What colours should I wear on safari in Tanzania?

Neutral colours — khaki, olive, sand, and beige — are strongly recommended for safari. Bright colours and white attract insects, make you more visible to wildlife, and can disturb animal behaviour. Dark blue and black should also be avoided as they attract tsetse flies, which can deliver a painful bite. Most safari operators specifically advise against camouflage clothing in East Africa, as this is associated with military dress and may draw unwanted attention.

Do I need special clothing for Zanzibar?

Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim island, and modest dress is expected away from the beach. In Stone Town, shoulders and knees should be covered when walking through the streets, markets, and any religious sites — a light linen shirt and long trousers or a maxi skirt are comfortable and appropriate. On the beach itself, standard swimwear is fine. Packing a lightweight scarf for head covering in mosques is also useful.

What is the most important gear for climbing Kilimanjaro?

Layering is the most critical principle for Kilimanjaro. Temperatures range from around 25°C at the gate to -15°C or colder on the summit plateau. You need a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer (down or fleece), and a waterproof outer shell. High-quality thermal socks, trekking poles, and a -15°C rated sleeping bag are equally important. Cheap or improvised gear at altitude is a genuine safety issue.

Can I rent trekking gear in Moshi or Arusha?

Yes. Both Moshi and Arusha have numerous gear rental shops catering to Kilimanjaro climbers. You can rent sleeping bags, down jackets, gaiters, trekking poles, and duffel bags at reasonable daily rates. However, gear condition varies significantly between shops — inspect everything carefully before paying. We recommend bringing your own boots (blisters from rental boots at altitude are a serious problem), base layers, and any specialist kit.

Tanzania Packing List | The Tanzanian Guide

Tanzania covers three very different travel experiences — safari, high-altitude trekking, and tropical beach — each with its own gear requirements. This packing list covers all three, so you can tailor it to your specific itinerary.

Safari Clothing

Colours matter on safari. Wear neutral, earthy tones — khaki, beige, sage green, tan, and olive. Avoid bright colours, white (attracts tsetse flies and can startle wildlife), and black or dark blue (also attract tsetse flies). This isn’t just a style choice: it’s practical.

Essential Safari Clothing

Long-sleeved shirts x 3–4: lightweight but covering — essential for sun protection and mosquito defence at dawn/dusk game drives
Convertible trousers x 2: zip-off legs give you both trouser and short options; useful for temperature changes
Fleece or light down jacket: mornings in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater can drop to 5°C in June–August; a mid-layer is non-negotiable
Warm hat and gloves: for early morning open-vehicle game drives in the dry season
Sun hat with wide brim: sun on the plains is intense, especially at altitude
Sunglasses (polarised): reduce glare from the savanna
Underwear and liner socks: quick-drying fabrics (merino wool or synthetic); avoid cotton which stays damp
Walking shoes or trail runners: for walks at lodges, bush walks, and general movement
Sandals or camp shoes: for evenings at the lodge

Kilimanjaro Trekking Gear

Kilimanjaro involves extreme temperature variation — from tropical rainforest at the base (25–30°C) to -20°C with wind chill at the summit. Layering is everything.

Kilimanjaro Clothing Layers

Base layer (moisture-wicking): lightweight merino wool long-sleeved top and leggings; 2 sets
Mid-layer fleece: heavyweight fleece jacket (e.g., Patagonia R2 or similar)
Insulated jacket: down or synthetic puffer for high camp and summit night
Waterproof shell jacket: Gore-Tex or equivalent; the mountain creates its own weather
Waterproof shell trousers: essential for summit night cold and any rain on lower slopes
Trekking trousers x 2: insulated or softshell for upper mountain
Buff/neck gaiter: invaluable at altitude
Summit gloves (insulated): you need proper winter gloves for summit night, not just liners
Glove liners: extra layer of hand warmth
Balaclava or warm hat: summit nights are genuinely extreme

Kilimanjaro Gear

Trekking poles x 2: dramatically reduces knee strain on descent; Leki or Black Diamond recommended
Daypack (25–30 litres): for carrying your daily essentials; porters carry main kit
Headlamp (with spare batteries): summit push starts at midnight
Gaiters: optional but useful in wet conditions
Trekking boots (waterproof, ankle support): broken in before the climb — this is non-negotiable; blisters on Kilimanjaro with no option to stop are serious
Camp shoes or Crocs: to rest your feet at camp

Note: Most essential Kilimanjaro gear can be rented in Moshi at shops like Shah Tours or Super Market (around the bus station area). Rental quality varies — bring your own boots and sleeping bag at minimum.

Zanzibar Beach Essentials

Swimwear x 2–3: bikini, swim shorts, or rash guard
Beach cover-up / sarong: for covering up in Stone Town markets and when walking between beach areas
Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+: imported brands are expensive on the island; bring a good supply
Snorkelling mask (own): if snorkelling matters to you, rental quality in Zanzibar is unreliable; a personal mask improves the experience significantly
Waterproof sandals or water shoes: useful on rocky reef areas and boat trips
Lightweight linen or cotton clothes: for evenings in Stone Town; breathable in the humidity

Health and Medical Kit

Prescription anti-malarials: taken as directed by your doctor; the most important thing in your bag
DEET insect repellent 30–50%: apply every evening without fail; tropical-strength formulas are more effective
Permethrin-treated clothing or spray: adds another layer of mosquito protection
Oral rehydration salts (ORS): for combating dehydration from heat, stomach upsets, or altitude
Imodium / anti-diarrhoeal: stomach issues from food or water changes are common
Water purification tablets or filter straw: LifeStraw or Sawyer Squeeze as backup
Ibuprofen and paracetamol: for altitude headaches on Kilimanjaro
Altitude sickness medication (acetazolamide/Diamox): only if prescribed by a doctor; not for everyone
Blister treatment (Compeed): essential for Kilimanjaro
Antihistamine cream and oral antihistamine: for insect bites and reactions
Personal prescription medications: bring double the quantity needed; sourcing specific drugs in Tanzania is unreliable

Documents and Money

Passport: with at least 6 months validity beyond your return date
Tanzania e-Visa printout (or digital copy): keep both
Travel insurance documents: with emergency numbers clearly visible; include medical evacuation cover
Yellow fever vaccination certificate: required if travelling from endemic countries
USD cash: bring a good supply; $100–200 in small bills ($1, $5, $10, $20) for tipping and smaller purchases
Credit card (Visa/Mastercard): widely accepted at lodges and main restaurants
Copies of all documents: stored separately from originals (email to yourself as backup)

Tech and Electronics

Type G power adapter: British 3-pin plug; buy before you go — availability in Tanzania is unreliable
Power bank (20,000 mAh): lodge and camp charging windows are limited; a good power bank bridges the gaps
Universal voltage chargers: Tanzania runs on 230V / 50Hz
Camera with telephoto lens: an 18-300mm or 100-400mm zoom transforms safari photography
Memory cards (multiple): bring more than you think you’ll need
Binoculars: the single most important piece of safari equipment many first-timers forget; a 10×42 pair works well

What to Leave at Home

Camouflage clothing: prohibited in Tanzania (reserved for military use)
Fragrant perfume or aftershave: attracts insects on safari
Plastic bags: banned in Tanzania since 2019 — you will have them confiscated at customs
Single-use plastic bottles: bring a reusable water bottle (most lodges refill these for free)
Bright clothing: see safari clothing guidance above

Bag Strategy

For a combined safari and beach trip, many travellers use a soft-sided duffel bag (15kg max) as their main luggage for bush flights, with a daypack for carry-on. Hard suitcases cannot go in most small bush planes.

If your itinerary includes both Kilimanjaro and a safari, porters carry your main kit on the mountain while you walk with a daypack. Arrange soft-sided luggage storage at your Moshi hotel for items you don’t take on the trek.

Before you travel, set up a Tanzania eSIM so you have data connectivity from the moment you land. For safari and Kilimanjaro trips, travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and medical evacuation is non-negotiable.

Plan Your Trip

✈️ Book your flights to Tanzania 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car

Tanzania Packing List: What to Bring for Safari, Kilimanjaro & Zanzibar