In 4+ years of running safaris out of Arusha, I have seen every packing mistake. Guests who arrive with a 30-kilogram hard-shell suitcase that will not fit in the bush plane hold. Guests who bring five pairs of jeans and forget a fleece. Guests who pack so many camera lenses they spend more time managing equipment than watching wildlife. And guests who simply asked the right questions before they left and arrived with everything they needed in a single soft duffel.
This is the guide I give every Westway guest before they travel. It reflects the northern circuit specifically: Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti, because that is where most safaris take place. I will tell you exactly what to bring, what will be provided, and what is genuinely a waste of space.
The Bag: Start Here
Before we discuss what goes inside, the bag itself matters enormously. Tanzania's domestic and bush flights have strict luggage policies: 15 kg total per passenger, and bags must be soft-sided. Hard-shell suitcases are not permitted on bush flights. Full stop.
A soft duffel bag between 60 and 75 litres is ideal as your main bag. Pair it with a 20 to 25 litre daypack for the aircraft cabin, where you will store your camera, documents, valuables, and anything you need during the drive or flight. Do not attempt to bring more than this. Camps have excellent laundry facilities. You will not need ten outfits.
Overpacking. Every year, guests arrive at Wilson Airport in Nairobi or Kilimanjaro International with suitcases that cannot go on the bush flight. They have to leave luggage behind or pay excess fees and delays that affect the whole group. Pack light. Your guide does not judge your wardrobe. He judges wildlife.
Clothing
The Colour Rule
Everything on safari should be neutral and earth-toned: khaki, olive, tan, beige, brown, and grey. These are not aesthetic choices. They are practical ones. Neutral colours blend with the environment and avoid attracting attention from both insects and wildlife. Bright colours, especially white, blue, and red, are actively counterproductive in the bush.
White shows dust within the first hour of any game drive and turns grey-brown before midday. Bright blue is said to attract tsetse flies in wooded areas. Bright red and orange stand out sharply against the golden savannah and can disturb wildlife at close range.
What to Pack
| Item | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Long-sleeve cotton or merino shirts | 3–4 | Neutral colours; doubles as sun and insect protection |
| T-shirts (lightweight) | 2–3 | For layering and evenings at camp |
| Safari trousers or convertible zip-offs | 2–3 | Breathable, quick-dry fabric; neutral tones |
| Lightweight fleece or down jacket | 1 | Essential for cold mornings; Ngorongoro rim can be near freezing |
| Windproof outer layer | 1 | Wind chill in an open vehicle at speed is significant |
| Socks (wool or merino) | 4–5 pairs | Merino manages temperature and odour better than cotton |
| Underwear | 4–5 pairs | Merino or quick-dry synthetic |
| Walking boots or sturdy trainers | 1 pair | Closed-toe, ankle support; for bush walks and crater descents |
| Sandals or camp shoes | 1 pair | For evenings at camp |
| Wide-brimmed hat | 1 | Sun protection is essential at equatorial altitude |
| Buff or neck gaiter | 1 | For dust on game drives and sun protection |
| Swimwear | 1 | Many lodges have pools; essential for Zanzibar extensions |
| Smart casual outfit | 1 set | For lodge dinners at higher-end properties |
If your itinerary includes a Zanzibar beach extension, which I strongly recommend, add two or three lightweight beach outfits and pack a little extra sun protection. The coast is very different from the bush in terms of dress and conditions.
Gear and Equipment
Camera
The single question I get more than any other about gear is: what camera should I bring? The honest answer is that any modern camera will take extraordinary photographs on safari, including the latest smartphones. The Serengeti's light, especially in golden hour, is extraordinarily flattering to almost any lens.
That said, if you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, bring it. A telephoto zoom lens in the 100–400mm or 150–600mm range will bring distant wildlife into sharp detail. Bring more memory cards than you think you need. Bring a lens cloth, as dust is unavoidable on game drives. A lightweight beanbag or small tripod rests on the vehicle's pop-top frame and reduces shake for long-lens shots.
Binoculars
Binoculars transform a good safari into a great one. Your guide will spot the animals and point you in the right direction, but binoculars let you read the scene: a lion's expression, cubs playing in the distance, the exact moment a cheetah locks onto prey. An 8x42 or 10x42 binocular is the standard recommendation. Compact models sacrifice light transmission; very large models tire your arms. The 8x42 is the safari sweet spot.
Electronics
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Universal power adapter | Tanzania uses Type D and Type G sockets; 230V current |
| Portable power bank | 10,000–20,000 mAh; our vehicles have USB charging but a power bank is backup |
| Headtorch or small torch | Camps are often only lit by lanterns at night; a headtorch is invaluable |
| Camera batteries and charger | Bring at least two spare batteries; charge every night at camp |
| E-reader or book | Afternoons at camp often have a quiet hour; a book is a pleasure |
| Waterproof dry bag | Useful in the wet season and for protecting electronics from dust |
The red dust of the Serengeti penetrates everything. Ziplock bags for small electronics and memory cards are not paranoia. They are common sense. A dust cloth for your lens is as essential as a lens cap. Many guests regret not bringing a small dry bag to keep their camera clean between drives.
Health, Medications and Toiletries
Malaria Prophylaxis
Malaria is present throughout Tanzania's game parks. Prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all guests, without exception. You need to start most regimens before you arrive in Tanzania, so book a travel health consultation at least four to six weeks before your departure. Common options include Malarone, Doxycycline, and Lariam. Your doctor will advise based on your health profile and any medications you already take.
Recommended Medications to Pack
Beyond your malaria prophylaxis, I advise every guest to bring a small personal medical kit. Camps are well-equipped and medical evacuation insurance covers serious emergencies, but the following items handle the minor issues that can otherwise derail a day:
- Broad-spectrum antibiotic: prescribed by your doctor in advance; for stomach infections or respiratory illness
- Imodium (loperamide): stomach upsets, while uncommon, do happen; bring it
- Rehydration sachets: dehydration is easy at high altitude and in the heat
- Antihistamines: for insect bites, allergic reactions, and dusty environments
- Pain relief: ibuprofen and paracetamol
- Blister plasters: bush walks involve more movement than most guests expect
- Prescription medications: bring at least double the quantity you need, packed in your carry-on
Insect Repellent
Bring a DEET-based repellent of at least 50 percent concentration. Apply it to exposed skin every evening before sundowner time, when mosquitoes are most active. Your guide will remind you, but having it in your daypack is smart. Camps also provide coils and plug-in repellents in each tent.
Sun Protection
The equatorial sun at altitude is deceptively intense. Tanzania's northern circuit sits between 1,100 and 2,300 metres above sea level. The UV index is higher than most guests expect, even on overcast days. SPF 50 sunscreen, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat are non-negotiable.
Toiletries
Premium lodges and camps provide high-quality toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and often moisturiser. You do not need to pack full-size versions of these. What the camp does not provide: your preferred sunscreen, insect repellent, personal medications, and any specialised skincare. Bring travel-size toiletries and buy locally in Arusha if you need to top up.
Documents and Admin
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates |
| Tanzania e-visa or visa on arrival | $50 for most nationalities; apply online at immigration.go.tz before travel |
| Travel insurance certificate | Must include medical evacuation; carry a printed copy in your bag |
| Yellow fever vaccination certificate | Required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country |
| COVID-19 documents | Check current requirements at time of travel |
| Emergency contacts list | Include your operator's number, your guide's number, and your insurer's 24hr line |
| Copies of key documents | Photograph everything and store in cloud; carry physical photocopies separately from originals |
What NOT to Pack
Camouflage clothing. This is not a fashion choice. In several East African countries, wearing camouflage is actually illegal for civilians. Leave it at home entirely.
Bright colours. We covered this, but it bears repeating. You will stand out, you will disturb wildlife at close range, and you will spend the day looking conspicuous when the whole pleasure of safari is to blend in and observe.
Hard-shell suitcases. Bush flights. Soft bags only.
Excessive camera equipment. Unless you are a professional wildlife photographer, one camera body, one or two lenses, and a good cleaning kit is everything you need. Carrying three lenses and a tripod means you are managing equipment instead of watching wildlife. The best safari photographs come from guests who have their camera ready and their eyes on the bush, not from guests fumbling between lens cases.
Perfume and strongly scented products. Strong artificial scents can disturb wildlife on bush walks and are not needed on game drives. Save the cologne for the flight home.
Drone. Drones are not permitted in Tanzania's national parks without advance authorisation from TANAPA. The permit process is lengthy and rarely approved for private visitors. Do not bring a drone expecting to fly it in the Serengeti. It will be confiscated.
Every reputable camp and lodge we work with provides: towels (including pool towels), quality toiletries, laundry service, mosquito nets on all beds, bottled water (refillable on your vehicle each day), and usually insect repellent and sunscreen in the tent. You do not need to bring full-size versions of these. Check with us about your specific properties and we will confirm exactly what is included.
Questions I Get Most Often
Neutral earth tones only: khaki, olive, tan, beige, brown, and grey. Avoid white, bright blue, bright red, and orange. White shows dust instantly. Blue can attract tsetse flies. Bright colours stand out in the landscape and can unsettle wildlife at close proximity. Neutral tones are not just aesthetic. They are functional.
Yes, and this surprises many guests. The Ngorongoro Crater rim sits at 2,300 metres above sea level and pre-dawn temperatures regularly drop to 8 to 12 degrees Celsius. Early morning game drives in the Serengeti in the dry season (June to August) can also be cold once the vehicle reaches speed. A lightweight down jacket or fleece is one of the most consistently useful things you can bring, especially if your itinerary includes the crater.
Tanzania domestic and bush flight operators enforce a strict 15 kg total luggage allowance per passenger. Bags must be soft-sided: no hard-shell cases. A 60 to 75 litre soft duffel as your main bag plus a 20 to 25 litre daypack as your cabin bag is the standard configuration. Packing beyond this creates genuine logistical problems that affect your whole group and the flight schedule.
This is a medical decision that should be made with your doctor or a travel health clinic, not from a blog. What I can tell you is that malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all of Tanzania's game parks, the northern circuit included. Book a travel health appointment at least four to six weeks before departure, as some regimens need to begin before you arrive. The most commonly prescribed options are Malarone and Doxycycline. Ask your doctor which is right for you.
Yes, US dollars are the primary currency for tipping, optional activities, and any purchases at markets and smaller establishments. Bring clean, unmarked bills printed after 2006, as older or damaged notes are often refused. Guides typically receive $15 to $25 per day from the group. Camp staff tips are at your discretion and often pooled. ATMs are available in Arusha but not reliable in the parks. Bring enough cash for the duration and keep it in a money belt or the camp safe.