A beach holiday in Tanzania needs light luggage, but a few items make a big difference: modest clothes for town, shoes for the reef and good sun protection. If you are combining it with a safari, pack for the light-aircraft luggage limit.
Clothing
- Swimwear, two or three sets
- A cover-up or sarong for walking from the beach
- Light cotton or linen shirts and trousers
- Modest clothes for Stone Town and villages: covering shoulders and knees
- A light jumper or shawl for air-conditioned rooms and evening breezes
- A sun hat
- Sandals and a pair of comfortable walking shoes
Beach and sea
- Water or reef shoes for rocky shores and low-tide walks. Sea urchins are common on reefs.
- Reef-safe sunscreen with a high factor
- A rash vest for long snorkelling sessions
- Your own mask and snorkel if you prefer them to hired ones
- A waterproof phone pouch
- A quick-dry towel for boat trips
Health
- Insect repellent and any anti-malaria tablets. Read malaria in Tanzania.
- After-sun lotion
- Rehydration salts and basic medicines
- Motion sickness tablets for boat trips
Documents and money
- Passport, visa and any proof of Zanzibar travel insurance
- Clean US dollar notes printed in 2009 or later, and a card. Read money in Tanzania.
- A universal plug adapter. Read plugs in Tanzania.
Leave behind
- Plastic carrier bags, which are banned. Read the plastic bag ban.
- Expensive jewellery.
Adding a safari?
Use a soft bag of 15–20 kg in total for light aircraft, and bring neutral safari colours and a warm layer for early game drives. See the safari packing list and safari and Zanzibar.
Frequently asked questions
Swimwear on the beach, and light clothes covering shoulders and knees in Stone Town and villages.
Yes, they are recommended for rocky shores and low-tide walks, where sea urchins are common.
A soft bag of 15–20 kg in total, to fit light-aircraft limits.
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