recommended for photographers.
03 sets of athletic socks, 2 t-shirts, 1 pair of nightwear, 1 pair of swimsuits, and 1 sports bra. If staying at a five-star camp or lodge, bring one piece of elegant but functional dinner wear that you can also use for nights out in Mombasa or Nairobi’s downtown.
Shoes
Most safaris that don’t include hiking or “bush walking,” however, can be completed in lightweight, comfortable walking shoes with great traction, such as sneakers. For any event, the traditional Safari boots [shown] are a great option. additionally referred to as Chukka shoes. While hiking boots are useful, you could find them to be overly hefty if you don’t plan to hike during your trip.
For poolside or indoor use, flip-flops or sandals are always practical and reasonably priced to buy in Nairobi.
Hats And Sun Protection
We advise bringing sunscreen lotion (with a high enough SPF) and a wide-brimmed safari hat (pictured) for sun protection. These items will cover your face and neck from the sun. Sunglasses and contact lens wearers’ prescription eyewear, which can be uncomfortable to use in dusty situations.
Insect Repellant
You should still bring your own preferred brand of mosquito repellent even if some lodges and campers may give it.
Deet-based repellents are thought to be more effective against the majority of insects and pests than other types. An all-natural citronella repellent will also help if you are worried about the negative effects of deet. Please get advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
Medication
Keep in mind that throughout your safari you will be in the “bush” and the nearest hamlet or city may be several hours away. Make sure you bring your most crucial drugs, especially those from brands or types that Kenya might not carry. Once in Nairobi, one can buy common prescriptions from pharmacies that stock a wide selection of them, including antacids, painkillers, anti-malaria pills, and the like. If you are bringing pharmaceuticals into Kenya, don’t forget to bring your prescriptions in case you need to show them at the airport.
Cameras, Binoculars, Travel Adaptors & Laptop
We advise you to pack your camera and photography gear in your carry-on bag as opposed to checking it. To take full advantage of the fantastic photographic opportunities in East Africa, pack a high-quality camera. Even though some safari companies offer binoculars in their vehicles, it is advised to bring your own since they may be of lower quality. Professional photographers may want to bring their laptop after a day on safari to download and edit their photos. Additionally, it allows you to transfer photographs to your laptop or hard drive at the end of each day, maximizing the use of the memory card in your camera.
Some resorts in Samburu sell extra AA and AAA batteries in addition to regular and rechargeable versions. Bring two travel socket adaptors so you can use the outlets. The related socket type G is used in Kenya and features three rectangular prongs grouped in a triangle. 50Hz frequency and 240V supply voltage are used in Kenya.
Other Things
Your packing list should also include personal toiletries (such as travel-size shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, moisturizer, hair brush, toothpaste, and toothbrush), feminine hygiene products, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer, a small sewing kit, small scissors, and a pocket knife (not in the carry-on bag), an alarm clock, a money belt or pouch, reading material, a pen, and a notebook.
Cons and Advantages of Flying to Samburu
We commonly get asked if driving down would be a possibility for travelers with heavy camera equipment, such as photographers, because we indicated above that flights from Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve and back have a baggage limit of 15 kilograms per passenger (combined for checked and carry-on luggage). Flying to Samburu has many advantages, chief among them being comfort and speed, as you may get there in 1.5 hours as opposed to 5 or 6 hours by driving.
Remember that these planes are lightweight, small, and made to be flown from bush airstrips. Although some aircraft have up to 38 passengers, the majority have four to sixteen seats, with the pilot seated next to you; these are mainly trustworthy Cessna models.
The cost of travelling to Samburu is obviously a drawback, especially if you are taking a larger group than two or three. The luggage allowance is another restriction.
