Packing for a safari is mostly about three things: layers for cold mornings and hot afternoons, colours that suit the bush, and a bag light enough for a small plane. Once you have those, the rest is simple. This list is what we send to our own guests.
Luggage: soft bags and weight limits
If your safari includes a light-aircraft flight, for example back from the Serengeti or down to Zanzibar, most airlines limit luggage to around 15 kg per person including hand luggage. Bags need to be soft so they fit into the small hold.
- A soft duffel bag with no wheels or rigid frame.
- A small daypack for the vehicle: camera, water, sunscreen and a fleece.
- If you are also visiting the coast, many hotels in Arusha can store extra luggage for you.
Clothing: layers and neutral colours
Choose khaki, beige, olive and soft brown. They show less dust and do not stand out to wildlife. Avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies in parts of Tarangire and the western Serengeti. Do not bring camouflage prints, which are reserved for the military in Tanzania.
| Item | How many (7 nights) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight long-sleeved shirts | 3 | Sun and insect protection |
| T-shirts | 3 to 4 | Breathable cotton or technical fabric |
| Trousers or zip-off pants | 2 | Light and quick-drying |
| Shorts | 1 to 2 | For camp and warm afternoons |
| Fleece or warm jumper | 1 | Essential for early drives and the crater rim |
| Light windproof or rain jacket | 1 | Needed from November to May |
| Warm hat and light gloves | 1 each | For June to August mornings |
| Wide-brimmed sun hat | 1 | With a chin strap for open roofs |
| Comfortable closed shoes | 1 pair | Trainers are fine for most trips |
| Sandals | 1 pair | For camp and showers |
| Swimwear | 1 | Many lodges have pools |
Lodges are relaxed, so there is no need for formal wear. A clean shirt for dinner is enough.
Health and personal items
- Malaria tablets, if prescribed by your travel clinic.
- Insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin.
- High-factor sunscreen and lip balm with SPF.
- Personal medicines in your hand luggage, with a copy of prescriptions.
- A small first-aid kit: plasters, painkillers, rehydration sachets, antihistamines and motion-sickness tablets for bumpy roads.
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes.
- Sunglasses, ideally polarised.
Plastic carrier bags are banned in Tanzania and can be taken from you at the airport. Pack toiletries in fabric or reusable pouches. Clear zip bags for liquids in hand luggage are generally accepted, but keep them in your bag when you leave.
Camera and electronics
- Binoculars, ideally one pair per person. Guides carry a pair, but sharing slows you down at sightings.
- Camera with a zoom lens. A 100–400 mm range covers most wildlife.
- Spare batteries and memory cards. Some camps charge devices only at set times.
- A universal adaptor. Most lodges use British-style Type G sockets at 230V.
- A power bank. Many safari vehicles have charging points, but not all.
- A small bean bag or soft cushion to rest a long lens on the vehicle window.
For settings and technique, read our wildlife photography tips for beginners. Drones need permits in Tanzania; see our guide to drone rules in Tanzania before you pack one.
Documents and money
- Passport valid for at least six months after arrival.
- Printed e-visa approval.
- Yellow fever certificate, if required for your route.
- Travel insurance details, including medical evacuation cover.
- US dollars in small, recent and undamaged notes for tips.
- A credit card for lodge bills.
What to leave at home
- Hard suitcases, if you have a bush flight.
- Camouflage clothing.
- Plastic carrier bags.
- Expensive jewellery.
- Too many clothes. Most lodges offer laundry.
- A drone, unless you have arranged permits in advance.
Adding the beach
If you are finishing on Zanzibar, add light cotton clothes, reef-safe sunscreen and a cover-up for Stone Town, where shoulders and knees should be covered. Our Safari & Zanzibar trip is planned around one soft bag for both parts.
Still planning? Read things to know before your first Tanzania safari and what the weather will be like in each season.
Frequently asked questions
Avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies, and bright white, which shows dust. Camouflage patterns should not be worn in Tanzania.
If your trip includes a light-aircraft flight, use a soft bag. Most bush airlines limit luggage to about 15 kg per person, including hand luggage.
Most lodges and many camps offer a laundry service, which means you can pack less. Some camps do not wash underwear for cultural reasons, so bring travel wash.
