What to pack for a Tanzania safari

The golden rule: pack light and use a soft bag. Light aircraft allow about 15 kg per person, and even on a road safari the vehicle has limited space. Most lodges offer laundry, so four or five days of clothes is plenty for a longer trip.

Clothing

• Neutral colours such as khaki, olive, sand and brown. Avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies, and bright white, which shows every speck of dust.
• A warm fleece or jacket. Early mornings are cold in an open vehicle, and the Ngorongoro crater rim is at 2,300 metres.
• Light long sleeves and trousers for evenings, when mosquitoes come out.
• A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Comfortable closed shoes and a pair of sandals for camp.
• Swimwear — many lodges have pools.

For game drives

• Binoculars — one pair per person if you can. They make more difference than a bigger camera lens.
• A camera with a zoom lens, spare batteries and memory cards. Phones take good photos too, but the zoom is limited.
• A scarf or buff against dust.
• Sunscreen, lip balm and insect repellent.

Useful extras

• A small torch or headlamp for walking to your tent at night.
• A power bank. Most camps charge devices, but some use solar power with limited sockets.
• Any medicines you take, plus basic ones for headaches and upset stomachs.
• Some US dollars in small notes for tips and souvenirs.

Documents

Bring your passport, your printed travel insurance details and your booking reference — you will find it in your confirmation email. Check current visa, entry and health requirements with official sources before you travel.

What not to bring

Plastic carrier bags are banned in Tanzania, so leave them at home. Drones need a special permit and are not allowed in national parks. And don’t worry about towels or hairdryers — lodges provide them.