When thinking about traveling to Kenya, one of the things that you may have thought about is using a sleeping bag. This would especially be the case for you if you’re going to be camping. I was wondering this myself so I did some research.
The best sleeping bag for Kenya is the TETON Sports TrailHead sleeping bag which is compact, lightweight and has the appropriate temperature rating for the range of weather you expect in Kenya. It is made of synthetic material and is water-resistant. this means that even though it may not rain a lot when you’re visiting Kenya, you will not get drenched if it does. In this post, I’m going to go deeper into what you need to consider when choosing a sleeping bag and why this particular one is appropriate for your Kenyan Safari.
Should I buy a sleeping bag in Kenya or carry it with me?
Based on my research, it’s more advisable for you to carry your sleeping bag with you from your home country instead of buying it here in Kenya. This is because the outdoors industry here is underdeveloped and the few shops that deal with outdoor equipment like sleeping bags sell them at exorbitant prices.
In addition to unreasonable prices, the outdoor equipment shops in Kenya have a limited selection of sleeping bags and you will be stuck with a less than adequate sleeping bag for your African adventure.
I checked the Nairobi sports house website and at the time of writing this article, they had only three brands of sleeping bags in stock. While this is better than nothing, you would rather have greater variety with the inconvenience of having to carry it with you from your country than being stuck with a sleeping bag that doesn’t work for you.
Factors to consider when buying a sleeping bag for Kenya
| Weight | Max 2lb (Max 1Kg) |
| Temperatures | Min41°F – Max81°F (9°C – 28°C) |
| Compactness | Less than 22-by-14-by-9 inches (The size of normal overhead bins in aircraft) |
| Expected rainfall | Prepare for the chances of Rain, being moderate to high |
The TETON Sports Trailhead sleeping bag satisfies all of these requirements and will perform efficiently when used in most places in Kenya. Let’s take a closer look at the factors you need to consider when choosing a good sleeping bag to help us determine if this is the best sleeping bag for Kenya
Weight
Considering the fact that you will have to carry one with you when coming to Kenya, your sleeping bag needs to be very light to ensure that it does not add a lot to your total luggage weight.
As I was doing research online I found the 2 lb mark to be the most efficient weight for a sleeping bag. However, finding reasonably priced sleeping bags at this weight was not very easy and I had to settle for the 2.9 lbs (1.3 Kg) TETON Sports Trailhead sleeping bag. while this may not be ideal, I think the extra0.29 lbs is not too much.
Temperatures at night
Nighttime temperatures in Kenya ordinarily go below that 50°F Mark. If you’re going to be going to any of Kenya’s higher altitudes like Mount Kenya, the temperatures will be much lower. However, this is usually the exception rather than the rule.
When choosing a sleeping bag for Kenya you do not need to go for a sleeping bag that can be used in winter since it will be too hot. Any sleeping bag rated above 20°F should be more than enough to get you through a cold night in Kenya.
Where you will be using the sleeping bag
The location you will be traveling to will determine what temperature rating your sleeping bag needs to have. Unless you are traveling to any place that has extreme weather in Kenya like Mount Kenya, you are unlikely to feel cold when using this sleeping bag.
Time of the year
The weather patterns in Kenya do not vary greatly across the year. The fact that we are located near the equator means that the temperature variations are mild throughout the year.
There are some colder seasons like June and July but the lowest it gets would be 46°F (8°C) and that may make the news!
This means that with a 3 seasons sleeping bag, you should be a warm for mos the time of year
.
How cold you’re comfortable sleeping
If you are ok with sleeping on the colder side, using a summer sleeping bag like this one rated for 40°F and higher would still work for you.
Compactness
I found out that down sleeping bags pack more compactly than synthetic sleeping bags. One thing you will need to contend with though, is that these are more expensive than their synthetic counterparts.
Expected rain for the area you will be visiting
Synthetic sleeping bags are able to keep water out of the bag better than down sleeping bags. Although many down brands now come with water resistance, synthetic sleeping bags work better at staying dry.
Many parts of Kenya remain relatively dry for long periods and this means that taking a down bag will still work for you when traveling to Kenya.
Do you need a sleeping bag for Safari?
One question you may have yourself is whether you will need a sleeping bag when going on a safari in one of Kenya’s national parks. The answer to this is No. All the tented camps and lodges around Kenya’s national parks have good rooms and carrying a sleeping bag might even be banned because of the risk of bed bugs.
Can I rent a sleeping bag in Kenya?
Even if renting a sleeping bag was possible, I would highly advise against it since it introduces the risk of bed bugs in your clothing. And you do not want to take bedbugs home.
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.
- Shoes: I recommend that you check the Keen Hiking shoes. I have written an extensive article on the best shoes for an African safari and this shoe checks all the boxes for things you should look for when choosing a shoe for Africa. (Check out the Keen Hiking Shoes on Amazon)
- Camera: If you are not big on photography, I would not advise you to buy a brand new camera for your African Adventure. Good cameras can be expensive and buying a camera you will not use is not a good use of your limited budget. I advise that you rent a camera instead and Lens Rentals have a great Safari Camera Kit perfect for someone traveling to Africa. If you are thinking of getting into photography, then you can invest in a new camera but before you do, check out my pick for the best Safari Camera for a Beginner like Me
- 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.
- 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.
- Consulting Session: If you have any questions you would like to ask me about Kenya, I would invite you to contact me for a 30-minute consultation session where I will share my knowledge about East Africa and share experiences that will help you make your trip easier. Reach out to me on email – antonynjoro@gmail.com
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