What to Pack on Safari
Safari Packing List in
Tanzania
Travel light’ is always very important when traveling anywhere! You don’t want to carry a lot of heavy baggage that you might not use anyway! Baggage weight will be limited on your international flight and light aircraft (except only for our spacious safari vehicles) so with that in mind, the safari packing list below will help you to pack only the necessary and correct items.
The list is a bit long and therefore, if some of the items won’t be applicable to your trip you can just ignore them.
SAFARI WEAR
Comfortable fittings; normal and neutral coloured clothes (such as khaki, brown and olive colours) are recommended. Light, strong and breathable garments are ideal (synthetics or cotton). Don’t forget to include warm clothes as it might be very warm in a day but temperatures can drop drastically during the night!
We suggest avoiding bright colours & white for improved game viewing, especially when on foot; and also avoiding black and blue as they attract tsetse fly. Please don’t worry too much about this one as tsetse is not such a big threat on our wildlife safaris nowadays as it used to be in early 50’s!
So generally, have a pullover/safari jacket, short sleeves shirts as well as long sleeve tops/ shirts, shorts & long trousers (at least 2 pairs), at least 5 sets of underwear, sun hat, pyjamas, swimming costume, comfortable safari walking shoes or trainers (not white), flip-flops or sport sandals (public showers, airing feet), about 5 pairs of socks and don’t forget your safari sunglasses.
SAFARI SUPPLIES
Some of these supplies are available in our Safari first aid kit (for emergency purposes only), but will not be enough for all travellers – so the following should be included on your safari packing list:-
- Insect repellent/Mosquito Coil (do not use coils in a tent)
- Malaria tablets (very important)
- Sunblock and after sun lotion
- A light travel towel is light and takes very little space
- Skin cream
- Citronella or other body soap/shower gel
- Sunglasses – make sure they have polarised lenses.
- Toothbrush/toothpaste/dental floss
- Wet wipes/hand sanitizer or no-water/antibacterial soap – very handy in the safari vehicle.
- Pocket Knife (Swiss/Leatherman type)
- Small scissors, if not on your Leatherman/Swiss knife
- 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner
- Lip balm and Q-tips & cotton balls
- Razor & shaving cream/gel
- Birth control (enough to last your trip)
- Sanitary requirements (shops are sometimes few and far between, and very basic)
- Contact lens solution & extra set of disposable lenses (optional)
- Your basic medications (Cold/flu tablets, allergy remedy, painkillers, some antibiotics, motion sickness tablets, anti-diarrhoea medicine, heartburn remedy, re-hydration salts and sterile needles)
- Antiseptic cream
- Pen/pencil
- Small unbreakable mirror
- Plastic bags (wet washing/muddy shoes/organise clothes in suitcase)
- Book to read between game viewing and other leisure time
- String/rope (washing line, tying sleeping bag, multitude of uses!!)
- Prescribed medicine (enough to last your trip) – keep packed in your hand luggage in case of baggage delays
SAFARI LUGGAGE
- Suitcases or bags with wheels – to be used as a main-bag
- A daypack – very handy while driving around in the safari vehicle or walking through the bush
SAFARI EQUIPMENT
- Camera, memory cards, extra batteries, battery charger and lens cleaner
- Safari Binoculars (each of our Safari vehicle has one) – Very essential for an enjoyable Safari if traveling in a group of friends l trip.
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Money belt
- Washing powder/travel soap for laundry
- Electric power plug adaptors – generally we use 3- square pins (English type)
- Mini combination locks (keys get lost)
DOCUMENTS
- Passport & correct visas, emergency phone numbers and Travel insurance policy
- Your Safari itinerary and contact details of your host Safari Company
- Addresses and mobile numbers (postcards/e-mails/texts)
- Any vaccinations certificates
- Extra passport photos, Copy of your passport (to be kept in a separate place than your passport)
- Medical history with copies of prescriptions
- Small stickers to label your used films, if you still use film
