What to bring on an organised Safari

On an organized trek, you normally just need a sleeping bag. On any kind of trek you’re also going to need a rucksack to carry your gear. As good lightweight clothing and equipment for camping and trekking is difficult to buy, in East Africa, most trekkers bring everything they need with them.
The following list is based on the presumption that you will be trekking on at least one of the high mountains of East Africa, i.e. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya where weather conditions are more severe. If you are only going to the lower mountain areas you won’t need quite so much.
Clothing: It’s better to take several thin layers of clothing rather than a few thick layers in order to give you more flexibility. Basically, clothes which wick moisture away from your skin keep you dry and warm on the inside, and clothes which breathe allow the moisture to escape.
Jacket: A jacket should be reasonably wind-proof and shower-proof as this is the outside layer of clothing you wear most of the time for trekking when temperatures are cool.
On high mountains, carrying another jacket is highly recommended for when you an extra layer of warmth around camps in the evening, for pre-dawn summit approaches, or for wearing inside your sleeping bag on very cold nights. Many trekkers favor a padded sleeveless ‘body warmer’ or ‘duvet jacket’, as these are light and pack down fairly small.
An ‘outer shell’ jacket or raincoat is required when conditions get more serious. It should be capable of coping with heavy rain and high winds.
Tent: Some trekking routes have huts and bunkhouses, in which case a tent is not always required. If you want to be independent or explore more unusual areas a tent is essential.
Sleeping bag: Flexibility and layering are important features when choosing a bag for treks in East Africa, so that you can cope with the range of temperatures and conditions. The two main types of bag are those filled with synthetic filling. Down bags are lighter, smaller when compacted and last longer; while synthetic bags are cheaper and lose less of their warmth if they get wet.
For the high camps on the major mountains you need a good ‘four-season’ bag. So that you can also use it in lower, warmer conditions a long zip allows ventilation.
If you don’t want to carry an extra sleeping bag just for a few nights, you could hire one.
Sunglasses & Snow Goggles: Sunglasses are recommended to cut the intense glare you often get on the high mountains. Snow goggles with side flaps are only essential for the summit stage on Kilimanjaro, but are also useful on the lower slopes below the glaciers and on Mt. Kenya.
Walking poles: Sticks or Poles are very useful for taking some of the stress off the knees going up or down hills, particularly on the steep approaches to the summits of the major mountains. They’re also good for providing extra balance on scree, snow and tussock grass.
Water bottle: You need at least a 1litre bottle while on trek. Flexible water bags, holding between 4litres and 10litres, are ideal for extra water on long or hot days, and very good for camping as they help avoid pollution and will save several trips between your tent and the nearest river.
Water purification kit: Consists of a water filter and/or a supply of purification tablets or solution.
Torch/Flashlight: A head-torch is more useful than hand-held models, as it leaves your hands free for eating and cooking or for putting in your pockets when it’s cold. Bring spare bulbs and plenty of batteries, as they fade quickly in cold conditions.
Money: You might need a little money for buying souvenirs and other things you might need while in the destination. Count at least USD 100 to spend on these. We advise our clients to buy some souvenirs in the villages we visit to directly help give a living to the local community. In Kenya you will need Kenya shillings and Tanzania shillings in Tanzania. You can change money on arrival, or you can get the shillings through the visa card machines in the major towns in these countries. Note that Check cards are not accepted in neither Kenya nor Tanzania and most banks will need receipts for traveler’s checks.
Miscellaneous Items: A silver foil emergency ‘blanket’ can be useful if you get unexpectedly delayed in cold conditions. Sun cream; for nose and ears, use a complete sun block. Lip salve, sewing kit, first aid kit, medicated hand wipes, a compass, a whistle, a penknife and toilet paper.
Equipment Checklist
Trekking is not climbing. Even on high mountains, you can reach heights between 4000m and 5000m, e.g. on Mt. Kenya and the summit of Kilimanjaro at almost 6000m while trekking (walking). The routes described in this guide are trekking routes and does not cover technical climbing or mountaineering. Therefore no specialized equipment like ropes, crampons and ice axe is required.
This list will help you plan:
Clothing

  • Jacket(s)
  • Outer shell/water proof jackets
  • Outer shell/water proof underwear
  • Shirts
  • Trousers
  • Skirt
  • Shorts
  • Sun hat
  • Woolen hat
  • Gloves

Footwear

  • Walking boots
  • Training shoes
  • Sandals
  • Socks
  • Gaiters

Trekking Equipment

  • Rucksack
  • Sleeping bag

Personal Equipment

  • Sunglasses
  • Snow goggles
  • Walking poles
  • Water bottle(s)
  • Water purification kit
  • Torch/flashlight
  • Emergency foil blanket
  • Toiletries
  • Toilet paper

Miscellaneous items

  • Sun cream/block & lip salve
  • Washing kit
  • First aid kit
  • Sewing kit
  • Compass
  • Map case
  • Whistle
  • Penknife
  • Towel

Camera & film

Medical Kit Checklist
First Aid supplies

  • Adhesive tape
  • Bandages
  • Elasticized support bandage-for knees and ankles
  • Gauze swabs
  • Non adhesive dressings
  • Safety pins
  • Small pair of scissors
  • Sterile alcohol wipes
  • Steri-strips
  • Sutures
  • Syringes and needles
  • Thermometer
  • Tweezers

Medications

  • Antibiotics
  • Antiseptic cream-for cuts and grazes
  • Antihistamine cream-itch from insect bites and stings
  • Antihistamine tablets-for colds and allergies, ease itch from insect bites or stings.
  • Antibiotic cream-for infected wounds
  • Anti-diarrhea and anti-sickness drugs
  • Calamine lotion or aluminum sulphate spray-for bites or stings
  • Choramphenicol eye drops or ointment
  • Cold and flu tablets and throat lozenges
  • Multivitamins
  • Oral rehydration tablets or powder-for treatment of severe diarrhea especially in children
  • Pain killers-for pain or fever e.g. aspirin, paracetamol

Miscellaneous
Insect repellent, sunscreen, water purification tablets

Safari Equipment list

PACKING LIST

  • 3 pairs of shorts
  • One Pair of smart/casual trousers
  • 4 shirts/T-shirts (any combination)
  • 1 light cotton dress for the ladies
  • 2 fleece / jersey for the cool evenings
  • 1 wind-breaker / water proof jacket
  • 1 warm jacket
  • 1 pair of walking/running shoes
  • 1 pair of sandals/
  • Underwear and socks
  • 1 swimming costume
  • 1 sun hat, 1 towel, toothbrush/toothpaste,
  • Comb/hair brush
  • Razor & blades (preferable battery operated shaver)
  • Suntan lotion/sunblock
  • Lip-balm
  • Hand cream & moisturizing cream
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Tissues or disposable moist tissues (e.g. Wet Ones)
  • Plastic bags (to pack wet/dirty clothing)
  • Sunglasses / Spectacles
  • Shampoo & hair conditioner
  • Deodorant
  • Plasters/band aids
  • Aspirins/paracetamol
  • Anti-diarrhea pills (consult your pharmacist for advice)
  • Throat lozenges
  • Antiseptic cream
  • Anti-malaria tablets (consult your pharmacist for advice) 
  • Insect repellent 
  • Fungal infection powder
  • Rehydration powder
  • Eye drops, Sunscreen, Moisturizer

NB: One should have the following in ones day-pack especially when out for the whole day

a) High factor sunscreen
b) Lip-screen
c) Binoculars
d) Camera
e) Flashlight
f) Insect repellent and moisturizer
g) Moist disposable towels
h) Water Bottle
i) Personal pharmacy
j) Match box or Gas lighter