SAFARI PACKING LIST

If this is your first time in Tanzania or your first time on safari, this packing list below can help to be well prepared and comfortable during your adventure. If you do forget a few things, don’t worry, you can pick up most everyday items in town before you leave.

Here are the items you need to take with you in Tanzania safari package:

Travel Documents

This might seem like an obvious item to take with you, but it can be very easy to forget them if you are in a hurry. The documents and currency that you will need are as follows:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Valid visa, E-visas are recommended as they can be ordered in advance however they are available at airport upon arrival, USD $100 payable in cash only for US citizens or USD $50 for residents of UK/European Union and most other countries.
• Yellow fever certificate (REQUIRED if traveling from or through an endemic zone – refer to Medical Tips)

• Plane Ticket / boarding pass
• Copy of travel and/or medical evacuation insurance will keep you covered for issues that might pop up during your trip to Tanzania, such as cancellations, flight delays, evacuations, theft or loss of property, and any necessary medical expenses.
• Personal medical/health insurance cards.
• Credit card (Visa and MasterCard are most widely accepted).
• Cash in U.S. Dollars (bills MUST have been issued in 2006 or later). You will also need to make sure that you have some Tanzanian shillings, as they will often be used in smaller establishments.

• Address book/Emergency contact

Baggage/luggage

Please ensure you pack minimally and use layers, as local airlines flying to various parks within the country have a typical luggage restriction of 15-20 kgs (33-44 lbs.)  allowance per person (including carry-on bags). Make sure that you have all of the different kinds of storage necessary for all of your belongings. This could include the following:

• Waterproof Duffel Bag instead of suitcase (soft cases fit better in the jeep than hard cases)

• Smaller day backpack for personal belongings

• Fanny backpack
• Day Pack Luggage to put enough clothing and supplies for the first day In case luggage doesn’t arrive the same day.

Clothing

Clothing can be a tricky element of a safari to pin down, as you never know exactly what you are going to get when it comes to the Tanzania weather.

Tanzania experiences both wet and dry seasons, with the dry seasons falling between January and February and then from June to October and the wet seasons lasting from March to May (this is the more prominent wet season) and then November and December.

For a safari in the dry season, you aren’t likely to see any rain, but it is best to pack a few jackets just to be sure.

Remember, it’s not a fashion show out there, so be a bit more practical when choosing your safari wardrobe. Try to stay away from bright colours – Khaki and Forest Green colours are an all-time safari favourite and most recommended other neutral colours tend to work well too. It is probably best if you dress in layers since it can get cold, but also very hot.

The following is the list of clothes for safari:

• Long-sleeved fleece or sweater for evenings and/or early mornings
• T-shirts or polo shirts (2-5 depending on how often you want to change)
•  Long sleeve shirts (light weight)
• Short-sleeved shirts, cool and breathable (neutral colours are best)
• Rain coat and rain trousers (During rainy season Mar – May and Oct – Dec)

•  Long trousers (Lightweight, breathable pants)

• Shorts, mid-thigh or longer (not advisable for village visits)
• Sun hat
• Scarf (for dust and/or sun)
• Sun glasses

•  Bathing suit if staying at a lodge with a swimming pool or if visiting Zanzibar
• Underwear
•  Sleepwear/Night wear
• Women: pants (capri-length or longer) and shirts that cover the shoulder are advisable for village visits. Lightweight dresses or skirts that cover the knees are optional depending on how rural your village visit is but can also be worn for evening dining at the accommodations.
• Men: short-sleeve shirts with collars (for visiting villages or evening dining at the accommodations).

Footwear

You might be doing a fair amount of walking during your safari (especially if it is a walking safari specifically) and so comfortable footwear is a must.

Hear are some of the must have foot wear:

• Hiking boots, Chukka boots or classic Safari boots however fully closed lightweight and comfortable walking shoes such as sneakers with good grip and preferably waterproof will do just fine.
• Comfortable, breathable socks (both long and short).
• Tennis shoes, Flip flops or sandals for a relaxing day at the beach, around the swimming pool or lounging in the evening.

Toiletries  

When it comes to toiletries, you will want to bring the same kind of items as you would on other vacations however some toiletries such as Mosquito nets, towels, beach towels, shampoo, toilet paper and soap are provided by accommodations. You do not have to bring this.,

The following are toiletries lists:

• Sunscreen
• Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
• Insect Repellent
• Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, pads, eye drops etc)
• Small hand towel (spare item)
• Roll of toilet paper (for some public restrooms)
• Lotion
• Comb
• Mini-Hair drier
• Shampoo (without heavy fragrance)
• Unscented Deodorant (use cologne/perfume sparingly, if at all, in case it might attract bees or other insects)

ELECTRONICS AND GADGETS

East Africa offers amazing photo opportunities so bring along a decent camera to make the most of your trip. there is no doubt that you will want to capture the moments you experience during your safari, so a camera is sure to be on your list of essential items as well as your phone.

Don’t forget the charger for your camera (that goes for your phone too!) and spare batteries, as well as an extra memory card. Universal plug converters and binoculars are a must too!

Don’t forget to keep any electronics protected at all times, especially if you are planning to be in Tanzania during the rainy season. Some extra protective coverings or waterproof bags to keep them in might prove useful.

Here are useful gargets you must have during the safari:

• Camera (Camon, Nikon, Sony, Go-pro etc), memory card and mini-tripod.

• Different lenses (for the safari we recommend a 70-300mm lens), but if you really want to go all-in the bigger the better, a 600mm lens is great for beautiful close-ups of wildlife

• Binoculars (Nikon Monarch 8×36/ 8×32 or Eagle Optics Ranger 8×42/10×42). Some Safari operators provide a pair in their vehicles, these may be basic in specs so if you can bring a set you are prefer.
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Chargers and extra batteries for your camera, phone, iPad, tablet etc (Spare AA and AAA batteries both standard and rechargeable batteries are available for sale at certain lodges and shops).

• Power adapter to fit the UK style electrical socket (English 3-plug)

• Personal music device
• Laptop which is so useful for downloading and processing your images after a day on Safari.
• Pocket knife (for travellers doing basic camping)
• Headlamp or flashlight

First Aid/Medication

You will definitely want to make sure that you are stocked up on the essentials so that you can continue to enjoy your trip even if you have to deal with any medical problems.

Our Safari vehicles and accommodations are mandatory equipped with First aid Kit but as a precaution is also best to have a smallest first aid kit that has the right tools to deal with any unexpected mishaps or illnesses on your safari.

Here are some of these essentials to be include:

• Personal medication

• Antibacterial medicines
• Anti-malaria medications
• Antidiarrheal medications
• Antibiotics
• Antiseptic cream
• Band-Aids
• Diarrhea medicine
• Malaria tablets
• Insect repellent

• Basic first aid kit and prescription medicines
• Contact lenses / reading glasses and Eye Drops

• Hat, cap, headband, scarf (against the sun and dust)
• Suncream/protection, also Lip balm for lips (min factor 30)
• First aid kit: thermometer, painkillers, plasters, iodine, disinfectant wipes, gauze and bandages.

• Nose Spray

Other

• Maps, guidebooks, wildlife books and bird books
• Playing cards, games, books, Frisbee, Puzzle booklet or other entertainment for in the jeep
• Tasty snacks or energy bars (you will get good meals, but some people like their own snacks as well)
• Journal/notebook, pencil and pen
• Mementos for guides and other travellers

Travel Tips

• Bring a backpack to carry all of your important items including travel documents, money, camera, medication etc. You should keep this backpack with you at all times.
• If you plan to bring cash, divide it into different areas of your carry-on luggage, wallet and money belt just in case something happens to one of those carry items.
• Leave some space in your luggage for the all-important souvenirs that you will probably buy. There are places where you can send packages home via DHL etc, however this can sometimes be an expensive option.
• In general, pack lightly. Leave room for gifts and souvenirs. Soft sided luggage packs more easily into the safari vehicle.
• Always carry passport, airline tickets and money on your person. A fanny pack or moneybag that hangs around the neck works well.

• Tanzania aims to eliminate plastic bag usage for environmental reasons Therefore Plastic bags are prohibited in Tanzania.
• Laundry service is available at most lodges either at a nominal cost or free of charge in some cases.
• Keep luxury items such as hair dryers/ straighteners, expensive jewellery, make up and bulky toiletries to an absolute minimum. If in doubt, leave them out