Tanzania Packing List

The cardinal rule of safari packing: neutral colours. Khaki, olive, tan, brown, grey. Everything else is a secondary consideration.

Avoid white (visible and reflective in heat), black (absorbs heat, attracts insects), and bright blues (attracts tsetse flies in some areas). This isn't superstition — game guides will tell you the same thing. Neutral colours allow closer approach to wildlife and simply make you more comfortable in a landscape that is itself a study in earth tones.

Layering is the more important principle. East African mornings — especially around Ngorongoro (2,300m) and in the Crater Highlands — are cold. By 10am it is warm. By 2pm it is hot. By 7pm it is cold again. A lightweight down jacket, a breathable fleece, and 2–3 long-sleeved safari shirts in rotation will serve you across all conditions. For Zanzibar, add light linen and a sarong. For Kilimanjaro, your operator will provide a detailed technical kit list — the mountain demands a separate strategy.

Start with your travel health clinic at least 6–8 weeks before departure. The key decisions — malaria prophylaxis, vaccines — need time to take effect and require a proper consultation.

The most important item on your medical list is anti-malarials. Tanzania is a malaria zone. Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) is the most commonly recommended option for short trips — it has fewer side effects than Mefloquine and is well-tolerated by most travellers. Doxycycline is effective and cheaper for longer stays. Start your prophylaxis on the schedule prescribed and continue it after leaving the malaria zone.

Sun protection is seriously underestimated by first-time visitors. UV levels at altitude (Ngorongoro sits at 2,300m; Kilimanjaro base camps at 3,700m+) are intense. SPF 50 every two hours during game drives, a hat, and UV-rated clothing make a real difference over a two-week trip. Buy your sunscreen before you travel — quality brands are hard to find at remote camp shop prices.

Tanzania is a photographer's dream and, in open vehicles on dusty roads, a gear graveyard. Bring what you're prepared to use hard and what you can protect from the conditions.

For wildlife photography, reach matters more than aperture. A 200–500mm lens will transform your game drive images compared to a standard kit zoom. If you're a serious photographer, a 600mm prime is the gold standard. If you're travelling light, a superzoom camera (bridge camera) in the 600mm-equivalent range is a practical compromise. Keep your camera in your lap on game drives — not on the seat where it will bounce on corrugated roads — and clean your sensor every 2–3 days in dusty conditions.

Power management is a genuine consideration in remote camps. Many tented camps generate solar power and offer limited socket hours (often just during morning and evening). A 20,000mAh power bank keeps your phone, camera batteries, and headlamp topped up through long days in the bush. Phone signal is reliable in Arusha and Zanzibar; expect nothing at remote Serengeti or Tarangire camps. Download offline maps before you leave.

The documents that matter most are the ones you've forgotten to print. A methodical approach to travel admin — done once, done properly — removes an entire category of anxiety from your trip.

Carry physical copies of everything: passport bio page, visa confirmation, insurance policy with emergency number, yellow fever certificate, itinerary, lodge contact details, and emergency contacts for family back home. Keep originals and copies in separate bags. Email yourself a full scan of every document before you leave. If your bag is stolen in Dar es Salaam, your phone and cloud access are your lifeline.

Currency: The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) handles everyday purchases. USD is widely accepted — and strongly preferred — for tips, park souvenirs, and any lodge payments not billed to your operator. Bring clean, unfolded USD bills dated 2006 or later — older, creased, or marked bills are routinely refused. ATMs in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar are generally reliable, but don't rely on them in remote areas or during long safaris. Notify your bank before departure — Tanzania flags as high-risk and cards get blocked without a travel notice.