Packing List
For Full Descriptions, lots more suggestions, and Info, book my tour and get the info in our official Welcome Packet. The links below are some items I personally use and others I recommend for my tours. (These are Amazon affiliate links so if you use one and buy within 24 hours, I get a small piece).
** Means REQUIRED. If you don’t get this exact one, then get something similar.
LUGGAGE
**Luggage
Luggex carry-on hardcase (amazon) – this is the exact carry-on I currently use. In the small side I use small food containers to organize my items and the large side for clothes and larger items. It also holds my laptop in the front pocket area
Gonex Canvas Duffle Bag (amazon) – Great for if your flying on small planes (which on some of our tours we do)
Other travelers love these two:
Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside 21″ (carry-on) (amazon)
Travelpro Tourlite 25″ (checked luggage) (amazon)
Backpack
Samsonite Mother Lode Jr 18′ Backpack (amazon) – I seriously LOVE this backpack! The bag material is very durable and strong and the zippers are large and great quality. It also holds a lot
TSA approved locks
TSA cable locks (amazon) – It’s always a good idea to lock your bags – even in the hotel. Though, I’ve never had anything stolen yet
WHAT/HOW TO PACK
Pants
Mens hiking pants (amazon)
Women’s hiking pants (amazon)
Leggings
Ndoobidy Leggings (amazon) – I LOVE wearing leggings and this brand is my favorite! They’re soft, stretchable, inexpensive, super comfy, and have lots of styles to choose from
**Packable Down jacket/coat
Arc’teryx down jacket (amazon) – I wear my arc’teryx everywhere here, but you’ll still want a sweater or layers underneath when we go on our night Safari
Beanie (hat)
C.C. Warm Chunky Beanie – (amazon) Good for morning and evenings – especially on the night drive. It WILL be cold!
Sandals
Tevas – (amazon) My exact sandals I wear everywhere
Keens (amazon) – I know several men who love these Keen sandals
**Walking Shoes
Hoka Women’s Bondi (amazon) – We won’t be doing a LOT of walking, but there will be some. These HOKA’s are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. Seriously. Though, it might be a good idea to go the REI to try them on in person.
Hoka Mens Bondi (amazon)
Compression Bags (self)
Space savers bags (amazon) – I LOVE these and have used them many, many times over the years. The small size fits inside your carry-on. If you take two, you can use one for dirty clothes. You zip them up and compress with your hands or knees and it compresses around 40%. Roll your clothes first to help keep creasing down.
Packing Cubes
Aerotrunk compression cubes (amazon) – I’m not big into packing cubes, but these ones have a good reviews
Packing Bags
Packing pouch (amazon) – I use the smallest one for the airplane pocket in front of me on an airplane to stash my headphones, earplugs, charger cable, etc.. Also works great for underwear and socks or just misc.
Toiletries (pumps)
Travel Pumps (amazon) – These pumps are great! They lock with a clip so can’t come undone. You just have to make sure you keep track of the clip. There WILL be a pressure change on board, so a tip is to take off the lid and put a small piece of saran warp over the opening, then put the lid back on. This helps prevent leaks on containers that are not pumps.
Toiletries (for creams or jewelry)
Pill cases (amazon) – These small circular pill cases are great for earrings or necklaces with a small pendant. They also work good for thick creams or small pieces of jewelry
HEALTH
**Insect Repellent
Sawyer insect repellent (amazon)
Insect Shield (amazon) – For spraying clothing and Gear. Not a true necessity if you use bug spray
Immune Support
Warrior Organic Immune Support (amazon)
ELECTRONICS
Wi-fi Device
GlocalMe U3 Mobile Hotspot Device (amazon) – for 140+ countries (there will be wifi in the main areas of the camps and often phone service in the Maasai Mara)
Cross-body Phone Strap
Phone case with strap (amazon) – (Buy for YOUR particular Phone model) Kenya is not a big pickpocket country, but if you leave something somewhere, it’s not going to be there when you get back. Phones are way too slippery and having it close is great for grabbing so you can get a quick pic. It’s always attached to you.
Headphones (cordless)
Raycon Bluetooth earbuds (amazon) – (waterproof, noise cancellation, mic) I LOVE these for they’re small so you can wear them on the plane easier and they’re not so bulky that they fall out or catch things.
Marshmallow corded headphones (amazon) – for the little TV on the airplane
3.5mm Headphone Airplane Adapter (2 prong)
3.5mm Male to Female (amazon)
Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter/reciever
Airplane Bluetooth Adapter w/ 3.5mm Aux jack (amazon)
**Adapter for your Electronics
Wall Adapter Type G (amazon) – Kenya uses a type G plug. This is only to allow a US plug to plug into the wall – it does NOT convert the voltage needed on some devices. This is the one I personally use since I’m from the states. I have several and I love them, but they are a little bulky
**Voltage Converter (if needed)
Travel Adapter Voltage Converter – Converts 220V to 110V 2000W (amazon) – The Voltage in Kenya is 240 V which is TWICE that of America. MOST electronics are made for both ranges, but not all. Some devices WILL require a voltage converter to make your device work with the higher current. If you do not use one, your device will get ruined! Some examples are curling irons, cpap machines, blow dryers, flat irons, etc. CHECK YOUR DEVICE! We are not responsible if it gets damaged.
Portable Hardrive
Extreme Portable Harddrive (amazon) – 2 TB Solid State 1050MB/s
Selfie Stick
Sensyne Selfie Stick (amazon) – with wireless remote
MISCELLANEOUS
**Debit ATM card
For withdrawing local cash for most vendors. Plus, it makes a great souvenir itself! DON’T FORGET YOUR PIN! Don’t use your ATM card EVER to purchase anything. It’s a lot easier to dispute a credit card than a debit card and if someone gets into your bank, it’s YOUR money they take – not borrowed money off of a credit card!
**Credit Card
Get a card with a chip for it’s a lot more secure. Tap is used here, but know your pin just in case. Some vendors will take a CC. Make sure you don’t get charged international fees and ALWAYS use the local currencies, don’t have them convert it.
Small purse or shoulder bag
Antitheft small shoulder bag (amazon) – Kenya is not a pickpocket country, however, you will need your passport almost daily for checking into hotels or going into the parks. You will also want your wallet close by. There’s a lot of really great little shoulder bags.
MAASAI MARA
**High Quality Sunscreen
Non-toxic Natural SPF 50 (amazon) – (also reef safe for ocean)
**Brimmed Hat
Women’s Ponytail Sun Hat UV Protection (amazon) – The sun can get hot and these hats will protect your fact from a sunburn. You CAN buy one here from vendors if you don’t want to bring one.
**Sunglasses
You will want to bring your favorite sunglasses, especially for the Maasai Mara
Long Sleeve (that can roll up) SPF clothing
Women’s UPF 50+ Safari Shirt (amazon) – Out on Safari, our cruiser does have a pop-up top, but the sun will rotate and follow us all day. I’ve been burned within an hour of direct sunlight before. These shirts are great for the sleeves roll when it’s hot and the sun isn’t directly on you. You can also just cover your arm with your jacket when in direct sunlight.
Mens UPF 50+ Safari (amazon)
Womens UPF 50+ Safari (amazon)
Go Girl
Pee Conch Foldable Female (amazon) – There are one set of toilets out on the Mara that we will stop at, but if you’re anything like me, you have to go every 2-3 hours, the Go Girl is for women (designed by a woman in the military) so you don’t have to pull your pants down and squat