Disclaimer: The information shared here reflects my personal experiences and professional insights but is not meant to replace individual medical advice. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links.
When my husband and I decided to plan a honeymoon safari in Kenya, I was filled with equal parts excitement and nerves. The thought of seeing lions, elephants and giraffes up close? A dream! The thought of managing my Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) while traveling across the world? A little intimidating!
If you ever wondered if a big adventure like this is possible with T1D, let me assure you- it totally is! T1D didn’t stop me from having the adventure of a lifetime, and it won’t stop you either. Here’s how I prepared to make the most of every moment on our safari:
Preparing for a Kenya Safari with Diabetes
Before heading off on our African adventure, I sat down with my diabetes care team to go over the details of my trip. This session left me feeling way more prepared for our trip. Here’s what we covered:
Time zone changes are always a headache for me, so I knew I needed to plan ahead for the 8-hour time difference. With the help of my care team, we mapped out the insulin adjustments needed for the 20+ hours of travel and how to make a smooth transition.
Covering My Bases with Prescription Medications
Traveling to Kenya has its own unique set of health risks, so my doctor prescribed malaria prevention pills, an antibiotic, and zofran. Having these prescriptions, along with over-the-counter medications, gave me a peace of mind– because the middle of the savanna isn’t exactly the best place for an emergency pharmacy run.
Doctor’s Note for Flying (Just in case)
I kept reading about the importance of a doctor’s note for international travel and airport security, so I had one prepared with a list of my medications and diabetes supplies. No one asked for it, but better safe than sorry, right?
Packing for a Safari with Diabetes
Safari Luggage Restrictions
Packing for a safari? Talk about a challenge.
The small aircrafts that fly you to your safari destination usually have strict luggage limits-33 lbs per person, including your personal bag and luggage. Trying to fit in diabetes supplies, snacks and clothing into that weight limit felt almost impossible. Thankfully, our travel agent pulled some strings and got my allowance up to 45 lbs.
Packing diabetes supplies in carry-on
The #1 rule of traveling with T1D: never check your diabetes supplies. Ever.
I packed all of my essentials including my diabetes supplies and low snacks in my trusty Calpak Tera Backpack (non-affiliate link). It has multiple compartments, which makes it super easy to organize everything and it fits perfectly under the airplane seat. That bag stayed glued to my side the entire trip.
Diabetes Supplies for a 10 Day Safari
The list that you’ve been waiting for- here’s what was in my bag for a 10 day trip:
Dexcom G6 Sensors (3): Yup, I packed enough to cover a month– 30 days of supplies for a 10-day trip, plus the sensor I was already wearing when we left.
Dexcom G6 Transmitter: Learned the hard way on a previous trip– never go on a trip without a spare transmitter. Trust me, you don’t want to be stuck without one…
Frio Large Cooling Wallet: This insulin cooling case was a lifesaver! It only needed water to refresh and activate, making it perfect for long travel days and those all-day safari drives.
Afrezza (1 Foil Package, 30 Cartridges): I packed 30 cartridges of Afrezza to help keep my blood sugar in check with all the unfamiliar foods I’d be eating. It’s quick and effective at bringing my blood sugar down fast. Plus, it served as a backup for fast-acting insulin, just in case my InPen decided to malfunction 7,000+ miles away from home.
My InPen, Pen Tips, and Insulin Penfill Cartridges (3): Once again, I packed more than a 10-day supply of insulin. After freezing insulin on one trip and cracking vials on another, I’ve learned to bring even more than I originally think I’ll need.
Tresiba (2 Pens): Given my insulin needs, two Tresiba pens was more than enough for the 10-day trip- can you tell I tend to overpack?
Transcend Mini Glucose Gels (24 Gels- Gifted): Transcend Foods was generous to gift me a box of Orange and Strawberry Mini Glucose Gels prior to my trip. They barely took up any space in my bag, unlike other low snacks that can be bulky and take up precious space. With 8g of carbs, they were the perfect quick fix for when my blood sugar needed a quick boost.
Nature’s Valley Protein Bars (1 Box): With long travel days and jetlag kicking in, having a box of protein bars was perfect to keep on hand when hunger struck unexpectedly.
Glucose Meter, Lancing Device, Test Strips (50 Strips and Battery Back Up): In case my Dexcom was being dramatic, I made sure to have my glucose meter and test strips for a quick fingerstick. I also packed a spare battery for the meter, just because I can’t remember the last time I changed it (or my lancet for that matter).
Glucagon (1): I packed just one Glucagon kit because- well, I was really hoping I never needed to use it, let alone a second one.
LMNT Electrolyte Packs (12): As someone with both type 1 diabetes and POTS, electrolytes are a must for me, especially in the heat. My go-to is LMNT Zero Sugar Electrolytes- Raspberry Salt. It’s the perfect balance of salty and refreshing with just 2g of carbs.
Owala Water Bottle: An emotional support water bottle is a must to keep hydrated.
Basic First Aid Kit: Bandages, antibiotic ointment and steroid cream for tiny cuts, scrapes and potential bug bites.
Over-the-Counter Medications: Benadryl for allergies, Pepto-Bismol for any questionable food decisions, Dramamine Non-Drowsy for bumpy safari drives, Aleve for any aches and pains, and SennaKot, because travel can mess with your digestion.
Other Prescription Medications: I packed all of my prescription and medical supplies in this hanging travel organizer from Amazon.
Universal Travel Adapter: Lesson learned the hard way during our layover in London- we grabbed the wrong adapter. So we picked up an universal travel adapter to avoid that mix up in the future.
Travel Extension Cord: The ultimate travel hack- this little gem ensures you’ll never run out of outlets to keep all of your diabetes devices fully charged.
Portable Charger: Long travel days, endless safari, and using your phone to monitor your blood sugars can drain your battery fast. A portable charger is a must!
Navigating Safari Drives with Diabetes
Being out on a safari was exhilarating! But with game drives lasting anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, I knew I had to be prepared for anything diabetes might throw my way. Here’s how I made sure I was prepared during the long drives:
Letting My Guide Know
I made sure to tell our safari guides about my Type 1 Diabetes. They were always really thoughtful and accommodating, packing breakfast, snacks and drinks for our drives- and they’d even ask about our preferences, which was a nice touch!
Packing Snacks
Safari games are pretty remote, so I made sure to carry low snacks like granola bars, fruit or glucose gels– just in case I got hungry or needed to bring my blood sugar up quickly.
Drinking Water
Staying hydrated in the African heat is a non-negotiable. Each lodge provided us with reusable water bottles that we’d refill with drinking water before each drive to stay hydrated.
Monitoring Blood Sugar
I made sure to check my blood sugar throughout the drive especially since sitting still for hours can sometimes make my blood sugars a bit wonky. If I noticed my blood sugars starting to creep up a bit too high, I used Afrezza to bring it back down quickly.
Food Options during a Kenya Safari
Food options at our Kenya safari lodges were impressively diabetes-friendly and offered plenty of customizable meal options. The lodges we stayed at served a buffet-styled breakfast and typically included eggs, fresh fruit, yogurt and pancakes. Lunch and dinner were pre-set menus featuring soups, salads, and your choice of 3 hearty main courses and dessert.
Managing my blood sugars was surprisingly straightforward since most meals were fiber-forward and well-balanced. While there wasn’t anything I felt restricted from enjoying, the camp staff always went above and beyond to accommodate any request to make the dining experience stress-free and enjoyable. Some of my favorite meals included:
Chicken schnitzel with roasted potatoes and salad
Tomato tartine
Dal makhani with rice and roti
Vegetable risotto
Steak with chimichurri sauce and papas fritas (pictured)
Final Thoughts
Looking back on our African Safari honeymoon, it was nothing short of magical– like stepping into a living postcard filled with breathtaking landscapes, awe-inspiring wildlife and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. From watching herds of elephants gracefully cross the savanna at sunset to having coffee with giraffes at the iconic Giraffe Manor, every experience was more magical than the last.
Managing type 1 diabetes didn’t take away from the magic of this trip. With a little bit of thoughtful preparation, some extra supplies (okay, maybe a lot of extras), and the loving support of my husband, I was able to manage my diabetes without missing a beat.
This trip was proof that adventure and diabetes can absolutely coexist. Whether it is a safari in Kenya or another bucket-list destination, don’t let diabetes hold you back. Your next adventure is waiting!