What to Pack for a Tanzanian Safari

What to Pack for a Tanzanian Safari: Tanzania is one of the amazing destinations in Africa with various national parks, hospitable people, unique culture, wildlife like the tree climbing lions among others. Thousands of tourists visit Tanzania due to its different reasons such as hiking mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest mountain in Africa, to witness the great wildebeest migration in Serengeti national park, to view the big five mammals in Ngorongoro conservation area, to trek chimpanzees in Mahale mountains national park, to view different bird species including migratory species from Europe, endemic species which are only found in Tanzania and near-endemic species which can also be found in the neighboring countries. Packing for a safari can be challenging especially when it’s your first time but to make it easier there are a number of items that you need to pack so as to make your Tanzanian safari successful and they include

Guide books: There are various guide books by reputable authors such as African safari journals and field guide, the complete guide to African safaris among others. The guide books will give you information, field guiding about specific areas, information about animals that can be viewed, vegetation types, bird species among others.

Phone: A mobile phone will help you to keep in contact with your family members at home and also share great moments of your safari experiences before you travel back home.

Clothes: It’s important to first know the weather of the destination you are traveling too so as to know the type of clothes to park and these include underwear’s, hankies, casual trousers, long socks which will be tucked in your trousers so as to protect you from biting insects, long sleeve shirts to protect you from mosquito bites, keep your body warm especially during the wet season and also protect you from the sun during the dry season among others.

Non colored clothing: Visitors going on a safari in Tanzania are advised to pack non colored clothing’s because brighter colors attract insects and also distract animals in the national parks therefore visitors should pack neutral colors that blend well with the surroundings and also easy to wash.

Warm sweater: A warm sweater is used to keep you warm during the rainy season in the months of March to May and November when it gets very cold in the morning and at night.

Light or waterproof rain jackets: A light and waterproof rain jacket will protect you from rainfall especially during the wet season when it can rain any time of the day. The rain jacket can be important when you are on a guided nature walk or birding activity.

Walking/hiking shoes: The walking shoes should be comfortable to keep your feet dry and also allow you to walk properly especially when carrying out long hikes or guided nature walks in steep, muddy, and slippery areas.

Swimsuit: In case you are staying at a lodge with a swimming pool a swimsuit will be necessary for swimming, you can also explore and spend time on some of the beaches in Tanzania such as Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia among others.

Toilet kit: When planning to go on a safari in Tanzania you should pack basic toiletries like toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, moisturizer, lip balm, hand wipes among others in case you prefer to use your own because many lodges supply toiletries like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel among others.

Sunglasses: Sunglasses will protect your eyes from direct sunlight during game viewing especially in the dry season in the months of June to October when the national parks in Tanzania receive a lot of sunshine.

Hat: A hat will protect your head and neck from sunburn and rain, for the ladies a hat will protect the hair from getting stuck in the tree branches especially during guided nature walks or chimpanzee trekking in Mahale mountain national park.

Sunscreen: The best time to travel to the national parks in Tanzania in during the dry season in the moths of June to October because this is the best period for wild viewing therefore visitor’s should pack plenty of sunscreen to protect them from sunburns because they will be spending a lot of time under the sun.

Insect repellent: An insect repellent will protect you from mosquito or tsetse fly bites especially visitors who want to engage in different activities such as hiking, camping, sport fishing, walking safaris among others.

First aid kit: The first aid kid should have painkillers such as paradox, Ibuprofen, bandage tape, anti-diarrhea tablets, mosquito repellent, and other prescription medications in case an emergency arises.

Camera: A camera is an important item to pack for your safari in that it will be used to take incredible photos and record videos of animals including the big five mammals, primate species, different bird species, colorful butterflies, photos of the sunrise/sunset, water bodies, photos of the local people among other.

Binoculars: Binoculars on a Tanzanian safari will be used for greater and clear sightings of distant wildlife species including rare birds, animals, primates, insects among others.

Batteries and charger: You should pack extra batteries and a charger when going on a safari in Tanzania so as to keep your gadgets like camera, phone fully charged because many tented camps do not have 24/7 electricity.

A flashlight: A flashlight will help you to move around your tent at night because some camps in Tanzania have minimal lighting.

Backpack: A waterproof backpack will be used to carry all your items such as clothes, camera, binoculars, insect repellent, first aid kit, travel documents and also protect them from dust and water while on your safari.

Travel documents: When going on a safari in Tanzania you should not forget to pack some of your important documents such as passport and visa which should be valid for 6 months, passport photocopy, airline ticket, international health card or yellow fever certificate which can be presented at the airport, medical insurance card, travel insurance, a copy of your travel itinerary, a small diary and pen among others.