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For most of us, the chance to go on a Tanzania safari tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Especially for that reason, we want to be as prepared as possible in order to make the most of our trip.

I had an INCREDIBLE time on my Tanzania safari, and I want to share all the tidbits I learned about packing and preparation to help your trip be the best it can be.

First off, if you’re still looking for a tour to book, I really enjoyed the Big 5 Safari tour with World Adventure Tours. I think they did a fantastic job showing us the National Parks and as much wildlife as possible, all for a really reasonable price. If you’re interested in my full review of this tour, click here.

Prefer a different tour? TourRadar makes it SUPER simple to search by destination, tour duration, cost, and other filters, so you find your dream tour!

And now, on to the tips!

#1 Bring more cash than you think you’ll need

Like many people, I don’t like to run around with a lot of extra cash. I thought I had pulled out a sufficient amount from the ATM early on in my trip, but I ended up needing a couple more ATM visits. Yes, credit cards were often accepted, which was another reason I didn’t take as much cash. But I did run into a couple situations where either the credit card machine wasn’t working or cash was preferred.

I had also withdrawn Tanzanian shillings. However, many of the hotels and tourist attractions happily accept (and even prefer) American dollars. A couple hotels gave me my total in American dollars, and we had to convert it to shillings since that was the cash I had available.

So set aside an envelope with your tour guide’s tips, and have some shillings available, but definitely carry more American dollars than you think you’ll need.

#2 Pack hiking boots or waterproof shoes that are good for mud

If you’re traveling during the dry season (June through October), this may not be as essential, though I would still recommend it. But if you’re traveling between November and May, this is a must!

For the most part, you’ll be in your safari vehicle and you may never step foot in mud. However, I did the hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti, and even that walk to the balloons was quite muddy and slippery. We also passed a couple vehicles that had gotten stuck in the mud or high water. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to wait in the vehicle until assistance arrives. But if not, you’ll definitely be happy to have waterproof shoes.

A perfect example of some of the mud and water your safari vehicle may be driving through! Granted it wasn’t usually this bad, it was usually mud, but this gives you an idea of how messy things can be.

#3 Regarding bug spray…

Bring bug spray for the tsetse flies, which can transmit Sleeping Sickness, a potentially deadly parasitic infection. But truthfully, the bugs were less of a problem than I anticipated. I was glad I had the spray and I certainly used it, but I didn’t need it as much as I thought I would.

That said, if you’re visiting the coast, like Mnazi Bay, you’ll definitely need bug spray! And when I say bug spray, I mean like 98% deet. I would apply Ranger Ready, which usually works well for me, and within a minute I had skeeters biting me… And if you’re wondering, Mnazi Bay is a great place to go see whales in August!

#4 Wearing khaki and olive isn’t just a cliche

It’s not purely cliché to wear khaki and olive green for a Tanzania safari, it’s practical. For one, the neutral colors avoid startling the animals because you don’t stand out so much like bright colors do. White will get really dirty with all the mud and dust flying, so I don’t recommend that. And dark colors are more likely to attract tsetse flights, which bring a painful bite and the potential for parasites. Also a less-than-ideal option. So embrace your inner Steve Irwin and pack your khakis and olive greens.

#5 You can probably skip the big sun hat and sunscreen bottle

Along with the khaki, we’ve all seen pictures of the stereotypical safari tourist with the big sun hat. I took a couple ball caps with me, but I didn’t even wear them. For the most part you’ll be in your safari vehicle and out of the sun. Even if the roof of the vehicle is raised for better viewing, you’ll still be protected from sun rays. The two ladies in my vehicle had these hats, but most the time they ended up taking the hat off during the day.

So if you have one of the collapsible hats (similar to these) or would feel better having one, then by all means. But I don’t think it’s necessary.

The same is true for packing lots of sunscreen. The roof of the vehicle that you’re practically living in will protect most of your body from the sun. I only used sunscreen on my face and hands. So unless you’re really prone to burning, you likely won’t need much. Keep the big bottle at home; a 3-oz bottle will probably be plenty.

This image is another good example of the mud. But I also wanted to show what a safari vehicle looks like with its top up. This gives you plenty of height to stand and take photos, and you can rest a heavy camera on the rim rather than having to hold it up. It also shows you’ll be mostly protected from the sun, and thus may not need a big hat or much sunscreen.

#6 Consider if you’ll need snacks

Our tours provided boxed lunches, which I imagine is typical as you’ll be out in your vehicle all day. (The exception may be if you’re doing a high-end luxury safari.) You can indicate if you have any dietary restrictions or preferences. But depending on your restrictions or how picky an eater you are, you may consider packing some snacks. The boxed lunches had enough food to satiate me, but they were also simple. Nearly every day we had a juice box, yogurt, piece of fruit, roll, perhaps a hard-boiled egg, and a few other odds and ends.

Here are two boxed lunches we had during our safari days. Items were individually wrapped, which was also nice because you could eat a bit and save some for later, if you wanted.

#7 Pick up malaria pills when you get to Tanzania

If you have a chance, pick up some malaria treatment at a pharmacy. It only cost me about $4 USD, versus anywhere from $50 to $250 in the US. So even if you don’t need the malaria pills, it’s not a huge expense (and could be used for a future trip). And if you do happen to contract malaria while on safari, you’ll have the pills on hand to take them immediately rather than having to locate a pharmacy when you’re far from a town.

As I mentioned in my Tanzania safari article, I had World Adventure Tours arrange a transfer from Moyoni Airport Lodge to Springlands Hotel, where the tour started. I simply asked the driver if we could stop at an ATM and a pharmacy before arriving at the hotel. You don’t need a prescription or appointment, just walk in and ask for malaria treatment.

#8 If you’re into photography, take a good camera setup!

I highly recommend taking a good camera. Phone cameras are great, but of course animals may not be right by the road. If you’re serious about pictures at all, it’s worth bringing the larger setup on your Tanzania safari. Yes, that 200-500mm lens was a bugger to carry around (heavy, bulky, fragile), but I used it SO MUCH and was glad I had it! There were so many shots I wouldn’t have gotten if not for that lens. Also be sure to pack plenty of SD cards, as well as a way to back them up in the evening.

Speaking of heavy and bulky, you may consider this external hard drive — it’s much smaller and lighter than the typical options!

Your phone will do great for a number of photos — like this lion that was lounging within ten feet of the road. But I was often happy to have my crop sensor DSLR and long lens! In the photo on the right, I’m aiming my camera towards a cheetah that’s hidden in the grass about 100m away.

#9 Pack a suitable outlet adapter

I know it seems basic, but don’t forget an adapter for outlets, like this one. And if you’re taking a computer or other item with 3-prongs, make sure your adapter is equipped for that. Yes, I speak from experience.

It’s also worth noting that Tanzanian outlets are 230V as opposed to the typical 120V outlets we use in the USA. Most charge cords are suited for 120 to 240V. If you’re unsure, the fine print on the charging block usually states this info. However, plan to leave your blow dryers and beard trimmers at home, as these cords usually can’t handle that high a voltage.

#10 Most (if not all) Tanzania safari vehicles will be the same design

I’m pretty sure all of these tours purchase the same safari vehicle model. Which is great, because then you know what to anticipate!

Each vehicle can fit the driver and seven passengers. Usually, though, tour groups will be smaller than that. That said, the trunk/boot isn’t very big for bags. Many of these tours will start and stop at the same hotel, and they offer luggage storage while you’re out on safari. I highly recommend this! If you’re only visiting for the tour and will need everything you have, just know to pack as light as you can. If you want to leave a duffel at the hotel, foldable duffels like this one are really helpful and don’t take much room.

Also, it’s helpful to pack a small day bag that can easily fit in your space. Think backpack size or smaller. That way your camera gear, phone charger, sunscreen, reusable water bottle, and other essentials are all handy, but won’t block the walking path.

Each passenger also has a cup holder that can fit a bottle of water, and each seat has an international and USB outlet for your phone or whatever needs charged. Your phone will be busy taking pictures, so make sure to start each day with a full charge! But it’s certainly comforting to know a charger is available if needed.

The inside of our safari vehicle, showing the last two rows of seats and the (small) trunk space. That center console in the back is a cooler — darn handy for your group’s water bottles. You can also see how the roof lifts up and how large the windows are. Near the window you can see the outlet and cup holder.

#11 Be prepared if nature calls

As you can imagine, restrooms are not very abundant inside the National Parks. Restrooms are available at the park entrances/exits, but some days you’ll spend all day within the park. For the ladies, it may be helpful to have a pee funnel, just in case. You can pee in the bush if needed, so a funnel isn’t essential. In that case, I recommend carrying a bit of toilet paper or napkins, a ziploc baggie for the used paper, and some hand sanitizer. But a funnel can make the job faster and more comfortable regarding privacy so you don’t have to completely drop trow. If you don’t already have a funnel, I review two popular models in this article.

#12 Regarding when to do your Tanzania safari tour…

June and July are some of the busiest times. Granted, they can be the best for wildlife viewing. But this also means there will be people and vehicles EVERYWHERE.

I went in February, which was perfect. It wasn’t yet the rainy season (March/April), I saw a ton of wildlife, and there weren’t as many vehicles to navigate around. That said, it was still busy, so I can only imagine what June/July are like.

There’s not really a bad time to go on your Tanzania safari. March and April are probably the least ideal months because of all the rain and mud. But June through February all have something to offer, giving you a good range of times to visit.

#13 If you can, splurge on the Serengeti hot air balloon excursion

Yes, I know it’s pricey. I seriously debated about adding on that excursion thanks to its $500 price tag. But in the end, I thought it was totally worth it! Serengeti means “endless plains,” after all, and what better way to experience that than from the air. While you may or may not see wildlife, the view of the park, as well as seeing the animals’ paths through the tall grass, are really cool all on their own. The balloons do leave right at sunrise, though, which increases your odds of animals since that’s when they’re often active.

Just a snippet of our hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. Photo provided by and used with permission from Miracle Experience.

Final Thoughts on Preparing For Your Tanzania Safari Tour

A Tanzania safari tour is an absolutely incredible experience! If you’re reading this article, I hope that means you have a tour booked, or that you’re seriously considering one. In that case, I hope this post gave you a few tips on what to expect and what to pack to make your trip comfortable and that much more enjoyable.

Safe travels on your Tanzania safari, and hakuna matata!

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