10 Things You Should Not Wear In Kenya – Advice from a Native

As you plan for your African safari I’m sure one of the things that you have in mind is what you’re going to wear.  I have lived in all my life and have a good understanding of what is deemed acceptable by the locals here. To help you out in your planning I have prepared a list of the things that you should not wear when traveling for your safari to Kenya.

The things you should not wear in Kenya are:

1. Cammo / Military style clothes
2. Shorts
3. Crop Tops
4. Mini Skirts
5. Black or Dark blue
6. Tank tops
7. Expensive Jewelry
8. Open Shoes
9. Very Tight Outfits
10. Large amounts in Cash

In this post, I will explain why it is not a good idea to wear any of the things above and suggest alternatives.

Camo / Military style clothes

Wearing any camouflage or military-style clothing may land you in trouble in Kenya.  African governments are wary of any person posing like a military officer and will question you about your intentions and where you’re from.  The thing about police in Kenya is that they are not naturally polite of friendly and you want to avoid having to deal with them especially if you seem to be on the wrong.

All the other things that are mentioned in this list will just make you look awkward in public but this particular one might get you arrested so please make sure not break this one. If you have any children or teenagers with you, look through what they have packed to avoid any situations.

Update: I found this news article in the Kenyan Media a few months after I published this article. It warns people not to wear anything military since the police may arrest anyone dressed in that manner.

Shorts

It is inappropriate to wear shorts in public for both men and women.  The shorts that I’m referring to would ordinarily be cut above the knee and sometimes tightly fitting. 

For men,  shorts are considered inappropriate since they are what young boys wear to school.  Calling a Kenyan man a boy is a big insult and they, therefore, refuse to wear them out of Pride.  As a man, you will look out of place if you will be wearing a short, especially if you’re going to be around any Kenyans. 

For women, shots are frowned upon for a different reason. Since short expose the knees and thighs and are at times tight,  they are considered by many Kenyans as provocative and inappropriate to wear in public. Other than being frowned upon, wearing shorts as a woman in Kenya will attract the wrong attention from Kenyan men and get you nasty looks from Kenyan women so unless you will be wearing them in your hotel, its best to leave them behind.

I have written a more in-depth article about wearing shorts in Kenya and you can read it here to learn more about the social rules around this topic.

Crop Tops

Crop tops are also a bad idea if you’re traveling to Kenya. These have the same reasons as wearing shorts: they expose a part of the body that is normally not seen by many and it would be considered as inappropriate by most Kenyans.

Mini Skirts

These are a bit more common, especially in the cities. The reason they are on my list is that even though some people would find them inappropriate they would also not be a very practical choice of clothes for a safari.

The reason I say this is, a number of the national parks in Kenya have tsetse flies which have a really sharp bite.  The evenings also come with a lot of mosquitoes and exposing your skin will make you more susceptible to them and  trust me, there is nothing as irritating as a mosquito bite on a tender spot

I have written an article on how to deal with tsetse flies in the Maasai Mara and it may be something you would want to check out.

Black or Dark blue colors

On the topic of tsetse flies, you will want to avoid any dark or navy blue clothes. These colors tend to attract tsetse flies more easily.

When taking a Safari to tours like this 6-day tour in Masai Mara, wearing black and dark blue clothes will make you more attractive to tsetse flies. You are likely to be bitten more than when you wear clothes of other colors. That is part of the reason why almost all tour guides avoid these colors too..

Tank tops

Other than the fact that tank tops will expose you to more tsetse fly and mosquito bites, some of the more conservative places in Kenya may find them inappropriate.

Expensive Jewelry

When traveling to Kenya, you want to avoid wearing a lot of very expensive jewelry. The first reason for this is that it makes you stand out and this increases your chance of being a target of pickpockets and people with Ill motives.

Open Shoes

You should carry a pair of open shoes with you but it will not be your only pair. Since you will be out in the bush you will need a close pair of shoes or boots that would protect you if you hit your foot against a stone. 

Since many parts of Kenya can get hot depending on the season, you also do not want to leave you open shoes at home. The open shoes can be worn at the hotel or when you’re in the car and will many times be a cooler alternative to closed shoes

Very Tight Outfits

Clothes that are too tight like yoga pants etc may not be considered appropriate in a number of places in Kenya. Carry them along to use them in hotels or as you’re traveling but make sure that this is not the only kind of clothes you have in your luggage.

Large amounts in Cash

Carrying a lot of money in cash from home is unnecessary when travelling to Kenya. This is because there are thousands of ATMs around the country and you will have the opportunity to withdraw your money in local-currency (Kenyan Shilling) if you use your visa card. 

You only need to carry enough for emergencies as you’re traveling to the country. 

Appropriate clothing for Kenya

What to wear as a female tourist in Kenya

If you do not want to offend the locals, wear clothes that do not expose your thighs or torso. This means that you need to avoid shorts and skirts cut above the knee. It also means wearing tops that do not expose your shoulders or cleavage.
Loosely fitting pants and tops are a safe bet when you will be going to streets and public markets. When visiting a religious building like a church or mosque, you will need to be extra careful since the rules are more strict here. You don’t want to be kicked out for being inappropriately dressed.
If you are within your hotel or in your tour van, you can let loose and not worry since you will no be running into many locals in this setting.

What to wear as a male tourist in Kenya

Pants and a polo shirt is the best choice as a male tourist in Kenya. Shorts are ok if you are within the hotel or in your tour van. However, it would be inappropriate to wear shorts as men.

Safari Drive Wear

When out on safari like this 6-day tour to Masai Mara, you want to avoid wearing colors that do not occur naturally in nature. White, black, blue and other bright colors attract the attention of the animals and you might easily spook away the animals if you are in close range.
You may also expose yourself to mortal danger by drawing the attention of more dangerous animals. Elephants and rhinos are known to topple over trees and vehicles when they are upset.
In addition to this, dark colors like black and blue attract TseTse flies and expose you to a higher likelihood of being bitten.

What to wear in the Evenings in Kenya

When preparing for what you will carry for the evenings, factor in the fact that it will probably get cold in the evenings (16 Degrees Celcius) Carry a light jacket or sweater for these cold nights.
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, carry long-sleeved tops and pants that cover your ankles. These keep the mosquitoes from biting you too much when you are outside in the evenings

A Final Word

As you prepare for your trip to Africa, I would like to recommend a few products that would help make your life easier. 

1. Information About Africa: I have created a YouTube channel that focuses on things about traveling to Africa that only Africans can tell you about. Check out the channel for insights about African culture and things you can do as a traveler to optimize your trip. You should also visit TripAdvisor forum posts (Here is the Kenya Forum) and ask questions about your particular situation. There are a lot of people who are happy to help you out. 
2. Choosing a Safari Company: I have written an extensive article on how to choose a safari Company. You can. Check it out before starting the process of searching for a safari company.
3. Safari Planning Services: If you’d rather leave the planning to an expert, I offer personalized safari planning services. I handle everything from helping you choose the right safari company, creating your custom itinerary, managing bookings, and even providing a packing list and reminders for important trip details. It’s like having a personal assistant dedicated to your trip, ensuring that everything runs smoothly, so you can focus on enjoying the adventure. Learn More in this article