Tanzania safari packing list (with a Kilimanjaro add-on)

How much luggage can I take on a safari flight?

Less than you'd think. If your safari includes a flight into the parks or out to Zanzibar, it'll be on a small aircraft with a cargo pod, and weight is tight.

Coastal Aviation's published policy, at the time of writing (October 2026):

• 15 kg (33 lb) per person, including hand luggage.
• Soft bags are strongly recommended but not obligatory.
• A small suitcase or hard case must fit the cargo pod door, which is 76 x 48 x 29 cm.
• Excess baggage goes at the company's discretion and is charged at freight rates. The pilot has the final say on load.
• You can leave bags you won't need at Coastal's office at Dar es Salaam airport, Terminal 1.

Other airlines set their own rules, so check the policy for the carrier on your ticket, or ask us. On a driving safari there's more room, but a soft duffel still packs into a vehicle more easily than a hard case.

What colours should I wear on safari?

Neutral ones: khaki, olive, tan, stone. Colour isn't just about blending in. Tsetse flies, which spread sleeping sickness, are attracted to bright and very dark colours, according to CDC. The University of Zurich's travel clinic adds that blue draws them in particular. Leave navy and black at home.

A few more points from CDC's advice:

• Wear medium-weight fabric. Tsetse flies bite through thin cloth.
• Repellent and permethrin-treated clothing aren't very effective against tsetse, though they still help against mosquitoes.
• Tsetse flies are drawn to moving vehicles, so check inside the car before you get in.
• There's no vaccine or drug that prevents sleeping sickness. Avoiding bites is the protection.

Long sleeves and trousers do double duty after dark, when malaria mosquitoes feed. See our Tanzania travel tips for the malaria advice.

How cold does it get at Ngorongoro?

Colder than most people pack for. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area climbs from under 1,500 m to 3,648 m, and the crater rim stands 400 to 610 m above the crater floor. The highlands are generally moist and misty, and even the semi-arid plains can drop as low as 2°C.

If your day starts early in an open vehicle, the wind makes it feel colder still. Layer up: a base layer, a fleece and a windproof jacket, with a hat and light gloves you can pull off by mid-morning. More on the area in our Ngorongoro guide.

What should be on my Tanzania safari packing list?

Clothing

• Neutral-coloured shirts, including long-sleeved ones, in medium-weight fabric
• Lightweight trousers, plus shorts for lodge time
• A fleece and a warm, windproof jacket
• Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, a warm hat for early mornings
• Comfortable closed shoes and a pair of sandals
• Swimwear, and clothes that cover shoulders and knees for Zanzibar towns

Health

• Antimalarials as prescribed, and insect repellent
• High-factor sunscreen and lip balm
• Your own medicines in your hand luggage, with copies of prescriptions
• A small first-aid kit and hand sanitiser

Kit

• Binoculars, ideally one pair per person
• Camera, spare batteries and memory cards
• Power bank and a plug adaptor for type D and G sockets
• Head torch
• Refillable water bottle
• A buff or scarf for dusty roads

Documents and money

• Passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival, with a blank page
• Your e-visa approval, printed and on your phone
• Yellow fever certificate, if your route requires one
• Travel insurance details, including Zanzibar's required cover if you're going to the islands
• Two bank cards and some US dollars in small notes

Can I bring plastic bags to Tanzania?

No. Plastic bags are banned in Tanzania for environmental reasons, and if you arrive by air you'll be asked to hand them over. Clear zip-top bags used for airport security are exempt. Pack shoes and laundry in fabric bags or packing cubes instead.

What extra do I need for Kilimanjaro?

The mountain runs from over 25°C at the base to well below freezing at the summit, according to the British Mountaineering Council. Add these to the list above:

• Thermal base layers, top and bottom
• An insulated down or synthetic jacket
• Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers
• Warm gloves or mitts, with thin liner gloves
• Walking boots you've already broken in, and good walking socks
• A sleeping bag rated for sub-zero nights
• Trekking poles if you use them
• Enough water bottles or a hydration bladder for a long day

Keep your duffel light. The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project says a porter's load of company gear shouldn't go over 20 kg, not counting their own kit, and your bag is part of someone's load. Ask us for our kit list and bag limit before you pack. Read up on altitude and acclimatisation before you go, and see routes on our Kilimanjaro page.