What to pack and know before a Tanzania safari

• Breathable shirts, short and long-sleeved. Avoid black and dark blue, which attract tsetse flies.
• Neutral bush colours if you plan to walk.
• A medium-weight fleece for cool mornings and evenings, and a light rain jacket.
• Zip-off trousers or light trousers, and one smart-casual outfit for dinner at lodges.
• Comfortable walking shoes or sandals. You need hiking boots only for Kilimanjaro.
• Sunglasses and a light cotton scarf against the sun and dust.

• Painkillers, anti-diarrhoea tablets and rehydration salts.
• Plasters and a stretch bandage.
• Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), lip balm and moisturiser.
• Antihistamine tablets and cream, wet wipes and hand sanitiser.
• Your prescribed medicines. Please tell your guide about any medical condition.
• Ask your doctor about malaria prevention and the Yellow Fever vaccine.

• A daypack, a torch or headlamp with spare batteries, and a multi-plug adapter.
• Binoculars, ideally one pair each.
• Camera, memory cards, chargers and a spare battery. Our vehicles have UK-style three-pin sockets that charge while driving.

Swimwear, a sun hat, reef shoes, insect repellent and a light wrap. Snorkelling gear can be rented. The coast is mostly Muslim: swimwear is fine at the beach and resort, but in towns and villages please cover shoulders and knees.

Tanzania bans plastic bags, including bin liners and duty-free bags. The only exception is a small zip-lock bag for toiletries in your hand luggage, which you take home with you.

• Use a soft duffel bag; hard suitcases do not fit well in safari vehicles.
• Light aircraft allow 15 kg per person, and extra weight may be charged.
• Pack essentials in your hand luggage in case a bag is delayed.
• Keep bags locked, and leave scissors, lighters and nail clippers out of your hand luggage.
• Extra bags can be stored in Arusha while you are on safari.

Bring US dollars, euros or pounds in cash. ATMs give Tanzanian shillings only and have daily limits. US dollar notes must be recent and undamaged. Only a few lodges and shops take Visa or Mastercard, often with a fee.

• Passport valid for at least six months.
• Your itinerary and emergency contacts.
• Travel insurance policy.
• Vaccination certificates, including Yellow Fever if you have one.