Safari Packing List

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TANZANIA SAFARI PACKING LIST

Packing for your first African safari can be quite a challenge. What do you need? What kind of clothes do you bring? Don’t stress too much about what to pack. Just keep it simple and pack lightly. The luggage you can bring on safari vehicles or smaller planes is limited, and a lot of lodges and camps offer laundry services, so there is no need to bring different clothes for each day of your trip. On most Tanzanian safaris it’s going to be sunny, so pack lightweight clothes and good sun protection. This is our advice on what you need for a safari in Tanzania.

Clothes:

Sun hats with rim all round or peak.
Sunglasses with good UV protection.
A cotton scarf to protect neck from sunburn,
light cotton shirts in neutral bush colors – short sleeves + long sleeve (avoid blue colors),
medium type fleece for the evenings,
lightweight rain-jacket,
shorts; zip-off trousers are very good they are light and dry very quick and convenient if you like to change to shorts,
casual smart clothing for the evenings when staying in lodges / tented camps,
sensible walking shoes or trainers are fine, sport sandals also useful,torch (flashlight); head torches are very handy.

Medical

head-ache tablets,
diarrhea tablets,
rehydration salts,
stretch bandage x 1,
band aids & plasters,
30 + sun-screen cream and lip protection,
moisturizing cream or gel (sun and wind can catch you unaware when game viewing),
malaria tablets / prophylaxis (consult doctor),
yellow fever vaccination (consult doctor),
antihistamine tablets and cream for bites and stings,
alcoholic type sterilizing gel hand cleanser,
prescribed or personal medication (important– please advise us of any medical history/condition that we should know about either on safari or if climbing Kilimanjaro or Mt Meru – it is important that our driver guides or Mountain guides are informed accordingly if using prescribed or personal medication).

Personal Equipment

A light-weight day sack or sport bag; 15 to 25 liter, to keep your personal items at hand whilst on the move.
Toiletries – depending on standard of accommodation; some lodges will supply mini soaps, shampoos and conditioners, when using our mobile fly-camping then you will need all toiletries as these are not provided to date.
Water Bottle with insulation sock to keep water cool during the game drives, we will supply 1.5 liters of mineral water per day per person.
A good camera with plenty of films and/or memory Cards and spare batteries or charging devices; all 4×4 Vehicles have British standard (three pin) sockets allowing for charging camera/video batteries/phones/music devices – this will only be possible whilst the vehicle is moving so advisable to come with a spare battery whilst one is in use the other is on charge all lodges/tented camps will have charging facilities for a period of time if camp/lodge is run off of a generator.
Multi-plugs to charge your equipment at lodges (converting your countries plug into a 3-pin UK type, see our page on electricity in Tanzania for more information).
Internal money belt – for cards /passports (local currency can be pulled from 24hr ATM machines – most common cards Visa/MasterCard).
Wallet or purse for carrying day-spending money,
Binoculars,
Wet wipes,
Insect repellents.

Please make sure to lock all of your bags when travelling and to obtain travel insurance prior to departure. It is recommended that you travel with a set of clothes and essential items in your carry-on bags in case of luggage being lost – security measures at airport check in are the same as international airports – Do not carry lighters, pen knives, nail scissors in carryon luggage as it will be removed and destroyed. Bush2Beach Safaris offers secure storage rooms / safes where luggage & valuables can be left for a certain part of a safari if returning to Arusha (ie: If climbing Kilimanjaro or heading to the beach climbing/beach gear can be left whilst on safari and delivered to the lodge/hotel prior to your return). Soft sports type bag(s) are handy when on safari (suitcases are large and do not pack well in the vehicles.) On most small aircraft there is a luggage allowance of 15kg and again big suitcases do not always fit in the luggage compartment under the plane – please request full details if unsure.