Trip Finder
Kenya + Zanzibar
Information for Enrolled Students

Packing List

We’ve provided packing recommendations below; however, equivalent items work just fine. We also offer many items for sale via our online store. These items are marked with an “x” in the appropriate column.
Keep in mind that June and July are winter months in Kenya and Tanzania. Warm layers are very important, as evening temperatures can dip down into the 50s. Daytime temperatures range between 60°-85° F. We ask that you are respectful to cultural sensitivities and cover your knees/shoulders during the community service projects and while traveling in public with your group.

Long Underwear / Base Layer Top

At least one synthetic, non-cotton, medium-weight long sleeve top, other can be cotton

Qty: 1
Patagonia Capilene Crew, TASC Performance Beaver Falls

T-shirts

Minimum of 2 synthetic, non-cotton t-shirts, other shirts may be cotton; do not pack many tank tops

Qty: 4
Patagonia Capilene T-Shirt, Marmot Windridge, TASC Performance Carrollton Performance Crew

Sun Hoodie

Qty: 1
Patagonia Capilene® Cool Daily Hoody

Lightweight Top

Synthetic, non-cotton. This can be a fleece pullover, sweater or a full-zip jacket

Qty: 1
Patagonia R1 fleece

Insulating Jacket

Synthetic or down insulation, non-cotton. This can be a synthetic or down “puffy” jacket, or an additional heavyweight fleece

Qty: 1
Patagonia Nano Puff or Down Sweater

Rain Jacket w/ Hood

100% waterproof rain jacket with a hood - no ponchos!

Qty: 1
Patagonia Torrentshell or Marmot Precip

Long Sleeve Rash Guard

For sun protection and comfort in the water

Qty: 1
Patagonia Long Sleeved Rashguard

Sports Bra

For Girls

Qty: 4

Required Clothing Items
NOTE: You can expect to get your clothes dirty during your community service section, so keep that in mind when choosing specific clothing and footwear items.

Long Underwear / Base Layer Bottom

Synthetic, non-cotton medium weight long underwear bottoms

Qty: 1-2
Patagonia Capilene Lightweight/Midweight Bottoms

Quick-dry Shorts

Synthetic, non-cotton shorts

Qty: 3
Patagonia Baggies

Bathing Suits

Boys: your quick-dry shorts can double as your bathing suit

Qty: 2

Long Pants

1 pair of synthetic, non-cotton hiking pants. 1 pair may be cotton or a yoga pant. REQUIRED 1 pair of loose/flowy pants to be culturally appropriate during community service. Leggings are NOT appropriate during community service.

Qty: 2-3

Underwear

Synthetic, non-cotton are best (but a couple cotton pairs are okay)

Qty: 6

Required Clothing Items
NOTE: You can expect to get your clothes dirty during your community service section, so keep that in mind when choosing specific clothing and footwear items.

Hat

A baseball hat or wide-brimmed hat for sun protection

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Work Gloves

Qty: 1

Buff or Bandana (Important!)

For additional sun and wind protection. Buffs are tube-like and can be worn up to 12 different ways providing versatile sun protection. Can even be worn as a headband!

Qty: 1
Moondance Buff
Buy in our gear store

Required Items

Duffel Bag or Backpack

45-60 liters; MUST be small enough to carry on the plane

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55 L
Buy in our gear store

Day Pack

25 – 32 liter daypack /school backpack to carry your rain jacket, water bottle and snacks

Qty: 1
Patagonia Refugio Pack 26 L

For holding your gear

Trail / Tennis Shoes

A pair of comfortable, closed-toe sturdy shoes

Qty: 1

River Shoes

These can be open-toed, but do need to have a back strap

Qty: 1
Chaco, Teva, Keen

Socks

Non-cotton, lightweight hiking socks (At least 2 pair heavier weight--wool)

Qty: 7 Pair
Smartwool or Darn Tough

Required Shoes
NOTE: You can expect to get your clothes dirty during your community service section, so keep that in mind when choosing specific clothing and footwear items.

Personal + Travel Medications

Please bring any personal medications and travel medications as advised by your Physician.

Qty: As needed

Blister Pill Pack or PillBox

The best way to send medication is with PillPacks by Amazon or a Pill Box.

Qty: As needed
Consider https://pharmacy.amazon.com/pillpack

Leaders will collect all medications, except inhalers and epi-pens. Other medications should be in a pillbox or PillPack.

Dopp Kit*

Contains: toothbrush, toothpaste, prescription medication, travel shampoo & soap, deodorant

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Cube 6L – M

First Aid Kit*

Contains: Insect repellent, reef safe waterproof sunscreen (Kokua, Thinksport, Stream2Sea), zinc oxide, Band-aids, Moleskin, Chapstick w/ sun prevention, Wet Ones wipes, Dramamine (if prone to motion sickness), personal hand sanitizer

Qty: 1

Prescription glasses + Contacts

If your child wears glasses and/or contacts, please bring at least one spare pair of glasses/ lenses. Contact lens wearers should bring a pair of glasses as backup in addition to contacts.

Qty: 2 Pair

Required Hygiene Items
*Please keep all toiletries in your checked luggage, with the exception of your toothbrush and any personal/prescription medication

Trail / Tennis Shoes

A pair of comfortable, closed-toe sturdy shoes

Qty: 1

River Shoes

These can be open-toed, but do need to have a back strap

Qty: 1
Chaco, Teva, Keen

Socks

Non-cotton, lightweight hiking socks (At least 2 pair heavier weight--wool)

Qty: 7 Pair
Smartwool or Darn Tough

Required Shoes
NOTE: You can expect to get your clothes dirty during your community service section, so keep that in mind when choosing specific clothing and footwear items.

Sleeping Bag Liner

Highly recommended. Silk, cotton, or synthetic. Used as a “lightweight sheet” in warm climates in lieu of a sleeping bag. Used when staying in hotels/ hostels as a personal sheet.

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Expander Travel Liner
Buy in our gear store

You will be staying in hostels, so this is for extra comfort

Wallet

Personal wallet with $200 spending money and valid identification

Qty: 1

Passport + copies

Passport (valid for 6 months after the last day of your trip) + 2 additional photocopies of your passport

Qty: 1 + 2 copies

Kenyan Visa

(Inside passport) Directions to obtain visa to follow

Qty: 1

Tanzanian Visa

(Inside passport) Directions to obtain visa to follow

Qty: 1

Pack Towel

Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large is ideal

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Buy in our gear store

Additional Required Items

Water Bottles

2

Nalgene 1L wide mouth
Buy in our gear store

Mesh Stuff Sack

1 extra mesh stuff sack for dirty clothes storage, sleeping bag size

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Mesh Stuff Sack

Headlamp

With fresh batteries + 2 sets of spare batteries

Qty: 1
Black Diamond Spot or Black Diamond Storm

Sunglasses

With 100% UV protection

Qty: 1
Goodr

Sunglasses holders

Qty: 1
Croakies or Chums

Additional Required Items

Camera*

With charger + international adapter, and a 32- 64GB memory card

Qty: 1

Go Pro

With charger and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

A Good Book

Paperback books are less bulky…highly recommended for long flights

Qty: 1

Notebook with pen

For journaling

Qty: 1

Small Binoculars

Recommended for wildlife safari

Qty: 1

Personal Protective Equipment: Mask

Two (2) reusable, breathable masks that completely cover nose and mouth and fit snuggly; Moondance will not provide masks. To be used where it is required by trip location or outfitter.

Qty: 2

Not required but highly recommended.
*Since we don’t allow cell phones during the course of our trips, you may not use your phone as a camera. Leaders will take photos that will be shared at the end of the summer.

Packing Tips

In the event that your luggage is delayed or lost in transit, we want you to be prepared. Therefore, wear tennis or hiking shoes on the plane. Plus, pack the following items from this packing list in your daypack / school backpack carry-on:

  • A change of clothes (underwear + t-shirt + shorts or pants)
  • Your rain jacket
  • Prescription medications & toothbrush
  • Passport, ID, money
  • Completed International Travel Authorization form

These items are already included in the packing list – they are not additional items!

Shop Our Gear Store

Lodging

Sleeping

During your trip you will stay in a variety of accommodations: large canvas tents for community service/safari, lodges, and hotels/hostels (all single gender)

Eating

Eating utensils (plates and cutlery) will be provided throughout the trip.

If you have any special dietary restrictions/ considerations, please contact the Moondance office for further information.

Immunizations

Yellow Fever

Required for entry, a single dose provides lifelong protection for most people. Please travel with vaccination record.

Routine Vaccinations

Moondance adheres the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. They state that routine vaccines are those recommended for everyone in the United States, depending on age and vaccine history. Please consult with a physician for specific recommendations based on your health history.

Routine vaccinations related to travel may include the following:

  • COVID-19
  • Chickenpox (Varicella)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
  • Influenza
  • Measles, mumps, Rubella
  • Meningococcal
  • Pneumococcal
  • Polio
  • Rotavirus
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
  • Shingles (Zoster)

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Kenya + Zanzibar take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Meningitis

Recommended for travelers 2 months old or older traveling to areas of Kenya that are part of the meningitis belt during the dry season.

Cholera

Active cholera transmission is widespread in Kenya. Cholera is rare in travelers. Certain factors may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease. Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Polio

According to the CDC, poliovirus has been identified in Kenya recently. Therefore, travelers to Kenya are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus.

They recommend travelers who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated should receive a complete polio vaccination series before travel. Children who are not fully vaccinated will be considered for an accelerated vaccination schedule. Adults who received a complete polio vaccination series as children may receive a single lifetime booster dose of inactivated polio vaccine.

Rabies

The Centers for Disease Control recommends a pre-exposure rabies vaccination before your trip because rabid dogs are commonly found in Kenya and rabies is present in some terrestrial wildlife species.  Rabies treatment may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities. We will encounter dogs and wildlife especially as we travel to rural areas.

Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Check the map tab on this page to view a map of where Moondance groups will be traveling throughout Kenya + Zanzibar. Provide this information to your physician of choice (primary care physician, travel clinic, etc.) in order to get the most accurate suggestions for immunizations and vaccinations. A yellow fever vaccine is required for this trip.

  • Click here to see what the CDC recommends for travelers in Zanzibar.
  • Click here to see what the CDC recommends for travelers in Kenya.

Flights

Kenya + Zanzibar 1, June 5 - June 21, 2024, Option 1

Kenya + Zanzibar 1, June 5 - June 21, 2024, Option 2

Kenya + Zanzibar 2, June 22 - July 8, 2024, Option 1

Kenya + Zanzibar 2, June 22 - July 8, 2024, Option 2

Kenya + Zanzibar 3, July 9 - July 25, 2024, Option 1

Kenya + Zanzibar 3, July 9 - July 25, 2024, Option 2



Important Travel Notes:

  • We highly recommend that all students fly on the designated flights above. If you have any questions OR if you are considering another flight path please contact the Moondance Adventures HQ BEFORE purchasing your airfare.
  • We also highly recommend making your flight reservation through our partnered travel agency, Exito. They are familiar with all Moondance flights. Please follow this link to start the booking process.
  • Remember when booking your child’s flight to allow at least a 3-hour layover in any connecting airport to avoid missed connections or baggage delays.
  • Please keep in mind the group flight will begin and end at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The group will meet in Atlanta and fly as a group to Nairobi, Kenya. Because the group flies together, it is imperative that every student arrives in Atlanta in a timely fashion. If one individual does not arrive in Atlanta on time to make the group flights, it can delay the entire trip. Leaders are not guaranteed to be on the flight.
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