Tanzania | Birds and Wildlife of Tanzania with Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory

Packing Recommendations

Everyone has personal preferences when it comes to packing; for this reason, the information below is offered as a general guide and not a definitive list. You know yourself best: Use your discretion and pack what you think will serve you, based on your personal preferences and specific itinerary.

Due to limited storage space in the safari vehicles, please use a soft-sided duffel bag (maximum 22 inches in length) as your primary piece of luggage. There will also be room for a medium-sized carry-on item (e.g. a camera bag, purse, or lightweight daypack). If you don’t have a duffel bag, we ask that you advise Holbrook or your trip host in advance so that we can make arrangements to provide you with a canvas duffel when you arrive.

You can find many of the items below in our Gear Store.

CLOTHING

Casual, comfortable clothing is suitable for most activities in Tanzania. You may wish to bring a slightly nicer outfit or two if your itinerary includes dinners out or more formal activities.

Bring enough clothing suitable for the length of your program. If you prefer to pack light, note that many hotels offer laundry services (at additional cost). If you plan to hand-wash items, remember that humidity may delay drying time.

Pack clothing that can be worn in layers to adapt to weather changes throughout the day. Clothing that wicks away moisture and dries quickly is recommended.

Bring clothes in neutral or muted colors such as green, khaki, brown, or gray. We recommend that you avoid wearing white as it can easily be spotted by animals, and it gets dirty quickly. In addition, black and bright or dark blue may attract tsetse flies, which have a painful bite. Regardless of clothing color, tsetse flies can bite through fabric, so wearing loose-fitting and/or layered clothing can help protect against bites, as can wearing a pair of thick hiking socks, especially on days when you are most likely to encounter them (such as in Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara National Park) .

Please note that army-style camouflage clothing is illegal in Tanzania.

Locals tend to dress conservatively. Tank tops and shorts cut above the knee are typically not recommended in public.

• A combination of short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts
• Shorts
• A combination of lightweight, quick-drying long pants and medium-weight pants or trousers
• Undergarments
• Sleepwear
• Light- to medium-weight jacket or sweater/sweatshirt – Evenings can be cold, especially in desert areas, on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, and during May-August
• Bathing suit – Some hotels have pools.
• Socks – Bring extra pairs.
• Shoes – Consider your specific itinerary when choosing footwear. For most programs, you’ll likely want at least one pair of comfortable, closed-toe walking or hiking shoes with thorn-proof soles, suitable for forest hikes and walking over cobblestones or other uneven terrain. Sturdier hiking boots may be appropriate for more active itineraries. In addition, many participants opt for a pair of sturdy sport-strap sandals (e.g. Keens, Tevas, or similar), plus a pair of casual flip-flops or sandals for around your hotel.
• Lightweight rain jacket, hooded poncho, and/or windbreaker
• Visor or wide-brimmed sun hat
• Bandana, scarf, or gaiter

Personal Toiletries

Pack toiletries based on your personal preferences and habits.

• Shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant/antiperspirant , etc. – If possible, avoid strong fragrances if you are sensitive to insect bites and to be considerate of your fellow travelers.
• Soap and washcloth or a small, quick-drying microfiber towel – Washcloths are not standard in all hotels. If you normally use a washcloth, you may wish to bring one from home.
• Hairbrush, comb, hair ties, shower cap
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Razor
• Ear plugs, especially if you are a light sleeper
• Personal hygiene products
• Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin (see note below about treating clothing with permethrin)
• Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
• Aloe vera gel
• A travel pack of tissues – also useful as napkins or toilet paper if needed

In addition to your personal toiletries, it is useful to pack a small medical kit, which you can easily prepare. Helpful items might include: bandages, antihistamine, a pain reliever, motion sickness and/or altitude sickness medication (if you are prone to either), anti-diarrhea medicine, individually wrapped pre-moistened towelettes and/or hand sanitizer, antibiotic ointment, anti-fungal cream, moleskin for blisters, eye drops, tweezers, a mini sewing kit, and an extra pair of disposable contact lenses or eyeglasses if you wear them.

Days before you leave home, you may wish to consider spraying any clothing, socks, and shoes that will be worn in lowland, tropical sites with permethrin, an anti-parasite medication, to repel irritating pests and prevent the spread of disease. A recommended brand is Sawyer. Carefully read all instructions before use. Please note permethrin is highly toxic to cats and fish, and some aerosol products may be harmful to birds. Side effects may include minor itching, burning, or redness. You may want to use a laundry marker to label and keep track of which socks are permethrinized. Only one application per item is necessary; permethrin on treated clothes remains effective through several washings. Permethrin should NOT be applied directly to skin.

Miscellaneous

Remember to pack valuables such as your passport, cash/credit cards, and medications in your carry-on luggage.

• Passport and photocopies of all travel documentation
• Personal insurance card and travel insurance information
• Money – ATM/credit card, traveler's checks, and/or cash; small bills in good condition are recommended
• Prescription medicines (if applicable), with a copy of the prescription
• Yellow fever certificate (if required; only if you're traveling from a country where yellow fever transmission is a risk)
• Sunglasses with strap
• Small day pack for hikes and excursions
• Flashlight and/or head lamp
• Travel alarm clock or inexpensive waterproof wristwatch with alarm – Not all hotels provide alarm clocks.
• A pocket calculator or phone to assist with conversions and currency exchange
• Binoculars with lens cleaner
• Camera and related equipment, such as charger, lenses, and extra memory cards
• Reusable water bottle – The safari vehicles are equipped with large water jugs. Please bring your own personal water bottle that can be refilled from the jugs during wildlife-viewing drives.
• Non-perishable snacks
• Pocket-knife or multipurpose tool – Pack in your checked luggage.
• Notepad or travel journal and pen
• Travel seat cushion – Seats in the safari vehicles are cushioned, but if you normally have hip or back problems, you may appreciate having some extra padding on the bumpy roads.
• Music or reading material for down time, long bus drives, or on the airplane, and a portable bright light to read by
• Collapsible walking stick with rubber tip – Pack in your checked luggage.
• A small quantity of laundry detergent if you’ll be washing clothing by hand
• Money belt
• Voltage converter and plug adapter
• Chargers for electronics

Additional Packing notes

Be aware that Tanzania has banned single-use plastics. Visitors are requested to avoid bringing plastic bags into the country. This includes garbage bags and grocery/shopping bags. Zip-top style bags specifically used to carry toiletries per TSA’s liquids rule are still permitted on the assumption that they will be reused on the return flight. Items purchased at the airport before boarding the aircraft should be removed from plastic bags. Please double-check your carry-on luggage before disembarking in Tanzania; any plastic bags should be left on the plane to avoid delays and possibly fines.

Although comfortable, safari vehicles are primarily utilitarian in nature and have very limited storage space. For this reason, we ask you to be mindful of what you bring for this program, traveling only with the essentials, and to please use a soft-sided duffel bag (no longer than 22 inches) as your main piece of luggage. In addition to your duffel bag, there will also be room for a medium-sized carry-on item (e.g. a camera bag, purse, or lightweight daypack).

If you do not have a duffel bag, please be sure to advise Holbrook or your trip host in advance of the trip. Then, at your first program orientation in Tanzania, your local guide will be able to provide a canvas duffel (one per person) for you to pack what you will need during the program. We will securely store your empty suitcase until the last day of the program, at which time you will be able to retrieve your suitcase and re-pack in preparation for your flights home. The dimensions of the provided duffel bag are 22 in x 11.8 in x 11 in (56 cm x 30 cm x 28 cm).

To protect against dust, you may wish to bring a bandana to cover your face, and a microfiber cloth or other covering for your binoculars and/or camera equipment.

During wildlife-viewing drives, you'll be spending much of your time in the vehicles, so heavy-duty hiking boots aren't needed; closed-toe walking shoes or sneakers are usually sufficient. A pair that easily slips on and off will allow you to stand on the seats of the safari vehicle for a better view when the roof hatch is open.