Thinking on what to pack & wear on a Tanzania safari? For your Tanzania safari the question of what to wear or pack  is mostly depending on travelling time but casual, comfortable clothes is what you should pack & wear.

During the peak season which is December to February doing the Tanzania safari tours  day time is usually hot, especially when doing game drives in the African Savanna of the “wild Africa” Serengeti National park, “The elephant sanctuary” Tarangire National park & on the Southern Tanzania parks  Ruaha & Selous Game Reserve you may also expect such weather so make sure you follow what to pack & wear on a Tanzania safari.

In that sense you are advisable to wear & pack light clothes which will not only keep you cool but it is also much easier to wash & dry them at the Tented camps or lodges.

On Northern Tanzania safari circuit especially on high altitude, morning & evening time places like Arusha where most of Northern Tanzania safari starts, Ngorongoro highlands & its surrounding area of Karatu town it is cooler therefore should think of packing your warm clothes like jacket, fleece light gloves, scarf & warm hat.

We mostly recommend light colors when planning what to wear in Tanzania safari, you may avoid white during the dry season as it can be dust & they can easily get very dirty.

What to Pack & Wear on A Tanzania Safari

You should consider not to wear blue, black & white during your Tanzania safari, these colors are believed to attract the tisetse flies found in tall grass after the rain season coursing Nagana disease to animals  and sleeping sickness to man, but until they bite you for a month & it has to be a lot of them is where you can get the disease but generally, the disease is no longer common in Africa at present.

Military clothes or clothes which blending with them are illegal & not  permitted to be dressed by any person who are not military or member of the military (on duty). Avoid getting in trouble with the authority by not wearing them.

During dinner time on your safari in Tanzania you may think of dressing casual comfortable clothes which will enable you to enjoy the blue sky of Africa Savannah while listening to chorus of animals sound from the distance.

Remember to carry the repellents for bugs especially mosquito’s as well as sunglasses as it can be very sun & wind sometimes, sun hat can be bought in Arusha in the morning when heading to the bush. You will spend much time in the safari jeep but if you can think of walking around the lodges/Tented camps nice walking shoes comfortable ones  are needed as the road can be an even and dust.

Tanzania Safari Prices & Packages

Here’s a complete packing list for a Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach trip, split into sections for safari and beach, plus general essentials. You  keep it practical, lightweight and tailored for the climate and activities:

Tanzania Safari Packing List

👕 Clothing

Neutral-colored clothing (avoid black, white, and bright colors — beige, olive, khaki are best)

2–3 long-sleeve shirts (for sun/bug protection)

2–3 short-sleeve shirts or t-shirts

2–3 pairs of lightweight trousers

1–2 pairs of shorts

Light fleece or jacket (mornings and evenings can be chilly)

Convertible pants (handy for switching from cold mornings to warm afternoons)

Safari hat or wide-brimmed hat with chin strap

Buff/scarf (for dust)

Lightweight waterproof jacket (just in case)

🥿 Footwear

Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots

Sandals or flip-flops (for the lodge)

🧼 Toiletries & Personal Items

Sunscreen (reef-safe if possible)

Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin

Lip balm with SPF

Hand sanitizer

Wet wipes (dusty roads!)

Personal medications

🧢 Accessories

Sunglasses

Binoculars (essential for game viewing)

Camera + charger + extra batteries/memory cards

Daypack or small backpack

Dry bag (for dust and camera protection)

Reusable water bottle

🏖️ Zanzibar Beach Packing List

👙 Beachwear

2–3 swimsuits

Light sundresses or beach cover-ups

Flip-flops

Light t-shirts or tank tops

Lightweight shorts or skirts

Sarong (very useful for beach or covering up when needed)

👗 Modest Clothing for Towns

Shoulder-covering tops and longer skirts/pants for Stone Town (Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim and modesty is appreciated)

🧴 Beach Essentials

Beach towel or quick-dry travel towel

Snorkel gear (optional — most hotels provide it)

Aloe vera or after-sun lotion

Waterproof phone pouch

🧳 General Essentials

Passport + copies

Yellow Fever Certificate (check requirements based on your transit country)

Travel insurance

Vaccination record

Credit/debit card + some USD cash

Power adapter (Tanzania uses UK-style 3-pin plugs, Type G)

Zip lock bags (for organization and dust protection)

Headlamp or small flashlight

📝 Optional but Useful

Travel journal

Swimsuit drying clip

E-reader or paperback

Snacks or protein bars

Travel pillow (for long game drives or flights)

Above is just our clue on what to pack & wear on a Tanzania safari, if you may think of going to Zanzibar for beach relaxation you can think of adding water sport clothes.  Most welcome to Tanzania. (Karibu Sana!)