· Golden Memories Safaris
Packing for a safari is different from packing for any other holiday. You will spend long days in an open vehicle, move between lodges, sometimes fly in light aircraft with strict weight limits, and dress for temperatures that swing from cold at dawn to hot at midday. A good packing list makes the trip more comfortable, and the wrong one can cost you at the airport. This guide covers what to wear, which bags to use, what to bring for photography and health, the local rules on plastic bags and drones, and the things you should leave at home. It is based on years of guiding guests from Arusha.
Luggage: bag type and weight limits
The most important rule is to use soft bags, not hard suitcases. A safari vehicle has limited space, and the small aircraft that connect the parks and Zanzibar cannot take rigid cases. Airlines on these routes commonly limit luggage to around 15 kilograms per person, including hand luggage, and some carriers allow about 20 kilograms. The limit is strict, because the aircraft is small. A duffel bag with a soft shell, plus a small daypack, is ideal.
- Use a soft duffel or holdall without wheels or a rigid frame.
- Carry a daypack for cameras, water, sunscreen and a jacket.
- Leave extra luggage at your Arusha or Zanzibar hotel, which will usually store it free of charge.
- Pack heavy items such as camera gear in your hand luggage, but check the limit for the whole bag.
- Weigh your bags before you leave home.
What to wear on safari
Colours that work
Choose neutral colours such as khaki, olive, beige and light brown, which blend into the landscape and hide dust. Avoid bright colours and white, which show dirt and can attract attention. Many guides advise against very dark blue and black clothing, because tsetse flies are commonly said to be attracted to those colours, which can be a nuisance in some areas. We also advise leaving camouflage patterned clothing at home, to avoid any misunderstanding with officials.
Layers for changing temperatures
Mornings can be cool and open vehicles are windy, especially at the start of a game drive. By midday it is hot, and in the evening it cools again. The solution is layers. Wear a light shirt over a T shirt, bring a fleece or a light down jacket, and keep a rain jacket in your daypack in the green season. The Ngorongoro highlands and the crater rim are noticeably cooler than the plains, so bring a warm layer there too.
A practical clothing list for a one week safari
- 3 or 4 lightweight, long sleeved shirts in neutral colours.
- 2 or 3 T shirts or tank tops for layering.
- 2 pairs of lightweight trousers, ideally quick drying, and 1 pair of shorts.
- 1 warm fleece or light down jacket.
- 1 lightweight waterproof jacket.
- Underwear and socks for the number of days, with a few extra pairs.
- A wide brimmed hat or cap, and a scarf or buff to keep dust off your face.
- Comfortable closed shoes or light walking boots, and sandals for the lodge.
- Swimwear, since most lodges have a pool.
- Sleepwear.
Most lodges offer laundry service, which lets you pack fewer items. Some small camps do not accept underwear for laundry for cultural reasons, so ask in advance.
Photography and binoculars
A good pair of binoculars is the single most useful item after clothing, because they let you see details that the naked eye misses, especially birds and distant predators. Bring a pair for each person if you can. If you want to photograph wildlife, a zoom lens of 200 to 500 millimetres is ideal, along with a wide angle lens for landscapes. A bean bag or a small cushion can help to steady the camera on the window frame of a safari vehicle.
- A camera with a long zoom lens, or a good smartphone with a clip on telephoto.
- Extra batteries and memory cards, because you will take far more pictures than you expect.
- A power bank, as charging in the bush can be limited.
- A dust cover or a plastic sleeve, which should be a reusable cloth or zip lock type and not a plastic carrier bag.
- A lens cleaning cloth.
- Binoculars, with 8x or 10x magnification.
The plastic bag ban
Tanzania has a nationwide ban on single use plastic carrier bags. If you arrive by air you may be asked to hand over any that you carry, and there are fines for breaking the rule. Small, clear, reusable zip lock bags for toiletries are allowed. Pack your clothes and shoes in cloth or paper bags, or in packing cubes, and do not bring shopping bags.
Health and personal items
- Prescription medicines in their original packaging, plus a copy of the prescription.
- Malaria prevention as advised by your doctor or a travel clinic. See a clinic well before you travel.
- Insect repellent, ideally with a high concentration of the active ingredient recommended by your clinic.
- Sunscreen with a high protection factor, and lip balm with protection.
- A basic first aid kit with plasters, antiseptic, pain relief and rehydration salts.
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes.
- Contact lenses, spare glasses and sunglasses.
- Any vaccination certificates, including yellow fever if required for your route.
Documents and money
- Passport with at least six months of validity and blank pages.
- Your eVisa approval, printed and saved on your phone.
- Travel and medical insurance details, including the emergency number.
- Flight tickets, hotel bookings and your operator’s contact details.
- Cash in clean, recent US dollars for tips and small purchases, and a bank card for larger payments.
- Copies of all documents, stored separately from the originals.
Gadgets and electricals
Check the plug type for your devices, because Tanzania uses different sockets from many countries, and bring a universal adapter. Most lodges have charging points in the main building or in the rooms, but power can be limited in remote camps and is sometimes available only for a few hours, so a power bank is wise. Bring a small torch or a head torch, as the paths at night are often dark, and your guide will tell you when it is safe to walk.
What to bring for the beach
If your safari ends in Zanzibar, add swimwear, a sarong, flip flops, a light cover up and reef safe sunscreen. Zanzibar is a conservative destination, so dress modestly in towns and villages, with shoulders and knees covered, and keep swimwear for the beach and your hotel. Travel advice warns that authorities can fine people for clothing considered inappropriate in public.
What to leave at home
- Hard suitcases, which cannot be loaded onto small aircraft.
- Plastic carrier bags.
- Camouflage clothing.
- A drone, unless you have permits.
- Heavy jewellery and expensive watches.
- Too many shoes. Two pairs are plenty.
- Heavy hair dryers and electrical items you will not use.
Packing by month
The basic list works all year, with a few changes. The dry season from June to October is cool in the early morning and warm in the day, so bring a good fleece and a hat. The long rains from March to May and the short rains in November and December call for a light rain jacket, quick drying clothes and waterproof covers for cameras. January and February are warm and mostly dry in the north, and the Tanzania Meteorological Authority describes them as relatively dry months for areas with two rainy seasons.
Packing for Kilimanjaro
A Kilimanjaro climb needs a completely different kit, including boots, thermal layers, a warm sleeping bag and trekking poles, and climbs cross five climate zones in a few days. Our guide to the cost of a climb explains what is included and what you may need to hire.
Read the Kilimanjaro cost guide
Fabrics, laundry and keeping clothes fresh
Lightweight, quick drying fabrics are ideal on safari, because they dry overnight, resist dust and take little space. Cotton is comfortable but slow to dry, so keep it for the evenings. Merino wool is a good choice for base layers because it stays fresh for several days. Because most lodges offer laundry, you can pack for about four days and wash during the trip. Ask your lodge about prices and turnaround at check in, since laundry sent in the morning is often returned the same evening. Roll your clothes, use packing cubes to keep dusty items separate, and keep a cloth bag for dirty laundry.
On camping safaris and in remote camps, laundry may not be available, so pack a little extra and bring a small bar of travel wash for socks and underwear. Always dry items fully before packing them, to avoid smells and mould in a closed bag.
Ten common packing mistakes
- Bringing a hard suitcase that cannot be loaded onto a light aircraft.
- Overpacking clothes, when one week of layers and a laundry stop is enough.
- Forgetting a warm layer, and being cold at dawn on the first game drive.
- Packing new boots or shoes that have not been worn in.
- Leaving binoculars at home, because the naked eye misses much of the wildlife.
- Bringing only one battery and one memory card for the camera.
- Forgetting a universal adapter and a power bank.
- Packing plastic carrier bags, which are banned.
- Leaving medicines and prescriptions in the checked bag, which could be delayed.
- Arriving without insurance details and your operator’s emergency number.
A quick checklist by activity
Game drives
A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a fleece, binoculars, a camera and a bottle of water. Wear closed shoes and neutral colours, and keep a light scarf for dust.
Lodge evenings
Safari evenings are casual, with clean, comfortable clothes and a warm layer for the open dining areas. A torch is useful for the walk back to your room after dark, and your guide or the lodge staff may escort you.
Cultural visits
Dress modestly when you visit villages, with shoulders and knees covered, and bring a small amount of cash for crafts. Always ask before taking pictures of people.
Travel days
Wear your bulkiest clothes and shoes on the plane to save weight, and keep your documents, medicines, camera and a change of clothes in your hand luggage in case a bag is delayed.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear on safari?
Neutral coloured, lightweight clothes in layers, with a fleece for cold mornings, a hat and closed shoes.
Can I bring a hard suitcase?
It is better not to. Soft bags fit more easily in the vehicle and are required on many light aircraft.
How much luggage can I take?
On light aircraft, usually about 15 to 20 kilograms per person including hand luggage. Ask your operator about the exact limit for your flights.
Do I need a lot of money in cash?
Bring enough US dollars for tips and small purchases, and use cards where possible. Your operator can advise on the amount.
Is it cold on safari?
Early mornings and the Ngorongoro highlands can be cold, especially in the dry season, so a fleece is essential.
Ready to plan your trip?
Tell us your dates and where you are going. We will send you a personalised packing list and plan the trip around the season.
Keep planning your Tanzania trip
These guides cover the next questions most travellers ask.
Family safari in Tanzania: complete guide
Best time to visit Tanzania, month by month
More guides and pages for this trip
Tanzania $44 travel insurance rule: checklist
Tanzania mandatory travel insurance
Sources and further reading
Facts and figures in this guide come from the sources below. Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so confirm current details before you book.
- Tanzania Meteorological Authority, climate statements, meteo.go.tz.
- Tanzania Immigration Department, eVisa guidelines, visa.immigration.go.tz.
- GOV.UK, Tanzania travel advice: local laws and customs, gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania.
- TANAPA, Use of drones in national parks, tanzaniaparks.go.tz.
- Auric Air and Tanzania aviation news, baggage allowances on scheduled flights, atcnews.org.
- Golden Memories Safaris package prices, per person for two travellers sharing, October 2026.