Tanzania Safari Packing List for Women: What to Pack for Safari & Giraffe Manor
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Tanzania Safari Packing List for Women
I’ve been to 34 countries, and making my Tanzania safari packing list was one of the more challenging packing jobs I’ve tackled! Between the safari itself, Giraffe Manor in Kenya, and a few days in Zanzibar, I needed to pack for very different experiences without bringing my entire closet.
So what do you actually need to pack for a Tanzania safari?
In this Tanzania safari packing list, I’m sharing exactly what I brought, what I actually used, what I could have left at home, and a few things I forgot to pack. I’ll also share what I learned about safari clothes, shoes, luggage, toiletries, medications, camera gear, and all the little things that made my trip easier.
If you’re wondering what to pack for a Tanzania safari — especially as a woman — hopefully my real-life packing experience will save you from some of the overpacking I did!
If you’re planning a Tanzania safari, you may also want to check out my Tanzania Safari Ultimate Guide.
Quick Tanzania Safari Packing List
If you just want the short version, here are the things I think are most important to pack for a Tanzania safari:
Lightweight, neutral-colored pants and shirts
Long-sleeve shirts for sun and insect protection
Comfortable walking shoes or trail runners
SandalsLightweight jacket or fleece for chilly mornings
Rain jacket if you’re traveling during the rainy season
Hat and sunglasses
SunscreenInsect repellent
Any prescription medications you need
Small first-aid kit
Reusable water bottle
Portable battery/power bank
Camera and extra batteries
Memory cardsType G power adapter
Passport and travel documents
Soft-sided luggage if your safari includes bush flights
And don’t forget: you really don’t need a completely new safari wardrobe! I packed more than I needed and would absolutely pack lighter if I did this trip again.
What Luggage Should You Bring on a Tanzania Safari?
Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack
One of the most important things to know before you start packing is that safari luggage can be different from your typical vacation luggage. If your itinerary includes small bush planes, you’ll often have strict weight and luggage-size restrictions, so check with your safari operator before you leave home.
Duffel bags or soft sided bags are highly recommended as they are more suitable for the travel conditions encountered during a Tanzania safari, such as limited luggage space on smaller planes and the necessity for flexibility while loading a safari vehicle. Avoid hard suitcases and you’ll be glad you did. Knowing how to pack light is also key! As a bonus, this brightly colored bag is easy to spot at baggage claim! This bag may not work as carry on luggage for all flights so check with your airline to see if it will need to be checked luggage.
This is where I kept all my documents and it served as my purse while in transit. It’s the three little bears of purses, not too big, not too small, just right!
Think Tank Photo 18 L Backlight Camera Backpack
If you’re carrying a camera, make sure it’s well padded and protected because the vehicles can be quite bumpy. This bag also served as my day pack and I was happy to have a green bag because dark-colored bags typically show dirt less. This bag doesn’t fit under the seat for many airlines, so check with your carrier to see if it qualifies as a personal item or carry on luggage. Remember to never put camera gear or electronics in checked luggage!
I go back and forth on the benefits of packing cubes. I like them in theory as they can help you keep like items together. These compression cubes are great at smushing things down, but sometimes trying to puzzle the cubes into your luggage just doesn’t go well. I guess what I’m saying is that your mileage may vary.
I downsized to this smaller toiletry bag for this trip and it worked well enough. But this hanging toiletry organizer is still my first love.
In June 2019, Tanzania implemented a ban on single-use plastic bags. Ziplocks used to carry toiletries are permitted, but may not be disposed of while in Tanzania. These reusable ziptop bags are the perfect eco-friendly alternative for a Tanzania safari.
Packing List
When preparing for your trip, having a comprehensive safari packing list is crucial. A well-thought-out Tanzania safari packing list ensures you have all the essential items needed for a comfortable and enjoyable adventure. It also prevents you from overpacking, which is a trap I fell into on this trip!
See my full safari packing list
Do your best to keep it minimal when packing for an African safari and consider using laundry service and/or sink laundry during your trip. Pick pieces that mix and match easily and don’t need to be ironed since they’ll be smushed into a duffel bag. You’ll be glad you did!
What to Wear on a Tanzania Safari
What should you wear on a Tanzania safari? The short answer is comfortable, lightweight clothing in neutral colors that you can mix and match. But after actually doing a safari, I have a few opinions about what you really need — and what you can leave at home.
When planning for a Tanzania safari, it’s crucial to choose appropriate clothing that ensures comfort and safety. A good general rule of thumb is to avoid blacks and dark blues (which attract biting tsetse flies), white (it gets dirty easily and stands out, possibly alarming the animals), and denim (too dang hot). Stick to neutrals as bright colours that are not found in nature might scare the animals away.
Before my trip, I pre-treated all my clothing with Permethrin Clothing spray as an added level of protection against flies and mosquito bites.
Here’s what I packed:
2 pairs of shorts (green, khaki) – I would have been fine with one pair as I preferred pants for sun protection.
2 white tank tops for layering – I could have done without these since I found it too hot to layer.
3 button down long sleeve shirts (white, light green, dark green)
2 dresses (a knee-length blue and white striped dress and a black and white spaghetti strapped maxi dress similar)
1 jumper (orange) – This was for photos at Giraffe Manor and that was the only time I wore it, so it was a waste of space for the Tanzania safari portion of my trip. I knew this going into the trip and the photos are cute, so no regrets!
3 bras
5 pairs of underwear – Halfway through my trip I used laundry service at one of the tented camps. In the interim, I hand-washed things in the sink. ExOfficio underwear and bras are quick drying, which is useful when doing laundry on the go.
6 pairs of socks (1 pair of compression socks for the long flights)
chub rub shorts go to under dresses
1 set of pjs
one bathing suit
one swim coverup
one rashguard – I knew I was going snorkeling in Zanzibar and I am serious about my sun protection, so this was worth the extra weight to me
one baseball cap – Oh, how I wish I could be a cute hat girl, but alas!
one scarf that I ended up not using the entire trip
See my full safari packing list
What to Pack for Giraffe Manor
If Giraffe Manor is part of your Kenya and Tanzania itinerary, you may want to pack one outfit that’s a little more fun than your typical safari clothes!
I brought an orange jumper specifically for my photos at Giraffe Manor, and it was literally the only time I wore it. Was it practical? Absolutely not. Do I regret bringing it? Not even a little bit. The photos are cute!
You don’t need a special wardrobe for Giraffe Manor, but if you’re planning on taking photos with the giraffes, I’d definitely bring one outfit that makes you feel great in pictures.
For the rest of your trip, stick with comfortable safari clothes in lightweight fabrics and neutral colors. You can always change into your “cute” outfit for Giraffe Manor and then go back to your practical safari clothes!
Best Shoes for a Tanzania Safari
I feel like I did a fantastic job with my shoe selection for this trip, bringing only two pairs. It’s important to bring hiking boots or trail runners for activities like safaris, as they provide the necessary ankle support and comfort for outdoor adventures.
Trail runners – I wore these on the plane so I didn’t have to pack them which helped with luggage weight restrictions. They’re comfortable walking shoes that are sturdy, have good ankle support, and are more water-resistant than tennis shoes. Hiking boots would have been a decent alternative, but I didn’t see the point in buying a pair when my trail runners were broken in and served the same purpose.
Sandals – These worked equally well with the dresses I packed as they did with my bathing suit and cover up. Flip flops would have been a decent alternative, but comfortable shoes are king and I preferred these sandals with a little more arch support.
Jackets and Outerwear for Safari
I spent a lot of time and careful consideration when packing outerwear. I traveled in July, which is typically the cool and dry season in the Serengeti. Temperatures range from 55 to 77 Fahrenheit and I know that I’m the type of person who is cold at 55, so I packed too much outerwear that was too warm.
I could have gotten away with just the cotton utility jacket on my trip, but it was nice to have the fleece with the waterproof shell on the one rainy evening we had. For the summer months and rainy season, a light rain jacket should suffice. The wool puffer vest was unnecessary for July and stayed in my bag the entire time.
Safari Toiletries: What to Pack
I don’t typically wear a lot of makeup and this trip was no exception. I kept my toiletries light, choosing things that did double duty whenever possible. You won’t find hair dryers at most of the accommodations, but I’d suggest not packing one if you can avoid it. You’re going to have a lot of early morning wake up calls, so I suggest showering at night and doing an abbreviated getting ready process to start the day.
2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner
moisturizer
saline nasal spray – it can get dusty when you’re driving with the roof open
eye drops – good for dealing with dust and dry eyes on flights
toothbrush
toothpaste
comb and brush
deodorant
tampons
hair ties
antibacterial wet wipes
nail clipper and file – Am I the only one who ends up with super jagged broken nails when I travel?
Medications and First Aid for a Tanzania Safari
The two prescriptions I regularly take in their original bottles – I packed several extra days in case I encountered travel delays
Prescribed Malaria Pills
Prescribed Antibiotics – My travel doctor prescribed a Z-pack to take in case I got ill during the trip. Thankfully I didn’t end up needing them!
Advil
Pepto
Tums
Immodium
Lactaid – I love dairy, it doesn’t love me
Dramamine – I’d read that some people get motion sick on safari vehicles, thankfully I didn’t have a problem
Sudafed
Zyrtec
A Covid test and 2 masks
See my full safari packing list
Before your trip, read my guide to vaccines for Africa.
Important Travel Documents for Tanzania and Kenya
Be sure to pack these essential documents!
Passport
Visas
Vaccine card – because I was going back and forth between Kenya and Tanzania, I needed a yellow fever certificate
Driver’s License
Cash – I brought both USD and Kenyan shillings I was able to get from my bank. I changed USD for Tanzanian shillings when I landed in Tanzania. Be sure to bring cash, especially small denominations of USD as it’s preferred by many in Tanzania.
Credit cards – I brought three, making sure to have both a Visa, a Mastercard, and an American Express. I also made sure they had no foreign transaction fees and were from different banks in case one bank got fussy about the international charges.
Debit card – Again, look for one with no foreign transaction fees like the Schwab debit card.
Travel insurance documents
Emergency contacts
Printed copies of all confirmations – Nothing’s worse than needing travel information from your phone and not having good service
If you’re traveling between Kenya and Tanzania, here’s everything you need to know about Kenya visas and Tanzania visas.
Your mileage may vary on some of these, but I brought and used all of them.
Other Tanzania Safari Essentials
electrolytes – I get dehydrated easily, so I always bring these when traveling to warm climates
a pen
pocket notebook
snorkel mask – My vision is atrocious so I have a prescription snorkel mask that I travel with
sunglasses
- mini laundry detergent packs
foldable tote bag – You never know when an extra little bag will come in handy! This was great for the beach and snorkel boat.
case for my glasses – To put my glasses in while sleeping on the flight or while snorkeling so they don’t get lost or broken on the boat
Camera Gear and Electronics for Safari
Electronics and camera equipment are pretty personal choices: Apple or Samsung? Canon or Nikon? This is what I brought, you can of course bring your brand of choice equivalents.
Phone and charger
Backup battery for phone
Kindle and charger
Apple watch and charger – I love this charger which allows you to charge your phone, watch, and AirPods all with one plug
Type G power adaptor – this one is great because it has multiple plugs and USB ports
GoPro and mounts
Canon R6 Camera Body
Canon RF 16mm/2.8 lens – didn’t pull it out of my bag once
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.L lens – I rented this and it was on my camera 98% of the trip
- Solar power bank – this came in very handy as not all of the tented camps I stayed at had 24/7 power
Camera batteries and battery charger
Memory cards for my camera and GoPro
Lens cloth
- Note: I did not pack binoculars because they were provided by my Tanzania safari tour operator
Let’s Go on Safari!
What I Wish I Had Packed for My Tanzania Safari
Anti-itch cream – While I didn’t get a lot of mosquito bites, it would have been nice to have this for the few I did get.
Proper preparation for a Tanzania safari trip is essential to ensure a comfortable and memorable adventure.
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Lori Barbely
Hi, I’m Lori, the Chief Travel Officer for Mostly Solo Travel! I created this site for solo (and would-be solo) female travelers. My goal is to inspire your trips, give you practical advice on how to plan, and to ease your fears so you can explore the world on your own.
