7-Day Masai Mara Safari and Diani Beach Tour with Flight

What to Pack for Your Safari

Packing for your first safari can be a bit daunting. What do you bring? What don't you need? Below you'll find our recommended list of things to bring along with you when you're on safari.

A backpack

While there is plenty of room in our safari vehicles for your larger suitcase, it's always handy to have a more manageable bag that you can have with you in the vehicle.

A warm sweater or light fleece

Nights and mornings in East Africa can be cold, so it's always good to have something a little warmer to throw on until the sun warms the plains.

Walking shoes or boots

Much of your safari takes place within your safari vehicle, but you'll need a comfortable pair of shoes or hiking boots for walking to your lodges, snapping photos from the picnic spot, or if you've added any walking safaris to your itinerary. Even in the car, you'll want a pair of comfortable shoes that cover your skin to protect against sunburn and insect bites.

A long-sleeve dress shirt and trousers

Perfect for both sun protection and to ward off mosquitoes, a long-sleeve shirt and trousers are also a good option for a cold morning or evening.

Neutral colors are ideal. Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also a great idea.

Sunglasses

The sun in East Africa can be quite intense, so sunglasses are a good protective measure and have the benefit of reducing glare while you are game-viewing.

Eyewear - because of the dust, contact lenses are uncomfortable during game drives.

Hat

Sun protection should be a priority while you're on safari. While your vehicle provides shade, having the top up for game-viewing means you'll be exposed to the elements.

A good hat is a great way to avoid nasty burns or heatstroke.

Sunscreen and lip balm

Another valuable precaution against the often-harsh equatorial sun, sunscreen and lip balm will protect you where your clothes don't.

Camera

It goes without saying that you're going to want a camera for your safari adventure. While in some cases your smartphone will be enough to snap a shot, a camera with a good zoom lens is the perfect companion.

Binoculars

Our safari vehicles come standard with a single pair of binoculars that you can share with your driver, but having your own pair is a good way to ensure you don't miss a second of the action. You don't need an expensive pair. Even a travel-sized pair of binoculars is sufficient for game-viewing.

Batteries and/or charger for your camera, phones, and other electronic gadgets

You don't want to be midway through a day on safari and suddenly run out of battery for your camera. Classic Explorers vehicles come standard with in-car charging stations, but it's always a good idea to travel with an additional battery. Additional SD cards are also a good idea to ensure you don't need to stop to delete photos. Many hotels have Wi-Fi. Kindly bring a travel adapter, and kindly note that for Kenya the associated plug type is G, which has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Kenya operates on a 240V supply voltage and 50Hz.

A good book

You'll rarely find yourself without something to see while on safari, but there is going to be some downtime. Whether it's the drive to or from the airport or just a lazy night at your lodge, having a good book (or a Kindle) on hand is a great way to pass the time.

Currency:

Make sure to have cash on you. There are different stores and stalls that you will or can stop at on your way to the hotels, you'll want to buy some souvenirs, and there will be drinks and such to buy. The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling, with USD and Euros also commonly accepted. Bank notes are in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000, and coins are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40. Currency can be exchanged at most large banks or bureau de change.

When using USD in Kenya, check the series date to make sure the notes were printed after the year 2006. ATMs are common, especially in major tourist destinations. Mastercard and Visa credit cards are widely accepted; American Express and Diners Club less so. Major hotels accept payment by credit card, as do major restaurants.

Very few banks or foreign exchange bureaus accept traveler's cheques; when they do, they charge high commissions.

How Much Should You Tip Your Safari Guide?

Safari tipping etiquette for your guide is typically US$ 10 - US$ 20 per person per day. Tipping is at the discretion of the tourist based on the services offered.

You may be suggested to tip guards who show you around small areas of the park, which is usually about $1-$5 depending on what they're doing for you. Most hotels have a tipping box where a collective tip can be dropped for the hotel staff.