So, you’ve planned your dream safari itinerary in Tanzania and you’re all set to go but what to pack?
Packing your first Tanzania safari can be a little bit daunting. What is it you are bringing? You don’t need? Below is our recommended list of things to take with you when you’re on a safari. Easy travel is there to provide lots of useful Tanzania safari tips, Would you like to learn about some of these tips then check my site. Such tips will help you make a safe voyage.
A backpack; lightweight clothing to wear daily; a warm sweater or light fleece; a windbreaker or waterproof jacket; walking shoes or boots; dress shirt and pants or clothes to wear for dinner; sunglasses; hat; sunscreen and lip balm; insect repellent; camera and charger; flashlights or headlamps; phone and charger books;
You might want to carry your first aid kit too. While all of our Easy travel vehicles have their first aid kit on board, preparation never hurts.
Anti-malarial medicinal products; pain killers; antihistamines for asthma and bites of insects; cold and flu medicinal products; anti-diarrheal medicinal products; re-hydration medicinal products after vomiting or sunstroke; sunscreen and lip balm; eye drops; moisturizer for sunburn; antiseptic lotion; rubbing alcohol; bandages and plasters; scissors.
You may also want to bring water purification tablets along as well as any medicines you take for any existing medical conditions.
Don’t let them daunt you with the list above. Many of these items are only needed in extreme cases, but it is better to have something and not need it than to have something and not!
Money on Safari in Tanzania:
While all of our Easy travel safari itineraries cover important things like hotels, meals, entrance fees to the park, and game drive there are always additional costs that may occur.
Things like alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, snacks, laundry, and driver tips are examples of a few additional costs that may arise during your Tanzania safari time.
Tanzania makes tourism use of the US Dollar. For incidental expenses and tips, we recommend budgeting about $30 – $50 USD per day.
Tipping is customary in Tanzania:
We recommend tipping your safari driver $20 a day (per party, not per person), $10-$ 15 a day for your Tanzania safari cook (when camping), $20 a day for your Kilimanjaro climbing guide, and $10-$ 15 a day for your Kilimanjaro climbing porters.
You will pay all of that at the end of your safari or climb to Kilimanjaro at once.
What to do before your Tanzania Safari:
Getting ready to leave for your safari doesn’t need to be a stressful affair.
Besides making sure you’re packed and ready to go, there are a couple of other things that you’ll want to arrange ahead of your trip.
While all easy travel safaris have complimentary Flying Doctors Insurance, this covers only emergency evacuations.
Medical expenses, lost baggage, etc. are all things you’ll want to cover with a comprehensive travel insurance plan.
Visas
Tanzania provides visas for most nationalities for $50 per person on arrival.
Upon arrival at the border or airport, you will need to bring along two passport-sized photos, $50, and fill out the paperwork.
Alternatively, you can get your visa in advance by sending your passport to your home country’s consulate or embassy.
Vaccinations
Tanzania is a safe country and there are relatively low health risks, but there is still a range of vaccinations that you should get before your journey.
We’ve written a long post about Tanzania vaccinations in the past, but the important ones are:
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A & B
- Meningitis
- Rabies
- Cholera
If you’re entering Tanzania from a Yellow Fever region, you’ll need a Yellow Fever vaccination card to enter Tanzania too.
Extending Your Trip
Why not extend your Tanzania safari by visiting one of the other popular attractions in East Africa if time allows?
Zanzibar
The best playground in Zanzibar East Africa is just a short flight from Arusha. One can even fly directly from the Serengeti to Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches.
Adding on a few days to visit historic Stone Town and visiting Zanzibar beaches is a perfect way to complete your safari.
Kenya
Kenya and Tanzania have many similarities concerning wildlife and national parks, but the northern neighbor of Tanzania has plenty to offer if you’re planning to extend your Tanzania safari.
Witnessing the migration of Wildebeest is possible on the Maasai Mara during September-November, while parks such as Lake Nakuru National Park, Amboseli National Park, and Tsavo also offer unique viewing of the game.
If you’re traveling with children, a day trip to Nairobi or Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a great addition, while Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate National Park offer fun outdoor activities such as walking safaris, cycling, and rock climbing.
Rwanda
Famous for its gorilla trekking and dark history, if you want to see mountain gorillas, golden monkeys or chimpanzees, Rwanda is a great addition to that.
If you are interested in the history of Rwanda, Bustling Kigali is a fascinating place to visit, while Volcanoes National Park is a must-see for gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, and volcano hikes.
Beautiful Kivu Lake is a great place to get off the crowds and relax.
Uganda
Wild and untamed Uganda provides world-class chimpanzee trekking, inexpensive gorilla trekking, the chance to stay overnight on the banks of the Victoria Nile or Victoria Lake, and some fantastic game drives in parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Ethiopia
The place to go is mystical Ethiopia, for those who want a truly unique addition to their Tanzania safari.
Ancient historical sites, exotic wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and spectacular food make Ethiopia one of the best-kept secrets in Africa.
