THE ULTIMATE LIST / WHAT TO WEAR ON A SAFARI IN TANZANIA

Planning a Tanzania Safari is not only about seeing plenty of animals basking in golden sunshine while dressing casually. A safari in Tanzania needs to be well-planned, especially when packing your bag and taking all the essentials. So whether you are traveling to Kilimanjaro, Serengeti or Zanzibar, here is the ultimate list you need from our safari experts.

As a safari specialist for 74 years, our travel consultants are knowledgeable and understand the challenges travelers face; either they overpack clothes or the weather is drastically different to what they carry . After all, you don’t want to be traveling with non-essentials on an adventurous wildlife safari or feel helpless by packing the absolute wrong things, right?

Here is how you should get started and get what you absolutely need to wear on a Tanzania safari with great excitement!

1. Where are you going?

You could be coming to Tanzania for a Northern Circuit Safari, hiking Kilimanjaro, or covering all East Africa destinations. Your packing list also depends on when you are going and for how many days. Most of our guests combine a safari with a beach holiday. Hence the packing for an Africa Safari is also unique. Let us see what are some essentials you must not forget! Let’s start with your packing list for a safari or wildlife adventure.

What to wear on a Tanzania Safari

WHAT TO PACK FOR A TANZANIA SAFARI

• Cotton t-shirts (light colors), pants and shorts
• Long-sleeved shirts and pants to prevent from mosquito bites and sunburn
• Pullover or jacket
• Pajamas and long sleeves t-shirt for the night
• Swimming costume
• 1 pair of sandals, shoes, flip-flops and socks
• A cap or a hat
• Sunglasses
• Mosquito repellent
• Undergarments

2. Traveling during the dry, cold season

We highly recommend you to bring a mix of sweaters, windcheaters, and long trousers to cozy up during the chilly mornings especially in the Ngorongoro Crater where the temperature is quite low, especially in the morning. What to wear on a Tanzania safari while traveling during the Green season? . Warm clothes are also essential if you are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and traveling from June to October- an essential factor to consider while packing for Africa Safari.

A trekker on her way to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro

WHAT TO PACK WHILE CLIMBING MT. KILIMANJARO OR OTHER MOUNTAINS

• UV protected glasses
• Scarf
• Sunhat
• Steel water bottle or water bladder
• Hiking boots and trekking shoes (3-4 pairs)
• Regular footwear
• Personal hygiene kit
• Camera, power bank, memory card
• First-aid kit
• 7-8 pairs of underwear
• 4 base layers
• 3 pairs of hiking shirts
• 3 pairs of hiking trousers
• 1 fleece jacket
• 1 hard shell jacket
• 2 pairs of warm gloves
• 2 pairs of leggings
• 2 pairs of thermal trousers*ask the tour operator for a complete packing list for Kilimanjaro while making your bookings.

3. Some must-haves

Yes, it’s Africa and it is also sunny and hot here during the day. Swimming costumes are something you should not forget if you are planning to cool off after a safari or at the beach in Zanzibar. Sunglasses, a hat, mosquito repellents, and comfortable shoes apart from sandals are also essential to carry. Carry some snacks such as health bars, chocolates, and candies for one of those long days.

Combine your Tanzania Safari and beach experience by visiting Zanzibar

WHAT TO PACK ON A ZANZIBAR OR A BEACH HOLIDAY

• Swimming costume
• hat/ cap
• Sun glasses
• Sun screen
• dresses/ shorts/ long dresses or trousers if you are staying in Stone Town
• Light cotton tops/ t-shirt
• Waterproof bag
• Sandals and flip flops
• Mosquito repellent
• Medication
• Universal adapter

Good to know and carry

Your medical kit

Considering you will be traveling to safe yet remote places in Africa where medical access is limited, we would love you to carry your small medical kit. Pain killers, routine medication, band-aids, allergy-specific ointments or medicines, and your medical insurance too! Reliable tour operators have a medical kit in their car. However, it is preferred if you have items of your personal needs too.

Flying safari

If your itinerary package features a flying safari from one national park to another, you must consider packing light and items of essential purpose only. Many lodges offer you hair-dryers, body creams, bathing soaps, etc. so, you can always check with your tour consultant if these items will be available at the lodges you wish to stay and what you should be packing for Africa Safari. It is always convenient when you carry light and spend more time in nature, witnessing one of the rare sights.

Electronics

Travel tip: Carry a kit to have all your electronics in one place

Presuming that most people carry cameras during their travels, we highly recommend you to have extra batteries and not forget your chargers at any point while packing for your Africa Safari. If you are staying in a camp, the electricity supply may be limited and you will have to charge your batteries at specific time slots. For those carrying their laptops, we suggest you enjoy your digital detox or check with your tour operator in advance, which of your accommodation facilities have\electricity supply throughout the day.

Wear neutral colors

Not all tour operators will tell you that you should be mindful of the color of clothes while packing for your Africa Safari. Dark colors such as red and blue attract insects and, white colors can get dusty too quickly. As you will see in photos, most tourists wear khaki or earthen color outfits that are perfect for the warm weather during the day and comfortable for most adventure activities including, walking safaris and sundowners. Here is what frequent travelers and bloggers also recommend us to do.

Are you planning a safari this year? Our tour consultant would love to personally connect with you and assist from planning a holiday to the best destinations to giving you a customized tips and recommendations list as per your itinerary and what should be packing on your Africa Safari. Write to us for a bespoke travel plan.

Screenshot this must- have packing list for any Tanzania Safari

• Passport
• Online Visa
• Yellow-Fever Card
• Covid Certificate
• Debit/ Credit Card
• Booking reservation
• Adapter and electronic essentials
• Travel itinerary
• Personal first aid kit
• Toiletries
• Laundry bags
• Mosquito repellent
• Handy emergency contact numbers
• Camera