What to pack
Safari dress is casual and your wardrobe does not require any “special purchase” items. The emphasis should be on cool, loose and good coverage if you are sensitive to the sun. In a few areas like Ngorongoro highlands, it can get quite chilly at night so be sure to bring warmer layers. It is preferred that your daytime clothing be in neutral colours to blend in with the surroundings. In tsetse fly areas black and blue clothing is not recommended as the insects are attracted to this.
Please note that while camping you will have no access to electricity for shavers or hair dryers. In hotels, you will occasionally find 240 volt AC/55-cycle with three pin square ‘British’ type sockets so you will need to bring an adaptor for your appliances. In some camps you will have access to inverters to charge phones and camera batteries only.
Safari Clothing
- 2-3 pairs of sturdy cotton shorts
- 2 pairs of lightweight cotton pants
- 1 skirt or dress slacks for hotel evenings
- 2 long-sleeved shirts
- 4-6 short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
- changes of underwear and some warm socks for evening
- 1 warm sweater or fleece jacket
- 1 lightweight waterproof jacket or parka
- 1 pair walking shoes, tennis, or running shoes
- 1 bandanna (these have many uses)
- 1 pair sandals or rubber thongs (great for camp showers)
- 1 shade hat with wide brim or baseball cap
- 1 bathing suit (some lodges have pools)
Safari Equipment
- 1 duffle bag (depending on your itinerary you can always leave some belongings in Arusha, thus keeping down the safari luggage)
- 1 small padlock to lock suitcase or duffle
- 1 daypack
- wide-mouth plastic water bottle, minimum 1 qt. capacity that can be refilled with 100% safe filtered drinking water from our camps
- toilet kit – we supply shampoo and conditioner in our camps but not all lodges do
- sunscreen
- flashlight (head lamps are great) with spare batteries
- nylon stuff sacks or plastic bags to organize clothes, laundry, and other items in your duffle
- binoculars, essential for good wildlife viewing
- camera to capture all of the memories
- snacks: trail mix, nuts, hard candies, decaf beverages, powdered electrolyte replacement drink mixes such as Gatorade. Our vehicles are also equipped with great snacks and we can cater to all dietary requirements.
Travel Requirements
Visas for Tanzania can be obtained on entry for most countries. As the prices and entry requirements can change, we suggest all travelers contact their nearest Tanzanian Embassy for exact details. Obtaining your visa from the Tanzanian Embassy in your home country will save you having to wait in the “Visa” line at the airport.
Health & Vaccination Guide for Safaris in Tanzania
At African Environments, safety and wellbeing are at the very heart of what we do – whether you’re standing on the roof of Africa or watching elephants drift through the Serengeti grasslands. We’ve put together this simple guide to help you prepare for your time in Tanzania. It draws on decades of experience running expeditions across East Africa, so you can travel with confidence knowing you’re properly protected.
Routine Vaccinations
Before travelling anywhere, it’s important that your routine immunisations are up to date. We recommend checking with your doctor that you’re current with: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis, Polio, and Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR). These form the foundation of good travel health.
Strongly Recommended for Tanzania
We recommend the following for all travellers joining a safari or Kilimanjaro climb with us: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Malaria prophylaxis. For malaria prevention, the most common medication is Malarone. Your doctor can advise if this is best for you. We also recommend insect repellent (DEET or picaridin), long sleeves at dusk, and sleeping under mosquito nets – all of which we provide in camp.
Yellow Fever
If you have come from or transited through a yellow fever endemic country then a vaccination is mandatory. You will be required to show your yellow fever vaccination certificate (usually a little yellow booklet) at the airport. If you haven’t visited or been in transit for more than 12 hours in one of the endemic countries then you don’t need to be vaccinated. The good news – you used to need to be revaccinated every 10 years but now a single yellow fever vaccination has been deemed to offer lifetime protection. You can see the list of endemic countries here ;https://www.moh.go.tz/storage/app/uploads/public/65a/f76/a77/65af76a777832906196271.pdf
Altitude and Kilimanjaro
If you’re climbing with us, you may wish to discuss Acetazolamide (Diamox) with your doctor. This medication can help your body adjust to altitude, though our carefully designed itineraries already allow for excellent acclimatisation.
Other Good Health Habits
Hydrate well, pack a small personal medical kit, use sun protection, and ensure your travel insurance includes medical evacuation cover.
Before You Travel
Visit your travel health clinic or GP at least 6–8 weeks before your trip. They can check your vaccination record and prescribe any prophylaxis you may need. We’re happy to share itinerary details with your doctor if helpful.
At African Environments, we’ve spent over three decades guiding travellers safely through Tanzania’s wildest and most beautiful places. With a few simple preparations, you can focus entirely on the joy of being out there – breathing the mountain air, watching the sun set over the plains, and knowing you’re in safe hands.
While in Tanzania on safari with African Environments all leaders are trained to Wilderness First Responder level, an advanced first aid qualification designed for leaders in the outdoors. Our vehicles are equipped with safety equipment including a first aid kit.
We recommend all clients take out a reputable travel insurance policy. We can also arrange a local emergency services coverage if you like. Please discuss this with our travel expert.
What to Expect
Tanzania is peaceful, developing African county with vast and wild wilderness. Nearly one-third of its land mass is safeguarded under some sort of land or wildlife protection. Tanzania’s natural attractions – the mountains, animals, rare cultures, beautiful beaches and exotic locations – have helped develop a healthy tourist industry, allowing millions of people to earn a good living. However, poverty can still be seen and it is advisable to act as respectfully as possible. Please talk to your guide about taking photographs and various customs and actions that may offend while in the country.
Tanzanian people by nature are extremely friendly and warm but bear in mind that crime does exist, as in all cities around the world. Your leader will brief you fully on arrival regarding personal safety. Please do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you need.
While traveling in Tanzania with African Environments you should expect a wonderful and memorable adventure very far from your normal lifestyle. There will be great food, big smiles, new sights and smells, most probably dust or mud and a many stories. Get ready to have fun!
