Tanzania Safari Packing List: Essential Items You Need to Bring

What you need to prepare for visiting Tanzania

This is a list for visiting Tanzania, which is particularly helpful if it’s your first time going here.

eVisa

Citizens of over 140 different countries must apply for a Tanzanian eVisa prior to departure. Otherwise, one’s entry may be refused.

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Remember to submit your application no later than 10 business days before departure to receive the approved Tanzania eVisa on time.

How to apply?

Travelers can apply for the Tanzanian visa online either using an official governmental website or via an eVisa agent that handles the submission of the application for them, making sure that it will be positively approved.

One such Tanzania eVisa agents is https://tanzanianvisa.com where you can easily submit your application using a phone, laptop, PC, or even a tablet. You can read more about the Tanzanian eVisa system in different languages, including English, German, Polish, French, and Spanish.

The approved document will reach your email inbox in the form of a PDF file. Once that’s delivered, print it out and save it as an electronic copy (just in case) to present it upon arrival in Tanzania.

Passport

Grab your passport and check its validity. The validity period must extend beyond at least six months of the planned arrival to Tanzania.

If your travel document is not meeting this requirement, it will be necessary to renew it before departing.

Covid-19 documents

As every country now, Tanzania has its own set of new rules and regulations implemented because of the ongoing pandemic. To keep you, your travel companions, and Tanzanian citizens and residents safe, make sure to adhere to the newly introduced rules.

Here are the requirements (Updated as of 2021):

Fill a health declaration form within 24 hours of arrival. The form is available on the official Tanzania Government website: https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz/#/home.
Take a Covid-19 test within 96 hours of departing to Tanzania. The country’s authorities accept RT-PCR and NAATs tests.

Moreover, some countries may be require you to take an additional rapid Covid test on arrival, at their own expense. This requirement is applicable to travelers who arrive from a high-risk country or from one of the listed by the Tanzanian Government as risky in any other way.

Insurance

Getting travel insurance upon any travel abroad is now a step that simply cannot be skipped.

Choose insurance that will cover it all, including Covid-19 treatment, quarantine costs coverage, and the costs of getting you home earlier in case of an emergency.

Plane tickets

Booking your tickets prior to the planned trip may be obvious but still has to be done. You can try early booking to look for possible deals on the price and just to get it done early on.

Doctor’s appointment

Visiting a doctor prior to leaving for a safari trip is also mandatory. Notify your doctor on where exactly you plan on heading to and take any vaccination/medication your doctor advises you to.

Tanzania Safari Packing List

Packing for a safari trip can be daunting, especially if you don’t know what to expect. You want to make sure that you have everything you need and don’t forget anything important.

Boiling down what seems like a million different items into just a few must-haves makes the process much easier.

When you are packing for a safari trip, it is also extremely important to pack your items in an efficient way. You need to pack light but also have enough clothes and essential items to enjoy a comfortable and stress-free stay. You will need clothes for both warm and cold weather, as well as some space left over for souvenirs!

Basic packing list for a Tanzania safari trip

Whether you’re staying for a few days or weeks, your luggage should ideally have the following:

Utility jacket
2-3 short-sleeve t-shirts
2 long-sleeve shirts
2 pairs of pants
2 pairs of shorts
1 pair of pajamas
Underwear
3 pairs of socks
1 pair of sandals
1 pair of sneakers or other closed-toe shoes such as trail runner

Other clothing you might want to bring:

Sundress (for women)
Button-down shirt and khakis (for men)
Swimwear.

Other essentials you need to bring

Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Sunglasses
Binoculars
A hat/any head covering
A mosquito net
A mess kit with utensils
A first-aid kit
Hand sanitizer
Camera plus batteries, chargers, memory cards
Flashlight
Toiletries.

Tips for preparing clothes

Here are important tips on choosing which clothes to bring.

It’s important to pack clothes that you can wear in layers that can be taken off or put on easily depending on the temperature.
Choose clothes that are lightweight, quick drying, and breathable. They should be in natural colors and fabric so as to avoid attracting any insects, as well as to let your skin breathe.
Wear comfortable shoes that will protect your feet from the hot sand or rocky terrain.
Pack some casual clothes for not exploring the safari terrains.
Pack a waterproof jacket for the rainy season.
Pack other items for specific types of safari, e.g., gloves or ankle gaiters for water safaris.

Tips for choosing and packing your luggage

Pack light!
Bring a light bag without wheels for easy transport on rough terrain.
Make sure to pack your passport and all necessary vaccinations in your carry-on luggage.
Pack your clothes into small bags or roll them so that they take up less room in your bag.

When is the best time to visit Tanzania

What is the best time to visit Tanzania? That’s a tough question with no single answer. It really depends on your needs and what you want from your trip.

Generally speaking, the highlands region will be colder while the rest of the country will be warmer. If you prefer a hot weather and escape from the cold, we’d suggest visiting between November and February when the hottest period extends.

However, if you prefer a colder weather, you can visit Tanzania between May and August when the temperatures vary between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius.

There are also two different rainfall periods to avoid, extending between October and April, October and December, and March and May. That said, the safest months would include June, July, August, September, and November.

Choose the best time for your needs and your expectations and enjoy your incredible Tanzanian safari experience to the maximum!

Has this guide for preparing a Tanzania safari packing list been helpful to you? Do you have questions or other recommendations? Let us know in the comments section below!

Guest Author

This article is contributed by an expert guest author.