ann_nyc

Can someone help me understand what kind of weather to expect in Kenya and Tanzania in October? I will be going on my first safari, to Serengeti • Ngorongoro Crater • Tarangire • Lake Manyara • Amboseli • Sweetwaters. The itinerary is at http://www.oattravel.com/gcc/general...spx?oid=119170.

Here are some specific questions: Should I expect it to be hot or cold at night? A couple of the destinations are tented camps, and I'm trying to understand what to bring to sleep in.
I realize that long sleeves and long pants are recommended between dusk and dawn to protect against mosquitos, but will it be too hot to wear them all day?
During the game drives, do you wear sneakers or sandals?
Where do you get socks that you can wash in the sink and dry overnight?
thanks!

Pumbavu

It can get cool at night. I take a light jacket. I even wore it once. It is warm during the day and I wear sandles when on Safari. If you can find long trousers and sleeves get loose fitting and cool. I wear long sleeves to protect my arms from the sun.

Especially in the highlands it can get cooler at night. I remember at Mt. Kenya Safari Club they tried to light the log fire in my room. I declined as I come from Englands frozen North, where we still wear short sleeved shirts when it's snowing.

I would say most nights will be pleasently cool, but most places you stay at will have a nice open fire in the evenings to huddle around and swap stories. As for sleeping, light sleepwear... you will have plenty of blankets available if you need then, but mosquito nets seem to keep the heat in as well as the little terrors out!

Have a great trip!

sandi

Daytime temps will be mild, evenings/nights/mornings will be cool, so a light jacket or heavy sweater works. Even in tents, it's comfortable to sleep and there are usually extra blankets if you hit a cooler than usual night or two. Some people choose sweats as sleepwear. At the Crater you can expect it to be cold at night due to the altitude.

Long pants will be fine during the day, or if you have convertible pants that zip off into shorts, these would work if you find the temps too warm. But often when you go on afternoon game drives when it's warm, as soon as the sun starts to drop below the horizon the temps drop also.

Since your in the vehicle during game drives, sandals are fine; use sneakers if doing any game walks.

Socks, though I bring these, I rarely wear, so can't comment on quick-dry. Maybe the lightweight nylon-type would work. You don't need heavy wool socks, but something to keep your feet comfortable early and late in the day.