Tanzania Safari Packing List

Five safari shirts (long-sleeve, lightweight, neutral): This is the centre of the safari wardrobe. Long sleeves protect from sun and from the small thorns that are endemic to the Serengeti scrub. Five gives you one per day with a spare for the inevitable splash incident.

Two safari trousers (convertible or with zip-off legs): One pair that converts to shorts is more versatile than two full trousers. The zip-off leg design has improved dramatically in the past decade — the zips no longer rust.

One warm layer for early mornings: Even in the equator, the Serengeti at 6am in June is cold. A down vest or lightweight fleece is the most versatile item you can bring. It packs small, layers under a rain jacket, and can be removed and stored when the temperature rises.

One rain jacket: Tanzania has two wet seasons — the long rains in April and May, and the short rains in November. Even in the dry season, brief afternoon showers occur. A lightweight, packable rain shell is essential year-round.

One set of smart-casual evening clothing: Camps in Tanzania — even the most authentic ones — are not casual. Dinner is a proper occasion. One pair of comfortable trousers and one collared shirt or light blouse for evening wear is appropriate for any camp.

Swimwear: Most luxury camps have pools. If your itinerary includes a beach extension or any camp with a pool, bring swimwear. One set is sufficient.

Binoculars — the single most important item you will bring: This is not optional. A good pair of binoculars transforms wildlife viewing from something you observe from a distance to something you are inside. The difference between 8x and 10x magnification matters less than the quality of the glass. We recommend 8x42 as the sweet spot for safari: enough magnification, enough light gathering, enough field of view to track moving animals.

Camera — what to bring: A smartphone handles the majority of wildlife photography in good light — and the wildlife photography in the Serengeti in good light is not difficult. If you are serious about wildlife photography, bring a camera with a zoom lens of at least 400mm equivalent. A point-and-shoot with a long zoom is perfectly adequate. Do not bring a laptop to edit photos on safari — the dust and the lack of reliable power make this impractical.

Power and charging: Safari camps have charging points in rooms or at a central charging station. Bring a power bank for your phone — useful for the game drive vehicle, which typically does not have charging points. The adapter type for Tanzania is Type G (British-style, three rectangular prongs).

Safari-coloured clothing: The idea that animals will be spooked by bright colours is largely a myth. What animals actually respond to is movement and vehicle shape. You will be in a closed vehicle. Wear what is comfortable.

Expensive jewellery: Tanzania is a developing country with a significant wealth gap between visitors and local populations. Expensive watches and jewellery are inappropriate in this context and carry a security risk. Leave them at home.

Guidebooks and heavy reading: E-readers only. Physical books add weight to your bag and are not readily available for the full range of interests. Download your reading before departure — you will be surprised how much time you have at camp.

Hairdryers and styling tools: All quality camps provide electricity and have suitable facilities. These add unnecessary weight.

Heavy toiletries: Safari camps — even the most luxurious — work with what is available locally. Bring miniature versions of what you need, not full sizes. Your camp will have basic toiletries; bring what is specific to you.

Your national flag or travel配件: A small personal item that connects you to your identity at home is fine. But elaborate flag patches, national costume elements for game drives, or anything that marks you as a tourist of a specific nationality is unnecessary and can create friction in local communities.