Tanzania Safari Checklist

There is no dress code for safari, however, it is advised that you wear inconspicuous clothes in brown, green, beige, khaki, or other neutral colors so as not to draw attention to yourself or frighten the animals away. As driving distances can be quite long while on safari, you should dress lightly and comfortably. With evenings able to get quite cold, it is also advisable to bring along warmer clothes. Below you’ll find our recommended list of things to bring along with you when you’re on safari.

Carry-on/Daypack Essentials:

• Underwear and a change of clothes. Helpful hint: pack this outfit into a large ziplock bag and force the air out to take advantage of room in your pack
• Travel Saline solution and glasses if you wear lenses or glasses
• Kindle
• Snacks for long flights and layovers
• lip balm and a small tube of hand lotion
• Camera, batteries and all chargers. Helpful hint: I pack all cords and chargers in an Old sunglasses case. just wrap them up and keep them in there and you’ll always remember where they are
• Comb or brush
• Itinerary for your safari/trip
• Passports and necessary Visas and proof of shots (depending on which country you are visiting – I also keep these in a ziplock bag)
• Extra ziplock bags and tissues
• A neck rest and small blanket. I’m always freezing on flights. I use this and this
• small container of Ibuprofen, melatonin and cold medicine/benadryl
• If you have a small child, a pull-up or a few extra diapers some in handy if you think they might fall asleep on the flight and still have accidents once in a while. I speak from experience

Main suitcase packing list:

• Light jacket
• raincoat that will fit over the light jacket
• 2 short sleeve t-shirts
• 2 long sleeve t-shirts (preferably button down that will fit over your t-shirts. Layering is key on early morning game drives)
• 2 pair long pants (zip off preferred, which you can buy at outdoor stores. Again, early morning game drives start chilly and then get hot. Be prepared by layering)
• 2 pair shorts
• one pair pajamas – lightweight
• Sun hat or visor
• 3 pair socks
• underwear
• one pair sandals
• one pair sneakers or casual close toed shoes
• two sundresses (for females – especially if you are going to Zanzibar or another island after your safari)
• one nice button down and khakis (for men)
• bathing suit
• deodorant
• sunscreen and lip balm
• Make-up (not too much – a safari isn’t a fashion show. I brought mascara and blush)
• insect repellant (most camps provide this, so don’t stress if you forget it – I didn’t bring any)
• Prescriptions meds. Bring immodium and a bottle of Cipro or other antibiotics. You might not need it, but it’s good to have if you have some tummy issues
• Benydryl or other allergy med.
• Bandaids, bug bite stick, pain reliever, extra saline, eye drops.
• anti-malarial
• journal or notebook to log animal sightings
• small bag to hold stuff you m ight want to bring on game drives i.e camera, batteries, water, sunscreen
• extra ziplock bags
• Tide stick or Tide packets for quick cleaning on the fly
• Glasses
• Sunglasses
• Flashlight