— Planning · 9 min read
Tanzania Packing List for Safari, Climbing and the Beach
Safari, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar call for very different gear. From choosing clothing colours and coping with cold mornings to camera kit and what you can and can't buy locally, here is our scene-by-scene list — including the mistakes we see most.
The packing mistake we hear about most: "I brought everything, but I had no idea the safari mornings would be so cold." Even near the equator, early game drives can drop into single figures. A single trip to Tanzania can swing between safari, mountain and beach, so it pays to pack for each separately. Here are the things travellers were glad to have — and wished they had — in each setting.
Essentials for every trip
Documents - Passport (valid for six months or more, with at least two blank pages) - Copies of your passport (paper and a photo on your phone) - Printed e-Visa - Printed return flight details - Travel insurance documents - Yellow fever certificate (if your route requires it) - Emergency contact list
Money - US dollars in cash (new notes, in a mix of $1, $5, $20, $50 and $100) - At least two credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) - A card that works at foreign ATMs
Get US dollars before you leave. Tanzanian shillings are easy to get from ATMs on arrival.
Electronics - Smartphone - Chargers and a power bank (10,000 mAh or more) - Plug adaptor (Tanzania mainly uses **type G** British-style three-pin sockets) - Camera (a 70–300 mm telephoto zoom is recommended) - Binoculars (8×42 is the classic choice) - Head torch (essential for power cuts)
What to wear on safari
Colours - **Earth tones**: khaki, beige, olive and brown - **Colours to avoid**: black and dark blue (they attract **tsetse flies**), white (shows the dust) and bright colours (they make animals wary) - **No camouflage**: in East Africa it is associated with the military and can cause legal trouble
Clothing - 3–4 long-sleeved shirts (for sun and insects) - 2–3 short-sleeved T-shirts - 3 pairs of long trousers (convertible trousers are handy) - A fleece or light down jacket (morning game drives are cold, 5–10°C) - A windproof jacket - A wide-brimmed hat - A bandana or neck gaiter (for dust) - 5 pairs of sports socks
Footwear - Light walking shoes - Sandals (around the lodge)
Safari kit - UV-protection sunglasses - SPF 50+ sunscreen - Insect repellent (30%+ DEET) - Wet wipes - Lip balm (it's dry) - A few zip-lock bags (to keep dust off cameras and documents)
Kilimanjaro gear
Temperatures on the mountain swing widely, and your gear makes a real difference to your chances. Much of it can be rented locally.
Upper body (layering) - Base layers: 3 synthetic or merino wool tops (no cotton) - Mid layer: fleece or light down - Outer layer: waterproof, breathable hard shell - For summit night: a heavy down jacket (rated to −15°C)
Lower body - 2–3 pairs of trekking trousers - Waterproof trousers - Thick fleece trousers (summit night) - Thermal underwear
Footwear - Waterproof, ankle-supporting trekking boots (broken in) - 5 pairs of thick wool socks - Gaiters
Everything else - Sleeping bag (rated to −10°C, available to rent) - A pair of trekking poles - Waterproof pack cover - 30-litre daypack - Head torch and spare batteries - Water bottles or a 3-litre hydration bladder - Snacks (nuts, chocolate, dried fruit) - High-altitude SPF 50+ sunscreen - Lip balm - Liner gloves and thick gloves - Beanie and sun hat
What to wear on Zanzibar
Basics - 2 swimsuits - A rash guard (for sun protection) - Reef-safe sunscreen - Flip-flops - A light, long cotton shirt (for visiting mosques and evening mosquitoes)
Exploring Stone Town - **Women are advised to cover shoulders and knees** (out of respect for Islamic culture) - Men: longer casual trousers rather than shorts - Comfortable shoes (cobbled streets)
Snorkelling and diving - Mask and snorkel (can be rented locally) - Water shoes (for coral) - Dry bag
What you can and can't buy locally
Easy to buy - Bottled water - Mosquito coils - Basic toiletries - Souvenirs (Maasai beadwork, carvings, fabrics, coffee)
Hard to find — bring from home - Your usual medicines (essential) - High-performance sunscreen - Telephoto camera gear - Sunscreen from a brand you trust
Summary: what to keep in your hand luggage
In case your checked bag goes missing, keep everything you need to get through 24 hours with you: - Passport, e-Visa and cash - Phone and charger - Medication and contact lenses - A change of clothes - Camera - Valuable equipment
Renting gear
You don't need to buy a heavy down jacket or sleeping bag just for Kilimanjaro — good-quality gear can be rented locally. Plenty of people hesitate over spending hundreds on kit for a single climb, so when you book with us we send a list of what can be rented before you travel.
Once your plans take shape, see our safari tours and Kilimanjaro climbs, and for timing the best season guide.
