* Manual shaver & extra blades
* Deodorant stick (not aerosol)
* Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
* Shampoo and hair conditioner (in small leak proof bottles)
* Bar soap with soap bag/container
* Chapstick for dry lips
* Disposable contact lenses
* Vitamins
* For camping and mount climbing - Toilet paper and quick-drying camping to we

Packing: Clothes

Clothing is a matter of taste, and laundry service is provided at all hotels/lodges during the safari (not on Kilimanjaro), Days are warm and nights are cool so dress accordingly. If you wish to purchase some special * safari* clothes, here is a recommended list:

Wear tan, beige or light sage green clothing (these colours hide dust, don't look dirty).

Women will want to have at least one long casual skirt (cotton/canvas/khaki or whatever is easy-care in hot weather) to wear during day-tour trips, out of respect for local culture.

Teva sandals are all around great footwear, or tennis shoes are okay for beach and bush, however you just don't want them to be brand new white.

Use packing plastic bags to store sweaters/fleece, bulky clothing (these seal out the extra air and make sweaters more compact).

3 pairs of pants (2 for the field, 1 for evening) pants can be the kind that zipper off into shorts (such as Expedition), or blue jeans.

Long casual khaki button-down dress or skirt (okay for day wear & evening in the bush or lodge, can be brought in lieu of the 1 or 2 pairs of pants mentioned above).

3 shirts (stone/light moss/sage-colored, not white colored) (2 for the field, 1 for evening)

2 under T-shits, 7 pairs underwear, 7 pairs khaki-color cotton socks (enough for about 1-3 weeks in the field, can wash these out).

Shoes (brown color to match evening dress or casual khaki dress)

Fleece jacket for early morning/sunset game drives

Bathing suit, bikini, swim goggles (white water rafting, swim at hotel/resort) Packing: mountain climbing

Hiking boots (required), should be waterproof and reasonably warm (Kilimanjaro has snow at the summit - but crampons or specialized boots are not necessary)

Warm hat, gloves, for freezing temperature

Rainproof shell (top and bottom) - wear over fleece jacket at top of mountain for extra warmth

* Long underwear, sock liners (4 pair) * Sub-zero weather sleeping bag, camp pillow * Flashlight (or head lamp) * Playing cards

Granola or energy bars for snacking on the trail

Safety

Remove your watch and jewellery in big cities to avoid being a target. Never wear an external money pouch or use a wallet in your pocket or have a loose backpack. Keep things inside your clothing and out of sight. Nairobi is like any major city in the world be it New York, London or Paris. Take care of your valuables concealing jewellery and watches and hold handbags tightly when walking on streets. Gold neck chains can be snatched with ease and it's not advisable to wear them. Keep valuables in the hotels safe. Do not leave money, passport, jewellery or watches in the rooms or tent; you carry them with you at all times. Be careful late at night in town or whilst on a lonely beach. Africa is a wonderful place, but as in any poor economy, there are those hungry enough to steal for their dinner.

Currency and Banking

The amount of money in any currency brought into the country is not limited. Only change your money at the hotels, in official banks and bureau de change. Travelers' checks, US Dollars, and major credit cards are widely acceptable. However, you should change some small amount into local currency to use for tipping and buying curios. The currency in Kenya is the Kenya shillings and is divided into 100 cents.

Nairobi, Mombasa and other principal towns have banks with a bureau de change. Banking hours are 0900am to 3.00p.m, Monday to Friday and 9.00a.m to 11.00am on the first and last Saturday of the month. Banks at the Jomo Kenyatta international airport are open 24 hours. Back | Next