How to Prep for Safari in Africa
How to pack for Safari. Kin Kenya Trip with Cottars 1920s Camp Ph. Valorie Darling
Photos via Valorie Darling + Dave Krugman + me
Do I need shots to go to Kenya? What should I pack for Safari? Probably just a few of the many questions you have as you prepare for your Safari adventure. We just returned from a magical experience in Kenya and for the most part I was pretty proud of how prepped I was (pat on the back!), so I figured I would share my tips.
Keep scrolling for my packing + prep checklist as well as outfit ideas! To read more about our Safari experience with Kin Travel + Cottars 1920s camp, make sure to check out this post. Additionally, I put together a special FAQ post to answer any specific Qs you might have.
Vaccinations + Tourist Visas.
To enter Kenya from the United States it is NOT a requirement to get vaccinations, however, the CDC recommends it because there are cases of Yellow Fever in certain areas. This is a very personal decisions and I suggest talking with your doctor. Read more about this + Malaria pills on my FAQ page.
Tourist Visa is required to enter the country of Kenya. This can be done at the airport when you land in Nairobi or you can do it ahead of time via this website. I highly suggest doing it ahead of time as the airport is very hectic and most likely you’ll have ~ 600 people all trying to go through the process.
You can shop many of my travel must-haves on my Amazon Shop. When it comes to cameras I highly suggest the Sony RX10 because it’s a point + shoot with an INSANE 25x zoom lens. The zoom was actually BETTER than the professional interchangeable lenses the professional photogs brought on the trip. You can see many of the pictures we captured on my Kenya Safari experience post. Also it’s important to note that Andy shot many of our pics and he is NOT a photog at all - this camera is really idiot proof.
One thing I forgot to mention is a small backpack to take on day trips. I brought this Botkier bag as my airplane carry-on / game drive bag and it was the PERFECT size. It fit my computer, all my electronics/camera, passport, sunscreen, chapstick, wallet, etc. I’m going to be using it going forward as my go-to carry on backpack because it only fits the essentials and is really easy on your back vs. a HUGE tote that can just get filled with clutter and not be so great for your shoulders.
Safari, but make it fashion.
What to wear on Safari - Glam Leopard Skirt + Silk Blazer Outfit. Ph. Valorie Darling
What to pack for Safari in Africa ph. Valorie Darling
What to pack on Safari | Kenya, Africa
You can really make safari as fashionable as you want. If you wore workout leggings, a t-shirt, and a puffer jacket everyday it would be totally fine and functional. When I packed I tried to find a good mix of function and fashion, because why not? Here is an overview of what I packed and wore the most:
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Shop Safari Outfits
The key is LAYERS. Temps can rise to the 90s and drop to low 60s in one day. It’s super important for long game drives when you will be out for 12+ hours.
When I started putting together my outfit checklist I was honestly surprised at how much of it I already owned. For the more fashionable pieces I turned to Madewell + Zara. A quick search of “linen” on the Zara website will yield you with enough Safari pieces for an entire year - hah!
A lot of articles I read said tennis shoes would suffice over boots which is sort of true. You’re walking through high grass and a lot of animal dung at times which for me was a lot easier *mentally* to do in boots that had a little heel and covered my ankle. These are pricey but honestly they were EVERYTHING on this trip. I wore them every day and night except for one day when we did a long walk through the Mara. Andy wore Nikes the entire time and was 100% fine. Keep scrolling for more Safari outfit inspo:
Freda Salvador Boots - What to Wear on Safari - Ph. Valorie Darling
What to wear on Safari - Faithfull The Brand Leopard dress ph. Valorie Darling
Bush Villa at Cottars 1920s Camp - Safari in Kenya
Zara linen dress for Safari in Africa ph. Valorie Darling
Photos: Valorie Darling | Outfit deets: Fred Salvador Boots | Zara Dress | Bella Dahl Jumpsuit | Leopard Dress | Janessa Leone Hat
Ashley Torres - What to wear on Safari in Kenya. Ph Valorie Darling
Another thing to remember is SOME Safaris have a weight restriction on luggage if you have to take a baby plane. While it’s not SUPER strict it’s definitely something to try to stick to, which means a carry-on sized bag. Don’t freak, it’s totally do-able. We actually did it for this trip + 3 more weeks of travel! Most camps will wash your clothes for you which is super helpful especially for the guys. Andy brought like 5 things and just had his clothes washed every few days! xo - Ashley
Don’t forget to check out my post all about our Safari Experience with Kin Travel + Cottars 1920s. If you’re heading on Safari I’m sure you have a ton more Qs (I had so many!), so don’t miss my FAQ page.
So you’re thinking about going on Safari but have ALL the questions? Don’t worry, I got you! Giving you the 411 on flights, cost, food, bathrooms, malaria pills + more.