What to Pack for a Safari in Tanzania: The Complete Guide

Getting your safari packing right makes a real difference. The wrong-colored shirt can shorten your walking safari. The wrong shoes will give you blisters on day two. A missing adapter can turn your camera into an expensive brick. This guide is what we send to every guest before they fly to Porini Camp — refined over years of seeing what works and what doesn't.

Colors That Work (and Ones to Avoid)

Stick to neutrals: khaki, olive, beige, soft brown. These blend into the bush and don't spook wildlife on walking safaris. Avoid bright colors, especially white (shows dust badly), black and dark blue (both attract tsetse flies), and anything red (unnatural in the bush and visible from far away). Camouflage patterns are illegal for civilians in Tanzania and should not be packed.

Clothing Essentials

• 3-4 lightweight, breathable long-sleeved shirts (cotton or technical fabric)

• 2-3 pairs of long trousers plus one pair of shorts

• A warm fleece or light jacket – mornings and evenings can be surprisingly cool

• A wide-brimmed hat or cap (essential for midday game drives)

• A light scarf or buff (dust, sun, cool evenings)

• Swimwear (for camp showers and any lodge pools on transit stops)

• One smart-casual outfit for dinner – nothing formal, but you'll enjoy a change

Footwear for the Bush

Bring one pair of sturdy, closed walking shoes or light hiking boots for walking safaris – already broken in. Add a pair of sandals or light canvas shoes for around camp. That's it. Fancy trainers just get ruined in the dust.

Tech and Photography Gear

• Camera body with a zoom lens (300mm minimum; 100-400mm or 150-600mm is ideal)

• Spare batteries and at least two memory cards – you will shoot more than you expect

• A dust-proof camera bag or cover

• Binoculars (8x42 is the sweet spot – we have some at camp if you don't own any)

• A universal travel adapter (Tanzania uses UK-style Type G plugs, 230V)

• Headlamp or small torch (camp has solar lighting but a personal torch is useful)

Toiletries and Health

High-SPF sunscreen (50+), DEET-based insect repellent, lip balm with SPF, personal medications, basic first-aid supplies, and any prescription malaria prophylaxis from your doctor. A yellow fever certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission – check current rules before travel.

Documents

Passport valid for 6+ months beyond travel dates, Tanzania e-visa (apply online before travel), yellow fever certificate if applicable, comprehensive travel insurance including emergency evacuation (Flying Doctors or equivalent), and printed flight details.

What NOT to Bring

Skip heavy bags (domestic flights to Beho Beho airstrip have a 15kg luggage limit in soft duffel bags – no hard suitcases), plastic bags (banned in Tanzania), camouflage clothing (illegal), and excessive jewelry. Travel light. You will wear the same 3-4 shirts and love it.

What Porini Camp Already Provides

Laundry is done daily at no extra cost – so you genuinely only need 3-4 shirts. We provide insect repellent, bottled water, reef-safe sunscreen for Zanzibar transits, binoculars on loan, and warm blankets for morning drives. Full toiletries in each tent. You bring you and your camera. We handle everything else.

Questions About Your Specific Trip?

Every trip has specifics – medical conditions, camera questions, dietary notes. Once you book your stay at Porini Camp, we send a personalized pre-departure brief tailored to your dates and activities. Questions in the meantime? info@wanyamapori-safari.com.