Avoid bright colours like white and red and dark colours like black and blue as this can attract Tsetse flies. Keep it simple with layered clothing that you don't mind getting dirty and bring a woolly hat and gloves for those chilly morning game drives.

When packing for a safari in Kenya in 2026, you should strictly avoid dark blue and black clothing. These colors are highly attractive to tsetse flies, which carry African sleeping sickness and have a bite that can penetrate thin fabrics. Additionally, bright, "neon" colors (like hot pink or bright yellow) should be avoided because they make you highly conspicuous to wildlife, potentially causing animals to retreat before you get a good view. White clothing is also impractical, as the red volcanic dust of the Kenyan bush will turn it orange within hours. Finally, camouflage patterns are a major "no-go"; in many African nations, including Kenya, camouflage is reserved strictly for the military, and wearing it as a civilian can lead to questioning or confiscation by authorities. The "gold standard" for Kenya is neutral tones like khaki, olive, and tan, which blend into the savanna and keep you cool under the equatorial sun.