The rules
Pack light. The single most common packing mistake is too many clothes. Most lodges and camps offer same-day laundry at low cost — assume you can wash everything every two or three days, and pack accordingly.
Use a soft-sided duffel bag rather than a hard suitcase. Bush flights enforce a 15-20 kg limit and only accept soft bags that can be jammed into small cargo holds. A hard suitcase will be left behind.
Wear neutral colours on safari (khaki, olive, grey, brown). Avoid bright white (shows dust within an hour), bright red, and especially black (tsetse flies in some areas are drawn to dark colours). Tsetse flies are not malarial but their bite is painful.
Clothing — safari
For a 7-10 day safari:
- 3 long-sleeve safari shirts (UPF 50+ ideal)
- 2 short-sleeve t-shirts
- 2 pairs convertible safari pants (zip-off legs)
- 1 pair shorts
- 1 lightweight fleece or wool jumper (mornings can be 8-10°C)
- 1 waterproof shell jacket
- 1 wide-brimmed sun hat
- 1 buff or scarf (dust)
- 5 pairs underwear, 5 pairs socks
- 1 swimming costume (lodges often have pools)
- 1 pair comfortable walking shoes (closed toe)
- 1 pair sandals or flip-flops for camp
- 1 set of "evening" clothes (long sleeves, mosquito protection)
Laundry is usually available — the above is enough for two weeks.
Clothing — Kilimanjaro
The mountain crosses five climate zones in seven days. Layering is non-negotiable.
Base layers (next to skin): - 3 long-sleeve merino wool or synthetic tops - 2 pairs merino wool or synthetic long johns - 5 pairs hiking socks (merino wool) - 1 pair sock liners
Mid layers: - 1 lightweight fleece - 1 mid-weight fleece or wool sweater - 1 insulated jacket (down or synthetic, rated to at least -10°C)
Outer layers: - 1 hardshell waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex or equivalent) - 1 hardshell waterproof trousers - 1 lightweight wind-resistant trousers - 1 pair hiking trousers (convertible)
Summit-night additions: - 1 heavy down jacket (rated to -20°C) - 1 balaclava or face buff - 1 pair heavy mittens with liners - 1 pair gaiters
Footwear: - 1 pair high-ankle waterproof hiking boots (broken in before the trip — non-negotiable) - 1 pair camp shoes (lightweight, dry feet at the end of each day)
Other: - 2 pairs sunglasses (one as backup; one with category 4 lens for the summit glare) - 1 wide-brimmed sun hat - 1 warm beanie - 1 set thermal sleepwear
Sleeping: - 1 four-season sleeping bag rated to -15°C (we can rent — USD 30) - 1 sleeping bag liner (silk or fleece) - 1 inflatable pillow
Other essentials: - 1 50-65L backpack (for porters to carry) - 1 25-35L daypack (you carry) - 2 trekking poles - 1 headlamp + spare batteries (essential for summit night) - 2-3L water bladder + 1L water bottle (the bladder freezes at altitude; the bottle is backup)
Clothing — Zanzibar
Beach holiday rules. The one note: Zanzibar is majority-Muslim. In Stone Town and villages, cover shoulders and knees out of respect. At the beach lodges, anything goes.
- 2 swimming costumes
- 3-4 light t-shirts
- 2 long-sleeve light shirts (sun protection on the water)
- 2 pairs lightweight trousers (Stone Town, evenings, mosquito protection)
- 2 pairs shorts
- 1 light dress / 1 button-down shirt for dinner
- 1 cover-up or sarong
- 1 light rain jacket (afternoon showers possible year-round)
- Flip-flops and 1 pair walking shoes
Gear
- 8×42 binoculars (the safari standard; smaller is too low-magnification, larger is too heavy). One per person — sharing is no fun.
- Camera. A modern phone with optical zoom works. A dedicated DSLR or mirrorless with a 100-400mm or 150-600mm lens is dramatically better. Bring memory cards.
- Reusable water bottle (1L). Most camps refill filtered water.
- Microfibre towel (the lodge ones are bulky; this is for the Zanzibar coda or unexpected swims).
- Dry bag for camera gear during rain.
- Small daypack for the vehicle.
- Plastic ziplock bags for dust protection.
- Wet wipes and hand sanitiser.
Medical
Bring your own first-aid kit; the camps have one but specifics may not match what you take at home.
- Malaria prophylaxis (Malarone is most common; start before arrival, continue after departure as prescribed)
- Diarrhoea medication (loperamide and an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor — ciprofloxacin or azithromycin)
- Antihistamines
- Ibuprofen and paracetamol
- Anti-altitude medication (Diamox, for Kilimanjaro — discuss with your doctor)
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Plasters and blister plasters
- Personal prescription medication (in original containers, with a prescription copy)
- High-DEET insect repellent (50%+)
- High-SPF sunblock (SPF 50)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Hand sanitiser
A pre-trip visit to a travel doctor is essential. Yellow fever vaccination is required only if arriving from a yellow-fever country; most US and European travellers do not need it.
Electronics
- Phone + charger
- Camera + chargers + spare batteries + memory cards
- Tanzania uses UK three-pin plugs — bring a UK adapter
- A power bank (USB) — the vehicle has charging but it's intermittent
- An e-reader if you read — there are long stretches in the vehicle
- Noise-cancelling headphones for the long-haul flight
Documents
- Passport (six months validity, two blank pages minimum)
- Visa (e-visa printed or printed proof of issued visa; or USD 100 cash for visa on arrival)
- Yellow fever certificate if arriving from a yellow-fever country
- Travel insurance certificate (printed)
- Flight tickets / e-tickets
- Trip itinerary (printed)
- Emergency contact details
- Copies of all of the above, stored separately
- Credit card and some USD cash (for tips, drinks, market shopping — USD 300-500 per person)
Leave at home
- White or off-white clothing (you will not stay white)
- Black or dark blue tops (tsetse flies)
- Camouflage clothing (illegal for civilians in Tanzania)
- Heavy denim (uncomfortable in the heat, slow to dry)
- High-heeled shoes
- Jewellery and valuables (no need; risk of loss)
- Hairdryer (some lodges have them; the rest don't have the power)
- Plastic bags (Tanzania banned them in 2019; you can be fined)
- More books than you can read
- Worry. Tanzania is friendlier than the news suggests.
Want a real quote based on your dates?
Six questions, draft itinerary back within 24 working hours, itemised.