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What to Bring on Your Tanzanian Safari

REQUIRED (Updated 10 June 2023)

  • Passport with at least 6 months of validity

  • Picture ID (e.g. driver’s license) other than passport

  • Round-trip international air tickets

  • Covid-19 vaccine card

  • Visa (You may get upon arrival in Tanzania for $100 for US citizens and $50 for citizens of other countries. Flight attendants will be handing out the visa application form prior to landing. Info needed to complete the visa application form will be provided before the trip. You may also apply for an e-visa ahead of time to avoid airport queues.)

RECOMMENDED: Please travel light as the space in safari vehicles and regional aircraft (if you’re flying to or from safari destinations) is limited.

 

  • Clothing items and accessories– Layering is key when going on a safari to Tanzania’s northern savanna as day time could be warm and evenings and early mornings are usually cool. During the day most people wear shorts or leggings and cotton shirts. In the early mornings and evenings they wear long pants and long sleeved shirts for warmth and protection against mosquitoes. Some game drives start before sunrise while others extend until sunset when the temperature drops. It is also cold in the evenings all year round in Ngorongoro Conservation Area and in Serengeti so it’s best to bring long sleeved shirts and a jacket. Please stick to earth-toned colored clothing and steer away from bright colors and bold patterns as these increase your visibility quotient to wild animals. As much as possible try to blend with your surroundings and be one with nature. Also avoid wearing black and dark blue hues in order not to attract tse-tse flies in case we pass areas where they inhabit. Choose quick-drying fabric (e.g. polyester, nylon) if you plan to wash your clothes during safari.

    • khaki shorts, long pants, and safari trousers

    • quick-drying leggings or yoga pants for women

    • long sleeved and short sleeved shirts 

    • light sweater / sweatshirt

    • lightweight waterproof jacket (for early morning game drives & hot air balloon flight)

    • comfortable hiking boots or sneakers (recommended footwear during hot air balloon flight)

    • slip-on shoes

    • slippers / flip-flops

    • underwear and socks

    • safari hat with a brim and beanie for early morning game drives

    • cotton scarf or bandana

    • sunglasses with protective case

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  • Additional clothing items for Zanzibar trip:

    • swimwear

    • sarong

    • wide-brimmed hat

    • cotton dresses/skirts that go below the knees (or leggings/yoga pants should be worn underneath short skirts when going around Stone Town)

    • cotton dresses/tops that cover the shoulders and arms (or cotton scarf/wrap should be worn over sleeveless tops/dresses when going around Stone Town)

    • beach sandals

    • cotton shorts/pants

    • cotton shirts/tops

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  • Essential Items

    • layover & travel essentials: face masks, quick-drying washcloth, facial wash, moisturizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand lotion

    • insect repellents

    • sunscreen

    • sanitary hand wipes or baby wipes

    • hand sanitizer

    • moisturizer and lip balm

    • personal first aid kit (e.g. Aspirin, Tylenol, Imodium, allergy capsules, motion sickness tablets, and topical antibiotic like Neosporin)

    • if you’re carrying prescription medicine, please carry copy of prescription with you

    • feminine sanitary pads for women

    • dust mask as game drives and transits could be dusty especially during the dry season 

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  • Optional Items

    • flashlight or small head lamp  

    • binoculars

    • birds and animals checklist

    • lightweight reading material

    • travel journal

    • snacks like trail mix, protein bars, dried fruit and hard candy

    • small school items for primary school children (e.g. pencils, crayons, erasers, pens)

 

PHOTOGRAPHY AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES: All our safari vehicles are equipped with USB charging ports and you may charge your camera or cell phone during long drives. Solar-powered campsites and mobile tented camps have reliable charging stations too, but you have to bring your own extension cord or multi-plug socket (we provide during our trips) in case you need to charge multiple electronic devices at the same time.

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  • Photography - Tanzania is a very photogenic country and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take stunning photos. For good quality wildlife photos, at least a 300 mm telephoto lens is recommended. Please also take note that it is considered rude in Africa to take photos of people without asking for their permission first.  

    • Camera

    • Memory stick

    • Extra camera battery

    • Camera charger

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  • Mobile phones and Internet access – If you prefer to access the Internet through your phone while in Tanzania, please contact your US mobile service provider for their roaming options prior to traveling. If you’re using AT&T, you may enable their international day pass service that would allow you to call, text, and use the internet for a flat rate of $10/day or $100/month if you're using it for more than 10 days in one billing cycle. Towns, villages and lodges usually have decent signals. But take note that it’s hard to find signal while on game drives in the bush. We’ll also be staying in lodges with complimentary Wi-Fi access in their public areas.    

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TANZANIA PLASTIC BAG BAN: An eco-friendly Tanzania is saying no to single-use plastic bags. Travelers to the country are no longer allowed to bring plastic carrier bags effective June 1, 2019. Check-in area at points of entry confiscate plastic bags, with exception of Ziploc bags used to carry personal items, and may impose fines to travelers. So please leave your single-use plastic bags at home. Click here for more information regarding this travel advisory.

 

 

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