Kenya Expedition packing guide

In Kenya the temperature will be warm and humid, however the difference in altitude of our different projects (particularly the trek phase) we recommend the following sleeping bag temperature level:

Kenya – Comfort Level 1-2 seasons (0°C to 10°C).

• Some people feel the cold more than others, so choose a higher temperature range accordingly. Kenya will be warm throughout the day and gets cooler at night.
• Down sleeping bags are not suitable because they are harder to dry out and deteriorate in wet and humid conditions so try to borrow or buy a synthetic one if possible.

These are waterproof bags (sometimes called canoe bags) that you can put inside your rucksack to keep your kit and clothing dry. You should try to borrow/buy 2-3 bags in a combination of sizes e.g. one small one for things like a camera/notepad etc. Use a larger one for your sleeping bag and a change of clothes. This may seem like a lot of waterproofing, but there is nothing worse than opening your sleeping bag to find it wet at the end of a day’s trekking. A rucksack liner can be used as an alternative to smaller dry bags and should be the same capacity as your rucksack. They are 100% waterproof when used correctly.  

There is a variable risk of malaria and dengue fever in Kenya. You will be sleeping in community centres, classrooms and longhouses for the duration of Expedition.

We recommend trying to get a box shaped net, as it is the easiest shape to put up because it can be attached by all four corners.

• The net must be impregnated with permethrin which further protects against mosquitoes. Most new nets will have been pre-dipped but do check before you buy. If you have an old/untreated net you can buy a bottle of permethrin from outdoors shops so that you can treat it yourself.
• Tie long pieces (minimum 2 meters) of string to each corner of the net to allow you to hang it more easily and save time on your first attempt.

Try to bring both hard bottles (such as a sports bottle) and collapsible containers with a 1 litre capacity allowing you to purify the water easily (1 puritab = 1 litre of clean water). You should bring enough to carry at least 3 litres.  

• Collapsible water bags, such as a camelbak, are good because they take up less space when empty and you can drink from them without having to remove them from your rucksack – great when walking or short on time.  
• Although water filter bottles are now widely available, whilst you are on Expedition you will be asked to always drink the purified water. If you have a filter bottle this just means that your water will be double purified.  

This is an essential piece of equipment as there will rarely be electricity on project sites. A head torch allows you to work hands free, it is a lot easier than a handheld.  

• You’ll need to bring at least one set spare batteries. If they are standard AA or AAA they are easily available in Borneo, so you can stock up on more if needed. If they are other specialised type of batteries they may not be available, so bring enough for the whole expedition.  
• Torches with LED bulbs are great – they use less battery power 
• A head torch with a red-light capacity is useful, as it attracts fewer flying insects at night 
• It is worth bringing a cheap, back up hand torch in case you lose your head torch 

You won’t want to be in your boots all the time, so you’ll need an alternative. It’s essential to always have something on your feet. Open toed sandals must have toe and ankle straps to keep them on your feet and allow them to dry out. They can be worn for washing in, and river crossings.

It’s likely to be bright and sunny. Ensure that the lenses have effective UV protection. It is worth bringing a hard case for them.  

If you need to bring them (and ideally a spare pair), both in hard cases. Wearing contact lenses is not permitted due to a greater risk of infection associated with using contact lenses in a dirtier environment. This applied to both disposable and non-disposable lenses.  

Hygiene is crucial on expedition, so make sure you bring the essentials. You may want to bring enough toiletries to last for the whole Expedition, but there will be opportunities to restock certain items, e.g. toothpaste, in town during changeovers.

You should always have a copy of your essential travel documents kept separate from the originals; having them will greatly help should your documents get lost or stolen.  

• Passport (the photo page).  
• Vaccinations (a copy of the dates you received your vaccinations).  
• The overseas contact details of your bank or credit card  
• Insurance documents. You will need to take out your own insurance to cover your personal kit and equipment. You should keep a copy of your policy number and emergency contact.  
• Flight e-tickets (print out a spare copy).  

Having a small amount of this is always useful and can be used for many reasons e.g. improvising washing lines and hanging mosquito nets. Cheap standard string is fine; however, paracord (strong string) is more hardwearing, and is also reusable, so if you have some lying around the house, bring it. No more than 15 meters is needed.  

As we have a ‘no phones on project’ policy, we recommend bringing a camera with you to capture some awesome Expedition moments.  

You can bring all types of cameras of Expedition, from cheap disposable ones through to Digital SLRs. If you do take an expensive camera, please ensure that it is insured as Raleigh’s insurance does not cover loss or damage to personal items. Please do not bring expensive or bulky items such as iPads, tablets, laptops etc as we will not be able to store these high-value items. If you do want to bring items like cameras, then you need to be happy taking these to your projects and communities.  

• If it takes rechargeable batteries, it is a good idea to bring spares if you have one as it is unlikely that you will always have access to electricity.  
• Disposable AA or AAA batteries are widely available in South Africa at pretty much any small shop. 
• Make sure that you bring enough memory cards if using a digital camera. 
• Make sure that you have a waterproof case. It may also be worth using some silica gel bags to help reduce moisture in humid environments 

These can be found in any outdoors shop. These are a matter of personal preference, some people find that they help when walking up and down hills, or you can always go for a homemade version and pick up a stick along the way.  

In the evening there will be some down time, so it’s great if you can bring games to entertain the team.  

Another key piece of equipment. Like your rucksack, think of these as an investment; a good pair of boots can last for many years. Please ensure that your boots are comfortable, strong, and make sure that you have practiced walking in them before you arrive.  

• Please buy or borrow your boots as soon as possible, and break these in by going for walks. You may get blisters at first when wearing them in, but it is easier to deal with blisters at home where you can dress them in a sterile and clean environment. We recommend doing several short walks (up to 5 miles) in your boots to wear them in properly.  
• If you already have a pair of good quality walking boots that fit and are comfortable then bring them, just check all the stitching and that the sole is still firmly attached to the boot.  

If you are buying or borrowing some things to think about are:

• They are a good fit and comfortable. If you’re not used to wearing boots, they will feel uncomfortable at first, but the more you walk in them the more they mold to your feet.
• That they are good quality; you don’t want your boots to fall apart halfway through your trek.
• That they give you ankle support. The boot must come up over your ankle; a lightweight ‘traveller boot’ or ‘walking shoe’ won’t provide enough support when walking over rough terrain/working on construction sites.
• That they fit in both length and width. Different brands suit different foot types, so try out different brands and styles on to find which fits the best.
• The material of the boot. Both leather and suede/mesh, waterproof/non- waterproof boots have their pros and cons, and it comes down to personal preference.
• That they are not Timberland/Caterpillar style work boots. These are unsuitable for hiking!
• If you have US style military boots (Wellco), take extra care to wear them in properly. Unless you already own a pair, we do not recommend buying this type of boot.

You may bring vest tops, but these may be culturally insensitive to wear on certain projects, so do ensure you bring 2-3 standard t-shirts as well. One of these could be the Raleigh t-shirt you will receive on your first day.

The temperature at night and in the mornings can be significantly cooler than the daytime temperature, particularly when at altitude; therefore, a fleece or warm top is required. If possible, it should be a fleece material as they are quicker to dry than a thick hoody.  

• They should be light/medium weight cotton or polycotton, loose fitting and quick Cargo style trousers are good. 
• Do not bring jeans for project site, they are too hot, and take too long to dry. Feel free to bring a pair for travelling and changeover if you want 
• Trousers that zip off to make shorts are useful and save on packing space  

You must bring at least:  

• 3-4x pairs of walking Look for ones that are not too warm. 
• 4 pairs of normal cotton/sports socks. Good for keeping your feet cooler when still required to wear socks (at dusk to avoid mosquitoes).  

Cheaper and more expensive options are available for both, and it comes down to personal preference. Ponchos cover more of you and your kit but can restrict movement. Waterproof jackets don’t cover your kit but are more practical, but often more expensive. A ‘pac a mac’ type of jacket is fine. 

You can also bring waterproof trousers if you want.  

There will be times where washing is done in rivers/streams, and therefore swimming trunks/costumes are needed for privacy. We recommend board shorts rather than trunks; swimming costumes or bikinis is down to personal preference. 

A rash vest is highly recommend for water activities for sun protection.  

As previously mentioned, it is worth having clean clothes to come back to a changeover, as well as for special community events and making your flight more comfortable. A casual short/t-shirt with loose trousers or a loose-fitting dress/skirt are good options.  

For the trek portion of your Expedition, the hat should be lined and cover your ears. You should also bring two pairs of gloves, one thin pair and one thick/waterproof pair.