Kenya's climate is milder than people expect: mornings on safari are cold, midday is hot, the coast is humid and Nairobi is spring-like year-round. Layers win.
Safari
Neutral colours (khaki, olive, brown; not white, which shows dust, nor dark blue or black, which attract tsetse flies). A warm fleece or jacket for dawn drives, a hat, sunglasses, closed shoes, a light rain layer in the green season, binoculars and a camera with a zoom. Soft bags only on light aircraft, 15 kg including hand luggage.
Coast
Light clothes, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, sandals and a cover-up for walking through towns. Modest dress is appreciated in Swahili towns like Lamu and Mombasa's Old Town.
City and business
Nairobi is smart-casual; evenings can be cool. For conferences, normal business dress applies.
Bush and beach in one soft bag
Most trips fly a light aircraft between the safari and the coast, so everything has to fit one soft bag. Three safari outfits rotated with camp laundry, one warm layer that packs small, closed shoes for the bush and sandals for the coast, swimwear and a cover-up. Keep medication, chargers and a change of clothes in your hand luggage.
Leave at home
Hard suitcases, which light aircraft refuse. White clothes, which show the dust. Drones, which need a licence and are banned in the parks. Single-use plastic bags, which are banned in Kenya.
Last reviewed October 2026. Rules change; the official links on this page take precedence over anything written here.