Giraffe on the Kenyan savannah

Sometime Never  ✶  Kenya 2025

Before
you go.

Everything you need to know — and nothing you don't.

A note from us

You're going. Really going. This isn't a trip you planned out of habit or obligation — it's a journey you chose because some part of you needed it.

We've put together everything you need to feel prepared without feeling overwhelmed. Read it once, let it settle, and get back to being excited. That's the whole point.

We'll take care of the rest.

Sometime Never  ✶  Kenya 2026

The adventure begins in

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Departure

May 28, 2026

Return

June 8, 2026

Destination

Nairobi, Kenya

calculating...

Before you leave

The essentials

Documents, insurance, health prep — the things that live in the "do not forget" drawer.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your departure date, signed, and have at least two blank pages. Quick check: flip to the back, count the pages, check the expiry. Done.
You'll apply for your Kenyan e-visa independently — just a few minutes online. Head to applyevisa.com/kenya to get started. Apply early — our team can assist if you have questions.
Travel insurance is required — not optional. Make sure you're covered for medical expenses, emergency evacuation, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and non-refundable flights. We'll confirm coverage before departure.
Your destination is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), Nairobi — 10 miles from the city centre. Flights typically transit through Europe. We'll be there to pick you up — just share your flight details once booked.

All inter-country flights are included and booked by our team. For safari, we fly from Wilson Airport — about 45 minutes, with views of the Great Rift Valley from above.
Full trip: arrive the 19th, join us in Nairobi, depart Lamu on the 28th. Main event only: arrive the 23rd or early morning on the 24th. Share your timing and we'll make it all connect.
No mandatory requirements for arrivals from the US. We recommend consulting a travel doctor — most suggest Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid. If arriving from a Yellow Fever risk country, you'll need proof of vaccination.
Malaria is present in Kenya. Mosquitoes are most active after dark (9pm–6am). Simple approach: cover up in the evenings, use repellent, and ask your doctor about prophylaxis — most will recommend it for the coast.
Vintage leather luggage
Safari tent interior
What to wear

A little bush,
a little beach.

Safari mornings are cool and the coast runs warm and humid. Dress weather-appropriate while still dressing to impress.

Think Out of Africa — unhurried, classic, quietly considered. Neutrals: ivory, khaki, tawny, dusty olive, warm white, biscuit. Nothing bright or neon. We have a photographer with us throughout the week — dress for the memory.
Early game drives are crisp — bring a light layer. By mid-morning it warms considerably. Long sleeves for evenings. Earth tones photograph beautifully in golden hour light.
Warm and tropical with sea breezes. Loose linen, light cotton, easy dresses. The pace slows on the coast — your wardrobe should too. Swimwear, sandals, and something effortlessly elegant for evenings.
Direction only — not prescriptive:

Women

  • Sézane
  • Zimmermann
  • Reformation
  • Madewell
  • Nili Lotan
  • Aritzia
  • Farm Rio
  • Anthropologie

Men

  • Blundstone
  • Buck Mason
  • Todd Snyder
  • Ralph Lauren
  • Alex Crane
  • Banana Republic
  • Industry of All Nations
  • Patagonia
Packing

Travel light. Really light.

33 lbs total. One soft bag, no wheels. Laundry is included — you won't miss anything you left behind.

One soft checked bag + one carry-on, max 33 lbs / 15 kg total. Safety requirement for Kenya's domestic flights — not a suggestion. No hard cases, no wheels. Max dimensions: 25cm wide × 30cm high × 62cm long.
Everything in neutrals. Linen, cotton, canvas — nothing synthetic or shiny.
Clothing2 lightweight trousers · 2–3 shirts or blouses · 2 long-sleeve layers · 1 pair shorts · 1 easy dress or smart casual option
FootwearClosed-toe walking shoes or boots · sandals for downtime · 1 light evening shoe
OuterwearLight rain jacket or poncho · wide-brim hat · scarf or bandana
SwimwearOne swimsuit for the lodge stay at Lamu
GearBinoculars · head torch · belt · good book for siesta
Health & sunSunscreen · insect repellent · personal medications · 2 water bottles
CameraSpare batteries · memory cards · dust cloth
Provided at campShampoo · conditioner · body wash · blow dryer · laundry service
Yes — laundry is included throughout. Pack half of what you think you need. Exception: for cultural reasons, underwear won't be washed at camp. One pair per day.
Kenya runs on 240V with British three-prong sockets. Bring a universal travel adaptor. Leave high-voltage appliances at home.
Climate

You're arriving
at the right time.

Late May into early June is Kenya's shoulder season — fewer crowds, vivid green landscapes, superb wildlife activity.

Masai Mara & Tsavo — Safari

85°F / 29°C days  ·  60°F / 16°C evenings  ·  dry heat. A light jacket earns its place on every game drive.

Lamu — Coast

85°F / 29°C days  ·  75°F / 24°C evenings  ·  tropical with beautiful sea breezes.

Rain

Possible but brief and beautiful. The light after a passing shower is extraordinary.

Money

Cash & gratuities.

You won't need much — but what you bring matters to the people who make this trip possible.

A good baseline is $500 USD in small bills. More if you're a keen market shopper. USD is widely accepted.
Tipping is an important part of safari culture and the teams rely on it.
  • Camp / lodge staff (shared pool): $10–$20 per person, per day
  • Safari guide / driver-guide: $10–$20 per person, per day
  • Spotters: $5–$15 per person, per day
Roughly $25–$55 per person per day. Cash preferred — card tips are taxed and staff receive 30% less.
On the ground

A few things
worth knowing.

Language, etiquette, and photography.

English is widely spoken. But a few words of Kiswahili go a long way:
  • Jambo — Hello
  • Karibu — Welcome (you'll hear this constantly)
  • Asante sana — Thank you very much
  • Pole pole — Slowly / take it easy
  • Nakupenda — I love you (useful for the landscape)
Wildlife: Simba (Lion) · Twiga (Giraffe) · Duma (Cheetah) · Tembo (Elephant) · Punda milia (Zebra)
Your guide is the authority — always follow their lead. Stay in the vehicle unless told otherwise, don't feed the wildlife, keep voices low near animals, no litter, keep your tent closed at all times.
Always ask permission before photographing people. Never photograph airports, government buildings, military, or police. Respect the wildlife — keep your distance and let them be.

You don't need a huge kit. The best photos come from being in the right place. We handle that part.
Giraffe on the savannah
Packed safari vehicle
Before you go

Watch & read
your way there.

Pour something cold and let Kenya find you early. Your pre-departure curriculum.

1985

Out of Africa

The one. Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Kenya at its most cinematic. Watch it twice.

1966

Born Free

Joy and George Adamson, Elsa the lioness, and the Kenyan bush. Still quietly devastating.

1996

The Ghost and the Darkness

Set in Tsavo — exactly where we're going. Based on a true story.

2005

The Constant Gardener

A thriller shot on location. Nairobi and the Rift Valley have never looked so alive.

Read

West with the Night — Beryl Markham

A memoir written in Kenya. Hemingway called it a great book. Bring it with you.

Read

I Dreamed of Africa — Kuki Gallmann

One woman's extraordinary life on a Kenyan ranch. Lyrical and unforgettable.

"The most important thing you can pack is the willingness to be surprised."

If anything here raises a question, just ask — nothing is too small. That's what we're here for.

We can't wait to take you there.

— The Sometime Never team

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