The short answer
Pack light in a soft duffel bag (light aircraft usually allow 15–20 kg including hand luggage), in neutral colours such as khaki, olive and beige. Bring layers for cold mornings, a warm fleece, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens. Avoid dark blue, black and camouflage, which is illegal for civilians in Tanzania.
Key facts
- Luggage
- Soft duffel, 15–20 kg
- Colours
- Khaki, olive, beige — no camo
- Early mornings
- 10–15 °C in open vehicles
- Laundry
- Offered by most lodges
Clothing checklist
Lodges offer laundry, so five days of clothes is plenty for a longer trip.
- 3–4 lightweight shirts, long and short sleeves
- 2 pairs of trousers and 1 pair of shorts
- A warm fleece and a light down or windproof jacket
- Comfortable closed shoes and sandals
- Wide-brimmed hat, buff or scarf for dust
- Swimwear for lodge pools and Zanzibar
Gear worth bringing
Our vehicles carry binoculars and charging points, but a few personal items make a big difference.
- Your own binoculars (8x42 or 10x42)
- Camera with a 100–400 mm zoom, spare batteries and cards
- Head torch for camp at night
- Universal adapter (Tanzania uses type D and G sockets)
- Reusable water bottle
What should I leave at home?
Hard-shell suitcases (they do not fit light aircraft), camouflage clothing (illegal for civilians), single-use plastic bags (banned in Tanzania) and bright white clothes, which show every speck of dust and stand out to wildlife.
Questions, answered
Do I need hiking boots on safari?
Not for game drives — comfortable trainers are fine. Bring light boots if you plan walking safaris or hikes in the highlands.
Published 15 September 2026 · Updated 1 October 2026
