Temperature while on Safari in Kenya and Tanzania in July

I haven't been to that part of Africa, so these are just thoughts:

• What is the altitude of the game parks you'll be visiting? If they are not at sea level, they may be cooler than Nairobi.

• Will there be game drives at dawn and dusk? It would be quite a bit cooler than the day's high termperature then.

I'm researching for a trip to India that will include a short visit to a wildlife preserve, and I happened upon a comment from someone who was very cold on a morning game drive in the park. I've added cold-weather gear to my packing list.

Almost all the capital cities in E Africa are at elevation (4,000+) with Nairobi around 6,000 ft. Even though most of these locations are around the Equator, the elevation makes the evenings and mornings cool. You should take a fleece which should suffice. I wouldn't take a coat. One place that was definitely cold at night was the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater (where all the hotels/lodges are). Just checked and this is around 7,500 ft. The lodge we were at even had a fire going in the dining room. But to sit in your balcony and watch zebra, antelope, and buffalo walk by within 5 -10 feet makes for a memorable experience.

Also note, a good # of lodges have their dinners outside in the evenings, so a sweater/fleece comes in handy.

Hi there,

We too will be in K&T during July of this year. We have been to both countries before and always during July/August. This time frame is during their winter. It will be chilly in the evenings and early mornings and it is then that you will need to layer with a shirt, fleece and light jacket. If you're from a cold winter environment perhaps just a fleece will suffice.

Most importantly will be to have at least one buff, preferably two so that when one is washed and drying you'll still have one to wear while in the jeeps. Their winter is dry (best wildlife viewing time) and the roads are extremely dusty and you'll pull the buff over your nose and face. Mine are light colors so I can see through them and sometimes I even pull them over my eyes too. When not using them to guard your face against the dust they stay around your neck at the ready. Do not wear dark blue or black as those colors attract the tsetse flies. You will not get sick from a bite of the tsetse fly but it stings. Treat your clothing before you depart the US with permethrin which can be purchased at any camping store or online. This will help repel insects. Take deet wipes---if you need them to guard against mosquito bites you can use them otherwise you don't need to lather yourself up every morning with deet. Wear socks (guard against mosquito and tsetse bites), long travel pants, and sun hat. Let me know if you have other questions. You will love K&T---enjoy. Arlene

It can be cold in predawn game drives, so take a warm layer. I took a fleece, not a coat. Take good sunscreen too.

Some game drive vehicles have a canopy that provides shade but limits views of birds and animals in the trees. The better vehicles for viewing don’t have a canopy, but you will need more sun screen.

I am not sure what specific boots you need for a safari. Most of the time you will be in a vehicle and you won’t be permitted to get out.

If you are a photographer, get dust free bags for your equipment.

The monkeys will be after your food, so hold on tight to it!

Thanks for the great comments.
We will be in a van like vehicle with a pop up roof.

What would be a typical temperature for the morning, going out to the bush?

I don’t know what the temperature was but in the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngoro Ngoro it is chilly when the sun goes down (6:30 pm to 6:30 am). I suppose it depends what temperatures you are accustomed to, but a warm sweater or fleece should be sufficient, especially if you have a windbreaker to layer. I also recommend a wool or fleece toque/hat/beanie. You stay warmer when your head is warm.