Tanzania Packing List

The short version

Most Tanzania itineraries ask one bag to cover a cold dawn at altitude, a hot dusty afternoon, and a conservative coastal town. Layers solve almost all of it. The thing that catches groups out is not clothing at all: it is the luggage allowance on the small aircraft that link the parks.

The luggage limit, first

Light aircraft transfers between parks carry much stricter baggage limits than the international flight that brought you, and soft sided bags are usually required because a rigid suitcase will not fit the hold. The exact allowance depends on the operator and the aircraft, so we confirm it in writing for each group rather than quoting a number here that may not be yours. Ask us for your specific limit before you shop for luggage, not after.

Clothing

• Layers, not a single warm coat. A fleece or insulated mid layer and a windproof outer are what make a 6am open vehicle game drive pleasant instead of memorable for the wrong reason.
• Long sleeves and long trousers in neutral colours for game drives: sun, dust and insects, more than fashion.
• Modest dress for Zanzibar and Stone Town. Shoulders and knees covered away from the beach and resorts. This is a matter of respect in a living Muslim community, not a dress code imposed on tourists, and it is noticed.
• One set of smarter clothes if your itinerary includes a lodge that dresses for dinner.

Sun, dust and health

• High factor sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses. At altitude and near the equator the sun is stronger than the temperature suggests.
• Something for dust: a buff or light scarf is more useful than it sounds on a dry road.
• Insect repellent, and any malaria prophylaxis your doctor has prescribed, in its original packaging. See the travel safety guide.
• A small personal first aid kit, and enough of any prescription medicine for the whole trip plus a margin.

Kit that earns its weight

• Binoculars, one pair per person. The single item most people wish they had brought and most often try to share. Sharing does not work.
• A camera with more zoom than your phone, and far more storage than you think.
• A power bank, and the right plug adapter. Camps often run on generator or solar with limited charging windows.
• A head torch for camps.
• A refillable water bottle.

If you are climbing

A Kilimanjaro climb has its own kit list, much of it technical and some of it rentable locally. Do not treat the safari list above as sufficient for the mountain. We provide a separate climb specific list to groups whose itinerary includes it.

Planning with LABUSA Travel

We plan and manage Tanzania journeys for groups: itinerary design, park permits, lodges, internal flights and ground transport, and a single point of contact while you travel. Start with the Tanzania travel guide, or tell us what your group has in mind on the plan your trip form.