Planning
Safari Packing List
What to bring — and what to leave at home — for your Tanzania safari.
Packing for a Tanzania safari is simpler than you might think. The key principles are: soft bags only (domestic flights have 15kg limits), neutral colours (earthy tones that blend into the environment), layering (mornings can be cold, midday can be hot), and binoculars (the most useful piece of equipment after your camera). This list covers everything you need.
The List
Complete Safari Packing List
Clothing
- →2–3 lightweight long-sleeve shirts (neutral colours — khaki, olive, brown)
- →2–3 pairs of convertible trousers (zip-off legs convert to shorts)
- →1–2 short-sleeve t-shirts for camp evenings
- →1 warm fleece or light down jacket (essential for June–August mornings)
- →1 waterproof rain jacket (for November–May, useful year-round)
- →Underwear and socks (synthetic/quick-dry materials recommended)
- →Sleepwear (lightweight, comfortable)
All clothing in neutral, earthy tones. Avoid white, black, and bright colours — they stand out to wildlife.
Footwear
- →Comfortable walking shoes with good grip (broken in before you arrive)
- →Sandals or flip-flops for camp use
- →Lightweight camp shoes or slip-ons for the lodge
Walking shoes should be closed-toe, supportive, and broken in before arrival. Safari tracks are uneven.
Head & Eye Protection
- →Wide-brimmed sun hat (protects face and neck from sun)
- →Sunglasses with UV protection (polarised preferred for reducing glare)
- →Buff or neck gaiter (multi-use: dust protection, sun protection, warmth)
- →Headlamp with spare batteries (essential for early morning departures and camp use)
The sun is strong in Tanzania. Head and eye protection is essential year-round.
Sun Protection
- →High-factor sunscreen (SPF 50+ — minimum
- →Lip balm with SPF
- →After-sun lotion or aloe vera gel
Sun protection is essential in every season. The altitude and open vehicle increase sun exposure.
Camera Gear
- →Camera body with spare batteries
- →Telephoto zoom lens (200mm minimum; 400–600mm ideal for wildlife)
- →Wide-angle lens for landscapes
- →Memory cards (multiple, formatted before arrival)
- →Lens cleaning kit (dust is endemic on safari)
- →Dry bag or waterproof case for dusty conditions
- →Beanbag or window mount for vehicle photography
The single best camera investment for safari is a telephoto lens. The vehicle can get dusty — protect your gear.
Binoculars
- →Binoculars (8x42 or 10x42 — the standard safari specification)
- →Lens cleaning cloth
Binoculars are the single most useful piece of equipment on safari after your camera. If you don't own a pair, buy before your trip.
Documents
- →Passport (valid for 6 months beyond return date)
- →Tanzania e-visa (printed copy and digital copy)
- →Travel insurance policy (printed and digital)
- →Vaccination certificates (yellow fever if required)
- →Booking confirmations and vouchers
- →Emergency contact list
- →USD cash for tips
Keep digital copies of all documents on your phone and in cloud storage.
Toiletries & Health
- →Personal toiletries and medications
- →Insect repellent with DEET (30–50% concentration)
- →Antihistamines (for allergic reactions, insect bites)
- →Motion sickness medication (if prone to travel sickness)
- →Any prescription medications (in original packaging)
- →Personal first aid kit (plasters, antiseptic, pain relief)
- →Hand sanitiser
- →Wet wipes (useful for dusty conditions)
- →Tissues/toilet paper (carry in daypack)
- →Rehydration salts (for managing heat and dehydration)
Pack prescription medications in hand luggage, not checked bags. Bring enough for the duration plus extra.
Safari Essentials
- →Daypack (small backpack for game drives — carries camera, binoculars, layers, sunscreen)
- →Dry bags or compression sacks (for organising and dust protection)
- →Power bank (for charging devices on game drives)
- →Universal power adapter (UK-style Type G — Tanzania uses Type G sockets)
- →Charging cables for all devices
- →Reusable water bottle
- →Small torch or headlamp
- →Ziplock bags (for protecting electronics from dust, organising small items)
Safari Kilimanjaro provides unlimited bottled water during game drives. Bring a reusable bottle.
Camp Comfort
- →Lightweight sleep sheet (optional — some camps provide sheets, some don't)
- →Earplugs (camps can be noisy at night — early morning calls, wildlife)
- →Eye mask (for light mornings when you want to sleep in)
- →Book or journal (reading in camp is one of the pleasures of safari)
The luxury tented camps provide high-quality linens. Budget camps may be more basic. Earplugs are universally useful.
Don't Bring
What to Leave at Home
Hard-shell suitcases
Domestic flights have 15kg weight limits; soft bags are practical for the terrain
Bright or white clothing
Stands out to wildlife; neutral colours are standard
Camouflage-pattern clothing
Military-style camo is restricted in Tanzania
Expensive jewellery
Unnecessary on safari; risk of loss or damage
Bulky electronics beyond camera/phone
The focus is wildlife, not gadgets
Heavy clothing
Layering with lightweight pieces is more practical
Strongly scented products
Perfumes and strongly scented deodorants can affect wildlife behaviour
Camo patterns
Illegal for civilians in Tanzania
Related Guide
Safari Clothing Guide
Our Safari Clothing Guide covers the specifics of what to wear on safari — materials, colours, and practical advice for every season.
Read the Safari Clothing GuideFAQ
Safari Packing — Common Questions
What is the luggage weight limit on Tanzania domestic flights?
Most Tanzania domestic flights (e.g., Arusha to Serengeti, Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar) have a 15kg weight limit per person, including hand luggage. Hard-shell suitcases are impractical for these flights and for safari transport. Bring soft bags or duffel bags that fit within the weight limit. Safari Kilimanjaro can advise on luggage arrangements for your specific itinerary.
What colours should I wear on safari?
Neutral, earthy tones: khaki, olive, brown, grey, tan. Avoid white (shows dust and dirt), black (absorbs heat), and bright colours (visible to wildlife). Camouflage patterns are illegal for civilians in Tanzania — avoid entirely. The colour rules are not just aesthetic — some wildlife (notably buffalo and elephants) can be more alert to contrasting colours.
Do I need binoculars for safari?
Yes — absolutely. A good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) is the single most useful piece of equipment on safari after your camera. You will use them constantly: identifying birds, watching predator behaviour, reading elephant body language from a distance, scanning the treeline for leopards. If you don't own binoculars, buy a pair before your trip. It is an investment that will transform your experience.
What power adapter do I need for Tanzania?
Tanzania uses UK-style Type G sockets (three rectangular pins). You will need a Type G adapter for all UK-style plugs. The voltage is 230V/50Hz — standard for European devices. Most camera chargers and phone chargers are dual voltage (110–240V), but check your specific devices. Bring a universal adapter if you are coming from a non-UK country with different plug types.
Should I bring a sleeping bag?
No — all safari accommodation provides bedding. If you are camping (budget safari), the campsite will provide a pitch spot and basic facilities, but you will need your own sleeping bag (rated to at least 5°C — nights can be cold in June–August). For lodge and tented camp accommodation, bedding is always provided and of good quality.
What medications should I bring to Tanzania?
Your regular prescription medications (in original packaging), plus: insect repellent with DEET, antihistamines, anti-diarrhoeal medication, rehydration salts, and any pain relief you prefer. If you have a known allergy (nuts, shellfish), carry your EpiPen and antihistamines in your daypack. Consult your doctor or travel health clinic 6–8 weeks before departure for personalised advice on malaria prophylaxis and vaccinations.
Start Planning
Questions About Packing?
Our Arusha team knows exactly what is needed for every safari. Tell us your specific requirements and we will send a personalised packing recommendation.