Clothing should stay in the neutral range — khaki, olive, beige, grey — both to stay unobtrusive to wildlife and because darker blues and blacks attract tsetse flies in certain areas. Layers matter more than most first-time travelers expect: dawn game drives in an open vehicle can be genuinely cold, even though the same afternoon may reach 30°C.
A wide-brim hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and a decent pair of binoculars (8x42 is the standard sweet spot for a moving vehicle) round out the essentials. If flying between camps on light aircraft, luggage is typically capped at 15kg in a soft-sided duffel — hard suitcases usually won't fit the cargo hold.
For photographers, pack more storage than feels necessary and at least one dust-proof way to change lenses in the field — the fine dust of the dry season finds its way into everything. A charged power bank is worth its weight, since not every tented camp offers power in-room around the clock.
Clothing checklist
- 3–4 lightweight shirts or T-shirts in neutral colours
- 2 long-sleeved shirts (sun and evening insect protection)
- 2 pairs of trousers or zip-offs, 1 pair of shorts
- A warm fleece or down jacket for early mornings and the crater rim
- A light waterproof jacket in the rainy months
- Comfortable closed shoes and a pair of sandals
- Swimwear (many camps have pools; Zanzibar if you are adding the beach)
- Wide-brimmed hat, buff or scarf for dust
Gear and gadgets
- Binoculars (8x42 is ideal), one pair per person if possible
- Camera with a zoom lens (100–400 mm covers most situations)
- Spare batteries, memory cards and a power bank
- Universal travel adaptor (Tanzania mostly uses UK-style type G sockets, with some older type D)
- Head torch for walking around camp at night
- Soft-sided duffel bag if you are flying between parks (often limited to 15 kg)
Health and documents
- Passport valid for at least six months, and your visa
- Yellow fever certificate if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk
- Malaria prophylaxis as advised by your doctor
- Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin
- High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm
- Personal medication and a small first-aid kit
- Travel insurance details, including medical evacuation cover
What to leave at home
Bright white or very dark clothing, camouflage prints (restricted in Tanzania), hard-shell suitcases for light-aircraft flights and plastic carrier bags, which are banned in the country.
