Tanzania Safari Packing List

Safari packing is lighter than Kilimanjaro packing. You sleep in lodges or tents with beds, not in high-altitude camps. Soft-sided bags are easier than hard suitcases when a light aircraft weight limit applies. Neutral colours (khaki, olive, brown, soft grey) photograph better and pick up less dust than black or bright white.

Clothing

• Two or three long-sleeve shirts and two pairs of lightweight trousers
• One warm fleece or down jacket for pre-dawn game drives and Ngorongoro rim evenings
• A compact rain jacket in November–December and March–May
• Closed shoes plus sandals for camp
• A brimmed hat, sunglasses and a buff or scarf for dust
• Swimwear if any lodge or Zanzibar stay has a pool or beach

In the vehicle

• Binoculars (one pair per couple is the minimum worth packing)
• Camera with spare batteries and extra memory; a beanbag beats a tripod in a Land Cruiser
• Power bank; vehicle charging is not guaranteed every hour
• Wet wipes, lip balm, SPF, insect repellent with DEET for evenings
• Any daily medication in original packaging, plus a copy of prescriptions

Documents

Passport, printed eVisa or approval, yellow-fever certificate if you were told you need one, insurance details, and a paper copy of the Arem itinerary. Keep a photo of the passport bio page on your phone. US dollars issued after 2009 are the usual cash notes for tips; torn bills are often refused.

Leave behind

Camouflage clothing (some lodges and parks dislike it), heavy jewellery, drone equipment unless you have the correct Tanzania permit, and a full Kilimanjaro duffel if you are only doing parks. Mountain kit is listed separately on the Mount Kilimanjaro packing list.

Season affects layers: see Tanzania climate and best time to visit Tanzania.

Plan this with the Arusha team

WhatsApp +255 769 891 360 or request a quote. Tell us dates, group size and whether you want a park safari, Kilimanjaro, or both.

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