What To Bring

Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes and good socks are essential. Sandals or flip flops are perfect for walking around camp. We ask guests to remove their shoes when entering the mess area as it’s like going on the wooden deck of a yacht, and most guests do the same in their rooms.

Temperatures: Mornings and evenings are cool but by midday the sun is hot. Bring your swimwear to float down the river on a bean bag. Come prepared across the board and don’t think you have to stick to what are generally considered bush colors as you will be in the company of Samburu warriors adorned in every color of the rainbow. Nights can get cold especially if the skies are clear but your bed has a warm bedspread and a hot water bottle to make sure you do not get cold at night.

Dress code: Strictly in your comfort zone! All meals including dinner are casual at the camp. All your hosts are dressed in their traditional attire
Sun protection: Sun cream is crucial; we are at almost 6000 feet altitude and on the equator. Strong sun! A hat is a life saver as are sunglasses and some lip balm is a great idea too. And as we said above do bring your swimming costume too.

Skincare and dry skin: The air is dry at Koija and the water you bathe in is quite hard. In addition to your usual beauty regime please bring some lovely moisturizer. We have a homemade insect repellent body moisturizer which is fantastic but you can’t take it away with you.

Nocturnal needs: A great torch and an additional LED head lamp are worth their weight in gold. Insect repellent is fantastic.

Insect repellents and bugs: Except for in the rainy season we really do not have many bugs at all. Since we started watering the area of the camp we do however have daytime grass mosquitoes that BITE so insect repellent is great in the day too. We have made our own bug-off lotion using amazing essential oils but if you are super worried head for the deet although at Lemarti’s Camp it’s actually unnecessary.

Forays into the community and markets: During your stay you are sure to make visits to the local women’s group, a Manyatta or the market. You may well find things you wish to purchase. Make sure you bring Kenya currency in Kshs 100, 200 and 500 notes. You will also be meeting and greeting lots of people and you are likely to get hot along the way. Wet wipes as well as hand sanitizer followed by a facial refreshing spray feel like a mini spa…

Medical kit and prescription drugs: Prescribed medication must be carried with you, and although the area is Malaria free, we suggest you continue taking your prophylactics. Perhaps you should ask your family doctor to make you a basic home first aid kit that contains medicines and any products whose brand name you are familiar with, best to self-medicate. We do have an extensive medical kit in camp but it’s good to go with what you know and are used to. E.g. Tylenol, Advil, Microsporin etc.

Reading or keeping a diary?

I personally cannot go on holiday to say a Caribbean beach and be reading Anna Karenina – just does not work. So either I suggest you buy a journal and keep a diary which will contain all the memories you want to take away with you and even better if you have a Polaroid. Or refer to our reading list for books that will bring you right back to where you actually are. If you have the will or the talent I love to take a tiny ring bound pocket size pad of watercolor paper and a tiny paint box of water colors and brush, even if just to capture the colors of a sunset.

Camera equipment: Cameras and a spare memory card as well as a spare battery if you use a digital camera; a video camera and a spare battery. (Batteries can be recharged on request). Binoculars and telescopes are available in the mess tent and will not be necessary to bring.

If you have one, a Polaroid camera is an incredible ice breaker when you are visiting the community, as you can take photos and give it to the person instantly – normally a huge hit and means you make friends instantaneously.