HATTERS ESU KENYA EXPEDITION 2026 – KIT LIST
All items are required unless stated as optional. Pack light, quick-drying layers. Aim to keep your checked bag under 20kg and hand luggage within 5kg.
Typical August Conditions (Kenya) – Plan Your Layers
Cool, dry highlands (Nairobi/Maasai Mara mornings and evenings can be chilly), warm days in the 20s °C, and cooler nights near 10–13 °C.
Uniform
- Uniform shirt
- UK Scarf/Necker (will be issued in 2026)
- Purple and White Scarf/Necker
- UK Badge sewn on to uniform (will be issued in 2026)
- Expedition badge sewn on to uniform (will be issued in 2026)
Documents & Admin
- Passport (valid 6+ months from arrival, with 2 blank pages)
- Spending money (kept secure – belts recommended)
- Zip card/means to pay for public transport in London
Bags & Packing
- Main kit bag/duffel (~80 L), soft-sided, lockable
- Daypack (~30 L) for daily carry (fits waterproofs, 2 L water, hat, snacks, camera, documents)
- Small padlock for kit bag
- Dry bags / heavy-duty liners for clothing & sleeping bag (bags are not waterproof; organise kit in roll-tops or bin liners)
- Name tags on all bags inside and out
Clothing
Choose breathable, quick-drying fabrics; avoid cotton where possible. Follow modest dress in communities.
- Waterproof jacket with hood (lightweight shell)
- Warm insulated jacket (down/synthetic) for cool evenings
- 1 fleece or soft-shell mid-layer
- Gardening Gloves for volunteering
- 1 long-sleeve base layer/thermal (not cotton)
- 3–4 quick-drying shirts or T-shirts
- 1 long-sleeve collared shirt (sun protection and community settings)
- 2 pairs activity style trousers (at least one zip-off if possible)
- 1 pair knee-length shorts (optional; leaders will advise where culturally appropriate)
- Lightweight waterproof over-trousers
- Sleepwear / spare lightweight shorts
- Underwear 5–7 pairs; sports bras as needed
- Hiking socks 2–3 pairs + casual socks 2 pairs
Modesty note: leggings are not culturally appropriate in many community settings; avoid.
Footwear
- Lightweight hiking boots, ankle-high, worn-in
- Trainers for camp/sightseeing (good tread)
- Closed-toe work shoes with thick soles (best to use hiking boots) for volunteering
- Camp sandals/crocs (optional) – Not appropriate on all camp sites, some will have thorns thick enough to go through anything other than walking boots
Head & Extremities
- Wide-brimmed sunhat
- Warm hat/beanie for cool nights
- Neck scarf/buff (optional)
- Good UV-blocking sunglasses
- Gardening gloves (for our voluntary work)
Sleep & Camp
- 2-season sleeping bag (comfort ~10 °C)
- Sleeping mat
- Sleeping bag liner (optional)
- Compact travel pillow (optional)
- Head torch + spare batteries
- Whistle
- Personal mosquito net (optional; many sites provide nets—leaders will confirm)
Hydration & Food
- Water capacity ≥ 2 litres (either 2×1 L bottles or 1×2 L bottle)
- Snacks for long travel days (leaders will advise if any nut allergies are present)
Toiletries & Hygiene
- Quick-dry travel towel
- Travel-size toiletries (minimal liquids in hand luggage)
- High-SPF sunscreen (face & body) and lip balm
- Toilet roll & resealable bags
- Bar soap or biodegradable wash; flannel (helpful for limited water)
- Personal laundry soap/travel wash (optional)
- Elastic travel clothesline + a few pegs
- Antibacterial hand gel
Medical & Bite Prevention
- Personal first-aid kit (plasters, blister care, antiseptic wipes/cream, painkillers, cold remedy, throat lozenges)
- Oral Rehydration Salts (e.g., Dioralyte)
- Personal medication in original packaging + copies of prescriptions
- Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin) – the most important part of your kit
- Tick remover & after-bite cream (optional)
- Water purification tablets
- Motion sickness tablets (if needed)
Please refer to travel clinic or travel nurse at your GP’s Practice for vaccination advice. We are not allowed to advise (The Scouts’ rules).
Volunteering & Activity PPE
- Work gloves (durable)
- Lightweight long-sleeve shirt and long trousers for workdays
Tech & Power
- Mobile phone + charging cable (optional)
- Power bank (optional)
- Camera + spare memory cards/batteries (optional)
- UK Type G plugs are standard in Kenya (no adapter needed for UK plugs)
- Head torch (listed above) – keep accessible
Money & Valuables
- Money belt or pouch for valuables
- Small padlock (listed above)
- Keep jewellery to a minimum, if any, no flashy items
Optional Nice-to-Haves
- Lightweight binoculars
- Notebook & pen; small games/pack of cards
- Small, culturally appropriate gifts for hosts (leaders will advise)
Leader/Group-Issued (no action for participants)
Trauma and group first-aid kits; comms (dual-SIM phones/radios/satellite device); water-treatment backup; medical forms; incident and safeguarding reporting materials.
In addition the Leader Team will carry and/or issue the following, per person:
- Kenya eTA approval printout (and digital copy) carry
- Travel insurance certificate & 24/7 assistance numbers carry
- Parental/guardian consent letters and medical consent for minors carry
- Two spare passport photos + photocopies of passport ID page carry
- Emergency contacts list (leaders/insurer/consulate) issue
- Itinerary & accommodation contacts (paper and digital) issue
- Luggage labels issue