Clothing
What to wear on safari in Nairobi National Park
Nairobi's altitude makes early mornings cold and midday warm. Neutral colours and layers cover both ends of the day.
Colours
Khaki, olive, beige, brown and soft grey. They hide dust, keep you cool and do not stand out to wildlife. Avoid bright white, which shows every mark, and dark blue or black, which attract tsetse flies in wooded areas.
Layers for the day
- 06:00 — fleece or light down jacket over a long-sleeved shirt
- 09:00 — shed the jacket; long sleeves keep the sun off
- Midday — light trousers or shorts, hat and sunglasses
- Late afternoon — the jacket goes back on before sunset
Footwear
Closed shoes or light walking boots. Sandals are fine in the vehicle but not for the ranger-escorted walk at Hippo Pools, where the ground is uneven and often damp.
What to avoid
- Full camouflage print — it is restricted clothing in Kenya for civilians
- Noisy waterproof fabrics that rustle at every movement
- Strong perfume or aftershave
- Anything that will not survive dust
More on planning your visit
- Visitor guideEverything a first-time visitor needs in one place.
- Opening hoursGate times, last entry and the best hours to be inside.
- WeatherTemperatures, rainfall and what altitude means for packing.
- Park gatesEvery gate, where it leads and which one to use.
See all guides on Plan your visit, or check park fees and the best time to visit.
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