Most of our guests overpack. Safari vehicles have limited space, and if you fly between parks on a light aircraft, your luggage is usually limited to about 15 kg in a soft bag. The good news is that you need far less than you think. This is the list we send to our own guests.
Luggage
- A soft duffel bag rather than a hard suitcase. It fits in vehicles and small planes.
- A small daypack for the vehicle: camera, sunscreen, water, a warm layer.
Clothing
Think layers and neutral colours: khaki, olive, beige, grey. Avoid bright white (shows dust) and dark blue or black (attracts tsetse flies in some areas). Camouflage clothing is not allowed in Tanzania.
- 3 to 4 light, breathable shirts or T-shirts
- 1 to 2 long-sleeved shirts for sun and evening insects
- 2 pairs of comfortable trousers and 1 pair of shorts
- A fleece or warm jacket. Early mornings on the Ngorongoro rim can be close to 5°C.
- A light rain jacket (essential November to May)
- A wide-brimmed hat or cap
- Comfortable closed shoes or light walking shoes, plus sandals for the lodge
- Swimwear (many lodges have pools, and you may finish in Zanzibar)
- Sleepwear and enough underwear and socks. Most lodges offer laundry.
Health and comfort
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and lip balm
- Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin
- Malaria tablets, if recommended by your doctor. Speak to a travel clinic before you go.
- Any personal medication, in your hand luggage, with prescriptions
- A small first-aid kit: plasters, painkillers, rehydration salts, antihistamines
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- Sunglasses
Camera and gadgets
- Binoculars, one pair per person if you can. They make a huge difference.
- Camera with a zoom lens (100–400 mm is ideal) and spare batteries and memory cards
- Phone and charger. Most safari vehicles have charging points, but bring a power bank.
- Plug adapter: Tanzania uses the UK-style Type G plug (230 V).
- A soft cloth to keep dust off your lenses
Documents and money
- Passport valid for at least 6 months, with blank pages
- Visa or eVisa approval (see our visa guide)
- Yellow fever certificate if you are arriving from, or transiting through, a yellow fever risk country
- Travel insurance details, including medical evacuation cover
- US dollars in small notes printed after 2009, for tips and small purchases. Many places do not accept older notes.
- A credit card (Visa or Mastercard is most widely accepted)
What to leave at home
- Plastic carrier bags. They are banned in Tanzania and may be taken at the airport.
- Drones, unless you have a permit. They are not allowed in national parks.
- Too many “just in case” outfits
Climbing Kilimanjaro too?
Kilimanjaro needs a separate, more technical kit list: warm sleeping bag, proper boots, thermal layers and more. Ask us and we will send our full climbing checklist, or have a look at our 7-Day Machame Route.
Still unsure what to bring? Message us on WhatsApp and our team in Arusha will tell you what the weather is doing right now. Or start planning with our best time to visit guide.
