Loading Page...

What not to wear on a safari in Kenya?

What NOT to Wear on Safari. Dark colours attract Tsetse flies, so stay away from dark blue or black clothing – they have a painful bite! Now that you know what to wear, make sure you know how to pack. Most safari operators will ask that you only bring one suitcase, one overnight duffle bag, and one day pack.



When packing for a safari in Kenya, there are several critical "no-go" items to keep in mind for both safety and comfort. Primarily, you should avoid dark blue and black clothing, as these specific colors are highly attractive to the tsetse fly, which can deliver a painful bite and transmit sleeping sickness. You should also avoid bright, neon colors or stark white, as these make you highly conspicuous to the wildlife and can disrupt their natural behavior, especially on walking safaris. Camouflage patterns are another major mistake; in many African nations, including Kenya, camouflage is reserved for military personnel, and civilians wearing it may be viewed with suspicion or even detained by local authorities. Heavy, non-breathable fabrics like thick denim can become stifling in the midday heat, and formal attire is generally unnecessary given the relaxed "safari chic" dress code at most lodges. Lastly, while it's tempting to pack heavy hiking boots, they are often overkill for vehicle-based safaris; simple, neutral-toned sneakers or light trail shoes are usually much more practical.

People Also Ask

WHAT NOT TO PACK
  • Several countries in East Africa have banned single-use plastic bags (this includes customary plastic duty-free bags). ...
  • Camouflage clothing is not recommended for travel in southern African countries. ...
  • Drones are prohibited at most camps.
  • Many camps cannot support electricity for hair dryers.


MORE DETAILS

Shorts and shirts are quite comfortable on a safari especially during the day, but sometimes during the game drives and short walks in the bushes you might wish you had covered up a little more. So light weight pants in light colors like cream,khaki and Chinos or grey are good for the game drives and walks.

MORE DETAILS

What NOT to Wear on Safari. Dark colours attract Tsetse flies, so stay away from dark blue or black clothing – they have a painful bite! Now that you know what to wear, make sure you know how to pack. Most safari operators will ask that you only bring one suitcase, one overnight duffle bag, and one day pack.

MORE DETAILS

We recommend still wearing closed shoes even if doing a midday safari drive. This will protect your feet from sunburn. But if you do choose sandals, please be sure to put sunscreen on your feet – folks often forget to protect the skin on the top of their feet.

MORE DETAILS

Safaris are casual, so bringing fancy items to wear to dinner is unnecessary. Still, I like to change into something a little nicer for the evening. Because it was chilly and I was trying to avoid bug bites, I always wore long pants in the evening, typically pairing those with a long-sleeved shirt and my sweater wrap.

MORE DETAILS

For most safaris which do not involve trekking or bush walking, fully closed lightweight and comfortable walking shoes such as sneakers with good grip do just fine. The classic Safari boots [ pictured] are always a great all round choice. These are also known as Chukka boots.

MORE DETAILS

Leggings and yoga pants are especially popular on safari because they're lightweight and comfortable, especially if you're going to be sitting in a Jeep all day. If you anticipate being cold, a fleece-lined pair is good to have too.

MORE DETAILS

If you are travelling to an area with tsetse flies, this attracts the dreaded fly – an insect with a painful bite – so much so that fly traps are made from blue and black fabric. Can you wear white on safari? White stands out more than any other colour in the African bush and so isn't suitable for safari activities.

MORE DETAILS

If you are actually camping, Crocs or similar shoes are another good choice because you can wear socks with them and they slip on and off easily. Men should also have a smart pair of shoes for the lodge.

MORE DETAILS

That's right – no flushing toilet, no toilet seat and no toilet paper! You will be 'going to the loo' behind the nearest bush. What to expect on safari? Well, ladies, it is a good idea to carry tissues and a small bag to deposit them in until you can dispose of them back at camp (and a hand sanitizer too).

MORE DETAILS

Bug repellents containing DEET (30% or less DEET recommended) are the most effective against tsetses. The fine-mesh bug screens on all nyumba camp tents will keep out those pesky flies, but remember to always keep your tent zipped!

MORE DETAILS