The Ultimate Packing List for Tanzania

The Ultimate Packing List for Tanzania: 10 Tips for Safari & Beyond

Well prepared for your adventure

Tanzania means safari adventures, wildlife, Mount Kilimanjaro and dream beaches on Zanzibar. To enjoy this diversity stress-free, you should travel well prepared. Our detailed packing list helps you think of everything – practical, tried and tested, and tailored to the unique conditions of Africa.

1. Suitable Safari Clothing

Layering for every time of day

The climate in Tanzania changes quickly: cool mornings, hot midday, chilly evenings. Several lightweight layers are ideal. Cotton, linen or modern functional fabrics are breathable and comfortable.

Long sleeves instead of short

Long-sleeved shirts and trousers provide reliable protection against both sun and insects. A fleece jacket or sweater is useful for cooler evenings

Footwear

• Hiking boots for walking safaris or trekking

• Lightweight closed shoes for game drives

• Flip-flops or sandals only for the lodge or pool

2. Sun Protection

The sun in Tanzania is very intense. The best protection is a combination of:

• wide-brimmed hat or cap

• sunglasses

• light scarf or buff for the neck

• airy long-sleeved clothing

• sunscreen with high SPF for face, hands and other exposed areas

3. Luggage for Safaris

Main luggage

Soft travel bags or duffel bags are ideal. They fit into safari vehicles and meet the 15 kg limit on domestic flights. Recommended size: 80–90 liters.

Alternative

A travel backpack with 60–70 liters is suitable for hikes or longer walking sections.

Hand luggage

A daypack with 20–30 liters is practical for water, camera, binoculars and snacks.

👉 Tip: Hard-shell suitcases are impractical and often not allowed

4. Essential Travel Gear

• three to five T-shirts in natural colors

• two to three long-sleeved shirts

• two to three lightweight trekking trousers, preferably with zip-off function

• sweater or fleece jacket

• rain and wind jacket

• sun hat, sunglasses, scarf

• binoculars

• headlamp or flashlight

• power bank

• universal travel adapter for plug types D and G

• reusable water bottle

5. Effective Travel Pharmacy

Medical care in rural regions is limited, so bring your own small pharmacy:

• malaria prophylaxis after medical consultation

• painkillers and fever reducers

• anti-diarrheal medication and electrolyte powder

• antihistamines

• broad-spectrum antibiotic on doctor’s recommendation

• medication for nausea and vomiting

• altitude sickness medication if you plan to climb Kilimanjaro

• wound disinfectant, plasters, sterile bandages

• sunscreen and after-sun lotion

• insect repellent with DEET or Icaridin

• personal medication in sufficient quantity

6. Important Documents

Without the right documents nothing works – and backups provide security.

• Passport with at least six months validity

• Visa for Tanzania: From 2025, the electronic visa is mandatory and must be applied for online in advance. Official application: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa

• Vaccination certificate with proof of yellow fever vaccination if entering from a risk area. Neighboring countries like Kenya or Uganda are included, as they are often combined with a Tanzania trip. For direct arrivals from Europe, no yellow fever vaccination is required

• Recommended vaccinations: Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Tetanus

• Zanzibar: Since October 2024, an additional entry insurance is required. This is offered by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) and is mandatory for all travelers. More information: https://www.zic.co.tz

👉 Tip: Carry digital and printed copies, and keep originals safe in a waterproof pouch in your hand luggage.

7. Insect Protection

• repellents with DEET or Icaridin

• long, light clothing made from breathable fabrics

• clothing treated with permethrin, especially useful for longer safaris

• mosquito net, ideally pre-treated (not always provided in lodges or camps)

• fly screens, vaporizers or mosquito coils in accommodations

• avoid perfume and strong scents

8. Smart Hand Luggage

• passport, visa, insurance documents

• medication, power bank, snacks, water bottle

• light jacket, sleep mask, neck pillow, wet wipes

• smartphone, headphones, e-book reader

• travel adapter and chargers

• copies of important documents

• small first-aid kit

9. Tech for Safari Moments

• camera with spare batteries and memory cards

• binoculars for wildlife observation

• power bank for remote areas

• smartphone with offline maps or a digital travel guide

10. Keep the Climate in Mind

• Serengeti: mild, but cool at night – layering is essential

• Kilimanjaro: extreme temperature changes – up to 30°C during the day and minus 6°C at night – layering system is a must

• Zanzibar: tropical and warm – light clothing, swimwear, knee-length outfits in towns and temples

Conclusion

This packing list covers all essentials – from clothing and documents to your travel pharmacy. With the right preparation, you travel safely, flexibly and stress-free. That way your focus stays where it belongs: on the unforgettable encounters with Tanzania’s breathtaking nature and culture.