What to Pack on your Tanzania Safari
🧳 What to Pack for Your Tanzania Safari First-time on safari? This packing list ensures you’re prepared and comfortable. And don’t worry—if you forget something, most essentials can be found in town before departure.
Travel Documents
- ✔ Valid passport
- ✔ Yellow fever vaccination certificate
- ✔ Tanzania visa (USD $100 for US citizens, USD $50 for UK/EU & most others)
- ✔ Copy of flight itinerary
- ✔ Copy of travel/medical evacuation insurance
- ✔ Personal medical/dental insurance cards
- ✔ Credit card (Visa/MasterCard widely accepted)
- ✔ Cash in U.S. Dollars (bills issued in 2004 or later)
Clothing
Practical and comfortable clothing is key. Stick to neutral colors like khaki and dress in layers to handle both hot days and cold nights.
- ✔ Sweater or fleece pullover
- ✔ Sturdy boots or sandals
- ✔ Sun hat
- ✔ Sunglasses
- ✔ T-shirts or polo shirts (2-5)
- ✔ Long sleeve shirts (lightweight)
- ✔ Shorts
- ✔ Long trousers
- ✔ Underwear
- ✔ Socks
- ✔ Sleepwear
- ✔ Travel towel
- ✔ Thermal underwear, gloves, and warm hat (May–Sept)
- ✔ Raincoat and rain trousers (Mar–May & Oct–Dec)
Highly Recommended
- ✔ Camera and memory cards
- ✔ Binoculars
- ✔ Sunscreen
- ✔ Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- ✔ Insect repellent
- ✔ Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, eye drops etc.)
- ✔ Malaria tablets
- ✔ Basic first aid kit and prescription medicines
- ✔ Flashlight or headlamp
- ✔ Chargers and extra batteries for your camera, phone, etc.
- ✔ Power adapter (UK style electrical socket)
Other Tips
- ✔ Bring soft luggage such as a duffel bag, hiking pack, or sports bag – ideal for safari vehicles; hard suitcases may be difficult to fit.
- ✔ Bring a backpack to carry important items including travel documents, money, camera, and medication. Keep it with you at all times.
- ✔ Keep luxury items such as hair dryers/straighteners, expensive jewellery, makeup, and bulky toiletries to a minimum.
- ✔ If bringing cash, divide it across your carry-on, wallet, and money belt in case something happens to one of these.
- ✔ Leave some space in your luggage for souvenirs. DHL or other shipping options exist but can be expensive.
