What should I pack for Amboseli Wildlife Safari?

This is one of the frequently asked questions from tourists because packing right is the key to having an adventurous and enjoyable safari to Amboseli National Park. When we talk about packing right, we mean you have to pack light and pack essentials which we are going to discuss in this article in a short while. Amboseli National Park is the second most visited in Kenya after Masai Mara and has a lot to offer to tourists, from having the highest number of African elephants in Kenya to the beautiful landscape and the local people around the national park.

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There are a lot of things that you have to pack for the safari. Still, before packing, you need to find out what you are not allowed to bring to the park, what you have to consider before packing, knowing the best and essential items to pack and miscellaneous among others. In this article, we are going to discuss all this to provide tourists with a guide on what to pack and bring for the Amboseli National Park safari.

What to consider before packing for an Amboseli wildlife safari

Embarking on a safari to Amboseli National Park is one of the best safaris you can have in Kenya and packing right should be top of your list. To make sure that you have properly prepared for your Amboseli safari experience, we have come up with a guide to follow when packing and these are:

Research about the destination: Before traveling to Amboseli, research the park, the weather, climate and activities carried out in the park. Get familiar with the park and this will give you a chance to determine the appropriate clothing and gear to pack for the safari.

Create a packing list: After the research, come up with a list of things that you might need while on your safari, such as clothing, tech gear, toiletries and other personal items, among others. This helps with identifying what you need to buy, what you have and what is not needed.

Gather all the items: The next step is to gather all the items on your list and lay them out to determine what is missing. This is the time to start ticking the items on your list and buy whatever you might need but not be having at the moment.

Check with your tour operator: Your tour operator is there to guide you on what to expect on your safari and whatever questions you might have. Ask/ make inquiries and all the answers will be provided. Ask about what is necessary for the safari and tally it with your list.

Pack and organize your luggage: Organize your luggage and pack your bag efficiently, taking into consideration the weight limit for traveling. As you pack, please leave enough space for the souvenirs and gifts.

Clothing

Regardless of the safari activities you are to participate in while on a safari to Amboseli National Park, the season you plan on traveling to the park, your packing list should include a selection of clothes that come in neutral colors like green, brown, khaki, beige and any other neutral colors. There are colors clothes that you should avoid especially bright colors, to fit in well with the jungle; avoid camouflage clothes that are associated with the army and blue as it is associated with attracting tsetse flies.

The clothes should come with extra layers because the early mornings and evenings can get chilly and you will need to keep warm. When packing clothes, ensure that you do not overdo it but they should include the following:

• Lightweight trousers/long pants. They can come with large pockets to keep some of your essentials and in neutral colors. The trousers keep you warm during the chilly weather and prevent bug bites and tree scratches.
• Long-sleeved shirts to protect your hands from scratches and insect bites. The long sleeves also keep you warm during the chilly mornings and evenings.
• Undershirts in neutral colors are also a necessity, especially when it gets too hot during the safari. 
• Warm sweaters and ponchos to keep warm. Amboseli weather is unpredictable and it can get cold during the dry season, so you have to be ready for the cold. If possible, carry scarves as well.
• A waterproof rain jacket is also necessary for when it starts raining, and you need to keep it dry.
• Waterproof hike boots to be used during the trek, especially during guided nature walks. There are other types of shoes to bring on your safari, including training shoes/sneakers, evening shoes and flip-flops.
• Socks to use during the safari, and these are not only used to keep you warm but trousers are tucked into the socks during hikes.
• Pajamas for use when going to sleep. The type of pajamas will depend on your preference.
• A wide-brimmed hat for sun protection
• Sunglasses
• A bag back to help with carrying all your essentials during your safari activities. If you have a waterproof backpack, the better and note that the day backpack will be used to carry only the essentials that you are to use during the day.

Tech devices

A safari to Amboseli National Park is incomplete without devices, including a camera, phone, binoculars, charging systems and many more others. These should be compatible with the country that you are visiting. Below is a list of teaching devices that you need to bring on your Amboseli safari trip.

• A camera is essential to keep your memories alive and when bringing the camera, make sure that you bring extra lenses, an adapter, camera batteries, a tripod if necessary and a waterproof camera bag. When taking photos on your safari, set it so that it keeps on taking continuous photos (burst mode) to be able to capture all the photos you might have missed out. The lenses should have at least a 200mm zoom lens for better photos.
• Memory cards: these are needed because you do not know how many photos and videos you are going to record and might need extra memory cards to be on the safe side.
• Binoculars are a necessity to spot all the wildlife that is far off especially bird species and animals that hide in the trees and bushes.
• Bring chargers for all the electronics you have carried.
• Specific adapter plugs for Kenya. Type G and voltage 240V, 50 HZ frequency are used in Kenya.
• Headlamps and flashlights to use during the night
• Cellphones are also a must but note that these have to be turned off so that they do not distract the wildlife during game drives.

Travel documents

You cannot travel to Kenya and proceed to Amboseli National Park without the right travel documents because you will be stopped at the immigration offices. No one wants to deal with administration while on a safari and that is why all tourists are advised to plan and ensure that they have the right travel documents. Travel documents you need before embarking on the safari include the following:

• A visa: Kenya has two visas, including the single-entry visa, which is valid for only 3 months, and the multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 6 to 12 months. You can also get the East African tourist visa that is valid for 90 days and can be used for multiple entries in three countries including Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
• A valid passport that is still in good shape and should at least be 6 months valid before expiry.
• An identity card for East African citizens from their respective countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Sudan.
• Medical and health certificates are essential before traveling to Kenya. For more information about health certificates, check our website.
• Accommodation contact details
• Emergency contact details
• Travel Insurance
• A return ticket
• Guidebooks and maps
• Health surveillance form

Toiletries

Whereas there are hotels, camps and lodges that provide toiletries and the availability of shops where you can do shopping, you should carry personal toiletries to make sure that you have what you need throughout the safari. Given the fact that you are going to be spending time between the hotels and the outdoors, it is better to pack different toiletries that are suitable for both environments. Below is a list of items you might need as toiletries during your safari.

• Insect/bug bite remedies
• Sunscreen: the sun in Amboseli is strong, so do not be fooled that you are going to be in the car throughout the day, so ensure that you have sunscreen with you at all times.
• Hair conditioners
• After sun lotions
• Deodorant, sprays and perfumes of your choice
• Lip balm
• Insect repellent is important, and it does not matter whether you are immunized or taking medicine. Insect repellent is recommended, and make sure that you apply it all over the body to avoid insect bites. you can also apply it to your clothes for double protection.
• Moisturizer
• Hand sanitizer
• Electrolytes for rehydration
• Shampoo
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Soap
• Sanitary towels.
• Biodegradable toilet paper
• Wet wipes

Medical kit/First aid kit

As you plan on traveling to Amboseli National Park, make sure that you have a medical kit fully stocked with prescribed medicines and other emergency medicines. A medical kit should at most include the following and more:

• Antacid
• Ibuprofen
• Band Aid
• Malaria pills
• Iodine
• Spirit and cotton
• Laxative

Note that safari vehicles are equipped with first aid kits to be used in case of emergencies.

Miscellaneous items

Other essential items that you will need on your safari to Amboseli National Park include the following:

• A reusable water bottle
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Extra cash; the extra cash is used for tipping, emergencies and personal purchases. We advise that tourists exchange their money for local currency for better and faster transactions and also avoid moving with large wards of cash because of thieves.
• Ear plugs;
• Travel pillow

What not to bring to an Amboseli National Park safari

There are certain things that you might want to bring to your safari but we believe that they are not necessary and do not make the cut for essentials to bring on your safari. Some of the things that you should not pack include the following:

• Snacks: although you might think that they are necessary, they are not because you will be provided with enough meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. And in cases where you wish to have snacks, there are shops and supermarkets available to buy whatever you need before leaving the city Centre.
• Drones are prohibited, and tourists planning on bringing them on their safari note that they will be confiscated upon entry into the country. Drones affect the wild animals and that is why they have been banned.
•  Plastic bags have been banned and will be confiscated upon entry into the country.
• A hairdryer: you do not need to carry a hairdryer because many of the accommodation facilities provide hairdryers, and some lodges are solar-operated and don’t permit hairdryer use.
• Plastic cutlery, Grocery bags, zip-lock bags, plastic water bottles and Styrofoam takeaway containers.

Meeting the weight limit for an Amboseli safari

Packing right does not mean that you have to pack a lot of products starting with clothes, toiletries and other personal care products. To be able to limit the weight, below is what you should take into consideration:

• Minimize the toiletries by packing only essential items, and, if possible, pack some of the items in travel-sized containers to reduce the bulk and weight.
• Two pairs of trousers and two pairs of shirts are enough for a three-day safari to Amboseli
• Avoid packing dual purpose items to ensure that the weight limit is met.
• Choose the right bag to pack your items. That is, it should be lightweight and durable.

By considering all the above essentials and tailoring them into your packing list to meet your specific preferences, you are to have an unforgettable adventurous safari to Amboseli National Park.  Get in touch with us to help you plan your Amboseli wildlife safari via email.